Page 14 of Serenity & the Hermit
“I got you, baby,” I whisper, holding her against me as I bring her back under the water and lather her with soap. “I got you.”
“That was…” She lifts her head to look up at me. “Nelson. I’ve never felt anything like it.”
“There’ll be more, I promise. I want to make every inch of you feel worshipped.”
“Then I hope this damn arm of mine heals nice and quick. I know I was nervous at first, but I really enjoy being worshipped by you.”
Chuckling, I bring my mouth to hers again and kiss her while my hands roam her body and rinse the suds off. When I’m satisfied she’s clean, I shut off the water and drape a towel around her. It’s then she seems to register my state of dress.
“Did you just shower with your clothes?”
“They’ll dry,” I say, quickly tugging them off and dropping them in the bathtub before I wrap a towel around my waist. Serenity’s eyes fly to mine as I turn around.
“Next time we’re in the shower together. Do you think you can get naked too? I might want to do a little worshipping and soaping of my own.”
Grinning, I step closer to her then sweep her up into my arms. “That’s something I can probably manage for you,” I say, loving the way she squeals and clings to me. “But for tonight, we’re gonna get you dried up and dressed for bed. Then I’m gonna kiss you goodnight and let you get some sleep. We’ve got a yoga studio to open in the morning.”
“We,” she whispers, resting her head against my chest as I walk from the bathroom to her room. “I like that way that sounds.”
“Me too, baby. I’ve been waiting for the chance to say it all my life.”
SERENITY
The ache in my shoulder rouses me from an unrestful night of sleep. My mouth is dry from obvious open-mouthed snoring, and there’s a smear of drool making my hair stick to my face.Delightful.
Pushing it back, I swipe my palm across my cheek and sit up, my head feeling heavy and achy as I swing my feet over the side of the bed and plant them on the floor. “Nelson?”
My nightdress brushes against the top of my thighs as I stumble toward the door, reaching a hand up behind my neck to disconnect the immobilizing sling so I can move my arm enough to try and work the pain out. I know the doc said to keep it still for a few days, but sometimes I feel like that hurts more. So I give myself a moment of freedom while I wander around my house looking for the big, brawny mountain man who more than righted his wrongs last night. My core is still throbbing delightedly at the memory of his touch.
“Nelson?”
Frowning, I stop in the living area, the pillow and blanket he used last night is folded neatly to one side of the couch. Did he leave?
I check the bathroom before returning to the kitchen. The scent of coffee coming from the warming jug tells me he was definitely here this morning, but when I go to the window and look out into the drive, the absence of his truck tells me he isn’t here any longer. “What the hell? How am I supposed to get to the studio now?”
With my heart kicking up a faster beat, I march over to my phone and pick it up, staring at the screen dumbly when I realize I don’t have his number, so I can’t call.Shit.
If my car was here, I’d just suck it up and drive myself into work. But since said car is up at his place and he’s nowhere to be seen, I don’t have any way to get my ass into town. And it’s opening day. He knew how important this was to me, or he wouldn’t have stayed up with me so late last night learning the routines to help lead my classes.Unless…
Quickly punching in the numbers on my phone, I dial the main line for the studio and wait while it connects. “Bendy Bodies. Charity speaking,” a perky voice says as soon as it connects. I pull my head back and look at the handset in confusion for a moment.Charity?“Hello? Is anyone there?”
I bring the phone back to my ear. “Ah, I’m not sure if you know me, Charity, but I’m Serenity. The own—”
“Oh my god! Yes! Serenity! Of course I know who you are. Nelson has told us all about you and we’re all pitching in to make sure today goes off without a hitch so you can heal. How are you feeling today?”
“Um…right now, I’m kind of shocked. I was planning on being there myself.” My eyes stray to the clock on my microwave. Not only did I sleep in, but I’ve missed the morning classes all together. This is a disaster.
“We know, hon. Nelson called us all in early this morning when he couldn’t rouse you. Said you were out cold from the pain killers. None of us wanted your big day to get postponed after you put so much effort into it, so we’ve pulled together to make the best of it. He said he left you a note. Did you see it?”
“Um…” I do a quick scan of my surroundings, finding the note telling me where he is and containing his number on the pot of coffee. “Oh yes, here it is. I just didn’t see it right away.” I can’t explain the amount of relief I feel knowing he’s done all of this for me.
“No trouble. You’ve been through it. Would you like me to send someone to come get you? You feeling up to coming down?”
“Oh gosh, yes. I’d love that. And..and thank you, Charity. I admit this isn’t how I imagined today going, but knowing everything at the studio is being taken care of really means a lot to me. Especially when we’ve never met, and you’ve probably got something way better than manning my phones to do with your day.”
“Well, we all do anything for family. And the way Nelson was talking about you this morning, I’m sure we’ll be sisters soon enough. But I’ll see you soon, OK? I’m sending someone out as we speak.”
“I…what?” The call ends before I can get a complete sentence out, and I end up standing there, staring at my now blank screen.Family?Wow.
