Chapter 10 #2
I rolled my eyes and opened his shirt. “Crap, you're bleeding. Let me take a look.” I slowly removed the bandage and assessed his wound.
“It actually doesn't look bad. Let me grab a few things from the closet.” Occasionally, a few supplies might make their way back to my place.
I didn't feel bad about taking the odd bandage home.
They paid me next to nothing. I figured I deserved a perk or two.
I came back with my little box and set about fixing him up.
He sucked in his breath when I disinfected his wound, but otherwise, he never said a word.
When I was finished bandaging him up again, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to him.
“Thank you.” He kissed me. Nice. And gentle.
Stefan was a wonderful kisser. I mean, I didn't exactly have anyone to compare him to.
But the way he kissed always made my toes curl.
“I would say you're welcome. But you're not. You should be at home with your family.”
Stefan kissed me one more time before letting go. “No, I should be here with you.”
I stood and cleaned up the old bandages and gauze pads.
After I washed my hands, I picked up the dishtowel and turned to Stefan.
“I hope you like cereal because that's all I've got.” He was still lying in the same position, shirt wide open displaying his torso.
Even all sweaty and disheveled, he was undeniably the most handsome man I'd ever seen.
Actually, his tousled hair and glistening skin were not a turnoff. Not at all.
Stefan could absolutely pose for any fashion magazine around.
“Sounds good,” he said, his breathing better now. And that was a relief. It wasn't like I had a tank of oxygen here. If things went bad, I'd have to call an ambulance.
I poured two bowls of cereal for us and then pulled the milk out of the fridge.
There was half a jug left. I would have to make it work for the rest of the week.
Before I sloshed the milk in, I dumped half of my cereal back into the box.
Stefan probably wasn't used to rationing out his food.
And he was still on the mend. He needed the calories more than I did.
I grabbed a couple packs of sugar from the cupboard and two spoons from the drawer.
Then I walked over to the bed with our supper.
Stefan took the bowl. I dropped the sugar packets beside him.
Then I sat on the small couch.
There wasn't a whole lot of room in here. But I counted myself lucky to have a couch and a bed. This place came already furnished, thank goodness. It wasn't like I had money to buy furniture.
I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. I surfed around until I found a show about rich housewives. There was always good drama happening somewhere in their world.
I ate slowly, trying to make it last. I'd have to try and swipe something from the hospital tomorrow.
“Is that all you're eating?” Stefan asked over a mouthful of cereal. A few drops of milk dripped down his chin before he wiped it.
I nodded and smiled. “I'm not that hungry,” I lied and went back to watching the show. Two of the women were yelling at each other. One of them had accused the other of sleeping with her husband. It was getting juicy.
“You were on your feet for twelve hours. You have to be hungry,” he said in his bossy voice.
I looked over at Stefan and shook my head. “I'm good. Be quiet. I don't want to miss this.” Then I watched as the two women narrowly avoided a physical altercation. It was awesome.
After the show ended, I took our bowls and washed them up. Then I filled up two water bottles. One for Stefan and one for me. “I'm going to shower. Do you want anything?”
He nodded and let his eyes trail up and down my body. “Yeah.”
I waited for him to continue, but he didn't.
“What do you want?” I asked, trying to hurry him up.
“To watch you shower.”
I rolled my eyes and turned around. “Whatever,” I said and headed to the bathroom.
I was all sweaty and gross from work, but also from helping my new roommate get out of the car and up the stairs.
I'd have to give Stefan a quick sponge bath before I went to bed. He wasn't able to shower by himself yet.
It took me a while to shower. I had to wash my hair, too. And shave my legs. Stefan had enough problems. He didn't need to get poked by my prickly legs.
After I was done, I finally felt human again.
It was then I realized my fatal mistake. I'd neglected to think ahead and bring my pajamas in here with me. They were currently sitting under my pillow.
Dammit.
I opened the door and walked across my tiny apartment, knowing full well Stefan could see a good portion of my body. My towels didn't cover much. And I had to walk right in front of the TV he was watching.
Ugh.
“Chesca,” Stefan said in a deep, growly voice.
I didn't answer. I didn't even look at the man.
My feet hurried to the other side of the bed. I quickly slipped my hand under my pillow and—“Hey!” I said as a large hand grasped my arm.
I looked up to see Stefan's dark eyes gliding up and down my torso. “Come here. Give me a kiss,” he said with a smirk on his face.
Luckily, my skin was wet, and I easily slid out of his grip. “Nope, I'm busy. And naked,” I said and rushed to the small set of drawers opposite my bed so I could grab a pair of panties. Then I flew to the bathroom where I changed and dried my hair.
It also gave me a little while to settle my heart rate. I hadn't seen Stefan's eyes like that since the night we—fooled around. He had the same fever of desire in them then, too.
We would be sleeping in the same bed tonight. Just like we would for the rest of the seven days and nights he was here. The couch was ridiculously small. And I certainly wasn't going to sleep on the floor. So, we'd have to share. And that also meant Stefan needed to stay on his side of the bed.
I stuck the hairdryer away and brushed out my hair. Then I wandered out, playing it casual. And not like I'd just probably given Stefan an eyeful or two. “Do you want anything else before I lay down?”
Stefan's eyes were on me. And they looked hungry. For more than just cereal.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I left my crap in the car.” I hurried to the door and slipped on my tennis shoes and grabbed my keys.
“Stop!” Stefan barked, making me jump. I turned around to look at him. And he was ticked right off.
Furious.
“What? I have to get my bag and my sweater.” I frowned at him.
“You are not stepping outside dressed like that.” He pointed at me. The look on his face was downright murderous.
“Pfft, it's fine. Nobody will even see me back there. The only person who ever comes out is Bernie.” I turned the door handle.
And Stefan had another fit. “Open that fucking door, and we're going to have a problem, Francesca!”
I turned around and glared back at him. “Are you seriously trying to tell me what to do?”
He groaned and shut his eyes. When he opened them, he tilted his head and said, “I'm not kidding around. If you—”
I instantly cut him off, “Whatever, Stefan. What are you going to do? Run after me and give me a spanking?” As soon as that tumbled out of my mouth, I desperately wanted to stuff it back in. I didn't wait for him to respond. I pulled on the door and ran out.