Page 15 of Utah

“Yeah.”

Ria retrieved the pill bottle from the bathroom along with a glass of water. “Here you go.”

I tossed back the medication and handed her the empty glass. “I’m gonna need your help.” I carefully swung my legs over the side of the bed and extended my hand. I didn’t realize how much I used my core muscles for simple movement, cursing when I moved the wrong way.

“I’m aware.” She smiled, and all I wanted to do was pull her into my arms and never let her go. “Careful.” She placed one of her hands under my elbow and gripped my hand with the other. “Go slow.”

I managed to stand without too much issue. I was still stark naked, but bashfulness had never been my thing. I caught her glancing at my dick a few times but didn’t call her out on it because I liked that she still appeared interested.

Once inside the bathroom, Ria turned on the shower, then removed her T-shirt and shorts, standing in front of me with nothing but a light purple bra and flower-printed underwear.

She was the sexiest woman I’d ever met, and I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact she was mine. Well, not technically, but she was having my baby, so she’d be in my life forever, one way or another.

“Why are you staring at me? You said you needed my help to wash up. I’m not about to get in the shower fully dressed.” She bit her bottom lip as she held my gaze.

“Sorry. I didn’t realize I was staring.”

She placed her hand under the spray. “Are you sure you can get the bandages wet?”

I removed both. “There, all good.” Before she protested, I followed up with “I don’t give a fuck if they get wet. We’ll just dry the areas off afterward and rebandage.”

“Okay. I’m not gonna argue.” She mumbled something else I didn’t catch as she ran her hand under the water to check the temperature. “Watch your step.” She moved to the side so I could enter the shower. Thankfully, it was a walk-in and not a tub that I had to exert too much energy to get into.

A sigh of relief fell from my mouth involuntarily. The water felt amazing on my back. I’d closed my eyes to enjoy the spray but popped them open when I heard Ria groan. I was seconds from asking her what was wrong when I caught her looking at my dick. Again. I’d grown, and apparently, she couldn’t look away. I’d come to realize that no matter how sick, tired, or injured I was, sex was always on the table for me.

“Don’t make noises you can’t back up, sweetheart.” I closed my fingers around her waist.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was looking at your wound.”

“Okay,” I responded unconvincingly, allowing my arm to fall to my side.

“You’re so arrogant, you know that?” The rhythmic spray of the water didn’t diminish the sound of her frustrated breaths. “I’m trying to help you and you’re riling me up.”

“I’m not,” I lied. “I’m just playing with you. And thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it.” My hand found a home on her waist once more, and her body relaxed into my touch.

She squirted shower gel onto a washcloth. “Turn around. I’ll do your back first.”

I followed her instruction and turned toward the water, bracing myself against the tile for balance. I dropped my head as she ran the cloth down my back, over my ass, then my legs. If I turned around right now, I bet she’d be eye level with my cock. I wondered if she’d do me a favor and give me some relief. Or would she hop out of the shower and leave me to fend for myself? Corralling my wandering thoughts, I focused on enjoying the attention she provided.

As Ria washed my legs, I reached for her vanilla-scented shampoo, but before I could dispense any of it, she took it from me.

“I’ll do that. I don’t need you losing your balance and falling on me. You’ll crush me and the little bean.”

I turned my head to the side so I could see her. “The little bean?”

“That’s what I’m calling her or him for now.”

“Little bean,” I repeated. “I like it.”

She lathered the shampoo, her nails gently scraping my scalp as she worked the product through my hair.

“Your hair is so long. I’m a little jealous.” Her soft chuckle made my heart ache in the best way possible.

The entire reason I grew my hair, had an extensive beard, and was covered in ink was because, on some subconscious level, I wanted to shield myself from the world. Ironically enough, all those attributes made me stand out like a sore thumb.

After I rinsed the shampoo, I angled my body to face her. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was piled into a messy bun on top of her head. The spattered freckles across the bridge of her nose gave her the appearance of someone innocent. She was anything but. The things we’d done in the sack…. Let’s just say Ria was adventurous. Even though she was out of the direct stream of the water, her bra and underwear had gotten wet, the outline of her nipples hard to miss. I tried to be respectful, to not comment, but she glanced down at herself before I could tear my eyes away.

“Is it wrong I’m not sorry for staring?” My expression was stoic, but my tone teased.

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