“Make up your mind, you need to pee and it’s not good to hold on. You’ll give yourself a UTI.”
“Oh Lord, fine. I’m wearing panties. But I can still stand on my good foot and get them off. There’s a bar by the toilet I can hold onto for balance. Just set me down then go.”
He’d had enough of this. He carefully let her feet drop down. Then when she was resting her weight on her good foot, he nodded to the bar. “Hold onto that with both hands.”
“Damn it, Caleb.”
“Jelly bean, if you’re gonna fight me all the time then it’s going to take you so much longer to get better. Now, do as I said,” he told her sternly.
She grasped hold of the bar. He bent down slightly and reached under the nightgown which had pictures of pigs all over it in different poses. Some were sitting on the beach, drinking cocktails, others were dancing.
It was cute. And maybe a sign she was a Little? But he shouldn’t read too much into it. He guessed it had come from her bag of stuff that the nurse had laundered for her. He slid her panties down, careful to keep his touch light. To not linger the way he wanted to.
She had one hand on the bar as he grabbed her hips and guided her onto the toilet. She grasped hold of the nightgown and drew it out of the way as he set her down.
“This is so embarrassing.”
Caleb gave her a firm look. He didn’t want her embarrassed or ashamed. He didn’t want anything to feel that way between them.
He drew in a deep breath before he blurted that out. Easy, man. She’s not ready for your feelings.
“You’ve nothing to be embarrassed about. You’re not the first injured person I’ve helped go to the toilet.”
Her eyes widened and for some reason, she looked as though he’d struck her. He had no idea why.
“Had to help Aleki once when he tore up the ligaments in his foot. Believe me, I’d rather help you any day of the week.”
“Oh.” She looked away, blinking.
“I’ll wait just outside the door. Do not move from that toilet without my help, understand?” he ordered.
“Yes.”
He grasped hold of her chin. “You move without me and next time you won’t get any privacy, understand?”
“You never used to be this bossy.”
He had to grin. “Baby, you think this is bossy? You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Reluctantly, he let her be while she peed. He didn’t like it. She was hurt, ill, and she needed care. He wanted to look after her in all ways. But he got that she wasn’t at that same place. She had no idea about what he needed.
He felt so torn between her and his brothers. What he had to do was convince them that she was what was best. For all of them.
Damn, that wasn’t going to be easy.
After holding her while she washed her hands, he carried her back to bed. He settled her under the covers and tucked them around her. He grabbed some water and held the straw to her mouth. She sighed but took a few sips. She looked pale and exhausted. As though that small trip to the bathroom had done her in.
Maybe he should have insisted on the bedpan. Or the diapers. None of it really phased him.
“Good girl for obeying me. I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small packet of candy.
She smiled as she took it. “Black jelly beans. My favorite.”
She’d always been addicted to them. Hence, her nickname.
“Just don’t tell Wolfe,” he said.
“Deal,” she whispered.