Page 51 of Broken Bonds

I need to deliver an order for two hundred and forty soaps in six different fragrances to Alexandra as soon as humanly possible. The PR company she manages is throwing a party for their clients and new prospects. She wants my soaps for the swag bags. As the owner of a growing business, I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and committed to delivering everything to meet her expectations.

The quantity itself is quite manageable, as a dozen soaps come out of each mold, and I ordered twenty of them. Right now, all the ingredients are scattered on the granite countertops in Lionel’s large kitchen. To manage all this, I’ve decided to make three mixes a day. That way, I’ll have time to study in the mornings with the online math tutor.

After lunch, when Lionel locks himself in his office-cave, I’ll tend to my soaps and when the sun starts disappearing on the horizon, we could spend some time together, like we have been doing for the last couple of days. Sometimes we cuddle on the terrace, other times we watch old movies while laying on his ratty sofa. The other night, while sharing a bowl of popcorn, we watched Sister Act. It’s been a long time since I laughed so hard.

Also for a few hours a day, I try to continue with my work while the therapist comes to do some exercises to help restore movement in Lionel’s arm, my eyes always end up wandering to his chest and biceps. It’s inevitable, the temptation is far too great for a girl to resist.

Cut me some slack.

Lionel has also started swimming, it’s a delight for my eyes. I’ve been lucky he hasn’t caught me checking him out while he dives into the water and I drink my tea. Being isolated in an empty house is really playing with my willpower. Add to the mix that we continue to sleep in the same bed together.

Despite the barriers that continue to separate us. No, I don’t mean the wall of pillows we build every night in his king-size bed. I’m talking about the fact that we are taking this slow, trust is a difficult canvas to fix.

Although we are on the long way to accomplish it, it’s a task Lionel has taken quite seriously.

On the countertop, the ingredients are organized by portions. Today, the three batches I’m mixing are honey with lavender, honey with glycerin, and honey with oatmeal. Yes, there is a common theme here, anyone can tell what it is. I was concerned about making them with honey that wasn’t from my hive, but Lionel somehow arranged for my mother to send me a good quantity in several glass containers transported by ground, not by air. How was it possible? Only my husband knows.

My husband in name, not in full use of all his husbandly rights—so far. We have made quite a bit of progress, and I know he’s still working from home to spend more time with me. Although he’s still recovering, he’s doing very well, and the security Ethan has deployed around him could well compete with the Secret Service.

I go over my list once again, it’s better to double-check before starting to avoid making a mistake in the middle of the process. On top of that, I want to test a new recipe, so I’ve ordered two more items from my favorite essential oils’ supplier.

It’s something I’ve never done before, but life is full of challenges, and right now, I feel confident enough to try.

Before I even start, I put on my apron and protective glasses—safety is always a priority. First step, mix the caustic soda with water and stir it well. For this, I help myself with an immersion blender. The process releases a lot of heat, hence the lenses, to protect the eyes. Don’t try this at home without adult supervision, kids. I repeat the process three times, for each of my fragrances in separate containers, and as soon as it’s cooling, it’s time to add the honey.

The base is ready, ladies and gentlemen.

Very carefully, in another container, I mix the essential oils to add them to the base, again helped with the mixer, until it’s a soft gel.

“Whatever you are mixing smells so good, it must be some kind of dessert,” says Lionel, scaring me shitless. His hands are on my hips. I couldn’t hear him before because of the mixer’s noise, let’s not forget about his ninja skills. “I want the biggest slice.”

“It’s not dessert,” I correct him. “It’s the first batch for Alexandra’s order.”

Lionel kisses me on the shoulder. Even though his lips have touched me over my clothes, my body still shudders. That is the effect this man has on me.

“Get out of here,” I rebuke him. I don’t think I’ll make much progress with him distracting me. “I’m working.”

He knows what he’s done, of course, a smirk is drawn on his lips as he moves around the bar where we eat every day and sits on one of the stools. He looks so delicious I could stop what I’m doing and eat him up with a spoon.

“In fact, I think there’s something we need to discuss.” Hearing those words, all the blood sinks to my feet.

I’m already bracing for the same argument. Lionel has always given my business very little support, seeing it as insignificant, something that would end with more losses than profit.

Lionel opens his mouth and stops for a moment while I hold the blender tightly to help me defend against the attack to come.

“Alexandra’s company party is quite important. ARC PR represents a lot of celebrities and athletes.” I know that and it’s the reason why I’m so stressed about doing all this. It has to be perfect. “I think you should have your website ready by then. I’m sure that when those celebrities and influencers try out your soaps, they’re going to be looking all over the place for you.”

I’m also aware of that, therefore, I already found out how to open my store in a well-known portal that sells handmade products and supplies. The process is quite simple. I just need a few photos to upload. And I plan to do it as soon as the soaps are ready, with the help of the super camera on the phone I’m still using on loan. Although Lionel says it’s all mine.

“I know,” I reply, trying to seem uninterested. The truth is, I’m trembling inside.

“I hired this smart IT guy, the boy is creative and has good resources, the latest technology. Why don’t we ask Hadley to set up a meeting, let Braxton put together something nice for you, so you can focus on doing what you love without having to bother with the more technical details? We could even hire a photographer to take over, I know from experience that image sells, you have to show what the potential buyer expects to see.”

My jaw almost hits the floor. Did he just say that he was going to help me?

“Did you just say you’ll make your company’s resources available to me?”

This change of mind is amazing, almost unbelievable.

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