Page 39 of Searching for Bristol
She was moving better on her crutches, as well, though she preferred to use Rocky as a human crutch whenever he was home. He preferred it too, truth be told. She’d put her arm around his waist and he’d hold her tightly against him as she hobbled to the bathroom, the living room. He’d started taking short jobs around town again, but he thought about Bristol—what she was doing, whether she was all right—every minute he was away from her.
He knew she was fine. She was doing amazingly well, actually, for having a broken leg, living in a strange place, and not having any kind of normal routine that she was used to. She got cranky occasionally, but when she did, it never lasted long. She did her best to pull herself out of the doldrums. She wasn’t mean to him or anyone else when she got in a mood. Knowing that about her only made Rocky like her more.
Listening to the water running in the other room, he remembered the smile on her face when she’d come out of the bathroom after that first shower with Elsie’s help. It was breathtaking. And when he’d scented his own body wash on her skin, it was all he could do to hide his erection from both women.
And now, she was in his shower again, water cascading down her body, and it was taking everything in him not to join her.
The feelings coursing through him just a week later were overwhelming. Almost unwelcome. Bristol was in his care; she didn’t need him lusting after her every second. That would make her feel awkward, and the last thing Rocky wanted was for her to feel uncomfortable around him.
But everything about her appealed to him…and the time was coming when he knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back acting on his attraction.
The attraction he saw mirrored in Bristol’s eyes when she looked at him.
“I’m ready!” she called out from the bathroom.
Rocky took a deep breath before standing and heading her way. She’d progressed to balancing on her good foot and holding onto the counter as she did what she needed to in the bathroom. He’d installed some sturdy handholds in the shower, so she could bathe standing up without worrying about falling, though the stool remained so she could rest when needed. She was getting very adept at maneuvering in general, and it was only a matter of time before she’d be ready to go back to Kingsport.
The thought made Rocky’s belly swirl uneasily. But for now, he had another surprise for her…and he hoped it would buy him some time. Of course, it could also backfire and make her want to get back to her own life sooner rather than later.
He walked toward the bathroom, the steam rolling out of the small room making him smile. His Bristol loved a long hot shower.
Shit.
NothisBristol.
He needed to get a grip, otherwise he’d definitely scare her away with his over-the-top alpha personality. Living with Bristol had brought out a part of Rocky he hadn’t really known about himself. He’d always thought his brother was overprotective with Lilly—but that wasnothingcompared to how he felt about this woman.
When he left for a job, he always made sure he’d arranged for someone to come and be with her while he was gone. Sandra was always happy to visit. And he’d been surprised by how willing Finley Norris, the bakery owner, had been to stay with her as well. Khloe had even come one day. When needed, Elsie would also hang out in the morning before the bar opened, and Lilly stopped by frequently.
“I freaking love your shower,” Bristol said with a huge smile as Rocky came toward her. “You weren’t lying when you told me how awesome the water heater was.”
He grinned as he stopped beside her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and mentally sighed at how right it felt. She gripped him, and he took her weight as they headed for the living room.
He got her coffee—chocolate hazelnut this morning—and poured her a bowl of cereal. They’d eaten many different things for breakfast over the last two weeks or so, but her favorite seemed to be cereal. She was easy to please, which made Rocky happy, since he liked to please her.
“I thought we’d do something different today,” he said as nonchalantly as he could as he carried the bowl of cereal and pitcher of milk into the living room.
“Yeah?” she asked, interest shining in her eyes.
Bristol never complained about being bored, even though Rocky was sure she was itching to get out of the apartment more. He’d carried her out to the walkway a few times, and they’d sat out there watching the comings and goings of the other people in the complex so she could get some fresh air. They’d watched TV, played board and card games, read quietly, and generally coexisted peacefully for the near two weeks she’d been convalescing in his apartment. But he had a feeling that today, she would feel like she was truly free for the first time since she’d been hurt.
“Uh-huh. A week ago, I asked if you could do one thing right that second, what would it be.”
“I remember. I said take a shower, and not even an hour later, you’d arranged for me to do just that,” Bristol told him.
“Right. And what was the other thing you said you wanted?”
She furrowed her brow, trying to recall, and finally shrugged. “I don’t remember.”
“You said you wanted to make something.”
“That’s right! Wow, I was really feeling sorry for myself, I suppose.”
Rocky shrugged. “I wasn’t able to help with that then, but now that you’re more mobile and that leg doesn’t hurt when you’re upright and moving around, I thought we’d work on your second wish.”
She stared at him in confusion.
“I want to take you to Kingsport so you can get some of your art supplies. And maybe some clothes. I’m sure you’re sick of wearing my shirts and the few outfits you have. We can get some of your shorts, and whatever else you want to make your life easier and more comfortable here.”
