Page 13 of Unlocked

“I wasn’t hungry,” Shelby grumbles, seeming to be irritated that I’m questioning her. “You can let me go. I’m okay now. I want to lay down and take a nap. That’s why I came up here before all this crap happened.” Reluctantly I ease out from behind her. Her clothes are soaking wet from the juice and where she’d sweated so profusely. She starts to slide down onto the bed.

“You can’t sleep in those wet clothes, sweet girl,” I tell her. I take her hand urging her to stand. She huffs irritably. Her shoulders drooping like they weigh a thousand pounds as she comes to her feet. “Come on, let’s get you a bath.” She jerks away from me at that.

“No! I can do it myself,” she complains. She takes a step away from the bed, her legs giving out. I catch her easily, scooping her up in my arms again. I head into the ensuite bathroom, sitting her down on the counter by the sink.

“Sit still,” I command. I pause in front of her, waiting on her agreement before I move away. She glares at me but nods. I slowly back away watching for any signs that she’s about to pass out again. I go over to the tub, turning on the faucet, waiting for the temperature to warm, adjusting the hot and cold until it seems about right. I stopper the drain, dump some of Shelby’s fragrant body wash to create a bubble bath. While I’m waitingfor it to fill, I text Daisy. I need more information on Shelby’s condition and what I need to do to ensure her well-being.

Me:Hey, Sis. Shelby ate about half her sandwich. Should I make her eat the rest? She says she feels fine and just wants to take a nap, but her clothes are soaking wet. I’m running her a warm bath before I let her sleep. Is there anything else I need to do?

Daisy:No, she should be fine now that she’s had some protein. You want me to come help her?

Me:No, I’ve got this, just wanted to know more about her condition and what I should be doing for her.

Daisy:Bo, it’s sweet you are being so helpful to her, but you don’t need to be doing anything. I’ll educate Shelby about her condition and make sure she doesn’t need anything. I don’t think she is going to appreciate you trying to help her bathe.

Me:Never doubt my ability to charm the ladies…

Daisy:Bo, behave yourself. I’d hate for Marley to castrate you for messing with her friend. I would like to be an aunt someday.

Me:Luke and Marley can fulfill that for you, but I fully intend to keep my balls intact.

Daisy:Then you’d better behave

Me:Why does everyone treat me like a kid? I’m a grown ass man!

Daisy:You keep saying that, but I haven’t seen any evidence of it, yet.

Tired of this conversation, I pocket my phone and turn off the water. I find Shelby where I left her sitting on the counter, looking pissed with the whole situation.

“Come on, sweet girl,” I encourage, taking her by her waist. I lower her to her feet, pleased to see she’s steadier now than when we came in here. “Let’s get you a bath.”

I lead her to the side of the tub. She stares at the tub, then looks up at me, her eyes wide. “You ran me a bath? I thought…I assumed…” she stammers to a halt looking utterly confused.

“You thought what, sweet girl?” I ask, looking into her eyes, which are filled with so many questions and a lot of fear. She shakes her head as if that will help her gather her thoughts. “Do you still feel dizzy?”

“No, I’m okay now,” she answers. “I thought you would have me get in the shower.”

“I considered it, but since you’ve been dizzy, I thought the tub would be better,” I say, “Unless you’re more comfortable taking a shower, but you won’t be able to do that alone. You could fall and hurt yourself. I don’t mind helping you if that’s what you want.”

“No!” she shouts, her eyes wide and her face paling. “No, I mean, the tub is fine. It’s…it’s very thoughtful of you.” I give her a half smile and nod.

“I’ll turn my back while you get undressed and into the tub, but I don’t want to leave until I know you are safely seated in the water,” I tell her. “I wouldn’t want you to lose your balance and fall. I promise not to look.” To my utter shock, she nods, so I give her my back. I can hear the rustling of her clothing being removed. I reach my hand behind me. “Hold on to me as you step in so you don’t slip. I’ll keep my eyes closed,” I add, hoping to make her more comfortable with the situation. For her added assurance, I place my other hand over my eyes. She takes my hand. I can feel her weight shifting as she gets into the tub and eases herself down into the water.

“Thank you, I’m sitting down now.” She releases her hold on my hand. I resist the urge to turn around to look at her in the tub. It would only serve to make us both uncomfortable, but for different reasons. I reach into the small closet and retrieve awash cloth and bath sheet for her. I place them on the small table that sits by the tub, keeping my eyes averted.

“I’ll just be in the bedroom,” I say, starting toward the door. “I’ll leave the door open in case you need anything. I’ll get you some clothes.” I go out into the bedroom to find Shelby’s empty suitcase in the closet. Walking over to the dresser, I check the drawers that are normally empty to find her clothes in them. A feeling of rightness comes over me as I see her clothing in the dresser of my home away from home. I get a pair of shorts and a tank top that looks loose and comfortable. I carry them back to the bathroom and place them next to the towel. I don’t dare look at her for fear of distressing her. “Call for me when you’re out of the tub, and I’ll walk you to bed.”

“All right, thank you,” my sweet girl replies. “I won’t be long.”

“Take all the time you need, sweet girl. I’m not going anywhere.” I leave the bathroom to go sit on the bed to wait. I can hear the water splashing as she bathes herself, and I’m unable to keep my body from reacting to the images that appear in my mind. I kick off my shoes and shift uncomfortably on the bed while I wait for her to let me know she’s finished. I try desperately to think of anything else because I don’t want to be sporting a huge boner when she emerges from the bathroom, but I’m unsuccessful. A ping on my phone signals an incoming message. Daisy has sent a link on hypoglycemia from the National Institutes of Health. I read through some of the information on how to treat and manage the illness in an effort to occupy my mind.

The sound of water cascading into the tub has me thinking she’s stood up to get out. I wait expectantly. I hear the sound of the drain in the tub as it takes down her bath water. A few minutes later, Shelby is standing in the bathroom doorway in her tank and shorts. Her hair is damp and hanging around her face, causing her tank to cling to her full figure. I will myself tonot say or do something inappropriate to upset her. I ease off the bed and meet her half-way across the room.

“How are you feeling?” I ask. She gives me a soft smile.

“Much better, thank you.” I acknowledge her thanks by taking her hand and leading her over to the bed. I pull back the covers, encouraging her to slip inside. She complies without any fuss, so she must really be exhausted after everything that’s happened.

“Would you like to finish your sandwich?” I question, really hoping she’ll want to finish it. It terrifies me that she could be in that shape again when she’s asleep. She shakes her head, much to my disappointment. “Do you mind if stay with you for a while? Just to be sure your blood sugar doesn’t drop out again?” I wait with bated breath to hear her response.

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