Page 43 of Destined for Eternity
“Your wish is my command.”
He reached over with his uninjured hand and snapped his shoulder back into place. She wasn’t sure a human could have done that as easily, but he acted as if he’d done it a few times before. He barely winced.
“I could help you wash up at the kitchen sink until your father is done in the bathroom if you’d like,” she suggested, coming a little closer.
“No.” He took a step back, expression guarded. “I need to clean up on my own and get some rest. It’s been exhausting the last few days, but we can speak further tomorrow.”
Cori put her hands on her hips. “I haven’t seen you in days!”
“I’d hoped you’d wait to visit me until tomorrow.”
Cori took a deep breath. “Bartol, please. We need to work on…”
“What?”
“Being a couple…for the baby.”
He let out a frustrated sigh. “You should have realized by now things will never be perfect between us. I intend to provide for our child and watch him or her grow up, but it will never be ideal—not like in your movies. You need to get over that.”
Why was he being hurtful? He stood in front of her like a raging, wounded warrior that barely recognized her. Sure, Bartolwasbloody and injured, but she’d thought he’d want her support after fighting a dangerous battle.
“Nothing is ever really like the movies,” she argued, clenching her fists. “But I thought you were really going to try making things work between us. You had me convinced at Christmas. Now, it’s like you’re withdrawing more from me every day.”
“This is not the time, Cori. Please go and let me rest.”
“But there is so much I want to discuss with you before the baby is born.”
Bartol looked up at the ceiling as if pleading with a higher power for help. “Such as?”
“How will we live?”
He shrugged, wincing a little. “The way we are now should suffice.”
“The baby is going to wake up and cry during the night. Will you help me with that, or am I all on my own?” Cori had a whole list of things she’d thought about in recent months, but she could never get Bartol into a serious conversation about it. This might not be the best time, but when would it ever be? “Even Griff helped with our daughter when she was little.”
He let out a growl of frustration. “Do notevercompare me to that man.”
She’d known mentioning her ex-husband might get to him. “I wasn’t, but you act like you’re incapable of helping me.”
“I don’t know how to do this,” he admitted, frustration in his gaze. “I fear I will fail miserably.”
Cori moved closer until she stood inches away from him. She badly wanted to put a comforting hand on him, but he already appeared ready to bolt. “No one does in the beginning, but you have to try.”
“I’m still not certain if I’ll even be able to hold the baby.”
Cori put a hand over her stomach. “Then you should practice by touching me.”
He tentatively reached out a hand, then spotted the blood covering it, and withdrew. A look of disgust filled his face. “I am filthy and not fit to touch you.”
His words had layers of meaning in them.
“I’ll wait.”
“No.” He backed away and headed toward his small kitchen. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Cori followed and watched as he stood at his sink, rinsing his hands. She noted raw, jagged wounds on his back. He was so strong physically, but inside it seemed there was damage that might never heal. At least, not if she didn’t help him. “Not a chance. I’m going to stay right here, and we’re going to work this out.”
He turned and gave her an exasperated look. “Why can you never take a hint? This is not the time or place, and I’m really not in the mood.”
