23. Washed & Dried
washed & dried
Deirdre
T he first three days of my period are the exception to my beliefs around murder and violence. I can overlook a lot of things when I’m on my cycle.
Might even volunteer to do shakedowns as a way to blow off steam if I participated in that side of the family business. Unfortunately, due to my moral high ground, I settle for being bitchy instead.
Scar
Good morning, Doe.
It is not a good morning, more like terrible. I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a semi-truck that backed up and ran over me enough times that I became one with the pavement.
“Fuck,” I grunt.
I could hardly get comfortable and spent most of the night tossing and turning. Not too long after I’d finally fallen asleep, I woke up before my alarm to discover that my period came a few days early. All over my white sheets.
Love that for me.
After a slew of curses, I clean myself up, strip the bed, and toss everything into a giant pile on the floor. I scoop up the pile and start for the laundry room, nearly tumbling down the stairs with all the bed linens.
Fuck this.
I chuck the bundle of linens at the foot of the stairs, leaving it for later. Thankfully, Flora is off today, so I don’t have to worry about her stumbling upon it. I’d prefer to clean up my own mess and plan to, just not now.
Begrudgingly, I stomp back to my room, make the bed with fresh linens and climb in, wrapping myself in the blankets. My head is pounding, my back is in excruciating pain, and the cramps feel as if I am being clawed from the inside out.
I slept so wild that I have no idea where my bonnet is, and I hope it isn’t wrapped in that pile waiting downstairs. I doze off, later awakened by my blaring alarm, reminding me it’s time to start my day. My hands fumble around for the phone and the sound is coming from under my bed.
Lovely.
I flick on my bedside lamp and crawl out of bed, following the sound to discover my bonnet lying right beside it. My finger taps the screen to shut off the alarm, and darkness absorbs the room when I switch off the light before securing my bonnet onto my head.
Welp. I guess I’m up now.
As much as I hate to do it, I have no choice. My team will live, and I will too if I start giving myself a break. Nobody should have to be around my miserable ass today. I am calling off.
Alert the media.
I pull up my text thread with my assistant, informing him I won’t be in today and that he’ll need to lead the meeting in my place. As expected, he’s concerned, and I assure him I will be fine and am taking a day or two to catch up on rest.
Then I fire off a text to my brother, so my absence is recorded. He responds immediately.
Dare
Period or you sick?
It’s none of your business, boss.
Dare
Ah. Period.
Do you need anything?
Nah. I need more sleep.
And pain relievers, but I’ve got some.
Dare
Take all the time you need, Sis.
We shall go on.
Thanks. I love you.
Dare
I love you too. I’ll call later.
Darius must’ve been onto something when he threatened to place me on a temporary leave, because my cycle heard him and said, “bet.”
For once, my curtains are shut, and I couldn’t be more thankful. It’s dark enough in here that it looks like it’s nighttime, and that’s exactly what I need to go back to sleep. If I’m not working from home, the least I can do is catch up on sleep and my latest read.
Before I forget, I list the groceries I’ll need to restock on to get through the next few days. And set a reminder to order takeout, because I am not cooking. I roll over, yanking the blankets over my head, and drift off to sleep.
A pumping heartbeat sounds in my left ear, waking me up. Scar’s cologne envelops me, and I’m convinced I’m still asleep, but I blink my eyes open to find that I’m lying on his chest. A large hand rests on my lower back, the other holding my e-reader.
The title atop the screen reveals it’s a why choose novel. One of the filthiest ones in my possession, and here he is just eating it up. I’m a why choose girlie, and have no shame about it.
My eyes trail downward, and the outline of a thick erection steals my attention. A very thick erection. In gray sweatpants.
Of course, his dick is big. It better had been with his fucking attitude.
While this isn’t the worst sight to wake up to, I am not in the mood for his antics and prefer to be left alone as much as possible during my time of the month.
Curiosity overtakes me, and I try to peek without moving my head, hoping to sneak a glance at an unmasked Scar, but no luck.
What is up with the mask? I doubt he’s unattractive, so what is he hiding?
I break the comfortable silence, glancing up as my head rests upon his chest. “Scar, why are you here?” I ask, sleepily.
When his whiskey eyes return my gaze, there’s a softness in them that makes me feel less annoyed that he’s broken into my house yet again. Let him tell it, he’s a guest.
He’s a charming pain in my ass.
“First off, I have ten minutes left in this chapter, and they’re about to fuck,” he says, seriousness in his tone.
“She has three holes and there are five guys,” he informs me, using his fingers to emphasize each number, and I resist the urge to laugh.
“I’m invested and need to know how this is going to work. ”
“I can assure you they make it work and it’s very hot.”
“No spoilers,” he scolds. “Secondly, good morning to you, too. Thirdly, you didn’t text me back or go to work. Then I saw you nearly broke your neck on the stairs, so I rushed over to check on you, but you were sleeping.”
I stare incredulously at him, unsure of how to respond.
“And lastly, I washed and spot treated your sheets. They’re in the dryer now. Groceries and takeout are on the way. De nada ,” he adds.
“ Gracias .”
“I could teach you better Spanish than that, but you’d have to be a good girl, and you’re not,” he teases, booping my nose.
“I could show you what a good girl I am, but you’d have to stop breaking into my house and you won’t,” I mock.
“If you don’t want me here, change the locks, Doe,” he challenges.
Maybe I don’t want to keep you out , I think.
“You’re annoying,” I say with a deep sigh.
“?Tú sabes? Deja la jodienda,” he mutters under his breath.
“Qué?” I ask with a cackle.
A chuckle rumbles through his chest. “I said, ‘stop fucking with me’. Because I’m trying to read and you’re insulting me. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to finish this chapter. Then I’m going to take care of you.”
“Why would you do that?”
He places a finger to his chin through the mask, as if he’s thinking. “Deirdre?” he asks sweetly, looking into my eyes.
“Hmm?”
“Vete a dormir. ”
I stare inquisitively. “ Dormir means sleep.”
“Yes, it does. Do it,” he advises while adjusting my bonnet.
“Fine,” I resign with a pout. “Only because your chest is comfortable.”
“I know. Now, please let me read my smut,” he says, splaying his hand on my lower back and pushing me closer.
He kills me. Now it’s hi s smut?
He’s lucky I’m exhausted. I settle back onto him and start dozing off moments later.
“I’d like to run you a bath before I go. Do you like your water at a temperature that compares to hell ? Most women do.”
I try to hide my disappointment that he’s leaving, but he’s got a life to get back to.
“Now, Scar, I do like my water hot as hell, but I’d be a little jealous if I learned you’re drawing baths for other women. I thought I was special,” I say in my best southern accent.
He chuckles. “That wasn’t bad. You are special, Doe. And I do draw baths, but only for mi abuela. She’s my best friend, and I take care of her as much as I can,” he informs me, bending over to plug the tub.
Wow. It is possible for him to be even more attractive.
I steal a glimpse at his ass and avert my eyes before he catches me in the act.
“She’s lucky to have you.”
“Thanks,” he says, and I wish I could see if he smiled or not.
He places his hand under the running tap to check the water temperature, wincing as it heats up.
With a step back, he wipes the water onto his sweats and faces me. “I can confirm that the water is underworld hot. I hope it meets your expectations.”
He squats down, opening the under-sink cabinet to retrieve a container of Epsom salt that wasn’t there before. His large hands twist off the lid, taking heaping scoops before adding them to the running water.
I tilt my head curiously in question as he returns the container below the sink.
“It’s for your cramps,” he tells me, shifting to shut off the faucet. “I read that it could help. I hope it does.”
He asks me to give him a moment and shuts the door to the en suite. I gather pajamas to change into, setting them neatly on the bed
“All ready,” he announces, opening the door to reveal a candlelit bathroom. Dim and cozy, exactly how I like it.
“Oh, wait,” he gasps, like he’s forgotten something. “I warmed this up in the dryer for you.” He returns with a folded terry cloth towel, placing it on a nearby stool with my e-reader atop. “And I thought you might want to read.”
My heart swells at his attentiveness, and I’m unable to hide my smile. “Thanks, Scar.”
“I’m glad you like it. I’ll leave you to it,” he utters with a nod and closes the door.
I undress, tossing my clothes in the hamper, and carefully step into the clawfoot tub. My hands grip the sides as I lower myself, and hot water caresses my achy muscles as I submerge my body. A relieved sigh escapes me as I rest my head back.
A light knock raps on the door, I hum and sit up, not bothering to hide my naked body.
It’s nothing he hasn’t seen before. He doesn't have to admit he accepted my invite to watch. The stolen panties confirmed it.
Scar opens the door a crack, standing in the doorway as he asks, “How’re you feeling?”
“Better. Thanks for today,” I add, meeting his gaze.
“Anytime. Do you need anything else?”
I shake my head in response as his dark eyes drink me in, and I bask in it, smirking to myself.
He clears his throat. “Goodnight, Doe. I’ll lock up.”
“Goodnight,” I sigh, sinking deeper into the tub.
Dare I say, I was reluctant, but I thoroughly enjoyed his company today. As much as I argue that I don’t need saving and can take care of myself, he still insists on being here.
He cooked, ordered groceries, and did the laundry unprompted. All because he wanted me to take it easy.
Even brought me this portable heating pad that resembles a fanny pack. It looks strange, but it’s so helpful.
Still, he hung out here all day with a mask on and refused to share why he even wears it. I’ll admit it’s weird, but it’s growing on me.