Page 76 of Dark Obsession

Daniel stared at her for several seconds, and his jaw ached and throbbed visibly.

“We’ll talk about this later because you’re so wrong about that.Let’s get you in the shower.You’ll feel better after you get clean and eat something.”

Keira looked at his eyes, which hid an inner fire that made her heart race, and nodded.It was best to put that all behind them.She had a lot to decide.She turned without saying anything, her mind and body so drained, she knew she would be unable to make a sound decision right then, and she slowly climbed the stairs.

At the top, Daniel took her arm and guided her into the first bedroom.Keira stopped abruptly.“This is the master bedroom.”

“Yes, it is.The bathroom is the first door to the left.The second door is our closet.”

“Where is the bedroom I’ll be staying in?”

“Here.”

“Then where will you be?”She could see his irritation, but didn’t care.

“Here.”

Keira took an unsteady step back and shook her head.“No way we’re sleeping in the same bed.”

“Keira, I have to be close to you in case you need me.”

She lifted her chin.“I won’t need you.I thought I proved that already.”She knew she was lashing out, but she felt like he was trapping her in a corner, and she was ashamed when she caught the anguish in his eyes.

“You are still weak and still have headaches.Most importantly, right now, you’re having nightmares, and I need to be close to help you.Do you think I’m going to maul you or something?”

Keira shook her head and swallowed back the tears.She felt bad about what she said.She knew it wasn’t his fault, and normally she wasn’t a vindictive person, but she was hurt, stinky, and tired, and didn’t want to be there.“Can I shower by myself?”

“I will help you into the shower, and I’ll stand back until you’re done or need me.Keira, I’ve seen you naked, Baby.Why are you acting so shy?”

“That was different, we were dating.”And, she thought, that was before her body sported a multitude of blue and green bruises and not-quite-healed cuts that would turn into silvery scars eventually.

Daniel’s teeth snapped together in frustration.“I’m sorry, Honey, but you don’t have a choice.You’re very weak right now.Do you want to fall and end up back in the hospital?”

Keira snorted angrily.“Fine, I don’t care.At this point, I just want the dirt and blood off of me.”

“Good girl.Let me grab a pair of panties and a nightgown.”

Keira stiffened.“I don’t want to wear another woman’s clothes.I’ll just wear what I have on.”

Daniel closed his eyes and pinched the top of his nose, then raised his head to look at her.“We have so much to talk about later.But please listen, there has never been another woman in this house or in my bed.You will be the only one, ever.The clothes are yours from your house.They ensured they were clean before bringing them over.Layla and Logan got you what they thought you could wear now.Later, we’ll go back and get the rest.They had to buy a few sweatpants and big t-shirts, so they won’t rub on your cuts.Now, can we please get you in the shower?”

“Yes,” she said tiredly, ashamed of her behavior.

Daniel sat her on the toilet seat and bent to take off her shoes and socks.He stood and started the shower, testing it until it was warm, before standing her up and pulling her shirt over her head, and then removing her sweatpants and panties.

“In you go, Baby.I’ll be right out here in case you need me.”

Keira stood under the warm water, letting it wash dirt, blood, and her tension away.She reached for the bottle of shampoo, pausing when she realized all the things she used and liked were lined up in the shower.They had to have gone to the store for all of this because what she had at home was destroyed.She drew in a deep breath to hold back the sobs.

She hadn’t known she’d made a sound until the shower door opened and Daniel stepped in wearing his boxers.“Aw, Honey, come here?”he asked as he pulled her into his arms.

Keira covered her face as wracking sobs tore through her.

“I’m so sorry.”He held her tightly against his chest, letting her have the cleansing cry she needed until there was nothing left, and she leaned tiredly against him.“Do you think you can stand while I bathe you?”

Keira took a shaky step back and nodded.She thought she had just enough energy to lock her legs.Daniel eyed her critically before pouring some shampoo into his hands and starting to gently work it into her hair.He froze when a whispered groan passed her lips.

“Am I hurting you?”he asked.

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