Page 71 of A Reluctant Boy Toy
“Molly, the last thing I need is you bathing me.”
“How many times have I thrown your drunken ass into the shower?”
“Because I could wash myself. This isn’t the same.”
“Oh…” Her eyes widened. “You asked him to wash you?”
“Who else? I can’t get my bandages or cast wet, and I can’t go for months without washing my hair.”
She wagged a finger at me. “You are lying and you're going straight to hell, Sebastian Keye.”
“Get thatsmirkoff your face.”
“I’m sure Ariel would bathe you. She’s a mom now, and—”
“No!” I shouted.
“No!” Stone said from the doorway, then flushed. “Er…if I was too precious to help you bathe, Ari and Tag would never let me live it down.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Molly judged. “It’s probably even true.”
Behind his back, she continued to smirk. I gave her the stinkeye and kicked her foot.
“Ow.” She put her weight on her other leg. “Okay. Go get clean or whatever. I made a salad if you’re still hungry later.”
“I’m good for now.” I’d eaten less since the accident. Judging from what I’d seen in the bathroom mirror earlier, it showed.
Stone said, “I’ll have a salad later. Maybe we can tempt Sebastian with some fruit before bedtime.”
“I’m beat,” Molly said. “Plus, I’m halfway through a good book. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
She gave an operatic yawn and left us to it.
“Come to the bathroom,” Stone ordered. “I have plastic sleeves for your arms.”
“I could probably find a way—”
The look he gave me was, I don’t know…bilious.
“Do you really not want to do this?” I asked. “I could get Molly. She’s seen me at my worst. Giving me a sponge bath won’t kill her.”
“Sebastian,” Stone said patiently. “I’m honestly happy to help you in any way I can. I just feel a little awkward bathing a grown man.”
“I see. Think of me as one of the dogs, then.”
“It’s fine. It’ll be great. You’ll be glad when you’re clean again.” He pulled some fluffy gray towels out of the cupboard.
“But you can’t just leave it there.” I felt like prying. “Tell me why it’s awkward.”
He shifted so the unmarked side of his face was turned toward me.
“I now know your father, who, by the way, is only a little older than I am. And Jesus, God, I’m not going to perve or prey on you, but every day I become a little more aware of how truly pr—handsomeyou are. And sometimes it makes me feel awkward.”
“Why?”
“Maybe because I didn’t notice at first? Maybe because everyone and their little green dogs want to talk to me all about it.”
“Who did?”
