Page 21 of The Forever One
For the first time since the calm settled around us, I focus solely on my wife, my eyes taking in every scrape and bruise those fuckers caused. It takes every ounce of my self-control to push my hatred for them all down. I need to take care of her and by the way her eyes are roaming over my entire body, she’s thinking the exact same thing. J had brought in a doctor, anticipating the need and wanting to keep it all on the downlow. I’m pumped up on antibiotics to fight off the infection from the bullet wound that went in one side and out the other, thank fuck.
“Tesoro, I need to ask you for a favor.” Reaching out, I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her in flush against me once more.
“Anything.” Our eyes lock and the sincerity and love that shines through in her gaze nearly breaks me.
“I know you are strong and thinking of a million things you can do to keep yourself busy but…” Careful not to hurt her face, I palm the back of her head and rest my forehead against hers. “Please let me take care of you. Let me bathe you and feed you. Bandage your wounds and heal the ones that no one can see. I’m begging you, Tesoro, please let me be your husband in every way that counts.” I hope she hears the desperation in my voice, the crack in the syllables, how close I am to breaking down now that it’s just the two of us and we’re both safe.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Our lungs empty out on an exhale, the stress of recent events taking a back seat so we can recharge in each other’s care.
“Thank you.” I push her hair behind her ear and kiss her forehead, lingering with my eyes closed for just a few seconds. “Okay, order room service and I’ll run you a bath.” Taking a step back, I realize my feet are like cement blocks keeping me close to her so I take a deep breath and reassure myself that she’s safe here.
By the time the bath is filled with hot water, I turn in a circle, not quite sure what I’m looking for until my eyes zero in on the amenities box with a whole bunch of stuff in it. Small matching shampoo and conditioner bottles, round soap bars with the hotel logo, bath salts… I almost grab the bottle with the small pink rocks inside but think better of it. Salt and open wounds do not make for a good bath time.
Grumbling under my breath, I dig deeper into the box and find five tiny bottles of essential oils. I open the first one but quickly close it right back up. How the fuck is that supposed to be relaxing? It smells like someone shoved a eucalyptus in my nose and forgot about it for a week. The next one is patchouli. The only reason I know this is because Petal wears it like it’s her natural scent. I love that woman but she’s not taking a bath with us, is she? Maybe I shouldn’t consider oil anyway. I’ve got a bullet hole in my shoulder and I’m pretty sure none of this is a good idea. But fuck it.
Making a mental note to make our hotels’ amenities basket a fuckload better than this shit, I almost miss the round bottle sitting in the corner of the box.
Bingo.
Bubbles for the win. I try to read the instructions, this being a first for me and I have no clue at what point a bubble bath has too many bubbles, but, of course, there are none. I’m completely on my own. But I refuse to let my wife down. How fucking hard could it possibly be?
Water.
Bubbles.
Done.
I shake out a couple of drops but nothing happens. Frowning, I look at the bottle again, willing it to explain what the fuck I’m supposed to be doing.
“Food’s here!” River’s voice is much closer than I expected and when I look up, she’s at the threshold of the bathroom. “Everything okay in here?”
“Yeah, of course. Just waiting for…” I look back at the water and still no fucking bubbles. I scowl as though that will make them magically appear. No such luck.
River walks in, kisses me on the cheek then turns the water on before kissing me again and walking out.
And just like that, those fuckers start popping up. Except now the water is threatening to spill over. Turning it off, I drain out a good amount before running it again and emptying the bottle into the water. I grin because I’ve made this bath my bitch.
“Bath’s ready, Tesoro. Bring the food with you.” When I step out of the bathroom, I watch my beautiful and slightly-broken wife pad her way to me as she carries a platter with various appetizers sitting prettily. My stomach growls at the scene, reminding me that I haven’t eaten a real meal in days.
“Here, give me that.” I reach for the platter but River scowls at me and shoos me away. “River, you promised.”
“And you have a hole in your shoulder, Einstein. I want to eat this delicious looking food, not clean it up off the floor.”
Fair enough.
Her sudden gasp has me turning on my heel and there, like an uncontrollable GoodYear blimp growing out of the fucking bath, are my bubbles. The fucking traitors.
Once I’ve turned the water off, I punch my fists on my waist and stare at the water as it licks at the edge of the ceramic tub.
“Yeah, we’re gonna need a bigger tub.” I love my wife but her sarcasm is not welcome, ever, if I’m honest. “Oh, don’t be a grumpy grandpa. All your scowling isn’t going to make the water go down, you goof. Just open the valve and watch it drain.”
Arching a brow at her, I revel in the sound of her laughter dancing off the walls of the bathroom. It reminds me that she’s here with me and we’re both going to be okay.
“Sassy girls get their asses spanked, Tesoro. Is this your way of begging me?” The monster bubble dome, which is well above my head at this point, begins to lower as River places the appetizers on the side board once we’re in the water.
We undress each other, careful not to bump into a bruise or wound. River raises her arms above her head and I let my fingers trail behind the tee shirt as I pull it up and over her head. Once I fling it to the side, I kiss her awaiting lips as I pop open her button and slide down the zipper of her jeans. I wince as I drop to my knees and place open-mouthed kisses on her exposed stomach, taking my time to cover her in my love.
“Marco?” I pause, raising my gaze to meet her mesmerizing green eyes.