“Are you doing okay?
I just nod, “yeah, my feet burn, but I’m good.” He puts one arm around my waist and the other one in my hand as we slowly make our way across the floor. My feet are bright red, and I can see tiny little blisters on the tops of the knuckles on my toes.
“You’re going to have to shower in lukewarm water, Bella. You can’t have hot water on your feet, or you’ll blister further. Or... at least that’s what Dr. Andrews told me”
We get into the bathroom, and it’s beautiful. It’s not as big as the one in my old room in his house, but it’s perfect. The shower is nice and wide and glass-enclosed. He has everything that I left behind on the counter. It’s as if he was making sure I was coming back. That makes my heart sink a little bit more.
I could see that he took one of the vanity stools and stuck it inthe shower stall. I’m glad he did, because I don’t think I’m able to stand long enough and I’m not about to have him see me naked with my immense belly protruding out.
“I just put that stool in there so you can sit down. I’ll close my eyes when you’re ready to give me the robe.”
I just nod and go to the shower door and open it. He hasn’t let go of my hand yet, and I take my seat.
“I’ll leave and let you wash, but then just call when you’re ready for a towel. Just be careful and don’t have the water too hot. I’ll be right outside the door waiting, okay?”
I just keep looking at him, waiting for the Alexander I know. This version of him is freaking me out. He’s so beautiful, like a fucken angel sent to torture me, and he really needs to back off the butterscotch smell. I want pudding now so badly and to lick his neck, even though I hate him.
“Okay. You can close your eyes now.” and he does. I let go of his hand and slipped out of the robe, handing it to him. I reach up and turn the shower on. Alexander leaves, and I grab the nozzle and let the warm water run over my head. My toes burn, but I need to feel clean. My hair is a matted mess; it’s almost crunchy as I rub my hands through it to get it wet. I take out the shampoo, which is the same one I use. He thought of everything, asshole.
I call out once I’m done, and true to his words, Alexander has his eyes closed with a towel in his hand feeling the air in front of him as he comes in. “You’re going to have to guide me a little bit, bunny. I know relatively where you are, but not exactly.”
That makes me laugh inside my head. I open up the shower door and hang on to the side of the handle. I can’t help but giggle a little at the sight of a blind Alexander walking slowly with his hand out. So, I call softly, “Marco.”
Alexander smiles wide, bringing out his dimples. He movescloser to me. “Again, bunny.”
He’s right in front of me, his black dress pants with his white dress shirt open at the collar, the sleeves rolled up showing off his strong, thick forearms. I can smell the butterscotch vanilla and I melt a bit.
I giggle, “Marco.” He reaches out blindly and his hand touches my shoulder. He takes a small breath in, his finger trailing up, following the curve of my neck to cup my wet cheek.
His eyes are still closed, but his voice is husky. “God, I missed that giggle. Polo, little bunny.” He hands me the towel and I wrap it around myself. I’m a little light-headed from the shower and being up for so long, so I grab his hand to steady myself.
“I’m ready.”
He opens his eyes. His smile falters and his eyes turn dark gray. “I know you’re real, but for six months, this moment was nothing but a dream.”
He tucks the wet hair off my face behind my ear, and I tingle all over. Damn it! I’m supposed to hate this man. Remember vagina? No falling for the sweet words and the pudding smell!
Alexander helps me over to the bed and I blink up at him and mutter, “I’m hungry.”
“Of course. Rose brought you breakfast. I can heat it up and bring it in. You need to lie down for a bit.” He gently sits me on the bed.
“Anna bought you some clothes since your old clothes won’t fit. I was out of my element in maternity clothes. Thank God she was here.” He put his hand on the back of his neck, looking around, trying to find something. “Ahh.“
He walks over to the side of the chair and plucks up a bag, and hands it to me. “Anna was here? When?”
“Ahh, the night we brought you home. I wanted you to have people around you that you love and trust.”
I hold the bag midair, “Ah, Thank you. Can I see her?”
“Sure, you have your phone, you're free to call her and do whatever you want, Isabella. No tracker on the phone either if that’s what you're scared of. I told you. I want your trust.” He jacks his thumb over his shoulder towards the door. “I’ll go get your breakfast. Did you need help?”
I look up and smile to myself. Who is this man? “No, I’ll be fine.”
He walks to the door and looks back. “I’ll be back in a minute. I’ll knock first before I come in.” His smile is genuine, wide and showing off those damn dimples. Those dress pants hug his hard ass, and his thighs are thick as I watch him walk away. And that butterscotch scent he leaves behind... Yum. I shake my head.
What the hell, Izzy? Maybe I’m developing Stockholm syndrome as well as pregnancy hormones. But to be fair, it was never Alexander’s appearance that was the issue. It was his need to dominate, demand, and bellow. His inability to compromise. I’ve only been awake a few hours and already my emotions are playing whiplash.
I dig into the bag and pull out a few pairs of leggings and a couple of sweaters, as well as new underwear and a bra. I slip into the panties and dig the last thing out of the bag; she got me a HP nightgown with the Hogwarts crest on it.Awesome!
