Page 51 of Bones

BONES

The doctor leaves, and I watch Athena nervously messing with the tie on the robe. I’m not used to doing the right thing when it comes to women, but I’m trying with her.

“I should make you something to eat.”

“I’m filthy, I need to take a shower and brush my teeth.”

She doesn’t appear dirty, so I assume she’s referring to what that fucking piece of shit did to her.

“I’ll start the water for your shower.”

Walking into the bathroom, I turn the water on and after it’s hot, I call to her, “Come on, baby. It’s ready.”

She comes in and drops her robe and steps into the shower.

“Are you coming in?”

Fuck, I want to, but I shouldn’t.

I turn to walk out the door, and she speaks in a low, shaky voice, “If you’re going to end this, can you just do it? I can’t handle the suspense.”

My head snaps around before my body has a chance to catch up. “What? I’m sure I misheard you.”

She stares at the floor and speaks, this time barely above a whisper, “If you’re going to end this, can you just do it?”

Walking over to her, I climb into the shower with my clothes on and take her hands in mine. “Butterfly, look at me.”

She lifts her head, and gazes at me with watery eyes, and I ask, “Why the hell would I end this marriage?”

A tear rolls down her cheek. “Look at me, Luca. That’s right, you can’t. I repulse you and honestly, I don’t blame you for it.”

“What?”

I’m so fucking lost, I may as well be in complete darkness. I have no clue where any of this is coming from? End this? Everything that happened tonight was for her. How could she even suggest I’d walk away?

“I am looking at you right now, Athena.”

She shakes her head in disagreement. “No, Luca. Since you found me, you haven’t been able to look at my body. Tell me I’m a liar.”

“Jesus Christ, Athena. I just rescued you from a cage. You were fucking naked. He raped you. Maybe he didn’t touch your pussy, but he fucking raped you. I’m trying to be respectful. I’ll admit, it’s not something I’m used to, so maybe I’m doing it wrong. I have no issues with looking at your beautiful body and, when you’re ready, I’ll have no problem fucking it either. This marriage will not end. Not today, not tomorrow, and not fifteen fucking years from now. You’re mine, and that has not changed.”

I lean over her, and nearly lose my mind when her breathing picks up. Her chest rises and falls with heavy breaths, and it takes everything in me not to rip my clothes off, and give her a reason to breathe heavily.

“Do we understand each other?”

“Yes, Luca,” she nearly pants.

If she were any other woman, I’d likely already be balls deep inside her. But she isn’t any other woman. She’s my goddamn wife, and has been through hell. I need her mentally stable when she has my children.

I have not had to jerk off in years, but staring at my beautiful woman, I know I will have to soon. The last thing I want to do is push her too soon, and cause more psychological damage.

“Tell me what you need from me.”

“You.”

I soap up my hands, and gently wash her skin as the tears roll down her cheeks.

“Tell me specifically what you need, Butterfly.”

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