“Well then, I’m glad my injury has caused someone joy today.” I tried to keep a mean glare but when his face fell I just couldn’t keep it up. “Oh, I was just joking! Please, know that I do understand this was all an accident and you’ve behaved quite chivalrously since the moment you ran into me.” I gained a smile from that and he sat back on the end of the couch opposite from where I was sitting with my legs stretched out and a pillow under my swollen ankle. I shivered a little and I didn’t know if I was cold or if it was my reaction to seeing a small patch of perfect abs when he leaned back. Ozias took it as if I was cold and immediately got up, removed a tray that sat atop lifted a dark leather ottoman he was using as a coffee table and sat it on the ground. He lifted the top of the ottoman and the hinges squeaked as he leaned down and picked up a light brown blanket that appeared to have some sort of wool on one side and suede on the other. He lowered the top, turned around and started to cover me with the blanket.
“Here, this is my favorite blanket.” He pulled the blanket up my body stopping right before reaching my breast, and gently folded it down and went to sit back on the other end of the couch.
I didn’t know what to say. We’ve only known each other a few hours and I already felt like I’d known him for years. Conversation during dinner was light and easy. We talked about the weather and how humid it is has been this summer. We mainly talked about the food and how good it was. He told me the restaurant was fairly new to the neighborhood but was quickly becoming one of the hottest places to eat in the area due to only using the freshest products. It was like a farm to table Chinese cuisine approach and it was fabulous. We were watching TV while we ate and he asked me if I’d get grossed out if he watched an episode of The Walking Dead and I told him no. He was trying to catch up on season five since he missed most of it last spring, although he didn’t say why. We just ate, laughed, and talked about the plot and our favorite characters until my rude manners interrupted the easy flow of conversation. And now here he was taking care of me again with more attentiveness than any boyfriend I’ve ever had.
I rubbed the soft fabric of the blanket between my fingers trying to determine what it was made of. It was soft and had an earthy scent. It was warm and beautiful and I could see why it’d be his favorite.
“It’s alpaca wool. It’s soft isn’t it?” I glanced up and nodded in agreement. “Claire gave it to me. She had taken one of her impromptu trips and she came back with gifts, she always came back with gifts. This is the most practical item she ever gave me. I’ll have to show you some of the other things she’s brought back from her travels. There’s no way to describe some of them but strange.” He chuckled at a memory and started to get up to clean up the Chinese take-out boxes. “You’re sure you’re through with this? I could put it in the fridge for tomorrow if you want?” He was gesturing to my two take out boxes sitting on a TV tray beside me.
“Um, yea, I might eat it tomorrow. I’m definitely full now though. Better stop before I gross you out again.” The feel of the blanket brought a memory to mind. “Aunt Claire took me to an Alpaca farm once. It’s one of my favorite memories. We camped in a tent that same night and I was cold. She gave me the blanket she had bought from the farm to sleep with that night. I bought a bracelet from the gift shop made from some cheap beads. I thought a blanket was not a good gift, at the time anyway, so she took it home with her. I wished I would have kept it. This one is just like the one she had.” Could it be the same one, I thought? Surely, not. This one seemed too new.
I smiled as he picked up the boxes and walked to the kitchen which was behind me and to the left. His home was a mirror image of mine but flipped around. His kitchen, dining room, and large living room are one open area on the left of the foyer and his hall, bedrooms, and bathrooms are to the right. His colors are darker than mine. His floor that covers the dining and living room is a deep cherry wood with a large area rug with muted reds and golds in geometric shapes in the living room. The oval dining room table is walnut with six burgundy leather high-back chairs. There are a few dark wood end tables with pewter lamps with cream colored shades and a Victorian style buffet on the wall behind the table. His kitchen is modern with black granite counters and a high bar with four tall wooden stools under it on the opposite side of the copper sink. Dark walnut cabinets climb to the kitchen ceiling and frame the back wall of the kitchen. His black oven and cook top are sandwiched between two tall cabinets that appear to be pantries. A gorgeous cooper vent hood rises above it. The black refrigerator ends the countertop closest to the dining room. A large chopping block island sits in the middle of the space and at the moment it is covered with what appears to be bills and important looking papers.
As Ozias opens the refrigerator to put away the left overs, I notice that it’s mostly empty with only a half carton of milk and a few condiments. Typical bachelor refrigerator. The walls of the whole area are a deep nutmeg with white trim. He has the same wall of windows that my co-op has that lead out to a large balcony that overlooking the river. It was homey and beautiful all at time same time. I snuggled into the blanket feeling my eyelids grow heavy but I felt I needed to say something before I drifted to sleep.
Ozias was walking back towards me holding a bottle of ibuprofen in his hands. He opened the top and handed me four round reddish colored tablets. “Here, take these now that you have eaten. That way they won’t upset your stomach. I brought you the bottle so you could see that they are indeed ibuprofen. I know you’re nervous about not knowing me.” Again, such a thoughtful gesture. I took the pills and swallowed them with the rest of my water.
“Thank you. You’re so sweet.” He grinned embarrassed by the compliment. “Ozias, don’t take this the wrong way, but it’s surprising to me that my Aunt Claire bought you gifts when I had hardly seen her in the last six years. She did come to my college graduation and only stayed two days then left. I’m not complaining, but it does make me a little sad. When I hear you talk about her I feel like I never really knew her at all.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t think about how it might make you feel when I talked about her. It’s so surreal to me, because Claire was like family and I miss her. We had great conversations. I could talk to her about things my mom and dad just didn’t understand. She was a great person, even if she was a little strange. I guess I thought the blanket might be comforting to you because it was from her and you’ve had such a bad day. I keep trying to make it better but I keep messing up.” His frown and look of disappointment in his actions broke my heart.
“It is comforting! I didn’t mean to make you think otherwise. Thank you for telling me about it. I would like to hear more stories about Aunt Claire, but not today. I’m exhausted. You have made my night so much better than my day. I feel very comfortable here with you, and I do trust you.”
His eyes warmed at those words and my heart did a flip in my chest. Is it possible to have a connection like this with a man you just met? I feel like we’re two old souls just finding each other again after centuries apart.
“Let’s get you to the guest bedroom so you can get some sleep. The first room will be the most comfortable I think. It has one of those sleep number mattresses and you can even elevate your legs so you don’t have to use a pillow. Would you like to take the blanket with you?”
“Yes, I’d like that if you don’t mind. I’ve never slept on a sleep number bed. I’m actually really excited about going to bed! See how sad my life is? I get this excited about a mattress.”
“Going to bed is one of my favorite activities,” Ozias flushed as he realized the innuendo he made again. “God, I’m sorry. You must think I’m awful.”
“Actually, I think the exact opposite, I think you’re pretty wonderful. And for the record going to bed is one of my favorite activities too, just right now all I want to do is sleep.” I smiled to let him know I wasn’t offended.
Chapter Four
As he helped me to the guest room I sadly wished I wasn’t so tired so
we could continue talking. I don’t know if what I feel is just lust for this man, but it feels like so much more. I switch on the bedroom light and am pleasantly surprised at the feminine nature of this room. The beige carpet is soft and matches the color of the dresser and night stand. The bedspread on the queen size bed is cream with delicate roses splayed across it with matching pillow shams. There’s a white wicker vanity on the wall opposite the door with a glass tray adorning the top. A beautiful Tiffany lamp sits on the right side of the vanity and a matching one on the nightstand. I see there’s a door to what appears to be a walk in closet on the same wall as the door. To the left of the bed a door leads to a large bathroom. I hop towards the bathroom to get a better look and when I walk inside I’m speechless. This is the bathroom of my dreams. Porcelain tile with a wood grain finish on the floor while gray tiles surround the entire bathroom. The standing shower stall butts against the garden Jacuzzi tub that has baskets of soaps and shampoo around it. A thin rectangular window is at the top of the wall near the tub which I’m sure gives just enough natural light in the daytime. There is a linen closet in between double white sinks beautiful golden granite with brown flecks counter top. The antique oval mirrors surrounded by burnished nickel are stunning with glass amber pendant lights hanging above each. I turn to see a door next to the shower leading to a water closet.
I guess I was silent for so long taking it all in that Ozias began to wonder if I was ok.
“Do you want to take a bath? Is this room ok with you? You can look at the other guest room if you like, but I thought you’d be more comfortable in here.”
“Are you kidding me? I’m so excited. This is the bathroom of my dreams. The whole room is beautiful. Did you decorate it?”
“No, my mom did. She used to be an interior designer. She insisted one room in my co-op be fit for a lady, even though I told her there was slim chance a lady would ever be staying overnight with me and be sleeping in the guest room.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at yet another innuendo.
“God! I’m sorry. Really, I didn’t mean it that way. I’m always putting my foot in my mouth. Please, just ignore me. And just so you know, you are the first and only lady that has ever stayed in this room, so I’m pleased that you love it so much. I’ll tell my mom. She’ll be thrilled. Speaking of my mom, I need to go call her. I’ll go see her tomorrow but I need to at least call her tonight. Are you going to be ok?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. In fact, a bath sounds wonderful. I’m tired but I think a bath will help relax me even more. I’m very flattered and honored that I’m the first lady to spend the night in this room. Go call your mom. I’ll take a bath and go to bed. You need not worry about me the rest of the night.”
“Ok, but the tub is pretty deep so be careful you don’t slip.”
“I hadn’t thought about that. Guess I’ll just shower. Well, wait that could be even more dangerous. Damn, a hot bath sounded great too. Guess I’ll have to figure it out tomorrow.” Ozias was about to leave when a thought struck me. “Unless….”
“Unless what?” he asked with wide eyes.
“Unless, can you check on me in about, 30 minutes. I can bring my swim suit in there and if I need help out I can slip it on for you to help me. Is that too forward of me? If that makes you really uncomfortable please don’t even consider it.” As soon as I suggested it I immediately regretted it. What was I thinking letting this man I’ve only known a few hours help me in and out of the tub? I was certifiable crazy.
Ozias turned away from me and looked over his shoulder at me wearily. “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. My mom has a nurse that comes every day. I could see if she could help tomorrow, before your x-ray appointment? I’d just feel better if she was to help you.”
“Of course you would,” I said quickly trying to hide my embarrassment at asking such a question. “I’ll just wait until tomorrow and figure out a system that will work for me. No big deal, really. I should just go to bed now anyway.” I put the thought to ask him why his mom had a nurse in the back of my mind to ask at another time.
Ozias started to leave and I could sense he was trying to retreat quickly to avoid another awkward situation. “Ozias?” I stopped him with my question.
“Yes,” he answered without looking at me.
“Thank you for being such a gentleman. It’s a rare thing these days, even where I’m from. Just so you know, I’m not in the habit of asking guys I’ve just met to help me in and out of a bath with my bathing suit on any more than you are in the habit of asking girls you just met to spend the night with you.” I hesitated choosing my next words carefully. I could scare him way with what I’m about to say. “Ozias, I can’t explain it, but I feel like I’ve known you for a long time, like we were friends in another life—and I don’t even believe in that sort of thing. I feel so comfortable around you and well, don’t laugh or think I’m crazy, but I’ve always had a sixth sense about people. My senses tell me you’re a good guy. I could be wrong and I could be making the biggest mistake of my life, but I would like you to help me out of the bath, if I need it.” I gave him my sincerest smile.
I hear him sigh and I see his jaw tense. It’s then I realize that he’s had his back to me ever since I asked him to help me in the bath the first time. I see him shifting at his waist and when he thinks I’m not looking I see him rearrange himself. It dawns on me then it’s not that he doesn’t want to help me in the bath but he’s having a certain reaction thinking about it. As conceited as it is, this made me happy, and at the same time it made me horny. I think I have felt every emotion possible today but this one has me thrown. Of course I’m not going to sleep with the man, I just met him. I am flattered and dare I say, happy, that he has that reaction to me. I’ll try to make this easier for him.
“Ozias, why don’t you go call your mom and while you do that I’ll change into my swim suit. I’ll try to get in by myself and if I can’t I’ll call out to you. Knock before you come back in, ok? And we’ll try this. If it’s too awkward or neither of us feels right, we’ll stop, call it a night, and then I’ll figure out what to do in the morning. What do you say?”
“Ok, but if I say no again, you’ll let it go and not ask this of me?”
“If it makes you that uncomfortable, let’s just not do it then.” I felt horrible. He seems scared of me now. Earlier today he was the tower of strength and he even convinced me to spend the night with him. Does the thought of me in a swim suit scare him that much? Surely, he’s seen women at the pool, on the beach? And surely he’s seen naked women and had sex with them. I don’t know what to say.
“No, it’s just that…” He turns to me now. “I, just, I, um….damn it. I don’t know how to say this to you.” He sighed.
Maybe I read him all wrong. Maybe he wasn’t turned on. He’s trying to let me down easy and I’m not even asking him to have sex with me, just help me in and out of a bath with my swim suit on! “Oh, I see. You don’t have to say anything more. I understand. I’m so sorry. And I thought I had embarrassed myself enough today. Please take my apology and go call your mom and go to bed. Let’s just pretend this never happened, ok” I started towards the door to usher him out and lock myself in when he grabbed my arm. An electric sensation coursed through me.
“Stop. You don’t understand anything. Whatever you think you know, trust me, you don’t know.” His eyes were burning me with intensity. “Go put your suit on. I’ll be right back.”
And then he walked out of the room closing the door on his way out. A shiver went through me but not the bad kind. Without thinking I hopped right to my suitcase on the bed and started to change into my swim suit as anticipation built throughout my body.
Chapter Five
I was sitting on the edge of the tub with the water running so it would heat up. I chose the most modest but easy to remove swim suit I had, a ruby red halter top with bikini bottoms. The top covered more than my other swim suits so I thought it more appropriate for
this situation, although with a D cup it was always a challenge to find a swim suit that fit well and didn’t make you look cheap and sleazy. I remembered I needed to pull my hair into a ponytail so it wouldn’t get wet so I grabbed my crutches and headed back into the bedroom to retrieve one when I heard Ozais knock on the door.
“Adira? Is it ok to come in?” He spoke timidly.
“Yes, come on in.” He stopped dead in his tracks as he entered the room. I saw his jaw tense and his pupil’s dilate. “I was just looking for a ponytail holder to put my hair up.” I leaned the crutches next to the bed and stood stork-like on one foot while digging in my makeup organizer for ponytail holder.
“Can I help you?”
“No, I got it.” I started to twist my reddish-brown shoulder length hair in to a ponytail. I pushed the end of my hair through the coated rubber band to make a messy bun. “There, that way I won’t get my hair wet. I can wait another day to wash it. I’ve already got the water filling up the tub, so let’s get this over with.” I hopped into the bathroom with Ozias following me.
“Here, let me hold your hand.” He took the crutches from me and sat them against the sink. “Do you just want me to help you in so you don’t injury yourself further. I mean, I’m already here.”
“Ok.” He gently picked me up and I instantly felt at home again. I sighed. Ozias smiled and lightly laughed. “What?” I asked shyly.
“Nothing.” He smiled when he said it. “Ok, here we go. Put your hands on the sides and I’ll gently lay you in the tub.” He gently lowered me and the hot water enveloped my aching body.
“Oh, ooo, ah…this feels so good. Exactly what I needed. Thank you for helping me. Give me 20 min and knock on the door. If I need more time I’ll tell you.”
“Alright. Call out if you need me before then.” He turned and left quickly.
The Strength to Fall (McKinnon Brothers Book 1) Page 4
