Page 55 of Complete Me

I shake my head. “It’s his word against mine. We were in my office with the door closed when we had the conversation.”

“Then the only thing we can do right now is get you settled.” Bjorn pushes to his feet and slips his arms around me. “What can we do?”

I shrug, emotionally wrung out. “Nothing. I’m fine.” The words come out a bit dramatically, but I’m feeling dramatic.

Kaino smooths back my hair again, and I lean into the touch. “That feels nice.”

“Hmm. How about this?” They turn to Bjorn. “I’m assuming you have a hairbrush.” Bjorn nods. “Get it, please.” They turn back to me. “Go sit on the couch and take down your hair. Bjorn can brush it for you while I go upstairs and run you a hot bath. Would that feel good?”

“In the huge tub in Bjorn’s bathroom?”

They nod. “Do you want bubbles, if I can find some?”

“Yes, please. And candles?”

Kaino smirks. “Yes, and candles. I’m sure Bjorn has some around here.”

I look at them through my lashes. “Will you both join me?”

“We’ll see. This is supposed to be relaxing to calm your nerves.”

I pout, because the thought of Bjorn and Kaino in the big bathtub with me, candlelight shimmering across their wet skin, is tantalizing. “Please?”

They kiss the tip of my nose. “I said we’ll see, brat. Now grab your wine and go into the living room.”

21

Xander

By the time I’m settled on the sofa, Bjorn is back with four different hairbrushes. “This one’s mine.” He holds up a basic hairbrush with a glossy wooden handle and dark boar bristles. “These others were still in Astrid’s room. I wasn’t sure which kind of brush you like, so I brought all the options I have.” He also has two hair clips and several sizes of elastics in his other hand. “I texted her, and she said it was fine to use whatever we want.” I raise an eyebrow at the array of hair accessories and he shrugs. “This stuff’s here in case she wants any of it after she swims.”

He holds them out for me, and I pick the boar bristle brush. “You don’t mind?”

“Pfft. Do I mind you using my brush? Or do I mind taking care of you? No to both. Seriously? Do you know me at all? It’s what I do. It’s my love language.” His wide eyes dart to mine, like he’s realized what he’s said and is afraid of my reaction. If he’s expecting panic or fear, he’s looking at the wrong guy.

A lovely warmth fills my chest as I hand him the brush. “Yes. I know. It’s one of my very favorite things about you.” His answering blush is incredibly endearing. He sets the other brushes and hair accessories aside, then guides me until my back is against the sofa cushions and he’s behind me on the other side of the couch. With the utmost gentleness, he pulls the brush through my hair. I close my eyes, enjoying the gentle tug as the bristles clear a few knots. “Do you think maybe my love language is letting you take care of me?”

The brush slows a bit before Bjorn gently pulls it the rest of the way through the strands. “Oh. Well, if so, that works out nicely.”

“Mmm.” The slow stroke of the bristles and accompanying tug on my head quickly put me into what my stylist calls ‘the hair stupor.’ I’m fully aware of what’s happening around me, but I’m so relaxed that my eyes drift closed and talking is an effort. Thankfully, Bjorn continues to brush but doesn’t press for conversation.

Some indeterminate time later, Kaino gently squeezes my shoulder, and their warm breath tickles my ear. “Ready for your bath?”

I force my eyes open and slowly stretch, feeling very much like I’ve been meditating. “Mmm. That sounds wonderful.” Bjorn walks around the couch and offers me his hands, pulling me up and steadying me when I stumble a bit. God, I already feel so much better. “You’re magic with that hairbrush.” For such a big man, he really is very gentle. I lean in and press a soft, lingering kiss against his lips. “Thank you. I honestly can’t remember the last time someone did that for me, and it felt amazing.”

He caresses my cheek. “Then I’ll have to make sure we do that again.”

“Yes please.”

Kaino takes my hand and gently tugs me toward the hall. “Come along. Time for bubbles.”

“Oh, you found some?” I blink and concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other until my equilibrium is back. By the time we reach the stairs, I’m fully capable of managing the ascent, but Kaino doesn’t let go of my hand, and I’m in no hurry to change that.

Bjorn’s voice comes from behind us. “Astrid had some in her bathroom.”

One of the benefits of having siblings, I suppose. “Seems like I’ll have to thank her next time I see her.”

“You can thank her on Sunday. She’s looking forward to seeing you again and says she hopes you feel better.”

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