Page 43 of Jorhee

I gave him a nod of thanks.

“Do that. And join us for breakfast in the kitchen.”

I turned and went back inside.

I had a sore mate to tend to so he could sit comfortably at the breakfast table.

28

JESSE

I quickly finished my coffee, marveling at how the replicator already had my preference programmed to just the right strength, the right ratio of coffee to milk, two sugars, and the perfect temperature to start slurping it down without waiting, too. Genius. No messing about with grounds or pods or having to worry about running out of milk or sugar. Sure, we had to make sure the replicator system had enough base matter stored for the entire household’s needs, but again, all we had to do was give it an eyeball every now and again, as Rosie and Bob took care of ordering that and changing out the container it came in.

My ass twinged as I turned to sit on the side of the bed rather than on it, and I sighed ruefully, looking at the empty cup. Still, there'd be a fresh cup waiting for me downstairs, along with some French toast and bacon, and I wasn’t fool enough to turn that down. I stood up, wincing as my ass twinged again.

The door opened just then.

“Just where do you think you’re going like that?” he asked me.

“I was going to go check out the shower. Figured some heat would help and maybe see if the replicator can make me some cream or something.”

“There’s salve in the medicine chest already.”

“But is it for internal use and sensitive areas like butts?”

He chuckled.

“Yes, my mate, it is. A large jar of it specifically for that. It’ll reduce inflammation and help numb it.”

“Sold!” I joked feebly.

“No shower, though. First, a quick bath with a short soak in some healing salts.”

“But breakfast?—”

“Rosie will actually wait until Bob tells her we’re on our way downstairs, which we’ll have him do once we’re both dressed and heading out the door.”

“Okay.”

A warm soak did sound good, and it’s not like we were actually putting the droid out if she ended up waiting a bit longer than half an hour.

“Good. Glad you agree.”

I started to get up, and he frowned.

“Now where are you going?”

“Bath. You said there was stuff to soak in.”

“I was going to run it for you.”

“I’m perfectly capable of running my own bath, Johree.”

“I know, but I love you, and I’m the reason why you’re sore this morning, so let me help.”

Well, when he put it like that, how could I say no?

“Fine,” I said, deciding to make it an easy victory for him. I might be smaller than he was, but I was a grown-ass man who could get his own shit done, and I didn’t want him to slide into thinking he had to do everything for me.