the conventional way?' I ask seriously. It's not a joke, although he smiles a little.
'I'm making it my mission objective. I'll do anything.'
His words, a repeat from the launch night of Lusso, are spoken with as much resolve as they were back then. He kept his promise to prove that I wanted him. A small flicker of hope lightens my heavy heart, and I sink my face back down into his chest, clinging onto him. I believe him.
A quiet exhale of breath escapes his lips as he pulls me closer and holds on like his life depends on it.
It probably does. And mine too.
'Your bath will get cold.' I mumble into his bare chest when we're still crumpled on the floor in a firm hold some time later.
'I'm comfy.' he complains, and I detect a familiar piece of Jesse in his tone.
'You need to eat as well,' I inform him, feeling strange dishing out instructions to him. 'And that hand needs seeing to. Does it hurt?'
'Like hell.' he confirms.
I'm not surprised. It looks terrible. I hope it's not broken because five days without any medical treatment could have the bones setting out of place. 'Come on.' I peel myself out of his vice grip. He grumbles but releases me. Standing up, I put my hand out to him, and he looks up at me with a small smile before taking it and lifting himself from the floor.
We walk quietly up the stairs and back to the master-suite.
'In you get.' I order quietly, pointing at the bath.
'Are you making demands?' His eyebrows rise. He obviously finds the reversal peculiar too.
'It sounds like it,' I nod towards the bath.
He starts chewing his lip, making no attempt to get in the bath. 'Will you get in with me?' he asks quietly.
I suddenly feel awkward and out of place. 'I can't.' I shake my head and step back slightly. This goes against all of my impulses, but I know as soon as I surrender to his affection and touch, I'll be sidetracked from my aim to straighten my head, to get answers.
'Ava, you're asking me not to touch you. That goes against all of my instincts.'
'Jesse, please. I need time.'
'It's not natural, Ava. For me not to touch you, it's not right.'
He's right, but I can't allow myself to get swallowed up by him. I need to keep a level head because as soon as he gets his hands on me, I'm distracted.
I don't say anything. I just look at the bath again before returning my eyes to him. He shakes his head, un-wrapping the blanket from around his waist before stepping into the bath and lowering himself gingerly into the water. I collect a cup from the vanity unit and crouch by the side of the bath to wash his hair.
'It's not the same without you in here with me.' he grumbles, leaning back and closing his eyes.
I ignore his gripe and start washing his hair and soaping his fine body from head to toe, fighting off the inevitable fizzles streaming through me at the contact.
Lingering around his scar on his abdomen thoughtfully, I quietly hope it will prompt him to explain it. It doesn't. He keeps his eyes closed and his mouth shut. I have a feeling this is going to be a tough ride. He never volunteers information, and he dodges my questions with a stern warning or by distraction tactics. I can't let that happen again. This is going to take all of my strength and willpower. It's just not natural for me to evade him.
I run my hand down his rough face. 'You need a shave.'
He opens his eyes and cups his chin with his good hand, stroking his stubble. 'You don't like it?'
'I like you however you come.'
Just not drunk!
The fleeting look that passes over his face nearly has me convinced he's read my mind, but then he's probably thinking the exact same thing. 'I'm not touching another drop again.' he declares confidently, ensuring he maintains our eye contact as he makes his vow.
'You sound confident.' I retort quietly.
'I am.' He sits himself up in the bath and turns to face me, lifting his battered hand to cup my face and wincing when he realises he can't. 'I mean it, never again. I promise you.' He sounds so sincere. 'I'm not a raving alcoholic, Ava. I admit I get carried away once I do have a drink and I find it hard to stop, but I can take