Chapter Thirteen
Angel awoke slowly. It took effort to open her eyes because she was so groggy. The pillow behind her moved, startling her, but she was unable to change positions. She didn’t feel paralyzed, just like she was encased in molasses.
“How are you, baby?” Thomas said against the side of her head.
She shivered at the deep timbre of his tone and the fact that she found him plastered to her.
She took a moment to assess her body. “Oh, I feel tired and numb. Is that good?”
“It’s the medication. It will wear off soon. I’ll decide if you need more later.”
“Can I just have Tylenol?” she asked. “I don’t like the way this makes me feel.”
“But do you feel any pain?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“That’s what matters, baby. I can’t stand to see you in pain,” Thomas said.
“Okay.” Angel couldn’t believe how she already trusted him.
She settled back against him and sighed. She felt the most content and safe when she was with him, her daddy. Would she ever get used to calling him that? It didn’t feel weird, just a little taboo maybe.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
She shook her head. It had only been a few hours since they had eaten. The medicine was wearing off enough so that she felt her midsection tighten as another cramp built. He must have felt her tense because he reached for the heating pad and pressed it against her stomach.
“How long do the cramps usually last, baby?”
“I should feel better tomorrow.”
“Okay, until then, I’d like to give you another muscle relaxer. We can try just one this time, so you don’t feel so out of it.”
“Yes. I would like to try one.”
She felt him kiss the back of her head before he rolled away from her. It amazed her how the pain sharpened when she didn’t feel his heat behind her anymore.
“When the cramp is done, I’ll help you sit up.”
Several seconds later, she exhaled as her body relaxed.
He turned her onto her back before lifting her into a sitting position. This time, he propped her up against his chest before he handed her the pill.
She slipped it into her mouth and reached for the bottle of water he held. After she handed it back, she relaxed against him.
“Do you need to use the bathroom, baby?”
She shook her head.
“Let’s get you comfortable.”
He arranged her on her side again, curled his body around her, and reached for the pad. When the heat seeped into her abdomen, it calmed the cramp that had been building enough for her to breathe easily. She felt the drug start to overtake her, so she closed her eyes and slept.
The next time she awoke, the early morning sun was coming in through the curtains. Her stomach felt like someone had punched her, but it wasn’t as bad as it usually was.
Thomas exhaled behind her and then tightened the arm he had around her midsection.
“How are you feeling this morning, Sweetheart?”
“A little better.”
“That’s good. Should we try a few Tylenols instead of the muscle relaxants?” he asked.
“Yes. I don’t want to lie down anymore. It will help me if I move around a bit. Can I take a shower?” she asked.
“Are you steady enough to do it by yourself?” Thomas asked.
Angel couldn’t answer that because she was still lying down. She did know that she wouldn’t be as strong as usual because of the medicine and the fact she’d been in bed for over twelve hours. She’d never done that before.
She nodded.
“Okay, let’s get you up and in the shower.”
He helped her into the bathroom and then set her on the toilet lid. “Rest there while I start the shower.”
She nodded and leaned against the counter next to her.
“Are you sure you’re able to shower on your own?” Thomas asked.
She had no idea, but the thought of him seeing her naked made her anxious. “Um, yes, I think so.”
He looked skeptical. “How about you try it, but if you start to feel unsteady, call out? I’ll be standing on the other side of the door.”
“I can do that.”
She waited until the door closed behind him before stripping and taking care of the bloody pad before stepping into the shower.
She got her hair conditioned and was reaching for the shower gel when a wave of dizziness overcame her. She grabbed for the bar and gasped loudly. The bathroom door jerked open.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I-I’m just...” A startled scream flew from her mouth when the shower door opened, and Thomas stepped in with only his boxers.
Her mouth fell open, and her shakiness was forgotten for a brief moment.
“Here, baby. Let me help,” he said, and wrapped an arm around her waist and pinned her back against his chest. “Are you okay for me to help you wash your body?”
Angel couldn’t get the words out, so she just nodded.
He reached for the sponge. “Put some soap on this.”
She did what he asked and then braced herself for the feel of his hands all over her body.
She could tell he was trying his best to make her relax.
He talked about the ranch and the things he was looking to expand.
She didn’t understand a word he said. Her whole focus was on the way his hands made her feel.
Even on her period, he made her feel all jittery inside.
She gasped when the sponge was pressed in between her legs. The contact was quick, but it still sent a jolt of pure bliss through her.
“Easy. I’ve got you. I’m about done, and then we’ll get your hair rinsed.”
Within a few minutes, he turned off the water and reached for a towel. Still holding onto her, he wiped her down and then wrapped the towel around her torso.
He set her on the toilet lid, then grabbed another towel and worked on her hair.
Angel couldn’t take her eyes off the sight of his body inches from her nose. He still had on the boxers, but they were wet, see-through, and barely hid anything.
“Okay, Sweetheart. I’m going to get you some clothes, but here are a pair of panties you can slip on and put a pad on. I’ll be right back.”
She struggled to keep the towel around her torso as she slipped on the panties and was adjusting the pad when he walked back in. She could feel her face burn with a fiery blush, but she managed to finish and sat back down.
“I brought you sweatpants and a t-shirt, Sweetheart. You’ll be more comfortable in them than jeans.”
Angel nodded. She steadied herself as he pulled the t-shirt over her head. She was both sad and unsettled when she noticed he’d put on a pair of jeans.
Her gaze slid over his broad chest with the small patch of hair in the middle of his pectorals. There was also a thin line of hair that went past his belly button and into his pants. She had no idea why she had the sudden urge to see where it went and follow it with her lips.
Angel glanced up when she heard him grunt. The look of ... anger, maybe, or aversion was written on his face, and it made her want to cower away from him.
What was she thinking? She knew he didn’t find her attractive. He’d said several times how thin and pale she looked. She was doing better with her eating and had maybe gained a few pounds, but it wasn’t enough for him to find her attractive. What man in his right mind would want a nobody like her?
“What are you thinking about, Sweetheart?” he asked.
Her head jerked up to see him standing in front of her with his hands on his hips, and his brows puckered.
“Oh, well. Nothing really,” she stammered.
Angel tightened her grip on the towel on her lap when he crouched in front of her. She couldn’t prevent the shiver that overtook her when his huge, warm palm gripped her knee. She almost jerked away from the sensation because it sent an electric charge through her veins.
He cupped her face. “Tell me.”
“I can’t. I don’t know how to say it,” she murmured.
“You looked sad, baby.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“Sweetheart, there is nothing you can’t tell me,” Thomas said.
“You make me feel things I can’t explain. Some of them have to do with d-desire.”
She could feel a hot blush cover her face and wanted to hide.