Page 37 of Fragile Kiss (Fragile 2)
She didn’t respond. If he really is here, he’ll take care of me. But he needs to go take care of his flowers. They’re also thirsty. My skin is so thirsty.
Cayden took her in his arms and pulled her up. She felt his strong legs on either side of her and his big, broad chest against her back. “We’re going to sit in the bath, okay?”
“I’m clean,” she murmured.
He chuckled. “I know you are. I smell the shampoo in your hair. But I need to cool you down, all right? Your body is too hot.”
“You think I’m hot?” She couldn’t make it sound like a joke, but she meant it as one.
“Indeed, I do. Lift your arms.” He pulled her shirt off her head and leaned back. “Pants time.”
“Shorts,” she corrected.
“Good. They’re easier.” He pulled off her comfortable cotton pajama shorts. “Bath time now.”
“Is the water ready?”
“Yep. Let’s go.” He lifted her up.
“I didn’t hear you start the water.”
“You must have been asleep.” She felt him try to keep his body stable as he stepped into the bathtub with her. “It’s not hot, but it’s not too cold. Okay?”
“Okay.” She clung to his arm as hard as her weakened body would let her. Her toes touched the water first, and it felt perfect. Very slowly Cayden lowered her into the water, the whole time holding her tightly. Only when she was submerged to her shoulders did she foggily realize how blazing hot she had been before.
“This is good,” she whispered, her voice popping. “I think I’m thirsty.”
In half a second, Cayden put the glass of water to her lips. “I’ve got you covered.”
She drank deeply, feeling more full of life albeit more sleepy. “I thought I was going to have a flare-up.”
“You looked like you were going to.”
“I didn’t, though.”
“Good. Is your medicine working?”
“I’ll tell y
ou later.” Every word drained more energy from her, and she knew he would be around later. He had to be. She didn’t want him to go. His flowers could wait.
“You can take care of your yard tomorrow.” Her voice faded off at the end, but he heard what she said.
“Yeah,” he replied. “I can work on it soon.”
Feeling immensely safe against his body, she let her head fall to one side.
“Go to sleep, Lil. I’ve got you.” His words sounded distant and a little echo-ey, like they were bouncing off the walls of a tunnel.
He’s got me. The cloud of sleep surrounded her until she was deep in a dream.
SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY she put one foot forward, testing the strength of the bridge. The water on either side glimmered in the sunlight. Beneath the surface, she could see the shadowy figures of tiny fish swimming around.
It’s okay, she heard a voice. It wasn’t Cayden’s, but it echoed off the water in the same way his voice had as she was falling asleep. The voice had led her here, down the cobblestone pathways and through the gardens that, of course, were not too trimmed and just enough overgrown. Just how she liked it. She knew it was a dream, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying the environment.
“Is it strong enough to support me?” The wood of the bridge creaked under her feet, but didn’t wobble.
Yes, of course. You have nothing to worry about.
