Chapter 31
S ome random nostalgic song was playing on the stereo in Scarlett’s mother’s old car.
“Andrzej gave me this CD. Cigarettes After Sex, I think they’re called. An odd name for a band, don’t you think?”
“I’ve heard of them. I didn’t realise this was them.”
“The songs are a bit sad, but I sort of like it.”
Scarlett nodded. “Yeah, they are.”
“Who would’ve guessed I’d be down with the kids, huh?” June winked at Scarlett, making her smile. “How you feeling?”
“The painkillers have helped.” Scarlett turned away and looked out her window. It was difficult to see where the grey drizzle in the sky ended and the land began. It was the long Scottish winter, so she’d been told, and the damp grey skies echoed it to be true.
If it wasn’t this depressing, it could almost be beautiful.
“Well, I’m just happy we got you in to see the GP so quickly. It’s good that the Cameron-Reids have always provided private health to all their employees, don’t you think?”
“Hmm, very thoughtful.” Scarlett didn’t mean to sound ungrateful, so she added, “Thank you for taking me.”
“Of course.” June briefly glanced across at Scarlett. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“It’s just a urine infection. There’s nothing to talk about.”
June nodded and, for the remaining half an hour, hummed along to her CD.
When they arrived back at the stables, June switched off the ignition and looked across at Scarlett. “He came looking for you last night.”
“Who?”
“You know who.” June rolled her eyes.
Scarlett nodded, avoiding looking at her mother.
“He obviously cares.”
Scarlett nodded again, still unable to find a suitable response.
“Right, well, why don’t you rest? I’ve got some work to be getting on with. Do you need anything before I shoot off?”
Scarlett shook her head. “Thanks again for taking me. I’ll see you later.”
They both got out of the car and Scarlett headed straight up to the flat whilst her mother headed towards the garden workshop on the other side of the building.
What a fucking shit show.
She knew she had to find him and talk to him, but it could wait another couple of hours– just a little more time to allow her to gather her thoughts, which were still running riot in her head.
She also knew she should’ve at least messaged him, but she was so angry, upset, and in pain; all she’d wanted to do was curl up and try to sleep, which was exactly what she’d done.
Ana?se had insisted Scarlett stay in her room, and after ensuring she had taken the painkillers and had enough to drink, she left to have dinner and spent the rest of the night in Miranda’s room.
But Scarlett still should have messaged Edward, and she felt rotten for not doing so.
He’d also not called or messaged after being turned away by Ana?se the evening before, and she felt sick at the idea of him potentially never speaking to her again.
But she still felt humiliated and angry with him.
It could all wait, though. She had to prioritise herself. But she was in the flat for all of five minutes before a thunderous knock on the door frightened her half to death.
Her bath was running, and she was already half undressed, in just a t-shirt and knickers, so she grabbed the thick cream bathrobe her mother had bought her during her last trip to Aberdeen with Andrzej.
It still had that newish smell and felt like a hug.
Another impatient knock struck at the door, and she knew it was Edward.
No one else on the estate had the gall or temperament to knock like that.
Reluctantly, she opened the door and almost laughed at the sight of him, nostrils flaring and fists clenched, readying himself to knock again.
“Edward,” Scarlett said, her voice steady as she folded her arms around herself.
“What’s the matter?” he barked at her. “And why have you been avoiding me?”
Scarlett closed her eyes. She didn’t have the energy to deal with tantrums, so she turned around and headed to the bathroom. “Come in and shut the door. I’m cold!”
She could hear him sigh behind her, but he came in and shut the door.
“And take your shoes off!” Scarlett added, struggling to hide her frustration.
He sighed again, loudly this time, but when she turned around to check, he was doing as she asked, still not taking his eyes off her.
Those eyes .
Even when she was furious with him, and his eyes looked as if there were a violent storm brewing in them, she could still get lost there.
She shook her head, suddenly remembering the water was still running– they could probably do without the bath flooding on top of everything else.
Turning off the taps, she tested the water– much warmer than she’d usually like, but she wanted to chase the cold out of her.
Scarlett was grateful for more private surroundings than the night before, but hearing Edward padding through her bedroom towards her, it seemed like bathing solo wasn’t something she was doing anytime soon.
She stripped off and got into the bath, wincing as her skin became accustomed to the heat.
Her eyes glanced across the room towards Edward standing in the doorway, all tall, delicious, and awkward as usual.
He really was her own brand of catnip. Everything about him was alluring to her, even as she noted his discomfort and the way his restless hands now sank deep into his pockets.
Despite being massively pissed off with him, she still wanted to be close to him, to feel him, inhale him, even when he was being a complete arse and, evidently, in an almighty strop.
“What’s wrong, Scarlett?” His voice was softer now, but his face still appeared caught between empathy and anger.
“I’ve got a urine infection.”
“Huh? What even is that?” His voice hitched, rising an octave.
She rolled her eyes at his reaction.
“A UTI. Cystitis, whatever you want to call it. We’ve already spoken about this.”
“Ohh…” His brow furrowed. “Because of me?”
“No, Edward, you didn’t do this. We’ve just been having a lot of sex, and to be honest, I’ve always been prone to it.” She sank deeper into the bath, too tired and sore to be embarrassed by the frank conversation they were having.
They fell into silence and Scarlett watched him as his eyes darted around the room, unable to meet hers. She could see he was struggling with talking about stuff like this. “Edward!”
“What?” he snapped, but she could tell he immediately regretted it as he pulled his hand across his face. “I was ready to kill people last night.”
“Why?” This man, honestly.
“Everyone was being weird and keeping me away. Why didn’t you just speak to me? Or message me?” Edward closed his eyes and leaned his head against the doorframe.
“Because you acted like a complete wanker yesterday and then I felt like shit!” Scarlett scowled at him.
He sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“What is going on?” She shook her head. “What’s got into you?”
He looked at her and sighed. Again . “I don’t know. My head is all over the fucking place.”
“Why?” She watched him straighten and then begin to take his clothes off. “We are not having sex!”
“Shut up, I know that.” He rolled his eyes at her and within seconds he was naked. “Move forward and let me sit behind you.”
It was Scarlett’s turn to huff and sigh, but she reluctantly obeyed, unable to stop herself from stealing a quick glance at his cock. The slight smirk playing on his mouth told her he noticed.
Luckily, the bath was enormous, but she leaned forward and let some of the water out so it didn’t overflow.
“Fuck! How hot is it in here? Fucking hell,” he groaned.
She half laughed. “It’s my bath. You don’t have to be in here.”
He grunted and then slid in behind her and she put the plug back in, staying sitting upright until he pulled her back to lie against him.
The hairs on his legs and the small patch on his chest softly grazed her skin.
She liked the feel of it and as she adjusted herself, she could feel him harden.
“Ignore him. He’ll settle down,” he grumbled.
Scarlett grabbed the towel she’d placed on the side of the bath and laid it across the bottom of her stomach. Edward placed his hands on top of it and she closed her eyes as comfort washed over her.
“I’m sorry you’re not well, and I– we didn’t take it easier. And I’m sorry I was a complete prick.”
Scarlett placed her hands on top of his. “It’s becoming a habit I’m not particularly keen on.”
“I’m sorry,” he told her, his voice small.
“I know.” She squeezed his hand.
They stayed silent for a long moment.
“Seriously, though, what was that about with Ana?se? How did all that come about?” he asked, freeing a hand to move some of her hair from her neck and placing a kiss in its place.
A laugh bubbled out of Scarlett. She wasn’t sure she could adequately put into words how it went from weird to the most logical and natural turn of events. “She was just there… I was in a lot of pain, and she took control. It was odd and then– well, then it wasn’t.”
“Women are strange. I don’t get it.” Edward continued to trace his fingers across her neck and shoulders.
Scarlett released a contented sigh. “I’m not sure you’re supposed to.”
“If she was a man, I would’ve put her through that door. I was raging.” His tone was matter-of-fact.
“I heard.” She shook her head, remembering how his reaction had made her cringe with embarrassment.
“Wish you’d just talked to me.” He spoke softly against her ear and she melted.
“Sorry,” she said, closing her eyes, leaning into him and into the moment, which she knew would spoil if she were to voice the words, thoughts, and doubts still swimming around in her head.
Just a little while longer.
He took the sponge from the shelf hanging on the wall and filled it with warm water, gently washing her neck, arms, and collarbone. His tenderness was such a stark contrast to his usual stormy nature that it made her dizzy.