Page 215 of A Curse On Black Lake
“Come on,” I murmur, tugging her to the bathroom.
She flips on the water, letting it get hot while she finishes undressing. Her hands come to my shirt, and she flips the buttons and stands on her toes, pushing it over my shoulders. I haven’t showered in a couple days. I’m sure I smell terrible. She reaches for my belt buckle and glances up at me with tear-stained eyes.
I dip my chin, even though she never needs permission from me. She unhooks it and flips the button of my jeans. I push them down, and she steps into the hot shower.
“It’s going to be a tight fit,” I tell her.
“I don’t care,” she says.
I get into the tub and hold my hand out to her.
She steps in and goes back to laying her head on my chest.
I hold her while the water rains over us.
“I love you, Eliana. I’m sorry it took me so long,” I say, rubbing her back.
She leans back, gazing up at me, and my chest expands. I am forever taken with this woman.
There are so many things I want to say, but I don’t know where to start. I’m not even sure I understand what happened between Eliana and Eddy.
“You can ask me,” she mumbles and leans her head back under the spray.
I slip my fingers into her hair and massage her head.
“We don’t need to do this now,” I tell her, reaching for my shampoo.
“Are you mad at me?” she asks.
My hands pause in the suds on her head. “Why would I be mad at you?”
“Because I didn’t tell you,” she whispers.
“I told you I wasn’t happy about it, but I’m sure you had your reasons.”
“Did … did he hurt you? Other than…” I can’t bring myself to state the obvious, even though I spotted a small cut by her neck, and saw blood. I’d kill him again if I could. I finish rinsing her hair and reach for my bar of soap, rubbing it between my hands to lather it over her body.
“You don’t have to do that,” she mumbles, watching me draw my hands over her shoulders and arms.
“Let me take care of you,” I tell her.
“Yes,” she says.
I freeze.
“You probably noticed the cuts on my neck,” she mutters.
“I did,” I tell her, through a breath.
“He didn’t do what you’re probably thinking, though,” she whispers.
“I love you regardless,” I tell her.
“I know, but he didn’t. I would tell you,” she says. “I know it had to happen. I had to die. But what he said…” she trails off and shivers.
“It’s a lot to work through,” I say and drop to get her legs and feet.
“He killed those women because he wanted me,” she says, her voice breaking on the last words.
