Page 30 of Grumpy Billionaire Bad Boy

I wash my body instead, holding off on washing my hair for now. The bruises have shifted their colors, faded reds, purples, and greens covering most of my body, my torso with the brunt of the damage. Luckily for me, I can conceal it under my clothing and minimize some of the sad stares.

Everything still hurts, though, from my head, down to my toes. I thought the pain would have subsided, but I have to remind myself that my father nearly killed me two weeks ago, that doesn't go away overnight.

Even taking deep breaths is difficult, my injured lungs still healing, too. The headaches have died down, a steady throb that intensifies randomly.

He's abused me countless times, but the fractured skull was a new addition to his résumé of damage he's inflicted on me.

I put my arm in front of the faucet and rinse the inside of my cast out, the water nowhere near as disgusting as the first time I showered at Archer's place. I cringe at the memory of how dirty I was when I showed up on his doorstep. I can't believe he let me inside. Not that I look much better now, but still, I was disgusting to say the very least.

The water courses over me another few minutes and I decide it's time. I need to wash my hair, I can't keep putting it off. I didn't exactly do a good job the last time I washed it, some of theshampoo no doubt remaining in my hair after I got out of the shower.

I squeeze some of the shampoo into my hand, still wondering why Archer has women's products in here. I go to lather it with my other hand and the entire lump of shampoo slides out and plops onto the shower floor.

"Fuck," I blurt out and go in for another pump of the product. I manage to hold on to it this time, and raise my arms to work it into my hair, my ribs aching at the new position my body is in. "Fuck," I say, this time a bit louder. "Fuck, fuck, fuck." Tears well in my eyes and I lower my arms to my sides. Maybe I can find a salon nearby and pay to have my hair washed. But considering how much money I spent on clothes, I don't really foresee having the luxury of paying someone to wash my hair in my future. I have nearly half the money I came here with and no idea how I'm going to get any more.

The door to the bathroom bursts open, and Archer rushes in a second later. "Is everything okay?"

I cover what I can of my private parts. "What the fuck, Archer?"

"You sounded distressed," he says, his voice still clipped like he's not convinced someone isn't in here trying to murder me right this second.

"Have you ever tried to wash your hair with a cast on? Iamdistressed."

A long pause fills the steamy room.

"Hello? Some privacy?" I say, hoping he'll get the hint and get the hell out.

But instead, Archer reaches into the shower area and pokes at the panel on the wall. "You really shouldn't use that hot of water. You're going to hurt yourself."

I chuckle. "More than I already am? I'm pretty sure the water is the least of my worries, big boy."

Archer steals a glance at my body as he pulls away, his arm lingering, water droplets forming on his tattooed skin. "Christ…"

"Take a picture, Archer, it lasts longer."

He shakes his head. "No. Your…I didn't realize you…"

"Spit it out and get out." I continue to attempt to conceal myself, the cast covering most of my bare, soaked chest.

"Your entire body, London. You're bruised all over."

"Tell me something I didn't know."

Archer blinks a few times and I wish he would just spit out whatever it is he's thinking and go away, leaving me to stew in my embarrassment and the hot water. "Get out of the shower," he says, the words confusing me.

"Excuse me?"

"Sorry, I mean, when you're done, obviously. Get out of the shower and I'll wash your hair. We can do it in the sink in the kitchen."

"I'm not going to have you wash my hair," I protest for no real reason.

"Why?"

"I…" I struggle to find anything to say for the first time in my life.

"I'm not taking no for an answer." Archer reaches inside and takes the shampoo and conditioner off the shelf. "There, now you can't do it yourself."

"Dude, I'm naked here." I move to shield myself as he comes closer.

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