Page 130 of Knox Academy Omnibus
“Are you okay?” I ask again. “Shower or bath?”
“Maybe a bath. Not too sure about standing.”
“Okay, I’ll message Elsie.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want her to see me like this.” She pauses as her voice trails off, takes a drink and coughs a couple of times. “She’ll feel guilty for not coming to the toilet with me, especially if I look awful.”
“You don’t look awful,” I immediately reply. “But I don’t want you to be alone in water right now.” Hell, I don’t want her to be alone full stop. Ever.
“Can you...would you...stay...in the bath?”
“Of course. Are you good if I just go and run the bath and get things ready?”
She nods, so I do just that, pouring plenty of muscle soak bubble bath into the tub, putting the towel warmer on, and getting everything ready. When it’s done, I go back into thebedroom to find Amelie sitting, her legs hanging off the side of the bed.
“Whoa, you should have waited for me!” I tell her, rushing to her side.
“I am. My feet aren’t on the floor yet.”
“And they won’t be,” I tell her firmly, scooping her up into my arms and carrying her to the bathroom. Carefully, I sit her down on the counter and grasp the T-shirt Elsie had changed her into. I look up, hesitate, but then silently ask her if it’s okay to continue. She nods, and I peel the shirt off and discard it on the floor. Then I look at her.
Reallylook at her. My gaze studies every millimetre of her skin, drinking in and committing to memory every scratch, bruise, and scar. Old and new. I long to kiss each one and relieve her pain. The sight of the crescent moon marks on her breasts has me wanting to tear the one responsible for making them limb from limb. Instead, I force myself to take a deep breath and relax.
Satisfied that the doctors didn’t miss anything, as crazy as it sounds, I lift her once more and gently lower her into the bath. She lets out a long, low groan and relaxes back into the steamy bubbles. I sink down onto the floor and sit beside her. I don’t talk, I just let her unwind and feel human again. Eventually though she tenses.
“How bad was it?” she asks and I frown. Does she mean the attack? What they did? Her injuries? Or the fall out afterward? The latter was an absolute blood bath, no thanks to Onyx and Branson. Never thought I’d see the day those two were working side by side ever again.
“I think puking on them really helped your cause,” I say dryly and she gives a little snort.
“Wasn’t intentional.”
“Well, be that as it may, I think the worst you escaped with is a concussion.” I had hoped my words would set her mind at ease, but her expression darkens at my words. I know enough about what happened at the party to know it must have been triggering for her. I desperately want to comfort her and make everything better, but I know that it’s not possible. “Shall I wash your hair for you?”
“Oh my god, yes please,” she groans. “I feel like I’ve been sleeping in the woods and my hair’s become a natural habitat for honey badgers.”
I grin and get to work. I take my time massaging the shampoo into her scalp and the low moans she makes are enough to make my cock stir. Fucking great, how much of an asshole does that make me?
I try to focus on washing her hair, rinsing, and combing the conditioner through the strands, but I never realised how sensual it is. It’s not like I’ve ever done this before.
“Do you need anything else?” I ask.
“Would you mind washing my back? I can get the rest but…” she trails off, embarrassed.
“Of course. I’ve got you.” I grab her shower scrunchie, wet it, and cover it in gel. I lather it across her back with care and then pass it over. “Are you okay if I quickly change your bed sheets for you?”
“You don’t have to?—”
“I want to. It’s fine.” I drop a kiss on the top of her head and move to the bedroom, leaving the door open. I strip and change the bed, and find some fresh pyjamas in her dresser drawer. Elsie must have unpacked for her at some point, and everything is neatly laid out and easy to find. I put them on the bed and go to help her out of the bath. Only, she’s already standing in the water, wrapped in a towel.
“Hey, you should have called me. I can help you out.” I rush forward and lift her from the tub, setting her down on the floor.
“I want to brush my teeth and...things.”
“Okay, I’ll just speak to the others. Are you ready for them to come over?” She hesitates.
