Page 35 of My Lord
“Alex,” she said, bringing her attention back to her face.
I smirked and shrugged my shoulders. I walked her to the bathroom and left her to shower after making her promise that she’d call for help to get into the bath.
“Do you have pyjama’s?” she asked.
“No.”
“What do you sleep in?”
“Nothing, usually. Why?” I asked.
“I just wanted something clean to lounge in. You bundled all my clothes into a ball and I’m certain they’re all creased.”
“Oh, I’ll see what I can find.” Not for one minute understanding why crumpled clothes couldn’t be worn.
I had a t-shirt and some shorts, although they’d be way too large.
She did call for me to help her and it was the first time I saw her completely naked in real time. She was exquisite, however, when she turned and I saw the bruising to her hip, anger washed over me.
“Don’t, Alex, just help me into the bath.” She had clearly seen the expression on my face.
I did as asked and offered to bring a glass of water and some pain relief. She settled back and closed her eyes sighing with contentment.
“I do think we need to take some photographs,” I said. With her eyes still closed, she raised her eyebrows. So, I added, “For the police,” for clarity.
“Mmm, yes, you’re probably right.”
I left her to soak hoping the heat would bring the bruising out quicker and soothe the aches. I laid a casual shirt and gym shorts on the bed with some toiletries from her bag.
For the second time only, I cursed the fact I had no idea how to cook. A lovely meal would have been ideal. Instead, I called up my favourite local Italian and asked for some food to be packaged up for delivery. I opened a bottle of red wine and left it to breathe.
Doing that for Gabriella felt quite normal. I’d never had anyone stay over in my flat. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had anyone in the flatfull stop. The women that I fucked were generally at the club and I’d been at a previous apartment when I’d last dated anyone.
I paced around the living room, stopping by the windows to look out over London. It was turning into a dismal afternoon; rain clouds were rolling in and the temperature was dropping. I looked at my watch.
How long does a woman take in a bath?I wondered.
With that thought just done, Gabriella walked into the living room. She was barefoot and wearing my shirt, it was too long and covered the fact she did have shorts on. Her hair was piled in a loose wet bun on top of her head, and her face clear of any make-up. Her skin was flawless, and her eyes were bright.
“Hey, I was beginning to panic,” I said. Smiling, I walked towards her and heard her sigh.
She let her head fall onto my chest and although her arms were limp by her side, she rested against me. I wrapped mine around her and I heard her gently cry.
“Shush, baby, it’s over now,” I whispered, holding her tighter.
“I was really scared. I was trying to let go of the bag, but it was caught on my coat button,” she said.
She also went on to tell me that he had raised his fist to her, he’d swung at her willing to punch her clear in the face, but she fell instead. I had to clench my jaw tight for fear of shouting out in anger.
“He was shouting at me, he threatened to rape me, Alex.” Gabriella then broke down.
I walked her to the sofa and helped her to sit. I sat beside her and held her, unable to speak at first. “Why didn’t you say something earlier?” I said eventually, working hard to keep the tone of my voice even.
“Because Mackenzie would have insisted on trawling the streets, and if he’d seen anyone remotely like my attacker, he would have gotten into a fight. He’s very hot-headed, Alex. He’s been in trouble with the police so many times in the past and even once here in the UK. I’d hate for anything to happen to him.”
I wasn’t surprised to hear that about him at all. He had the physique of someone capable of looking after himself if necessary. It wasn’t the best idea, however, to start fights on UK soil.
“Don’t keep secrets from me, Gabriella, will you?” I asked, gently.
