Page 163 of Rebound
“Alright, arms up.”
I raise my arms and Roman removes my shirt and then helps me remove my pants until I’m standing naked in front of him. I must be worse off than I thought because Roman doesn’t even sneak a peek. Every time I take off my clothes, Roman looks at me like it’s his first time seeing a woman naked.
He makes quick work of his own clothes, and I do take the time to admire. Even in my weakened state, there’s a part of me which whispers,I’d do it.
If he wants, I’ll bend over this countertop right now. I let my eyes slowly trail over his body, over his wide shoulder, every single one of his tattoos leading down the hard wall of his chest and abs, which look carved from marble. Right down to one of my favorite parts.
“This is tragic,” I say.
“Can you not say that while looking at my dick?” Roman’s tone is sardonic.
I look up and see his amused gaze. “No, I mean I’m too sick and tired to even think about sex, but my body’s still considering it.”
Taking my hand, Roman guides me into the shower and under the spray of water. I shiver as hot water sluices over my body and Roman steps in behind me, wrapping one arm around my waist as he rubs my arms with his other hand. I turn my face up, resting my head against his shoulder so the water hits my face.
“Good?”
“So good,” I whisper.
Roman reaches for my body wash, slowly lathering it over my body. He takes care to wash every inch of me. Gentle fingers running over my arms, my chest, down my legs. Even though he doesn’t linger, my body still responds, awakening under his touch. My nipples pebble and Roman’s eyes heat, causing satisfaction to course through me.
Grinding his jaw, Roman turns me around and under the spray of the shower again.
“Excuse me, I was enjoying myself,” I protest.
“A little too much,” he says, drily.
“I haven’t seen you in two weeks.”
He gently nips at my shoulder. “And we both know how manyneedsyou have. Am I your boy toy?”
“If you want to be.”
His fingers are in my hair, massaging gently as the scent of my shampoo fills the shower. I moan, bracing a hand against the shower wall to steady myself. His fingers are magic, softly working the lather into my scalp, putting enough pressure to make my eyes roll into the back of my head.
Roman chuckles lightly and I open my eyes, tilting my head back to look at him in question.
“The sounds you’re making will make Jules think we’re doing more than showering in here.”
I close my eyes. “She’ll be proud.”
There’s something incredibly strange in having him take care of me. Something my heart shies away from because I don’t want to examine the hurt around it too closely. I always tell myself that having my family is enough because most people don’t even have that.
But that icicle of loneliness which used to crawl along my spine hasn’t been present since Roman came back into my life. Loneliness is a funny thing. It creeps in when you least expect it and somehow, it’s always when you’re surrounded by people.
My last memory of someone washing my hair is my mother. I might have been around nine or ten and we were at the beach. I kept running into the water, chasing Drew, throwing sand at him when he wouldn’t listen to me.
By the end of the day, we were both covered in sand and Mom took me into the shower, carefully rinsing and washing it out of my hair. I remember the feeling of absolute love, safety, and comfort which surrounded me on that bright sunny day.
It felt a lot like what I feel now, and I can’t stop the swell of emotions which rises in me.
“You didn’t have to come here,” I say, choking back my tears. “Jules has been an excellent nurse.”
Roman rinses my hair, squeezing out the excess water. He reaches for the hair conditioner, running it through my hair and scrunching it up.
“I’ve never taken care of anyone, Lavinia. I’m not sure how I’m going to fare as a nurse. One thing I do know is I’m not going to sit back and let someone else take care of you because I can’t be fucking bothered to learn.”
He puts me back under the spray, rinsing out the conditioner.
