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Bexli shivered, and her flesh erupted in chill bumps. With one hand, I unfastened the buttons on my shirt, removed it, then did the same with my trousers, letting both fall to the floor. As I feared, I had no control over my carnal desire. I ached with shame.
“God, Bex…I’m sorry—”
She put her fingertip on my lips. “Don’t.”
“But—”
She shook her head, turned, and climbed into the tub without releasing my hand. I got in after her and helped her ease into the water before sitting behind her. I tried my bloody damnedest to think of something—anything—to quell my body’s response. Nothing worked, especially after Bex positioned both my arms around her.
“You must think—”
“I don’t, Cay. I don’t think anything. I just need you with me. Okay?”
“Okay.” I’d spent most of my life struggling to keep my desire for Bexli Fowler—Everdeen—a secret. At least, after puberty hit. The two times I hadn’t, resulted in the worst rejection I’d ever felt in my life. Perhaps even the only rejection. I didn’t doubt she knew full well how much I wanted her, what I would’ve given to hold her naked body next to mine. Not like this, though.Neverlike this. Never because she’d faced unimaginable horrors, been kept a prisoner by a human trafficker, feared for her life, and yet was brave enough to figure out how to escape.
I’d promised to do anything, give her anything she needed, and right now, what she needed most was care. I kept one arm securely around her and picked up the bottle of bodywash that sat on the edge with my opposite hand. When she realized what I was doing, she sat forward and let go of my arm.
I began with her shoulders, then reverently washed every other part of her body. Bexli remained stoic until it came time to do her hair, then she cried.
I took my time, gently massaging her scalp. “I’m going to lower your body into the water, Bex. Will that be all right?”
She nodded and slid down until she was immersed to just above her shoulders. I cradled her head in one hand, slowly lowering it to wash the soap from her sheared locks. Once the suds dissipated, I helped her sit up and held her close to me.
“Thank you for all you do for me,” she whispered.
I kissed her cheek and tightened my arms around her. “I would gladly do anything for you, my darling. You know that.”
“Anything?”
“Yes, Bexli.Anything.”
My body tensed when hers did, sensing that whatever she was about to ask of me would not be easy for either of us.
14
CAYMAN
Imade sure Bexli was sleeping soundly before I sent a text to Delfino, asking her to come to the bedroom and, when she arrived, to enter without knocking. As much as I didn’t want to leave Bex, I had to discuss what she’d asked of me with Z and Nemesis.
After easing out from under her and slipping out of the room, I asked Delfino to message me immediately if she woke, and I’d return.
“How is she?” Nem asked when I found her, Ares, and Z downstairs, discussing something.
“Fragile, both outwardly and what I fear may be an internal ticking time bomb.” I felt my shoulder shrug, realizing then that both she and Ares were right about it being a nervous tic. “She’s asked not to return to Shere,” I blurted, getting straight to the point.
Nem looked from me to Z.
“What were her reasons?” he asked.
“Bexli is estranged from her family. Primarily, her father, but she cannot be in contact with her mother without him finding out.”
Z nodded. “What is the situation there?”
“Years of abuse fueled by alcoholism.”
“I see.”
“Wherever she goes, I must be with her.”
