Page 92 of Like An Animal
“She’s the housekeeper of the compound. She loves kids so she volunteered to spend the day with Charlotte. That way she is safe and happy while I take care of you.”
My heart twists painfully. “I don’t need to be taken care of, Jer.”
His eyes narrow with stern determination. “Yes, you do. You’ve been taking care of yourself and Charlotte for four years. You’ve been on high alert for all that time as well. It was my job to take care of you and I’ve failed. I plan to make up for that now. I’ve got everything under control, little ghost. You can rest in bed all day if you want.”
My eyes widen. I don’t have to do anything?
That just seems…odd. I always have to do something, like watching Charlotte and cooking. How can he expect me to just lay here and do nothing?
“And if I don’t want to?”
He shrugs. “You don’t have to. There are only two things you have to do this morning.”
I tilt my head to the left. “And what is that?”
Jeremy climbs out of bed, naked in all his glory, and walks over to the dresser where I now see a lap tray with plates of food and steaming mugs set up on it. He grabs the lap tray and turns to me with a smirk.
“The first thing is you have to eat breakfast.”
Did this psychopathic man really bring me breakfast in bed? What kind of alternate dimension did I step into? Are Barney and Friends about to dance through the door singingI Love You?
Jeremy never wanted me to eat in his bed, even just a granola bar. He was worried it would leave crumbs all over the place. Granted that would make sleeping uncomfortable, but that's not the point. This is still his bed and he’s offering to feed mehere.
Jeremy walks over carrying the tray and places it over my legs as I sit up. I tilt my head to the side. “Are you feeling okay? You don’t have a fever, do you?”
He rolls his eyes before placing a soft kiss on my temple. “Brat.” He stands up and walks to the bathroom before closing the door. A minute later, I hear the water turn on, figuring he’s going to take a shower.
I take a moment and inspect the contents on the tray. There’s a plate of eggs, bacon, toast and hashbrowns. The potatoes are shredded and lightly brown while the bacon doesn’t have a speck of charring. The eggs are done over medium yet cut up and mixed together like they are prepared to be eaten immediately. The bread is perfectly brown with peanut butter on half of the slice and hazelnut spread on the other half. I can’t forget the dollop of ketchup on top of the hashbrowns either.
This food was cooked and prepared the exact way I always took my breakfast. It’s as if Jeremy didn’t want there to be a single thing for me to complain about.
I never liked pancakes or waffles so there’s a small tea plate with a coffee cake muffin and next to it a cup of coffee. The smell coming from the mug tells me everything I need to know. It’s not a regular coffee. It’s a salted caramel latte, my favorite.
Then, there’s the tall glass next to the steaming mug filled to the brim with orange juice.
I grab the frosted glass and lift it to my lips, taking a small sip.
I wonder…
Yup. With the pulp, just how I like it.
I almost start sobbing from how perfectly everything was done. It’s so beautiful and sweet.
Jeremy Borza doesn’t do sweet and yet he did.
I slowly eat the food, savoring every bite and sip, until the tray is full of empty plates and cups.
Then, I hear the sound of the water turning off. I quickly grab a napkin off the plate and wipe my face just in case there’s anything left before placing it on the tray. The bathroom door opens and Jeremy steps out, still naked and not a drop of water on him.
Why was the water running for so long if he wasn’t taking a shower?
“Did you enjoy it?” he asks as he grabs the tray and places it back on the dresser.
“It was perfect. Thank you.” Jeremy walks back over to me and takes my hand, pulling me out of bed. He guides me to the bathroom and pushes the door open before guiding me toward the bathtub behind the door.
I didn’t notice it before, but when we took a shower yesterday, I was sleep deprived and only took notice of how much this bathroom looks like the one from his room at the old house. I didn’t notice the differences.
He closes the door and takes a step into the tub before helping me in. The tub is as big as a small hot tub. When we sit down, Jeremy pulls me into his chest, his arms locking across the swell of my breasts. The water is so hot it stings my skin, just how I like it.
