Page 50 of Take Me Slowly: part 2
"It is," I said firmly. "Thank you."
"Ri, go and run a bubble bath," Connor said without glancing over his shoulder.
I opened my mouth to say they didn't have to do that either, but Connor gave me a sharp look until I closed it again.
Riley nodded and hurried out again to the bathroom. The sound of running water filtering through the house a few moments later.
"Hey." Brooks sat down beside my upper body. "I'm sorry I made fun of you with this. It was a bullshit thing to do. That looks painful."
"It is, but this is making it better," I said softly. As painful as it was, being taken care of by four incredible men was easing the agony. And reminding me I was cared about.
"You must be cold." He pulled the covers around me, wrapping me up as best he could without getting in the way of Connor and his massaging hands.
"Do you want some tea?" Josiah asked.
"I don't want to be a bother, but I'd love some," I said tentatively. "Thank you."
He nodded, rose and went into the kitchen. As the water started to boil, the sound of water passing through the pipes stopped.
"Bath is ready." Riley appeared in the doorway again.
"Help me get her up," he said.
While Brooks and Riley peeled off the covers again, Connor scooped me up in his arms and carried me all the way to the bath before lowering me under the water. From the smirk on his face, he was remembering the time he made me beg for his help. He must have realised how much pain I was in, because he didn't do it this time. He lifted his arms away and let me sink under the delicious warmth.
"Thank you," I said on a sigh. "This feels good." As good as I could feel with the ache still persisting. It wasn't as bad as it had been. The pain was almost bearable now.
Riley crouched down behind the bath and started to wet my hair before grabbing the shampoo and squeezing some of it onto his hand. Gently and carefully, he started to massage it into my scalp, his hands like a different kind of magic on my skin.
I closed my eyes and let him work while the warmth of the water seeped into my bones.
"Can you lower your head so I can rinse it off?" he asked softly.
I murmured my agreement and tilted my head back so my hair was under the water. He worked his fingers through until all of the shampoo was gone, then grabbed a washcloth to wash my back and my upper body.
After a moment, Brooks picked up another washcloth and started on my feet and legs.
"I feel very spoilt,” I said without opening my eyes.
"You could never be spoiled," Riley said.
"Don't bet on it," Brooks teased.
I opened one eye to glare at him playfully. He just grinned back at me and went on washing.
"Such a brat." I closed my eye.
"It's part of my charm.” He laughed.
"Are you okay?" Josiah crouched between the other guys. I opened my eyes as he offered me a cup of tea.
"Better than I was, thank you," I said. I accepted the cup and took a sip. "The only thing that's missing are peeled grapes."
"Fuck," Connor swore. "We're out of grapes. If I knew we'd need them, I would have ordered some." For a moment I thought he was serious, but then he gave the slightest hint of a smile.
"They're not exactly in season," I said. "I prefer them in liquid form anyway."
"I can get you some ice cream if you want?" Riley asked. "There's some left over from dinner."
