Chapter 19
Mia
The next time I wake up, it’s almost ten P.M.
“You need to eat,” Killian says to me.
I can’t help but let out a groan. I’m surprised to see him sitting in a chair by the bed, watching me.
“I have Gatorade, too,” he tells me, and I force myself to sit up, my head spinning.
“I’m so tired,” I murmur, and he gives me a sympathetic look.
“I know,” he says. “But I need you to eat just a little bit for me. And drink some Gatorade. Okay?”
He moves closer to me, and he grabs the tray that’s on the nightstand. He places it in front of me, and I see that it’s a bowl of oatmeal.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I ask skeptically, and Killian freezes, looking surprised by my question.
He sighs, running his hand through his dark hair.
“Because I feel responsible for what happened to you, Mia,” he says quietly. “I never should’ve left you sitting in that booth by yourself. If I hadn’t, then this wouldn’t have happened.”
The rush of disappointment that courses through me is crushing. What the hell did I expect him to say? That he liked me? I know that he doesn’t like me. He hates me. He still hates me, he just feels bad that I got drugged on his watch. That’s it.
I nod, hoping my emotions aren’t written all over my face.
I reach for the Gatorade, and I’m grateful that he doesn’t insist on holding it for me. I take a small sip, then I hand it back to him.
I do the same with the oatmeal; I take a few bites, but I know that I can’t eat any more than that.
“Are you sure you don’t want any more?” Killian asks, watching me intently.
“No thank you,” I say quietly, and he frowns.
He takes the tray and stands up, making his way to the door.
“Be right back,” he says, and I nod as he leaves.
I need to distance myself from Killian. I know that. It’s hard when he’s doting on me like this, though.
I push the blankets back and stand up, getting out of bed. My legs are shaky and I hold onto the bedpost to steady myself.
Killian comes back a moment later, and he gives me a look.
“Why are you out of bed?”
“I want to take a shower,” I tell him, and he shakes his head, no.
“Absolutely not,” he retorts. “You’re in no condition to take a shower.”
I frown. “Killian, I need to –"
“I can run a bath for you,” he tells me.
“But-"
“It’s a bath or nothing, Mia,” he snaps, and I sigh.
“Fine,” I practically growl. “I’ll take a bath.”
I’m not even remotely prepared for Killian to scoop me up in his arms. I let out a gasp, and he looks down at me in confusion.
“What?”
“I can walk, Killian. This is overkill.”
He chuckles loudly. “No, it’s not.”
I sigh, not responding to that.
Killian carries me into the bathroom and places me down on the stool that’s at the sink. Then he starts filling up the bathtub.
Once it’s full, I look over at him, confused as to why he’s still here.
He stares back at me, looking just as confused as I am.
“What?” he asks.
“I’m waiting for you to leave,” I tell him.
“Why would I leave?”
“Umm, because I’m about to get naked?” I retort. “You’re not staying in here while I take a bath, Killian.”
“You’re so unsteady,” he says. “You think you can step into the tub alone? You’re a fall risk. Not to mention you won’t be able to wash your hair. You’re still so shaky. I’m helping you.”
“What?” My eyes widen. “No!”
“Yes,” he replies, nodding.
He comes over to the stool and helps me stand up. He’s not wrong; I am shaky. I probably am a fall risk. I do need help, whether I want to admit it or not.
“Arms up,” he commands, and I sigh. I’m too tired to argue with him.
Killian undresses me slowly and carefully. There’s nothing sexual about it. He’s being soft and sweet, and he’s handling me with a gentleness that I didn’t know he was capable of. His kindness is causing a lump to form in my throat, and I try to swallow it down.
Once I’m undressed, he takes my arm and helps me climb into the bath. I sink down into the water, relishing the warmth on my skin. It feels heavenly.
I’m not prepared for Killian to grab a loofah, lather it up, and then bring it to my body.
“Killian-"
“Stop being a pain in the ass, Mia,” he says exasperatedly. “Jesus. You don’t like to let people help you, do you?”
I say nothing. I’m not used to anyone helping me. No one ever has. And no one has ever helped me bathe before, that’s for sure.
Killian washes my body with the most gentle touch. When the loofah drags over my chest, I have to bite my lip to keep myself from moaning.
He doesn’t say anything, but I’m sure he notices how my breathing hitches when he touches me.
Once he’s finished with my body he tells me to tip my head back.
The feeling of his hands in my hair, on my scalp, feels amazing. He massages it for so long that I almost drift off, and his voice jolts me awake.
“You can’t feel asleep in here, Kitten,” he says, and I blink up at him.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“Don’t be,” he replies. “I’m glad it feels good.”
I’m only half awake by the time I get out of the tub.
Killian wraps me in a towel and carries me back to his bedroom. He dresses me in pajamas, and then he’s tucking me back into bed.
“Goodnight, pretty girl,” he says.
I feel his lips kiss my forehead, and I think that I’m dreaming. I must be.
I’m too tired to think about it anymore, though, and I drift off, exhausted.