Page 32 of In Your Eyes
I darted my gaze up and saw Korban standing in the bathroom doorway, looking at me.
“Did I say that out loud?” I asked.
“No.” He shook his head.
“Then how did you—”
He smiled at me, his expression soft. “Sleep, Samuel. You know all of this in here.” He tapped his hand against his chest. “You just need to let go of the things you’ve learned in here”—he tapped the side of his head—“to realize it.”
Whether I would have argued or demanded more answers, I’d never know because Korban walked into the bathroom and I heard the shower turn on. It would have been mean to prevent him from washing, so instead of pushing him for an explanation, I padded into the bathroom, retrieved a toothbrush from the drawer where I kept extra toiletries, and set it on the counter.
“There’s a toothbrush next to the sink,” I said, trying not to look at his form behind the steamy glass enclosure. “Everything else you need should be in the shower.”
“Thanks, Samuel.” When I didn’t move, he chuckled and spoke again. “I promise I won’t be long. Go to bed before you fall over where you’re standing.”
I was tired beyond belief, but I doubted I’d be able to sleep with everything going on. I was far too anxious. Still, I did what Korban asked and slid between the sheets.
Though I remained awake, the sounds of him in the adjoining room lulled me into a relaxed state instead of making me tense. Even the water turning off, his bare feet slapping on the tile floor, and him brushing his teeth melted tension from me. By the time Korban walked into the bedroom, I was breathing easier and no longer felt ice-cold inside.
“You look better,” he said quietly, pressing his palm to my forehead and then brushing my hair back. “Still tired, but better.”
I blinked my eyes open and watched him, trying to figure out what he was doing. He was being nice, tender. It didn’t make sense. And I liked it, which also didn’t make sense.
“A good night’s sleep and you’ll be back to yourself.”
“Why are you doing this?” I said quietly. “I hurt you and you’re taking care of me. Why?”
“For the same reason I’m going to get in bed with you and you’re going to let me.”
“There are lots of other bedrooms in this house,” I said. “The beds are just as comfortable. The doors have locks.”
Not that I couldn’t break through a locked door, but at least it would be some barrier to keep him safe from me.
“I know.” He picked up the blanket and sat down. The man had no self-preservation instinct.
I looked at him for a second and then slid over, making room for him to lie next to me.
Immediately, he reached over, wrapped his arms around me, and tugged me close until we were pressed together. It was then I remembered he was nude. It made sense because he hadn’t been wearing clothes before the shower and he didn’t have any at my house. But still, he was nude. In my bed.
“What?” he asked.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Your entire body tensed and you’re barely breathing.” He smiled and combed his fingers through my hair. I had never let anyone touch me that way, not even my parents. But I let him. I liked it. “That’s saying something with your body. What freaked you out?”
“You’re not wearing any clothes.”
“I know.”
“Oh.” I swallowed hard, thinking about his nonresponse. “Why aren’t you wearing any clothes?”
“For the same reason you’re glad I’m not wearing any clothes.”
I had no idea what he meant. I wasn’t glad he was nude. Well, I may have liked it, but that was because I wasn’t right in the head. I’d proven that with what I’d done to him.
“Aren’t you scared I’m going to hurt you?” I asked.
“No.” He shook his head and continued stroking my hair.
