Page 85 of Romantic Hero
‘I’m all sweaty. Was I sick?’
‘You very much were.’
‘I need to clean my teeth.’
‘Agreed. Shall I run you a bath? Light a candle? I can wrap up your cast in saran wrap?’
‘Cling film.’
‘That too.’
Once River has bound my yellow cast up in cling film, he lowers me into the warm water, my leg dangling over the edge. When he uses the shower head to run the water over my hair and shoulders, I sigh with bliss. Water has never felt this magical before.
‘This is very sexy,’ I say eventually.
‘I’m not meaning it to be sexy,’ River protests, a grin lifting the corners of his mouth. ‘But you’re right. It is. Are we a couple of weirdos?’
‘All evidence points to yes.’
His fingers dig into my scalp, massaging away the dull headache I’ve had for the past hour. Then, ever so slowly, as if he has all the time in the world, River washes me gently, careful to avoid moving my ankle, constantly asking if I’m all right, if there’s anything I need. The clock ticks. The candlelight flickers, and I find my eyes drifting closed.
‘Were you scared earlier?’ I ask, eyes still shut. ‘When I fell? You looked scared.’
‘Are you kidding? I was fucking terrified,’ River says, rinsing the conditioner out of my hair. ‘The thought of you hurting was … I wanted you to feel what I feel when I ride, but I pushed it too far. Got overexcited. I’ve never done that. It’s not who I am at all. I’m sorry.’
‘I’m totally fine!’ I wave his apology away. ‘You don’t need to fret! I feel quite nice actually.’
‘This is a sure sign that I ought to just stick to what I know. Teaching is clearly not for me.’
I open my eyes and shake my head. ‘No! Don’t give up! You are an excellent teacher, River. You could still do it. Now that Cassidy has taken over the—’
I close my mouth immediately.
Idiot. Drugged-up idiot!
I grimace, hoping somehow that River missed it. But of course he doesn’t. The man doesn’t miss a damn thing.
‘Sorry? Cassidy has what?’ He tilts his head to the side.
‘Nothing. Hey, have you seen the filmMy Fair Lady? Shall we watch it together? It’s about this girl called Eliza—’
‘Gertie. What were you going to say? Cassidy has taken over what?’
I huff and bury my face in my hands. ‘She’s, uh, Cassidy is working on the ranch while you’re gone.’
River shakes his head immediately. ‘What? Nah, I doubt it. That sounds like one of your hazier details. The boys wouldn’t allow it. They know my father’s feelings about Cassidy working on Oakley Ranch.’
‘Jack and Diego and String Bean and even Matty are all helping her. She’s managing just fine.’
‘Wait … you’ve never talked about the ranch hands before.’
‘I only just met them. Well, a few days ago when Cassidy showed up at the ranch. I don’t think this is a hazy detail. I think it’s real.’
‘You’ve known about this for days?’ River’s jaw tightens.
I sit up quickly, causing a little bit of water to splash over the side of the tub.
‘It’s not a big deal. Can you get me out now?’
