Page 37 of Wild For You
Her eyes slowly opened as she smiled. “Hi.”
“I just wanted to make sure you didn’t fall asleep. I haven’t taken a CPR class in a long time.”
In a soft, relaxed voice, Kelsey asked, “Was that a joke?”
“I’ve been known to make them every now and then.”
“Hm….”
“Sit up for me,” I said gently as I moved to grab the glass of water and dump it out in the sink, then reached into the bath to pull the drain. My hand brushed along the side of Kelsey’s foot, and we both jerked at the contact.
“Sorry,” I murmured as I reached up to turn the water back on, filling the glass when it warmed up.
“What are you doing?”
“Washing your hair. Tilt your head back.” The water sluiced over her strands as it poured from the cup, and I repeated the motions until her hair was drenched.
I squeezed a dollop of her shampoo into my hand and then lathered her up, paying close attention to her scalp as I massaged it.
“That feels really nice,” Kelsey moaned as she pulled her knees toward her towel-covered chest. I didn’t want her to feel vulnerable while she bathed, especially when she wasn’t feeling her best.
“I’m glad.”
I rinsed and repeated with the conditioner until I was satisfied and set the glass on the vanity counter. The tub continued to drain as I turned off the water, and Kelsey didn’t object.
Glancing up at me from beneath her long lashes, her hazel eyes twinkled. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now let’s get you back to bed for some rest.”
“That sounds good,” she replied as she yawned and stepped onto the bathmat.
In a flash, I replaced her wet towel with a fresh one.
Carefully, I walked with her to the bedroom, using the wall as a way to keep the weight off my leg. I hated feeling like I couldn’t help her the way I wanted to. I let her lean against the bed as I grabbed her duffle from the living room with all her clothes inside, using the crutches this time. The air mattress was still lying in a heap in the center of the floor as I stepped around it. That was something else I was going to have to take care of today.
With the bag in hand, I took it to the bedroom and left it with Kelsey while I went to grab some clean sheets from thelinen closet. I also grabbed the trash can and set it on the floor beside her in case she got sick in bed.
When I tottered back into the room, Kelsey was pulling down the hem of her shirt, completing her lounge outfit. I directed her to take a seat while I switched out the sheets as quickly as I could with my injury.
“You don’t have to do that. I at least made it to the bathroom before I went allExorcistin there,” she told me, and I shook my head. Things were getting easier the more I moved around, and I hoped it would continue that way.
“I’m not letting you marinate in my dried sweat. I get hot at night and can never seem to remember to turn the ceiling fan up before I get settled without my brace on, and by then I’m too exhausted to care,” I replied, finishing up the last corner of the fitted sheet before spreading the top sheet out, then picking the comforter up off the floor, where I usually kicked it early in the night.
“All right. Let’s get you into bed,” I announced, and she followed the order swiftly, practically bouncing into the bed in her hurry to get back to sleep.
She turned to face me with the blanket pulled up around her face.
“I’m going to run out and get a few things. Any special requests?” I asked as I reached in and pulled a shirt and athletic pants from the dresser. Resting the crutches against the wall, I used the dresser to maintain my balance as I tugged the pants on. It was something I was getting better at.
“You shouldn’t be driving yet,” she scolded.
“Welp, today seems like a good day to try.”
“Andrew.”
“Kelsey.”
“God, you stubborn ass,” she mumbled as her lids grew heavy.
