Page 185 of True Blue

Teddy’s face brightens, and he smiles at me, “Thank you.”

I don’t know why he’s thanking me, but I lift my shaky arms when he bends toward me and wrap them around his shoulders. He lifts me easily, one arm beneath my knees and one behind my back. I rest my head against his shoulder, exhausted even though all I’ve done is sleep.

I catch a whiff of myself and almost gag.

“Sorry, I stink,” I mutter.

Teddy’s mouth curves. “You don’t.”

One side of my mouth quirks, and I snort, “Liar.”

He chuckles. “It’s my pleasure to bathe you, my Lady, for you are a bit ripe.”

I laugh weakly.

“God, how could you even stand to be around me?” I grimace, thinking of the mess of sweat and vomit I’ve been trapped in.

Teddy doesn’t even blink, just looks me in my eyes as he brings me into a bathroom.

“Because it’s you, Indie,” he says plainly. “I’d do anything for you.”

I hold his gaze, seeing the truth of his words in his wide green eyes. And I smile. There’s none of that doubt, none of that silent ‘but’ in his words.

It’s just the truth now.

“I believe you.”

Teddy presses a kiss to my forehead before setting me down on the counter and turning to fill the tub.

That’s when I finally see the space we’re in.

My eyes widen slightly at the very large, very nice clawfoot tub in this gorgeous bathroom.

There’s a large clawfoot tub beneath a stained-glass window, a kaleidoscope of colors filtering in from the sun, blue tile, and a very large glass shower. A vanity sits in the corner and I automatically picture my own products and perfumes on the beautiful white marble.

“Wow…” I whisper, and Teddy glances over to me, a very smug grin on his face that I feel too distracted to ask about.

The scent of peppermint reaches my nose, and I find the source is a diffuser in the corner, one that looks very similar to mine in my office.

He turns off the water once the tub is half full, then walks back over to me. His eyes flick to the shirt I’m wearing, then to my face.

“Can I help you out of this?”

“Nothing you haven’t seen before,” I say.

Teddy doesn’t say anything to that, just gives me a small smile and lifts my shirt over my head. He helps me stand then, and eases my underwear down my legs, leaving me naked, but not exposed in front of him.

Teddy keeps his eyes on my face, his expression so caring as he lifts me again and carries me to the tub.

My skin is no longer sensitive, and the warm—not hot—water feels amazing. I hum as he places me in the water and kneels to help me recline, placing a small towel under my head.

When he looks unsurely at the door, like he’s debating whether to stay or go, I reach out and clumsily grab onto his t-shirt. He freezes but meets my eyes.

“Stay.”

His eyes fall closed for a moment before he smiles and nods.

“Can I wash you?” he asks, his voice almost pleading.