She reached for the plug, hoping they wouldn’t hear the water going down the drain. She’d need to somehow wipe down the bathtub. As the water drained down, she tried to figure out the best way of getting out.
It would help if her limbs didn’t feel like limp noodles. Rolling over onto her hands and knees, she braced her hands on the side of the tub then tried to get her good foot under her.
This was pathetic.
Finally, she managed to get her foot underneath her and was just pushing up when her foot slipped. She slammed into the bath, her knee cracking against the porcelain. She let out a cry of pain.
The door slammed open. “What is it? What happened? What are you doing?”
As she breathed through the pain, trying hard not to let the tears in her eyes slip free, Wolfe grabbed her around the waist, lifting her.
“Where are you hurt?” he asked urgently.
“It’s just my right knee. Knocked it when I slipped getting out of the bath.”
He set her down on the cool, marble countertop then crouched to look at her right knee.
“It’s red,” he said in an accusing voice. “You hurt yourself.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“You tried to get out of the bath on your own.”
Okay, that was kind of a good point. But she wasn’t conceding.
“I’m not an invalid, Wolfe.”
“You are injured. You’re recovering from a gunshot wound, fever, and a bout of diarrhea. And you were already likely rundown before all of that.”
“I can still get in and out of a bath on my own.”
“Obviously not, since you slipped and hurt yourself.”
Damn it. Another good point.
“I just think I should be doing things for myself and not relying on you guys so much.”
“Why?” he asked as he pressed down on her knee.
She hissed in a breath. “Because I’m an adult.”
“Says who?”
“Says everyone.”
“Then everyone is an idiot. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you have to do it all on your own. You know I’d likely be a recluse without Aleki and Caleb. A man isn’t a lone mountain. Neither is a woman. Especially not you.”
“Why especially not me?” Because she was weak and a coward?
“Because you have us,” he told her. “Because you are precious to us. And we will do whatever we have to in order to keep you safe.” He placed his hands on the countertop on either side of her. It was then she realized she was naked. Naked and wet. Holy crap. It was so warm in here, she hadn’t felt chilled. But she couldn’t move away. Not now. Not with him pressed against her, her legs on either side of his hips.
“I want to know who hurt you. Then I’m going to make sure they never do it again. I’ll slay all your demons, your tormentors. Let me stand between you and your nightmares.”
Tears dripped down her face. “You don’t think me a coward, for letting you fight my battles?”
“A coward? You? I wish you were less brave. I wish I could wrap you in bubble wrap and hide you away from everyone. You are no coward. You’re courageous. But I will let you in on something it took me a long time to learn.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s okay to ask for help.”
She nodded, tears streaming down her face. He looked slightly unsure at her sign of emotion. “Sorry, could you hand me a tissue?”
He paused then nodded. “Yes, a tissue. That’s what’s needed.”
Poor Wolfe. He was saying all the right things. For once. And she was turning into a blubbery mess on him.
“Sorry, you’re just being so sweet. And I’m a bit emotional. I’ll control myself soon.”
“You don’t need to control yourself.”
“But you don’t like when I cry.”
“Because you’re upset. And because I’m not good at knowing how to react. Comforting someone isn’t my strength. That’s when I ask Aleki and Caleb for help.” He gave her a pointed look as he returned with a tissue.
“I get your point.”
“Good.” Instead of handing her the tissue, he started to wipe her face. He was a bit rough, but she didn’t object, knowing this was foreign territory for him.
“These next few weeks, you don’t have to worry about anything. Well, except for pleasing us.” He looked satisfied at that thought and she rolled her eyes.
“And what about me? Will you please me?”
His eyes darkened. “Oh yes. I will.”
She shivered. You would never guess he was a virgin. He was potent.
“I have never hungered for a woman before. But it seems with you everything is different.” He stared down at her with those dark, dark eyes. “There’s only ever been you, princess. Just you.”
Her breath caught. She felt dizzy. That this man, this intense, damaged, brave man wanted her was something she could barely comprehend.
There was a knock on the door. Wolfe turned and glared at it. “What?”
“Obian is here,” Caleb called out. “Vivi finished with her bath?”
“Yeah, we’re coming.”
He picked her up. The scent of bergamot and mint hit her. Wolfe. Then he carried her out into the bedroom. There was a beat of silence.
“Jesus, Wolfe, she’s naked,” Caleb said. Then she felt a large body press up against her. The scent of ocean hit her. Caleb.
Wolfe stiffened. “Shit. I forgot.”
“What’s going on? What did I miss? Obian? What are you doing here? Shit, Vivi’s naked. Turn around, man.”
Aleki came up to them as she heard another man mutter something from behind her.
“What’s going on? Why is she naked?” Aleki asked.
“Just get her something to wear, will you?” Caleb demanded. “Obian, do you have your back turned?”
“I am over a hundred years old and have been a physician for most of those years. I have seen many female naked bodies, young man,” Obian said in a thick accent.
“A hundred?” she asked.
“He’s exaggerating,” Aleki explained. Instead of going to find her something to wear, he whipped off his T-shirt and put it over her.
Caleb stepped back to help her put it on. “Aleki, she just had a bath, she might have wanted something clean.”
Aleki shrugged his wide shoulders. “This was quicker. Do you want her covered or not?”
“Yes,” Caleb muttered. “I do.”
Her eyes were drawn to Aleki’s large chest. God, he was even more muscular than she remembered. A tribal tattoo worked its way up his arm and over his right pec. He’d expanded it. Eight years ago, it had been on his chest only. She used to love running her tongue over it.
He grinned. “Like what you’re seeing, baby girl?”
She gulped and pressed her face to Wolfe’s chest.
“You’re embarrassing her,” Wolfe scolded.
“Hey, I’m not the one carrying her around naked. Why didn’t you get her dressed before leaving the bathroom?”
“I forgot she was naked,” Wolfe admitted.
Aleki wiggled his eyebrows. “Not something I would ever do. When Vivi is naked, all I see is her.”