Page 125 of Lawless
Dropping my hands to her hips, I continue to hold her as she brushes her teeth, then I sweep her off her feet again and lower her into the almost full tub of bubbles.
The sigh that spills from her lips makes goose bumps erupt over my entire body.
The second she’s submerged, she curls herself into a ball and just stares ahead.
She looks so small, so vulnerable. It makes my chest ache.
I stand awkwardly, not really knowing what to do now that I’ve done as she asked.
Reaching up, I rub the back of my neck. The need to do more burns through me, but I have no idea what that looks like.
“D-do you want me to go?” I ask, taking a step back from the bathtub.
“No,” she cries, water sloshing everywhere as she turns toward me. Blood drains from her face, leaving her pale and terrified. “Please. Don’t.”
Her voice is so weak and broken, I’ve no choice but to move closer again.
She relaxes instantly, although not as much as she needs to.
With her eyes still locked on mine, she slides forward in the water, leaving a space behind her.
“Pet,” I warn, my mind spinning with her silent suggestion. “I really don’t think…” My words trail off when her eyes fill with tears, one spilling from the side and rushing down her cheek.
Fuck.
“Shit. Are you sure?” I ask, suddenly second-guessing my offer of giving her anything.
She nods before resting her chin on her knees and gazing up at me, looking so incredibly lost.
Shaking my head in disbelief, I reach behind me and drag my shirt off.
Her eyes glaze as she watches me with blank eyes, it’s as if she’s staring straight through me. It’s a look I never want to see on her again.
I want her to look at me like she has in the past. I want the fire, the desire, the unfiltered need in her eyes as I expose myself to her.
I hesitate with my fingers on the waistband of my jeans, waiting for her to stop me, to tell me that I should go and get JD instead. But she never does.
She just waits for me to man the fuck up and do as I promised.
Closing my eyes for a beat, I toe off my boots and shove my jeans and boxers down my legs. Her gaze never leaves me, and I hate that her attention makes my blood heat and my cock stirs. I should be thinking about her and taking care of her instead of being the selfish asshole I usually am.
Finally, she moves, and her eyes focus. Her attention makes my skin prickle as she takes in my body before finding my face.
“Last chance to change your mind,” I say, although my offer is weak at best.
Now I’m naked, all I can think about is stepping in behind her, pulling her into my arms, and doing whatever I can to put her back together.
I’ve never bathed with someone else before. Hell, I barely ever step into a bathtub alone. Don’t have time to lie about in my own dirt. But suddenly, the thought of doing so is more than appealing.
When she thankfully doesn’t say anything, I move closer and step in behind her.
I suck in a breath through my teeth as the heat of the water scalds my skin to the point I almost pull it back out.
“Isn’t it a bit hot?” I ask, reaching for the facet to blast some cold in.
I know she said she wanted it hot, but fuck.I misjudged the temperature by a mile.
“No,” she barks, reaching for my arm to stop me. “Leave it. I need it.” The confidence in her tone ensures my hand falls away, and I plunge my other leg into the water.