Page 34 of Massimo

"I had Jerome draw some blood while you slept, Nova." Her eyes swing to me. "He has a friend who works at a lab and did a rush on the analysis." My throat works as I swallow the lump that's formed in it. "Your blood results were consistent for someone who's been undernourished."

The trembling of her hands increases, and she lowers the bowl of oatmeal and the spoon to the tray.

"So, I'll tell you again: you never have to be told to eat again, princess."

Her eyes simmer with tears, and I read the shame and pain in them. It makes me want to tear the room apart, but I keep my anger hidden because I don't want her to mistake it for being directed at her.

"If you need to talk to someone about this—"

"Stop." Her voice is hoarse and raw, and she closes her eyes. "Why are you doing this?"

The pain and anguish in her words slash me across the chest. She thinks this is some test, some game, some ploy of a monster.

Her father did this to her, butI addedto it.

I fist my hand on the comforter, stopping myself from hauling her into my arms. "There's no test or games. Not between you and me."

She shakes her head, looking down.

"I know you don't trust me, Nova. Not yet."

She lifts her eyes to look at me through lowered lashes.

I wet my lips. "Is there… Are there other things or triggers you can tell me about so I don't do anything to hurt you?"

My guilt and regret are a tangible, living organism within me, but I force myself not to look away from the accusing disbelief on her face.

"How long was I out for?"

Her question, completely unrelated to the one I asked her, surprises me. But I don't press her. "You slept the full day."

Her head turns to the window and the darkness outside. She turns back to me. "Why did you bathe me?"

"To warm you up, and so you felt clean when you woke up."

"Did it occur to you that I'd feel unclean by you bathing me, bathingwithme, while I was unconscious?"

Her frankness and directness, with the high tilt of her chin and that fire sparking in her eyes, makes my cock stir and a smile bloom.

She realizes she showed me her fire and fight, but she bow her head. She continues to look at me, waiting for her answer.

"Yes, that did occur to me, but I chose to do so because I wanted to warm you quickly."

She looks away. "Did…did anyone else see…see me naked?"

I walk around to the other side of the bed so she'll look at me. Instead of sitting on the bed, I lay on it, stretched out on my side, propped up on my elbow. "No, princess. That privilege is only for me. Which won't happen again unless you ever choose that in the future."

Her throat works as she swallows. I pick up a piece of chicken and hold it up, and asked, "May I?"

Her eyes dart between the piece of meat and my face before she slowly nods.

After my feeding her that one piece, she points at what she wants, and I continue feeding her.

Both of us are silent, but somehow, more words are said in that act than all the words I've spoken all day.

Chapter 17

Nova

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