Chapter 28 #2
The hot water on her back steams up the shower, and although I’m nearly freezing, I don’t show it. I’d freeze to death before leaving her in here.
Next, I grab her free arm, and inch by inch, I rub my way to her ribs. It’s not until I lower my eyes do I notice how big her bruise is there.
“Fuck, Noah.”
“You’re not supposed to be lookin’,” she mouths off.
“You broke the rules first.”
My focus stays on her stomach, being extra careful not to press too hard, and then I switch to her other arm.
“Hold on to me as I do this one,” I tell her, taking her hand off the rail and wrapping her fingers around my bicep. Once I finish, I do the same routine on the other side.
I secure her back into position, grab more soap, then drop to my knees.
Her lips twitch as if she’s eager to remind me where I shouldn’t look, but as soon as I touch the inside of her thigh, she parts her lips and moans.
She’s not the only one suffering.
Her sweet pussy is nearly in my face. Restraining from touching her is the worst form of self-torture, but I continue anyway. I drag my thumbs down her leg, then gently rub the soap around her ankle and foot.
She gasps, and I look up. “Shit, sorry. You okay?”
“Yeah, just tender.”
“I’m movin’ to your other leg. Keep this foot up,” I remind her.
I start at her toes, then work my way up. When I get to her inner thigh, I dig my thumbs in deeper to massage her muscles. Her stomach tightens as I move up and carefully cover every inch of untouched skin.
Standing, I detach the showerhead and clear the soap off the front of her body.
“Doin’ okay still?” I ask as she fidgets on one foot.
She nods with shallow breaths as I put the water pressure against her clit.
“How about now?” I mutter, gripping her hip.
“Oh God.” Her eyes flutter closed as her head tilts.
Just because I can’t give her an orgasm doesn’t mean I can’t help her get there.
“Don’t fight it, my love,” I whisper in her ear as I cup the back of her neck. “Give in to the pleasure.”
“I thought you were worried about me fallin’.”
“I’ve got you, baby.” I tighten my hold. “Fall apart as much as you need.”
She squeezes my arm as she finally surrenders, and soon, she’s teetering off the edge, panting through the release.
“Thatta girl.” I remove the water pressure and press a kiss to her temple. “I’m gonna wash your other side now.”
Once I put up the showerhead and adjust the spray, I help her turn around so I can soap her back. As much as I want to take my time again, I know she’s getting antsy having to keep her foot up.
“All done.” I turn off the water, then step out to grab the towels. Once I wrap one around my waist, I help dry her hair and put another around her body.
Instead of handing her the crutches, I scoop her up and carry her out.
“I can hop,” she says when I walk toward her bedroom.
“On a wet foot? No. Usin’ crutches while you’re soakin’ wet and grippin’ a towel on? Also no.” I arch a brow. “You’ll be back in the ER, gettin’ prepped for surgery.”
She grinds her teeth and groans. “This sucks.”
After I set her down on the mattress, she holds the towel in place by crossing her arms and legs. She’s less than amused that she can’t do things on her own, and I know that struggle all too well.
“Noah.” I grab her attention, then kneel so we’re at eye level.
“I understand being taken care of and looked after is hard. You’re independent, you thrive being on a schedule, and you’re not built to sit around and do nothing.
Those are just a few of the qualities I adore about you.
When I got injured, I hated every fuckin’ minute of being off work.
But the one thing I’ve learned is that the worse attitude you have, the more miserable you’ll be.
So when I’m tough on you, it’s because I know what happens when you don’t follow instructions and fuck yourself up even more.
I want you to heal as fast as possible so you can get your annoyin’ ass back in the arena. ”
She licks her lips before sucking her bottom one between her teeth. “That’s not why I’m frustrated.”
“Okay, then tell me. What’s goin’ on?”
“You broke my heart.” She pauses and lowers her gaze as if getting the words out is more painful than her ankle.
“Each day you’re here takin’ care of me only adds to the reasons I fell for you in the first place.
But I can’t act on those feelings. You’re off-limits, and keepin’ my distance is another level of torture.
I don’t mean to come off as ungrateful because I’m not, but your being here is a constant reminder of what I can’t have.
Most girls get to go through heartbreak and cry themselves to sleep in the privacy of their own room.
I can’t get over it when the person who caused the pain basically lives in my house, treatin’ me like a queen, and makin’ me wish I didn’t give up so easily.
So when I say this sucks, it’s because I wanna kiss you every second you’re here. And I can’t.”
Her voice cracks as tears fall down her cheeks, and I swear I forget how to breathe. Her words are a dagger to my heart, and I hate myself for what I’ve done to her.
I should’ve realized how hard this would be for her and not insisted on being the one to take care of her. But I felt so damn guilty that she got hurt on my watch, and I couldn’t prevent her injuries when I’d promised to protect her.
Grabbing her hand, I bring it up to my mouth and kiss her knuckles.
I contemplate saying fuck it and telling Jase right now that I’m in love with Noah, but he’s not the only obstacle we’d have to navigate.
Her parents would have to accept their daughter with a man twice her age and hopefully not fire me.
“I’m so sorry that me being here is causin’ you more heartache.
If I could change the circumstances, I would.
I don’t wanna be the root of your pain, so if you want, I won’t stay here anymore.
I’ll tell everyone I have to get back to my other clients.
I’m sure Magnolia would love nothin’ more than to quit her job and take care of you twenty-four seven. Whatever you want, Noah.”
She lowers her eyes and nods. “I think that’d be best.”
“Alright. I don’t wanna leave you alone tonight, but first thing tomorrow, I’ll make sure someone’s here.”
With Craig out to get Noah, there’s no way she’s spending even one night alone.
“Can you help me get dressed?” she asks after I change back into my clothes.
“Of course. What do you wanna wear?”
She points out a baggy T-shirt, and then I find her a pair of panties and get her settled into bed. I grab her an ice pack for her ribs, then prop her foot up on a pillow.
“You look cozy. All good?”
“Actually...” She fidgets, clearing her throat and sitting up higher.
“Would you mind stayin’ in here and watchin’ a movie with me?
I know I just asked you to leave, but if this is your last night, maybe we can hang out for a couple of hours?
Except this time I get to pick somethin’ out since you made me watch Underboard. ”
I chuckle, threading my fingers through my damp hair and counting the dozens of ways this is a bad idea. “Overboard.”
“Yeah, that.” She waves me off, then pulls back the covers.
Crossing my arms, I say, “Depends. What is it?”
She grabs her Apple remote and flips through her apps until she lands on an image of Taylor Swift. I arch a brow, looking back and forth between her and the screen.
“It’s time you get educated on Miss Americana.”
We spend the next hour and a half lying side by side in her bed, and all I can think about is how I’ve let her down. She watches with tears in her eyes, and I can’t tell if it’s for the documentary or for us.
“Wasn’t it so inspirin’ and tragically beautiful?”
“It was really good.”
I don’t admit that I mostly watched her reactions out of the corner of my eye and spent ninety minutes memorizing every flawless inch of her face.
“Mallory and Serena make me watch it once a month.” She giggles. “And then we blast her music and dance until the sugar high wears off.”
“I thought Mallory was the Swiftie?”
“Where do ya think she learned it from?”
I laugh with her. “They’re lucky to have you.”
“I’ve been super busy this summer and haven’t been around as much. I need to change that. Ayden and Laney’s reception is next month, and I was helpin’ them plan it.”
“Well, right now, all you need to do is rest.”
“I haven’t even seen the new baby. Maybe I’ll have Momma take me tomorrow.”
My shoulders tense as I think about her leavin’ the house without my help, but I can’t hang on to that fear. She needs to learn how to get around and figure out what she can tolerate without me telling her.
“I think that’s a great idea.”
She jolts back with an amused grin. “You do?”
Lifting a shoulder, I smile. “Yeah.”
Once I help her get comfortable again, I make sure she has everything she needs, then double-check that everything’s locked up.
“G’night, Noah.” I stand in her doorway.
After a moment of silence, she clears her throat. “I wish I could hate you for makin’ me fall in love with you, but you’re the Taylor Lautner of exes.”
“Am I supposed to know what that means?”
The corner of her lips curves up. “He’s the favorite ex of Taylor Swift because he’s unproblematic and treated her like royalty.”
“Guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”
She smiles and nods. “Good night, Fisher.”