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“Of course.”
“Not because you have to or the curse, but because you want to.”
His face softened and he took her hand in his. “Yes. I’ll stay because I want to.”
Chapter 17
Lea
Igotchanged;Icurled up on the sofa and I ate sliced banana, grapes, strawberries and apple. The food helped. The tears dried up, but I still felt vulnerable and needy. They moved around the bus, taking turns looking after me, asking me what I needed and how I felt, but for the first time in my life, I didn’t know how to explain anything that was going on in my head.
The lights on the bus were harsh, my back ached and my head throbbed, and I hated how whiney I felt.
A hand stroked along my jaw, and a soft, bearded kiss pressed against my forehead. “I know you’re not sleeping, Le. What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered, not opening my eyes.
“Can I try something? But if it’s not right, you have to promise to tell me.”
“I can’t have sex, Fox.”
He hissed like I’d slapped him. “That’s not what I meant. You are so much more to me than sex. I need you to know that.”
“Sorry.” I pressed my face into the pillow.
“Sit up, and take your top off, just so I have access to your back.”
I did as he asked, pulling the back of my top over my head and holding it to my front.
“Can I mess your hair up?”
“Yes.”
Fox moved behind me, but I kept my eyes closed, not sure what he was doing.
His fingers on my scalp were a pleasant surprise. “I’m adding some oil,” he whispered, and I groaned as I felt the warm liquid along my parting.
Fox worked his fingers through my hair, massaging my scalp, running his fingers down my neck and across my shoulders. He rubbed and soothed, making my body tingle and my skin call out for more.
There was nothing sexual about it, no urgency. He whispered reassurances in my ear, reminding me how perfect I was and how much he loved me. I couldn’t help the tears that fell, but this time it wasn’t from sadness or vulnerability. It was because this man was going out of his way to make me feel good, because he cared about me.
“I want you all close,” I admitted without even realizing that was what I needed.
“That’s just the curse,” I heard Marshall mutter.
“I swear to God, I will stop this bus so I can kick your ass, you massive wanker,” Dawson hissed.
“What’s a wanker?”
“You. You are a wanker. If you can’t say anything nice, then I will fuck you over myself. You might be all hard and bodyguardy, but you have no idea what I can do to you.”
“Really?” Sarcasm punctuated his reply.
“Really. Wanker.”
A giggle spilled from my lips and my eyes popped open.
“And there she is. Fuck, Le, you had us worried. I’m so sorry. I should have taken better care of you after we did what we did.”
