Page 134 of Reaper
My alarm goes off and I blink out of my fog as I slow my punches and steady the bag. Ripping off my gloves, I wipe my face with the hem of my shirt and shut off the alarm before pocketing my phone. I grab a water bottle off the shelf, twist the cap and down half the bottle in one go.
Jogging upstairs, I’m surprised when I don’t see Loki anywhere. I glance down the hall, noting that Miracle’s door is still shut. Heading upstairs to our room, I come to a stop outside of our door which is now ajar. Loki’s pulled a chair from one of the guestrooms and is sitting outside our door, scrolling on his phone. He puts his phone away and stands when he notices me.
“Figured she might freak out if she woke up to me sitting in the dark in your room.”
“She have any problems?”
He shakes his head. “There were a few times she whimpered but she quieted down again just as quickly. I’d just shut off my alarm when I heard you coming up from downstairs. I’m going to head back to the clubhouse for some shut eye. Do you want me to send someone else over?”
I close my eyes, feeling like shit. He’s been up as long as I have and if it weren’t for needing to clear my head, he could have gone to sleep a few hours ago. “Fuck. Sorry, man.”
He clasps my shoulder. “I wouldn’t have offered if it wasn’t okay. I’ll head out. Emma left a note downstairs that they’ll come visit tomorrow and for Lark to not worry about work. They’ll make sure everything is covered. I believe Miracle is still restingor at least, I haven’t heard her moving around downstairs. I’ll lock up on my way out.”
“Thanks, man.”
Stepping into our room, I walk over to Lark’s side of the bed and reach out, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. Gently, I shake her shoulder and she groans before her eyes open and she smiles.
“Hey.”
“Hey, Darlin’.”
She shifts and I frown when I spot a bit of blood in her hair.
“How about I run you a bath, Darlin? I know the doctor said we can’t get the skin glue wet yet, but I bet a nice soak would help your muscles.”
She moans again and the sound runs straight through me to my cock. Again, I internally curse my body to settle the fuck down.
“That sounds so good. I’ve been wanting to get clean ever since I got home but figured I’d wait till you were able to help me since I knew you wouldn’t leave me alone.”
I grunt in agreement because I sure as shit wasn’t going to let anyone else help her with her shower. She bites her lip as she tries, and fails, to hide her smile, but just seeing her smile like that has the knot in my chest loosening some.
Pulling back the covers, I scoop her up into my arms and her cheeks turn a little pink as I carry her into the bathroom.
“Could you…” she starts to ask before her voice trails off. I love that my strong and confident woman still gets shy every now and then. I set her down, making sure she’s steady before stepping back toward the door.
“Of course. Let me know when you’re done and I’ll run the water for you.”
Stepping back into the bedroom, I shut the door behind me and glance around. Lark’s clothes are still on the floor where Ileft them earlier. Grabbing them, I toss them in the laundry bin and make the bed again as well as tidy up a few other things.
“Anthony,” Lark calls out from the bathroom right as I finish and I shut our bedroom door before crossing the room to the bathroom and opening the door.
Bending down, I push the plug into the drain and turn on the taps. Opening the vanity doors under the sink, I grab the Epsom salt.
“This should do for now, but if you want a different kind or one that’s scented, let me know and I’ll get it for you.”
I pour some into the tub and then when the tub’s half full, I help Lark undress and get in. Opening the linen closet, I get out the neck pillow she likes to use when taking baths.
“Scootch forward a bit, Darlin’.”
Sleepily, she smiles and does as I ask. Once in place, she leans back, sighing in relief. “Hm. Thanks, Hercules. This is exactly what I needed.”
I sit on the floor opposite her so we can see each other and she gives me a tight little half smile.
“What all did the guys tell you about last night?”
My woman knows me so well.
I give her a rundown of my phone call with Atlas and then about the texts I’d gotten.
