“She would benefit from a bath.”
“A bath?” I didn’t think she wasthat dirty.
“Sí. The steam will help her congestion, the warmth will ease her muscle aches and any fever. Then bed rest.” His lips pucker like he’s sucked on a lemon. “Bedrest, if I may be so bold to emphasize that.”
I shrug and spread my hands. “Amor de juventud.What can I do?”
“She may be young and in love, señor, but you are not.”
Young, I presume he means, rather than both. Unless Vicky said more than he alluded to.
I love her, don’t I?
Why the hell are you asking yourself?
“Gracias, Doctor.”
“Buenos días.”
I leave him to find his own way out, knock twice on Vicky’s door, and walk back in.
She’s sitting up in the bed, the duvet pulled high, and the silk robe visible around her shoulders. A pot of ointment sits on the table beside her.
I raise an eyebrow. “You told him we had sex games?”
“Yes,” she says placidly. “I didn’t know the Spanish for ‘I was abducted and subjected to electric torture,’ and didn’t want there to be any confusion in the translation.”
“He told me that in future, when I tie you up, I need to spend more time ensuring your wellbeing.”
She flushes. “Um… that makes sense.”
“Then that’s what I’ll do.” I pretend to ponder. “Not with that cheap hemp rope, though. We don’t want more abrasions. I need to find a good jute supplier.”
She pulls the duvet higher. “I’m not feeling well, Alex.”
“That’s no problem. It will take a few days to get the supplies in. No doubt you’ll be fine by then.”
“You’re going to tie me up? After what Haynes did?”
“Yes, I am,” I say, emphasizing the words. “Four reasons, as you’re no doubt about to ask. First, I promised you I would. Second, I want to. Third, you lied to me. And fourth, it’s important that we reestablish the proper purpose for rope, after Haynes’s abomination.”
She swallows, her throat convulsing, and tugs the duvet up another inch. Then frowns. “Wait, I didn’t lie.”
“No? Construction company?”
“Oh,that.” She bites at her lip. “Um… all right.”
All right?Not the answer I expected, but I’ll take it.
I give her a wink and walk into the bathroom, getting the bath going. The tub is large and inset into the floor, but the high-flow taps will make short work of it. I take my jacket off and drape it over one arm, rolling my sleeves up as I walk back in.
“Are you taking a bath?” Vicky asks in a small voice.
“No. You are.”
“Alex… I’m really not feeling well.” There’s a convincing tremble in her words, but also a pink tinge to her cheeks.
I lay my jacket over the back of a chair, and roll up my other sleeve. “Youaretaking a bath, Tink. Doctor’sorders. And I’m going to give it to you, then put you to bed.” I let my tone soften. “To sleep. Until you’re feeling better.”
