I couldn't look at her. If I looked at her, I wouldn’t be able to help myself from getting naked and joining her in the bath. Even with her hairy legs, which don't bother me one bit, nothing could make me love her any less, or be any less attracted to her. Her vulnerability only makes me love her more, and I want her to know that things like hairy legs are superficial to me.
As if I love her because of how she looks. I couldn't give a fuck how she looks. Her ass and those thick thighs turn me on like no other woman has, but that's because it's her. It's nothing else but her, and I love her, every last fucking detail of her. I love every one of those hairs on her body because they’re hers.
I almost want her to stay poorly so I can stay here taking care of her, and I never have to leave.
The doorbell rings, and I open the front door. “Dean, come in.”
“I can’t stay.” He nods towards the car with some blonde chick in the passenger seat. “I got that stuff you wanted. Thought Steph might need a toke to help with the pain.” He pulls a small clear packet from his pocket and hands it to me.
“Cheers, mate. I appreciate that.” I open the bag and inhale the delicious blueberry scent.
“How is she?” He runs a hand over his shaved head.
“She’s getting better.” I hear Caleb cry in the other room. “One sec.” I unclip him from the highchair and carry him through to the hall. “Uncle Deanie’s here, look.”
Dean chuckles. “Fuck, he’s the spit of you. Poor bastard.”
My shoulders rock, and Caleb jiggles in my arms.
“Cal,” Steph calls.
“I’ll let you go.” Dean squeezes my arm. “Take care of yourself too, mate. You look tired.”
“I’m all right. Cheers, pal.”
He pinches Caleb’s cheek. “Be good for your old man, ay?”
I close the door behind him and walk up the stairs to Steph. “Everything all right?”
“I’m ready to get out.” Her face distorts as she leans over the tub.
“Gimmie a minute.” I put Caleb in his cot and return to the bathroom, grabbing a large bath towel from the cupboard. “Hold on to me.” My arm slips under hers as she pulls herself up.
Our eyes meet. Her lips part inches from mine. I hesitate for a moment, gazing into her green eyes like a wilting leaf. Once she’s standing, I wrap the towel around her and help her step out of the bath.
“I got you something to smoke, to help with the pain.” I hold the packet up, twisting it through my fingers.
She grips the towel tighter. Pain etched on her face as her lip contorts. “You haven't been in contact withthem,have you? Please tell me you haven't got it fromherorhim?” She makes her way into the bedroom in a huff.
“Fuck no. I wouldn't deal with either of them again. Dean just dropped it off. He’s been growing his own. It’s good stuff.”
She eases onto the bed, screwing her face up as she holds her side. “Callum, I can’t.”
“You can when the kids are in bed. It might help you relax and get a good night's sleep.”
“The last time I smoked that shit, I was about twenty. The pain isn’t as bad now, anyway.”
“You could’ve fooled me.” I stuff it in my pocket. “Suit yourself. I just thought it would help.”
She looks up at me with heavy eyes. “How often do you smoke it?”
“I haven't smoked any in a long time. I only started when I left Browns Media, just to take the edge off, you know.”
She shakes her head as if she’s swallowed something vile. “I couldn't stand the thought of you and her together. It haunts me.”
I huff. “It haunts me too, believe me.”
Her brow wrinkles. “She must have meant something. You were sleeping with her.”
“Yeah, I fucked her before you came back into my life. We would hang out and fuck. It wasn't serious. It was never like us.” I stop myself from saying any more.
Her mouth opens. A hint of life comes back into her eyes as she gazes at me from the bed in nothing but a towel.
My body tenses. It takes everything I have to not crash against her lips and rip the towel off. If she wasn’t in so much pain, I’d be on top of her already. Would she kiss me back?