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Right.I frown, but continue with my question. “Can you go into town for me?”
Matthew groans. “Are you serious?”
I grit my teeth. “A quick in and out.Can you do this for me, Matt? It’s important. If we have to leave sooner rather than later, then so be it.”
Matthew goes quiet for a minute, debating. “Fine. What do you need?”
“I’ll have a list ready. Meet me here the moment dusk arrives.”
Twilight creeps closer, and as soon as the sun dips below the horizon, Matthew approaches the cabin. I step outside, a folded sheet of paper between my fingers.
“Got the list?” He asks.
I toss it through the air, letting the wind carry it eastward. He blurs with speed, catching it before it can get away. With a glare, he unravels the page and reads the scrawled handwriting.
His brows arch. “All this for her?”
I cross my arms over my shoulders, leaning against the porch railing. “Yes.”
He nods, refolds the note, and slides it into the pocket of his shirt. He starts to turn away, but then hesitates, his eyes scanning me curiously.
“What?”
“We’re happy for you, you know.” He cocks his head to the side. “This isn’t like before. Jane isn’t some cute girl you’ve seduced to snack on. The way you look at her...” He shakes his head. “The emotions you feel aren’t stilted; they aren’t fake.” Matthew bows his head. “I just wanted you to know that we see this. We’re not going to fuck up the only thing that’s given you peace since Barros.”
I swallow, overcome by my brother’s words. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear them until now.
“Thanks, Matt. I needed that.” I offer him a smile. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Jane still isn’t awake by the time I return to her bedroom, so I decide to plan an elaborate morning routine, just for her.
In the kitchen, I open and shut cabinet doors, searching for the perfect tools. I return to her room with an arm full of Epsom salt and herbs.
I creep as quietly as possible around her bed and into the bathroom, then carefully fill the tub with steaming hot water. The heat from it radiates out, scorching my icy skin, but I know it will be the perfect temperature for her comfort. Then I add the salt, rosemary, garden sage, basil, and cinnamon. For a final touch, I add a pump of her strawberry shampoo to the running water. Matt hadn’t thought to grab her any bubble bath while we were at the mall.
Jane’s blankets shuffle, and she groans, throwing her arms over her face and shielding her eyes from the bathroom light with her elbow. “What time is it?” she grumbles.
“Time for you to awaken, princess. I have something special planned for today.”
18
Jane
“Timeforyoutoawaken, princess. I have something special planned for today.”
The silky, smooth velvet of his voice is enough to make my heart race.
I lift my arm, squinting in the direction of Sam’s words. “Special how?”
He grins. “Special. Get up.” He maintains eye contact with me, making it difficult to focus on anything else.
I roll over, resting my chin against my hands. “Can I have a hint?”
He arches one brow. “The hint will come after you’ve stripped naked and soaked in this tub for a while.” He leans his shoulder against the wall, studying me intently. “Has anyone told you how beautiful you are when you sleep, sweet Jane?”
My cheeks blaze. Tossing the covers away, I roll out of bed. “Okay, I’m up. Now what?”
Samuel pushes away from the wall and stalks forward, approaching me like a predator closing in on its prey. “Like I said, princess. Naked. Tub. Now.”
