Page 89 of Scarred Sins
Arlo chuckles. “Before you know it, it’ll be over. Don’t groan and complain. You’re doing great.’’
“Sure I am,’’ I grumble. “But that doesn't mean I’m happy about it. I’m sore. My muscles hurt, and yesterday, I was barely able to lift my arm.’’
“I know,’’ he chuckles. “I can tell by the way your entire body is tense. I can always send you to get a full-body massage.’’
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think I’d be comfortable with being touched by a stranger.’’
“Then… how about I give you a massage?”
My brow quirks up. “Do you know how to give a massage? Or are you going to figure it out like you did when you gave me stitches?”
He winces a little. “Again, sorry about that. But it’s a massage; I’ll buy some oils and light a few candles to help you relax a little.’’
“You’d do that for me?”
“Blair, there isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do for you in this world. All you need to do is ask, and I’ll give you everything your heart desires.’’
A small chuckle slips my lips, and I shake my head. Mainly because I know he means the words he says.
“And I’m thankful for that.’’ I take his hand in mine. “But for now, let’s just focus on getting me stronger.’’
He nods. “Breakfast first.’’
By the time I’ve showered and gotten ready for the day, he is done preparing me breakfast. It’s a basic one, but filled with everything my body needs. He’s truly an excellent cook, and I wouldn’t mind having this man cook me breakfast every single day for the rest of my life.
His parents are still asleep, and Aria just darted past us, mumbling something about being late for practice. We didn’t even get the chance to respond because she was out the door just as quickly as she came. She only managed to snatch a banana and a tangerine off the kitchen counter before storming off.
“She’s a rather active person, isn’t she?”
Arlo snorts, taking a bite of his breakfast. “Don’t let her intense volleyball practice fool you. She’s the laziest little piece of shit you’ll meet. I’ve been begging her to train her body more seriously, but no, she’ll do maybe twice a month shooting practice. She’s too arrogant for her own good. Apparently, Mom telling her that she’s exceptionally talented at shooting is enough for her to believe she’s some sort of a genius.’’
“Well, not to defend her, but she’s in high school. Let the girl live.’’
“Speaking of high school,’’ Arlo puts his fork down. “Once all of this is over, you’re enrolling in high school.’’
That makes me halt, my hand freezing mid-air, holding the fork. I’m not surprised he knows that I never attended high school. My mother pulled me out of it when I was fifteen, right before all of the abuse started, under the pretense of moving away. Evidently, that didn’t happen. She just didn’t want anyone noticing anything weird about me.
I nod. “Yeah, I’d like that as well.’’
He offers a small smile, reaching to hold my free hand over the kitchen table. My heart swells. He’s so adorable, and the little moments, little touches, and little bits of intimacy he’s giving me are the most precious to me. I’m no moron – I know that couples eventually have sex.
But as of right now, the thought of beingthatintimate with anyone, even if it’s Arlo, makes me physically ill. I think he knows it, too, and that’s why he’s never mentioned or even indicated wanting it.
I’m aware that most men have a higher sex drive than women, and the fact that he’s not pushing me or even hinting toward it makes me appreciate him more. Yes, that’s the bare minimum, but after going through hell and back, being given the bare minimum means the world to me.
Arlo respects me. He respects me as a person and respects my decisions. He doesn’t see me as a broken doll that needs fixing or as a possession of his own. He sees me as an equal, and that’s how he’s treating me.
“Finish up your breakfast, then you should take a nap. We’ll continue in the afternoon.’’
I nod. “What will you be doing?”
“I’ll go meet Freya,’’ he grunts under his breath.’’
My brow lifts. “Can I come with you?”
“You’d want to?”
“Yeah,’’ I shrug. “The way you spoke of her got me intrigued. And I’m curious to see how she’d be of help. I’m not doubting her skills to create poisons, of course, but I hardly see how we can use them.’’
