“That doesn’t answer my question. You’re wasting both our time.”
“I’m sore, okay?”
He pauses, but his expression remains blank, non-existent even. “Huh.”
Huh?
I don't know what I expected, but ‘huh’ wasn’t it.
“How sore are you?”
“Enough that I can’t move.”
“Should you see a doctor?”
“No. It’s not as bad as that.”
“Then what do you need?”
“Rest, Jonathan. Ever heard of the word, or was that erased from your workaholic dictionary?”
“Very funny.” His face is caught in that snobbish state, which means he doesn’t find it amusing at all.
He pulls the covers off my body and I yelp as he wraps his strong arms around my back and picks me up. The room tilts off balance as he carries me effortlessly, bridal style.
There’s a faint recollection of us being in this same position before. Did he also do it yesterday?
Were those words that came to my mind his?
I must be imagining things. This is Jonathan, after all. He doesn’t feel — at all. Even if he does, he’s perfected the art of deception so well, no one sees past his cool façade.
I wince, but the palpitations of my heart take me more by surprise. “Jonathan? What are you doing?”
“Finding a solution.” He marches to the bathroom, and I catch a glimpse of us in the mirror. Me, entirely naked and small in his arms. Him, suited up and looking every bit the king from his last name.
My hair is dishevelled and my eyes are slightly puffy from sleep. I don’t only look fucked, but also like I enjoyed every second of it.
Jonathan gently lowers me into the bathtub and I wince as my hip bone touches the cold surface.
His attention slides to me at the sound I make. “Endure it for a bit.”
“Is that your answer to everything?”
“You have to endure it to get past it, Aurora. That’s how it works.”
That’s an interesting philosophy, but… “That doesn't mean it goes away, you know.”
“That’s why you have to endure and take action. It doesn’t make a difference if you only endure. If anything, that’ll hurt you in the long run.” He turns the tap on the slightest bit, tests the water on his fingers, and lets it fill the tub. And me.
My muscles relax a little as the cool water loosens the ache between my legs and the soreness in my arse.
He reaches over my head to the countless bath products and retrieves one that was already here when I moved in.
“I use the apple one.” I motion to the bottle beside it.
“Always an o
bjection.” He shakes his head, although he does comply and pours the apple-scented one.