Page 41 of Lust & Lies
Smiling, I stepped under the spray of water. A sigh escaped me as soon as the water hit my skin. It was hot, just the way I liked it. The tension was already easing out of my muscles. Tilting my head back, I stared up at the ceiling as the water rained down over my face and body.
I tried not to think about the man waiting on the other side of the door. About the bed he was probably already lying in, waiting for me. About the way my heart still hadn’t stopped fluttering from the things he’d said earlier. But not thinking about Aiden Park was hard to do.
Just shower, Noelle. The sooner you’re done, the sooner you can get back to him.
I lathered my towel and began scrubbing my body. The scent of my body wash filled the large stall. I had way more space in here than I’d had in the hospital shower. I could move around, stretch my arms out, and bend over without touching the shower wall and feeling icky about it.
I took my time bathing, savoring the moment, even standing there a few extra minutes after the suds had been rinsed away. I didn’t exit the stall until the water started growing cold. I stepped out and dried off slowly.
Once I was done, I removed the shower cap and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I really didn’t feel like being bothered with my hair right now. Opening the drawer, I pulled out the black bonnet and ripped open the plastic.
Eyes on the mirror, I slid the bonnet over my head. No, this wasn’t a sexy look at all. But I’m sure Aiden had seen me at my best and my worst. A bonnet was not going to ruin the mood. The next things I did were sort of like muscle memory movements.
I applied my face cream and ChapStick. Then came the Shea butter lotion over my arms, legs, and stomach. Well, over all of me. This felt like a routine. I smiled at my reflection in the mirror.
My mind may not recall the past, but my body seemed to know what to do. Perhaps that’s why I should trust my body and heart around Aiden... because they seemed to remember the things my mind had forgotten.
Now that I was all lotioned up and smelling good, it was time to get dressed. What nightwear had the staff purchased for me? I turned in place, eyes scanning the bathroom.Oh, wait.I hadn’t brought anything in here.
I looked toward the door. I could call Aiden and ask him to bring me something to wear. Or.... I smirked. Or, I could go out there and get it myself. I faced the mirror again and loosened the towel, letting it fall open.
My eyes moved over my body, taking in my long legs and curves, a form I could be proud of. My body was slightly toned. Did I work out a lot? I touched my thigh muscles. Did I enjoy running? Whatever I did, it kept me in shape.
However, I wasn’t flawless like some supermodel or anything. I had a few scars. I’m guessing most were from the wreck. Then there was this scar on my left thigh. I turned to the side to stare at it. It was an older scar.
Hmmm.... How did I get that?
I had a feeling I enjoyed gardening. Could it have happened in my garden? Should I ask Aiden, or should I wait for the memory to return? He’d probably tell me to do the latter. I turned from side to side. Other than those few scars, I looked good.
I would not allow blemishes to bring down my confidence. Plus, Aiden was my husband. He’d seen every inch of me. And I knew for a fact he was attracted to me. These scars didn’t bother him. And they damn sure didn’t bother me.
Scars were proof that you’d survived. I smiled, wrapped the towel back around me, and walked to the door, already imagining the look in his eyes when he saw me.Let’s see how long he keeps pretending he can behave.
With the towel clinging to my freshly lotioned skin, I opened the door and stepped out of the bathroom with fog billowing after me. I was greeted by the cool air of the bedroom, which sent chills over my body.
Aiden was already in bed, propped against the headboard, staring down at something on his phone. The second he looked up and saw me, his eyes widened, and his lips parted. His darkgaze roamed over my towel-clad body. Another chill raced over me that had nothing to do with the cool air.
“I forgot the clothes you told me to grab,” I told him.
“Stay right there. I’ll get them for you.”
He threw the covers off, jumped out of bed, and rushed over to the dresser. This man was in such a hurry to get me clothed that he was damn near tripping over his own feet. I watched him, amused. He opened the drawer and froze.
I tilted my head. “What’s the holdup?”
He looked over at me. “I didn’t expect there to be so many options. Uh... what color... panties do you want?”
I burst out laughing at the helpless expression on his face. His lips twitched into a smile. I crossed the room and stood beside him, peering into the drawer. He was right, there were a lot of options.
There was silk and lace lingerie of all colors. Some of it was see-through. All of it was sexy as hell. He rubbed the back of his neck, that sheepish look settling in.
“I had the housekeeper buy items in your size. I didn’t realize she’d only pick...those.”
“Mmhmm,” I hummed, glad she’d chosen these. They would definitely come in handy.
“Maybe there’s more,” he mumbled, already opening the next drawer.
There was indeed more.Cotton panties. Soft sleeping shirts with matching shorts.Way less exciting, but way more comfortable.
