Page 83 of Overcast

That gets her eyes to snap open.

“Arms up.” Her face twists in contempt. I expected nothing else. “I’ll close my eyes.”

I do, and the moment my lids slam shut, my clothes hit my face. I catch them with my reaction time, but she still holds the other side.

“You’re going to hurt yourself and mess up my dressing,” I scold lightly, giving my shirt a weak tug. She holds on with all the strength she has, which isn’t much, but I want her to give it up. To accept that I’m trying to make up for some of my fuckups.

More like forcing her again.

“You know you’re not going to win this round.” It only gets her to tug back harder like a little pitbull that wants her toy back. “C’mon.”

Another tug.

"I don't know your middle name, so I can't berate you properly, but I'll keep my eyes shut like I said."

“No,” she deadpans in a tiny voice.

“I promise.”

“No.”

"What's your middle name, Stormi?" She keeps her lips sealed, heaving again on the cotton shirt. "Mine is Ruslan."

"That's stupid."

I shrug. "It was my father's name."

"Good for you," she strains out.

Alright, fine.

Cracking my eyes open, Stormi's are barely agape, but she holds on for dear life to the shirt. She's soaked on my bed, strands of her hair plastered to her cheeks, and her skin looks paler than before. I don't know if keeping her wet is going to do better or worse for her.

“You need to cover up because I bet you have a fever and—”

“Leave me alone.” She releases the shirt and clasps her hands together, pulling her arms to her body. "Please leave."

"I don't think we should keep those wet clothes on."

"Who cares?" Her voice is smaller and barely audible, hitting me in the chest with more self-accusation.

Don't give up on me now.

Carefully climbing off her, I pull the white comforter over her body.

I'm not going to force this woman to do anything that she doesn't want to do right now. I don't think she'll die from damp clothes. Again, Lucien will be here soon, and he'll know what to do.

"I'll be back," I croon. "Help is coming."

She doesn't acknowledge me.

I gained her animosity and distrust. Now I have to man up and take it.

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