Page 75 of A Touch of Frost
He sat up, cut a piece of the steak, and extended it to me. “Chew slowly.”
“That’s your meal.” I told him as I chewed. “Eat.”
He smiled, kissed me and extended a French Fry to me.
“What now?” Lizard asked me.
“I’m done running.” I replied. “I think it’s time I head home. Speaking of which, where’d you send my cars?”
Lizard smiled. “They’re parked in the lot at Jesse’s studio.”
I looked over to Jesse to see him arching a brow.
“Tex works magic.” Lizard laughed. “Don’t worry. They’re being looked after by the guys running the studio.”
“What about you?” I asked Lizard.
“Someone said if I ever decided to head home, she’d have a job for me.” Lizard smiled.
“And I meant it.” I told him. “Paul. You?”
“Going to take some time off from the hospital.” He told me with a shrug. “I have a bit of a battle ahead of me that I’m going to need to focus on.”
“Battle?” I asked.
Paul looked over at Jesse and he didn’t have to explain anymore.
“Kandi was talking about heading back as well.” Jesse told me. “It’s a lonely life living this far from home. She wants a fresh start.”
We all talked for a while before Lizard and Paul left us to wander around Montenegro. It still worried me having Paul wander around the place but with Lizard, I didn’t have to be.
Eventually, I climbed out of bed and had to stick my arms out to steady myself. It took a little time to get my legs used to my weight again but eventually I was able to use the bathroom, wash my face then looked at myself in the mirror.
My hair was a frazzled mess. My face was still bruised in a few places and a few scratches were healing on my cheeks and the right corner of my lips.
“Jesse?”
“Hmm?”
I stepped out the door, but he was fidgeting with a cellphone. “Jesse? You busy.”
“I’m checking in on the business.” He looked up at me. “You okay? What’s the matter?”
“Um—I wanted to take a shower and wash my hair. But I still feel a bit unsteady. Could you shower with me?”
“Of course.” Jesse placed the phone on the bed.
He took my hand and led me back into the bathroom. With the door closed, he started the shower and we stripped down. He tested the water with a hand then stepped in ahead of me. Shyly, I took his hand and climbed in with him, cuddled into his chest and allowed the water to soak through my hair.
We didn’t speak. Even as he lathered shampoo into my hair, scrubbed the strands and rinsed.
Even as he lathered in conditioner in my hair and body wash on my body. He paid attention to every part of me, punctuating his washing with soft kisses to my shoulders, the back of my neck, the tip of my nose. I couldn’t remember feeling more cherished.
“Hey.” Jesse whispered, framing the side of my neck. “Abigail?”
“I love it when you say my name.” I whispered against his wet shoulder.
“Okay, tell me why you’re crying?”
