AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I run a bath for her, then carry her to the tub. She lets me take her clothes off. “Professional,” she whispers.
“Yes, well. You’re sick.”
“Otherwise you’d bite me?”
“Obviously.”
Her shoulders shake again, and she laughs until I lower her into the water and wet her hair. Shampoo first. Conditioner. A comb, while it’s wet.
When I try to hand her a washcloth, she pushes it away, closing her eyes. “You,” she whispers.
“This is not fucking professional, sweetheart.”
She shrugs. “I’m tired.”
Iamprofessional about running it over her skin. I could use my cock as a jackhammer when I’m done, but Bristol is dozing, her cheeks pink.
I get to towel her off and dress her in my clothes and put her back in bed.
On Thursday, she comes out to the living room with me and naps there instead while I pretend that any of the bullshit emails from Hughes Financial Services are worth answering. None of them are from Finn. I’m beginning to think the bastard’s ignoring me on purpose. Emerson doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
Yes, I do,his voice insists in the back of my mind.
Yes, he probably does. But trusting another person’s opinion is not my favorite way to do business.
Then again, with Bristol here, I care less about the wait.
On Friday afternoon, the twins race ahead of me and into the apartment. “Bristol!” Mia sees her in the living room first, running across to throw her arms around her neck. “School was good. I didn’t get in trouble. Okay, bye.”
She darts off to the guest bedroom. Ben gives Bristol a longer hug, but inches away as soon as he can.
Then we’re alone, here at the end of the week. “Hi,” Bristol says. She rolls a tropical Jolly Rancher across her tongue. Didn’t want the last of the heavy painkillers today, but her throat is still a little sore. Apparently the Jolly Ranchers actually work.
I’m momentarily speechless. This is something out of someone else’s fantasy. The person you love at home at the end of the day. A family that’s not fucked up. Someone who sayshilike they’ve been waiting for you. Like you’re not a monster.
Bristol stands up, the throw blanket sliding off her lap and onto the couch. She comes closer, then hesitates. I want to reach for her hand and just…hold it.
Among other things. Other filthy, monstrous things. But right now, inthismoment, it seems like holding hands would be the correct move.
There’s a strange tension in my chest. I’d be faking it if I kept holding her hand and cuddling her and everything else I’ve done since I brought her here. I’m not that person. I’ll never be that person.
Bristol reaches out and threads her fingers through mine. “I think we should go home.”
Wearehome.That’s the first answer that comes to mind. But—no. She’s talking about that death trap of an apartment building. “No.”
She raises her eyebrows at my tone. “No?”
I like having you here. I like washing your hair. I like picking the twins up from school.What the actual fuck is this? I don’t want to analyze any of that too closely, or at all, because they’re weird, desperate thoughts. “Absolutely not. You’re not strong enough.”
“What?” Bristol wrinkles her nose. “Yes, I am. I have to go back to work on Monday, anyway.”
“It’s Friday.”
“Right…”
“So there’s no reason to rush back and overdo it just to prove a point.”
The corner of her mouth quirks. “What point do you think I’m proving, Mr. Leblanc?”
