She shrugged. She liked the smell of jasmine. He poured some into the water and immediately bubbles started appearing. She clapped her hands excitedly.
He gave her a surprised look. “You like bubbles.”
“How can anyone not like bubbles? They’re so fun. Can I hop in now?”
“Not yet,” he warned. “I have to make sure it’s not too hot or cold.” He tested the water then turned off the tap. “It’s good.”
He helped her take off the T-shirt then lifted her up, carrying her to the bath and lowering her slowly. She sighed as she slid into the water.
“I’m sure I’ve got matching shampoo and conditioner in here.” He moved back to the cabinet, her eyes nearly dropped out of her head as she took in the bottles of stuff in there. Had he bought out half the store?
He turned around, carrying some bottles. “Gonna need something to rinse it out. Wait there.”
She hadn’t planned on going anywhere.
While he was gone, she washed herself and played with the bubbles. Bubbles were the best. When he returned, she was scooping them up with one hand and blowing them off. Her shoulders hunched as she waited for him to tell her that she was being silly.
William would have. Although she didn’t think she’d ever taken a bath with him around. She wouldn’t have been able to relax enough to enjoy it. That wasn’t a worry here. Even though she felt nervous having a bath in front of Wolfe, it was more of an excited nervousness.
Wolfe was constantly surprising her. He wasn’t a man you could easily predict. That was for certain.
“I stopped in the playroom and got a few things from the bathroom attached,” he told her. He was holding up a small baby’s bath. He tilted it so she could see some bath toys inside, along with a plastic mug that was obviously double-walled as it had little fish swimming in the glass.
“Want to play with some toys? You don’t have to,” he added after she didn’t say anything.
She did. She just wasn’t sure she’d feel comfortable enough. She glanced up at Wolfe, but there was no judgment. Just a calmness.
This was something he said he wanted too.
“Do you think it’s strange, a grown woman wanting to play with toys?”
His eyes narrowed. “I think a lot of things are strange. Telling someone they look good when they clearly don’t. Not telling someone to close their mouth when they’re eating because it’s disgusting. Having money that’s all one color. Pumpkin ice cream. What’s with that? Ice cream and vegetables are not meant to mix. Next thing you know, there will be spinach ice cream. Or brussels sprouts ice cream.”
“That is the only way you’d get me to eat brussels sprouts,” she told him.
He set the baby bath down. “They’re on the list.”
“Nuh-uh,” she told him. “No way. They’re yuck.”
“You’ll eat them.”
“Will not, Wolfie.” She was surprised that her Little side was pushing forward so easily.
“We’ll see. Just because something might not be considered normal, doesn’t make it wrong. Just look at me.”
She ducked her head. “Thanks, Wolfie.”
“Not sure I approve of that name, though.”
“Why not? I like it.”
“Aleki calls me Wolfie sometimes. We should have a name that’s just for you to use.”
She pouted. “Tell him to stop.”
Something flickered in his eyes that she almost thought could be amusement. “I will.”
He picked up the baby’s bath and dumped everything in. She squealed with laughter as it dropped, splashing water on her.
“Wolfie!”
“What?” He gave her an innocent look. She narrowed her gaze at him. Oh, he played a dangerous game.
He filled up the baby’s bath with fresh water in the bathroom sink. Then he set it down next to her and she struck. She scooped up water, splashing him right in the face.
He froze. Water dripped down his face. Over his glasses. Down his chin onto his shirt.
Uh-oh.
She sat there, staring at him.
He drew off his glasses and wiped them on the bottom of his shirt very, very slowly.
Oh shit. Now would probably be a good time to run, Vivi!
She grabbed the side of the bath, prepared to heave herself up.
“You try and you’re over my knee, and having wet skin will make it so much worse.”
She froze. Shit. Shit.
He put his glasses back on, then picked up the plastic mug with the swimming fishes. He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t.
He splashed some water right in her face. She screeched.
“Wolfie, no! Bad Wolfie!” she cried. She tried to clear her eyes as he splashed her again.
“No, Wolfie! No!” She started laughing, unable to stop herself. Water went in her mouth as she tried to splash back. “Noooo!”
“What the hell is going on in here?” a big voice boomed.
She turned her face to the side. “Aleki, save me! Wolfie is being mean! He’s splashing me.”
“You started it,” Wolfe pointed out.
“One splash!” she pointed out. “Look at me, I’m all wet.”
She blushed as she realized what she’d said. Aleki’s eyebrows moved up and down. “If he’s gotten you all wet, then I’d say good job.”
“Aleki!” she protested with a pout. “Where’s Daddy? Daddy will be on my side.”
Caleb poked his head into the bathroom. “What’s going on in here? You okay, jelly bean?” She could drown in those eyes, let that calm confidence he wore like a cloak wrap her up in safety.
Everything in her life would be okay when he was around because he wouldn’t let anything or anyone harm her.
“Wolfie was splashing me.”
“Wolfie, huh?” Caleb’s face was filled with amusement.
“Look at me. I’m all wet!”
Caleb walked over and crouched by the bath. “These are cute toys. This one squirts. Look.” He ducked an octopus under the water and squeezed it, letting it fill with water. Then he drew it up and squirted it right in Wolfe’s face.
Her mouth dropped open. Then a laugh shook her as Wolfe narrowed his gaze at Caleb. “What the fuck?”
“Sorry. Was just demonstrating how the toy worked. You’re wet anyway.”
She started giggling as Caleb winked at her and rose. Wolfe grabbed a towel to dry himself off.
“We’ll leave you to your bath. Try to keep some water in the tub, huh?” Caleb said.
Aleki stared at her intently then he turned and left the room, calling back over his shoulder, “breakfast in forty minutes.”
Wolfe grumbled but walked over and knelt next to her.
“Truce?” she asked.
He gave a nod. “Let’s wash your hair. You need to eat breakfast.” He picked up the cup and filled it with clean water from the baby’s bath.
“What’s the baby’s bath for?” she asked curiously as she started playing with the toys.
“Oh, it’s for a doll. It came with a set including a stroller, cot, and highchair.”
“I didn’t see those yesterday.”
“They just arrived this morning.” He was working the shampoo through her hair and massaging her scalp. It was heaven.