Chapter 19
ALICIA
Ethan carried me from the garage into his room, his touch cautious and gentle—the complete opposite of the person I knew.
“Put me down. I’m not an invalid,” I snapped, trying and failing to wiggle out of his arms.
“Can you just let me be your knight in shining armour for once?”
I snorted. “I’m not a princess. I’m a queen . I don’t need no damn knight!”
“Fine,” Ethan snapped before depositing my feet on the floor. As soon as he let go, the ground whooshed up toward me.
Solid hands caught me before I collapsed—again.
“Some queen you are,” Ethan scoffed. “You can’t even stand straight.”
Sudden vertigo had me swaying as I surrendered my weight onto him and closed my eyes for good measure. “It’s your fault I’m in this mess. You’re no knight. You’re the villain who stole me away. Don’t lock me in your castle, oh, vicious one!”
“Don’t tempt me,” Ethan said before he lifted me onto his ensuite counter, then, began rummaging around.
I refused to open my eyes, wanting to remain in the dark where the world wasn’t dizzy or complicated. Everything was discombobulated, like I was in the middle of a thick fog where everything was hard to process or reach.
Then, there was that voice— his voice—always ready to pull me back out.
“Shower, Ali. Then you can rest.”
I grumbled, processing the sound of running water bouncing off tiles. “I just want to sleep.”
“I know, love. Do this for me, then you can have whatever you want.”
I raised my arms, and he read the cue, slowly undressing me.
“Don’t leave me,” I said, unsure if I’d be able to remain upright on my own.
“I’ll never leave you,” he murmured, his tone light, almost reverent.
Ethan led me beneath the water, which cascaded down my back. I felt his soapy hands washing over my skin, massaging into my flesh. That’s when I stole a peek through half a lid.
We were in the shower together, naked… and he was hard— really hard. But that’s not what made me pause. It was his expression—his concerned gaze trained on my busted brow, never wavering down my body.
“Uh, Ethan… what are you doing?”
“Hush. Let me take care of you,” he said, quiet and soft as if he didn’t want to disturb the small cocoon we had found ourselves in.
A calming presence enveloped us, a subtle understanding that we were at a stalemate, with all our weapons left at the door.
A particular peace soon took hold as I just let everything be. For one night, Ethan could take care of me. For one night, I would let him be the custodian of my well-being.
One night.
Ethan was attentive and caring.
After he dried and dressed me in his oversized shirt, I was deposited in the middle of his gigantic bed while he ran to the kitchen.
We lay on our sides facing each other as he intermittently applied an ice pack to the injured portion of my face.
I could feel my eyes drooping and my speech lagging from tiredness. My thoughts circled one another in a jumbled mess. I felt like I was stuck in some fantasy land where I could live in that blissed illusion with my love—where nothing would ever go wrong.
“I want a doctor to check you out, Alicia.”
“No. I just want to stay here… with you. You’ll protect me, won’t you, Superstar ?”
Ethan’s breath hitched at the familiar nickname. It had begun as an insult—something I called him when his obnoxious nature was out in full force. However, over time, it had soon transitioned into a term of endearment, the title always laced with fondness and a tinge of affection.
But this time, I said it by accident, my tongue loose from my loopy brain. But in using that word, I rendered him speechless. So, I took advantage, cleared my throat and attempted to change tack.
“You know I could sue you for millions of dollars, right?” I teased.
“You don’t have to,” he murmured. “I’ll give it to you now. Just name a price.”
There was a certain synergy building between us. Ethan’s severe stare penetrated beneath my skin, the stark blue of his eyes shimmering with unspoken pain. He looked as if he was drowning, a continuous hurt beating him down beneath the surface he couldn’t breach—where he couldn’t breathe.
I don’t like it. Take my breath. Take my air. Just don’t look at me like that—like you need me to live.
I tentatively raised a hand and smoothed my fingers down his cheek. “You hurt me.”
“I know, love. I wish I could take it all back.”
“Oh, Ethan. I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“Me? Don’t waste your worry on me, Ali. I don’t deserve it.”
“Even so… I’m sorry about your mum, Superstar.”
His eyes widened just a fraction. “You still care… about me?”
“That’s stupid. I’ve always cared. You’re the one who stopped caring about me .”
“Ali, you’re the only one I do care about. You’re the only one who matters. ”
“You have a funny way of showing it.”
“I know, love, but I plan on fixing that. I’ve been keeping my distance because I don’t want you tainted by this crap with Audrey. But once it’s all over, I’m coming after you hard, so be prepared.”
“Harder than you already have? I think you need to learn some new tricks.”
“I have some, with the help of a new friend. I’ve got you, Alicia. Name it, and it’s yours.”
I sniggered. “Hmm, you do owe me a new dildo. You stole my last one.”
“Pretty sure you gave it to me… More like threw it in my face. But I’m more than happy to oblige, love.”
Darkness crept in as sleep threatened to pull me under. His hesitant whisper just managed to penetrate through.
“Can I hold you, Ali… Just for a minute?”
“Mm, that sounds nice,” I said, syllables slurred and barely making sense.
Yet, he understood. The last thing I processed was being buried in a comforting warmth I hadn’t felt in months.
I was safe. I was protected. I was home.