Page 34 of Yellow
“What, shy about my body?”
“Uh-huh. Are you?”
“No, but that’s different.”
“How so?”
“Because I’m a guy.”
“And?”
“And I’m not afraid of you.”
I raised my chin. “I’m not scared of you either. Why would I be scared of you seeing my body?” Trying to put myself in the state I’d been in when I did the shower scene, I rambled on, “We’re adults, right? It’s just a practical thing and we don’t have to be ruled by all the prudish modesty. You know what? If this had been the sixties we would probably have had sex already… like multiple times… and walked around all naked and comfortable.” I stopped talking when his face flushed red.
“Chloe, what the hell are you talking about?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry… sometimes you just make me nervous.”
“Why do I make you nervous?”
“Never mind,” I said and hurried to busy myself and start the process of boiling water and filling the tub with lukewarm water from the sink.
“When I said that I’m not afraid of you, I meant that I’mstrongerthan you and therefore not afraid of you getting funny ideas,” he said. “I already showed you that I’m physically superior to you, Chloe. But youshouldworry about showing me your naked body.”
“But you said that you’re a good guy.”
“Iam. But you can’t know for sure. Personal boundaries, remember?”
I raised both hands and slid my fingers through my hair in frustration. “It’s like you’re telling me two different things. Not to be afraid of you, and to be afraid of you. It can’t be both.”
“I’m not going to hurt you. I promise,” he assured me softly. “But it worries me how easily you trust me. How willing you are to put yourself at risk.”
“But I…” My eyes darted around the room, my shoulders sagged.I can’t do anything right with him.
“Let’s just get this bath over with,” he said and helped me fill the tub.
Ten minutes later, Adam sat on a chair with his back to me reading one of Onava’s many books while I lowered myself into the warm water in front of the fireplace.
“Ahh…” I sighed and closed my eyes.
“With those kind of sounds, you tempt me to take a bath myself,” Adam said dryly.
“You should, it’s really nice, especially with the fireplace.” I used a cloth to wash every part of my body and wet my hair with the help of a large jug I’d found in the kitchen.
“I was so cold down on the beach, this feels heavenly.”
“Good. By the way, I forgot to tell you that I received several old texts from Ona. Apparently your sisterdidtry to reach you to tell about Niko. Ona asked me to pass on the message to you.”
“What did the message say?” I asked eagerly.
“Hang on. Oh, here it is.” he started reading aloud. “Sweet Chloe, Niko came here looking for you. The police have him now. You are safe! Stay with Onava while I’m in Scotland and come back stronger than ever. Promise me! Love, Faith.”
“Thanks.”
“Ona also instructed me on some exercises she wants me to do with you,” Adam said.
“What exercises?”
