Page 26 of Electric Kiss

“Did you have that at Turner Hall? The view, I mean.”

“I don’t remember, really. I don’t think I had romantic ideals back then. Growing up, lazing in bed and watching the sun rise was not permitted.

Sadness overwhelmed Daisy, and she stilled for a few seconds and then vigorously shook her head to try to bury the memories she wished were gone. Moving slowly across the carpeted floor, she tugged the end of her duvet so the effect was flawless on her bed and moved to the bathroom.

“Let me fill a bowl for my feet, and then I’ll start the bath,” Daisy said with her back turned to Nate to root around in the bottom of her store cupboard in the bathroom. She had it filled with towels of all sizes. Then she had shelves of beauty products to last years because she was still in the habit of buying in bulk, not knowing when the next delivery would come for the rigs. At the very bottom was her bowl.

“That’s not a bowl, Daisy. What the fuck is it?” Nate said, stepping forward as she carried it to the bathroom and her bedroom threshold. “It has a plug.”

“It’s a foot spa,” Daisy said defensively.

“Oh, I’m not judging. I’m a little curious and a little envious,” he said.

“It’s the best thing for sore feet. I’m hoping the cool water will help with the tops of my feet.”

She realised she needed to fill it up, put it in the well of the free-standing bath, and turned on the cold tap. She filled it up and hobbled back to the threshold. Nate wasdancing around her as she moved, so he didn’t hinder her progress. All the while with a smile on his face.

“Actually, I don’t need to be in here at all. I can do this somewhere else while you bathe. I don’t know why I’m setting up here,” Daisy said, looking around.

For some reason, she thought she’d need to babysit him, but it wasn’t like he was a child.

“I’d like the company,” he whispered.

Surprised at his words, she nodded.

“All right,” she said and went back into her bedroom. She dragged the stool across the carpet from her vanity table, sat it at the doorway, and then plugged in the foot spa in the nearest socket. It was close enough that she could sit comfortably.

Nate had started the bath and was looking at the water when she came back in.

“Do you want bubbles or just warm water?” she asked.

“I want the full works, whatever you’d have,” he said, looking at her in wonder and then her cupboard of delights.

“Bubbles it is. I have red, blue or purple.”

“Blue,” he said immediately.

“They’re on the middle shelf. Help yourself. I’m going to leave you alone while you undress and get into the bath. When you’re submerged, give me a yell, and I’ll come back and keep you company.”

“Umm,” Nate said.

“What now?” she huffed out.

He gave her a lopsided grin. “I need some help to undress.”

“This is day five. What have you been doing until now?”

“Well, the jeans and boxers are okay. They drop to the floor as soon as they are over my hips, but the t-shirt is a problem. I’ve cut them off.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope. But as I need to walk home, it’s too cold to do that half dressed.”

Daisy sighed so loudly she thought she might growl. Undressing Nate was not part of the deal. She didn’t want to see the firm chest he’d held her against. It didn’t matter how attractive he was. This wasn’t a man she would get intimate with.

“Turn around,” she said.

Nate complied even though his face said he didn’t want to. Daisy gave him a stern look, and he turned away, chuckling as he did. She pushed his t-shirt and jumper up as one, and he raised his arms, but she wasn’t tall enough.

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