AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Got it.” I state the obvious as I pull it free and avoid his gaze.
“Unlock the door.”
He bends slightly so that I can, but honestly it would just be easier if he put me down. Once we’re into the main foyer, I expect him to, but he carries me over to the door to my flat and bends again. I huff a little, thinking he’s being a bit ridiculous. The hallway is carpeted and clean.
I unlock the second door and wonder how we’re actually going to open the door to my bedroom. A second later when he bends again, I curse under my breath.
“Arsehole.”
He chuckles.
“I knew your master key opened every door.”
“This is the first time I’ve used it.”
“Of course it is.” I shake my head, not believing his shit for a second.
The door swings open and he can finally put me down but the infuriating control freak just carries me to my bed and deposits me on the mattress. I cringe.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need a shower. I don’t want to make everything all dirty.”
“Okay.” He moves as though to pick me up again but I shake my head at him. “What?”
“Axel, it’s literally ten paces away. I don’t live in a penthouse, unlike you.”
“You could live in my penthouse.”
“You’re missing the point. I can walk.”
“Okay. What can I do while you shower?”
I shrug. “Order food. Make cocktails. Scratch your balls. Whatever.”
He smirks and it feels a little bit more normal between us.
I force myself to my feet, past all the stiffness and soreness and head to my pod bathroom. As soon as I’ve closed the door I peel off the T-shirt and start up the water. Within minutes the room is thick with steam, creating a comforting cocoon and an illusion of safety. I don’t look at my body, not in the mirror nor by glancing down. I don’t crave pain or blood to cleanse myself of this trauma, but I know that’s probably just the drugs still coursing through my system. The shame and regret and memories will surface later no doubt, and then I’ll be trying to carve them from my flesh.
I hope I’m alone when they do resurface. No one needs to relive those nightmares with me. The old ones were bad enough and these new hallucinations…I shudder and push it all away.
I step under the spray and let it cleanse me. Wash away my sins. I’m gentle with my body when I wash it, taking time to clean and condition my hair too. I work methodically, unemotionally, until a knock at the door distracts me.
“Are you almost done? No problem if not, I can put the pizza in the oven to warm.”
“No. No, I’m done. One minute,” I call back.
“Okay, I’ll be back in a second.”
God, he almost sounds human. I shake my head and shut off the water, then I wring out and wrap my hair, and cocoon my body in the largest, softest towel I have. I quickly brush my teeth. My mum once said brushing your teeth makes everything in life a little bit better, and I’ve always found it to be true.
I exit the bathroom, still managing to avoid the mirror. Even though it’s steamed up, the full length one opposite the en suite isn’t, so I avoid gazing at that one too by focusing on my bed. I don’t want to lie down but I’m so tired and my limbs feel so heavy. Instead though, I curl up in a ball, right in the corner by the headboard.
Axel walks in with a pizza box in one hand, my glass teapot in the other and my favourite mug hanging from his little finger. It’s such a domesticated sight, so alien on him, that a small laugh slips free.
“I thought making tea might be better than cocktails,” he says with a shrug, depositing the pizza box on my bed and moving to my desk to pour me a drink.
“So you managed tea and pizza while I was in the shower. How are your balls?”
