“No,” she whispered. “I’m not fussy. I’m just not sure how eating is going to go.”
“Try it. If you can’t eat it, then I’ll make you a smoothie.”
“You’re being too nice to me.”
“No such thing.”
Not true. But she was tired of fighting. He was like a damn brick wall anyway, there didn’t seem to be any movement in him.
Strangely, he grabbed her fork. Was he going to eat off her plate? Wasn’t that a bit weird? Then she watched in shock as he forked up some mashed potatoes and blew on it before holding the fork towards her.
“Open.”
Don’t blush.
“Zander, you can’t feed me.” She shouldn’t want him to feed her. It was way too intimate and caring.
And she found herself longing for it more than she could even put into words.
“Remember, you’re letting it all go tonight. No fighting back. Be strong tomorrow.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“It can be, baby girl.”
Killing her. He was killing her.
“Just open up. That’s it. My good girl.”
Crap.
She swallowed the mouthful of potato. It was soft and fluffy and buttery.
So delicious that she found herself quickly opening her mouth again for more. When he fed her some peas and corn, she found them pretty easy to eat too. The meat was tougher and she shook her head.
“All right, we’ll stick with the softer stuff tonight. In the morning, I’ll make you some scrambled eggs and pancakes.”
“With maple syrup.”
“Is there any other way to eat pancakes?” he retorted.
She had to smile at the way he said that, as though he was affronted. She yawned, feeling exhausted even though she’d had a four-hour nap.
“Two more bites,” he urged. “Then you can go back to bed.”
“I won’t sleep. Not yet.”
“All right, would you like to watch a movie?”
She felt so raw. So washed out. And there was nothing left to fight back. So all she could do was nod.
“It will be all right,” he soothed, forking up some more food.
She shook her head. She was full. He frowned, but didn’t say anything. Instead, he stood and gathered up the plates.
“Go find a movie. I’ll be back soon.”
“You’re going to watch it with me?”