He peels me away from the bed and carries me to the bathroom where the large clawfoot tub is already mostly full of water and bubbles.
He lowers me into the warm water and then crouches down on the cold tile floor, wetting a washrag and gingerly cleaning my face. The whole room smells like vanilla. Why the hell does this feel so romantic? I don’t even know if that’s the right word for it because I’ve never experienced it before.
I clear my throat and say, “You know, I can do better than that back there. That wasn’t my best work. I’m actually exceptionally good at giving blow jobs.”
August chuckles. “I doubt that.”
My brow creases and I glower at him, as he presses the rag against my lips.
“What I meant was, it was perfect. Couldn’t possibly get better.” He exhales shakily and wets his lips. “I love the sounds you make and how responsive you are....”
I, of course, take this to mean that he’s in love with me. And yes, I know that’s insane, but I’m working through it with Dr. K.
I’m a fucking work in progress, thank you.
And August accepts me just as I am, in this moment.
He told me so.
“Get the fuck in here,” I blurt and spread my legs so there is no confusion as to where I want him.
August eyes me and then shuts the water off. He steps into the tub and the water sloshes over the edge with two bodies inside. But neither of us care. He rests his head against my chest and I wrap my arms around his strong chest and sigh.
Fuck if I didn’t miss this. I scoot us a little lower into the water and I close my eyes.
Just a few minutes. I haven’t slept in so goddamn long.
* * *
The familiar voices again.
I hear my name whispered.
A sickening, dark laugh.
My hands are tied together and so are my feet.
My side hurts.
I don’t feel right.
I’m weak and tired and I’ve wet my pants.
I turn my head and peek at the light filtering through the bottom of the closet.
And then suddenly the light is extinguished.
They’re coming.
* * *
I wake with a gasp, my heart thundering in my chest.
“Hey,” August says. “Em, you okay?”
I inhale shakily and clear my throat.
“Um, yes. Just dozed for a minute. Mistake number one.”