Billionaire's Captive Complete Trilogy - Stasia Black Page 0,164
yelps are ignored.
He takes me out the door, ignoring my own en suite bathroom and taking me across the hall to his larger jacuzzi tub, the jets already roiling. With no ceremony, he deposits me into the steaming water.
I make one last screech of protest, but then I sigh as the wave of hot water hits my body and starts to seep into my aching muscles.
And apparently it’s bath time and a show, because as soon as Logan finishes dropping me in the water, he starts to undress. I can’t take my eyes off the way the light hits his rippling muscles. His back is as broad as that of two lesser men. And the cut of his abs, leading down to that enticing V…
I yank my eyes away, but not before he notices where I was looking and snickers loudly.
“Like what you see?” he asks cockily.
I’ll blame the flush of my cheeks on the hot water.
“No time for funny business, though,” he says, much to my surprise. “We’re here to get a job done.”
Since when?
But then, heart sinking, I realize that I’m not the only one who’s noticed the changes around here. Logan really isn’t attracted to me anymore, is he?
I mean, he just tore off all my clothes, handled my naked body, and all he wants to do is…bathe me?
Oh gods, I must smell. That has to be it. He leaned in a little too close and got a whiff of Hermit Daphne’s body funk. It was just one day I skipped my bath and it’s not like I get that sweaty just sleeping, I didn’t think that it would matter that much—
But Logan’s already picked up a washrag and he’s going to work with the efficiency of a practiced home care nurse. Washing underneath my arms. My feet. My back.
Because he’s a loyal caretaker.
My head drops forward.
“Keep your head like that, I’m going to rinse your hair now.”
Can I please sink down through all the floors of the castle into the belly of the earth and disappear now?
I keep my eyes squeezed shut and my mouth closed as Logan washes my hair, not even able to enjoy the sensation of his hands against my scalp, which is usually a highlight.
But unlike normal, he doesn’t spend any extra time lathering my breasts and he barely skirts a fresh washrag between my legs before he’s pulling the plug and letting all the water out.
Bathtime’s over.
He didn’t even get all the way in with me. He washed me from the outside of the tub, never even taking off his pants. And he’s wearing nice ones like always.
He helps me out of the bath and towels me off with as much ruthless efficiency as he washed me. Apparently talking is overrated, too, because he doesn’t say two words, even as he wraps me in my favorite fluffy purple robe.
He’s not even trying to pretend this isn’t our new normal anymore. Doctor and patient.
“I’m tired,” I murmur. “I think I’ll go back to bed now.”
“What?” Logan asks with alarm he tugs on a crisp, white shirt and starts to button it. “But now we can go down for lunch.”
I sigh. “I really don’t feel up for it. Can’t you just bring me up a plate later?”
His eyebrows drop low, signaling his alarm. “No, I can’t just bring it up later. I worked hard putting together the meal. For you. You need to be there.”
Extra long sigh. Why are we even pretending anymore? I’m too tired for any of this.
But Logan suddenly pulls me forward into his arms and presses a hard kiss against my forehead. “We are going to be okay, you and me. And that starts today. Please,” he whispers, “come downstairs. I know I fuck things up sometimes. But I want to make it better. I love you.”
His words split my hard façade straight down the middle and I start to shake.
No. I have to be strong. I can’t let myself get pulled in by beautiful words because the next disappointment will only hurt that much more.
And yet still, I nod when he holds out his arms for me. He ignores any uncertainty and helps me pull on a yellow sundress over my head. I’m surprised he bothers because I’ve barely worn anything other than a robe or PJs since coming home from the hospital. But maybe he thinks getting dressed will brighten my mood. Fat chance. Still, it does feel nice as he combs out my long, dark hair.