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Whatever he had to do to earn her forgiveness, he’d do it. He’d see this thing through with her. Finishing the last nail with determination, he lifted her hand to study his work. It looked a bit messy. Damn, that brush was small. It wasn’t easy not to go over her small nails.
She tolerated him in silence while he finished her other hand. Matthew and Emily came for a short visit, and by the time they left, Asia looked uncomfortable.
She cleared her throat. “Can you please call Eve?”
“Are you in pain?” he asked in alarm.
“No.”
“What is it, kitten?”
She flushed a little as she said, “I need to go to the bathroom.”
“Why didn’t you say so?” He straightened. “I’ll take you.”
“No,” she said quickly.
The IV drip had come out that morning. He could easily carry her. “Why not?”
“It’s too … personal.”
Personal? He’d made love to her six ways to Sunday. How could taking care of her needs be too personal? He pulled back the covers.
“Sean! What are you doing?”
He slipped one arm around her back and the other under her knees, lifting her as gently as he could. “Taking care of you.” She made a face but said nothing as he carried her to the bathroom and carefully set her on her feet. “Will you manage alone?”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes.”
He threw a thumb over his shoulder. “I’m right outside.”
He closed the door and waited nearby so he’d hear if she called or needed him. When she stepped out a short while later, he carried her back to bed.
“Sean.” Biting her lip, she stared at him. “I know what you’re trying to do, but it’s not going to work. You’re wasting your time. You may as well go home. Don’t you have a bar to manage?”
He grinded his teeth, and, miraculously, managed not to contradict her. Squirting the nice smelling body lotion he’d picked up at the store into the palm of his hand, he gave her what he hoped resembled reflexology. He’d scarcely finished before Eve entered.
The doctor gave him a reprimanding look. “She’s supposed to sleep. Her body needs rest to recover.”
“I’m not keeping her awake,” he said. “I’m merely here to help if she needs me.”
“Maybe it’s not a bad thing you’re here. I need help to give Asia a sponge bath.”
Asia looked panicked as she glanced between them. “Absolutely not. I can have a shower.”
“Maybe tomorrow if you feel strong enough, but I don’t want your bandage to get wet,” Eve said. “I’m going to need a stronger pair of hands to lift you. The others are out. The only person left is Alfonso, the butler. It’s between him and Sean.”
“What about my granny?”
“She and Matt left with Lann and the others.”
“Where did they go?”
“On an excursion. Lann is flying them to a lake for a picnic. Cain thought they all needed to get out a bit.”
“Lann can fly?”
“He’s a qualified commercial pilot.”
“I didn’t know.”
“He says he’s doing it to give Bono a break, but I think he just loves it.” Eve smiled. “Shall we get you cleaned up?”
“I guess I don’t have a choice.” Asia scrutinized Sean. Almost accusingly, she asked, “Why didn’t you go with them?”
Did she think he’d go frolicking around at some lake while she was lying here? Crossing his arms, he gave her silence. She didn’t really want to hear his answer. She wouldn’t believe he cared anyway.
Eve brought warm, soapy water, and Sean turned Asia on her side for Eve to undo the ties at the back of her gown. Then he lifted her for Eve to put towels under her body.
“Well, then.” Eve rested her hands on her hips. “I’ll let you get to it. I have some business to take care of, but I’ll check on you again in half an hour.”
“What?” Asia exclaimed.
Sean shot Eve a grateful look. She winked and left before Asia could protest more.
He dipped the sponge in the water and squeezed out the excess. “Tell me if I hurt you.”
“I’m not that fragile,” Asia said in a biting tone.
She didn’t speak or look at him as he started with her feet. Taking the utmost care, he brushed the sponge over her soft skin. To touch her was a miracle. His dick noticed the way her nipples contracted as he gently brushed the sponge over her curves. The wound on her shoulder would leave a scar. It would forever remind him how close he came to losing her, how precious she was. He covered every inch of her skin, first with the sponge and then with the towel.
The hard-on in his pants was evidence of how much he wanted her. Getting hard when she was injured was sickly twisted, but his body had its own ideas. He wanted to kiss her. He needed to taste her like an addict needed a drug, but how was he supposed to break through the wall she’d pulled up around her? None of his efforts made a dent in her armor. He was running out of ideas, afraid his strategy of giving her space would only allow her to slip farther away. He had no clue how to move forward. The only thing clear to him was that he was no longer welcome.
