Page 23 of Off Side
“I’m sorry baby, let’s get you inside and cleaned up. I hope your adventure at least tired you out?”
She looks a bit sheepish but nods. “I guess I am. More like an adrenaline crash though. I guess this is proof I should stay away from the Mary Jane, eh?”
I laugh. “Or maybe use it with supervision so you don’t go off being some sort of action hero next?”
I help her up and she winces. I immediately scoop her into my arms and start the walk back through the barn to the house. She wraps her arms around my neck and buries her face into my chest. She’s so small it’s like carrying a doll. But she sure feels good next to me. I set her down and take off her coat and both of our boots while she watches me. I pick her up again, bringing her up to her room and gently setting her on her bed.
“Take your clothes off, I’m going to run you an Epsom salt bath. It will help you be less sore tomorrow.”
She obediently starts to strip as I enter into her ensuite. I get the water going and rummage around to find the salts, tossing a few handfuls into the bath. She walks into the bathroom as I’m turning off the water, with nothing on but what god gave her.
She’s piled her hair in a bun on top of her head and looks vulnerable and tired. I’m happy to see her tired. The bath should zonk her out good. She steps in carefully and sighs as she sinks into the warm water. I make sure she’s comfortable and let myself out, promising to be back in a few minutes. I don’t want her to pass out and drown, but I need to change out of my dirty clothes. Before I can leave, her voice stops me.
“Can you join me?” she whispers.
I turn back to see her. She’s fully submerged in the water and if I join her, we will no doubt have water overflowing onto the floor. Her eyes are saying she doesn’t want to be alone and I have to admit, I don’t want to leave her alone either. I’m feeling guilty about leaving the tea in the cupboard and slightly responsible for how she’s currently feeling. I whip off my shirt and bend over the tub to let some water flow out before I finish dropping my pants and step in, sitting behind her. The water rises perilously close to the edge. I ease her back against my chest and I bring my hands up to her shoulders, starting a gentle massage. Fuck she’s so tense. A small moan crosses her lips, “Mmm, that feels good. You hiding a talent of massage therapy from me?”
My words come out gravelly “Not really, I just want to take away your pain. I want you to feel good again. Stress usually sits in the shoulders. I just want to help you deal with that.”
I’m so relieved she wasn’t hurt, I just want to take care of her and do what I can to make her comfortable.
She drops her chin to her chest, saying nothing for several minutes while I keep kneading her knotted up shoulder muscles.
I don’t know how long we’ve been in the tub; it feels like too long and not long enough at the same time. The water is starting to cool, but I don’t want this to end. I want to be here like a giant security blanket she can wrap herself in. I lean back, motioning for her to stand up. I hold her hand as she steps out. Following her out, I snag a towel from the shelf and start to dry her off gently. She still doesn’t say anything, just watches me with her big doe eyes. The pools of chocolate I could lose myself in so easily. When I’m satisfied, I wrap the towel around her and tuck it in at her side. I get my own towel and dry myself, wrapping it around my waist.
“Let’s get you tucked in and hopefully you crash hard enough to get caught up on some sleep.” I peel her covers back and fluff up a pillow. She drops the towel where she is and crawls over to the far side of the bed.
“Can you sleep with me, please?” she croaks.
I don’t know if I should or not. I want to be wrapped up with her, but I want to give her space too. But when she looks at me like that, so lost and needy, I can’t say no.
“Do you want me to put some clothes on first?”
“No. I just want you to hold me and not let go until I fall asleep.”
I drop my towel and slide in next to her as she turns on her side to be little spoon to my big spoon. She pulls my arm under her head and holds it there while I slide my other arm around her waist holding her tightly against me.
“I can do that,” I say as I kiss the top of her head.
It might kill me to be naked in bed with her and do nothing, except watch her sleep but god help me I would do it every night if I could. I didn’t plan on holding her until she fell asleep. I wanted to hold her all night. Her breathing leveled out and she fell asleep in minutes.
Whether it was the tea, the night activities, the bath or a combination of everything, she was finally sleeping. It was almost three A.M. and I’m supposed to be at the rink by eight-thirty tomorrow. No way am I setting an alarm. Sam needs to sleep and I’m not about to disturb her. Before she got into bed, I was certain she had come to a decision on what she wanted to do. Her meeting with the coaches and players wasn’t until after lunch so she has lots of time to sleep and rest. Like the creeper I am, I hold her and watch her, but I feel like we just had a breakthrough and my heart is about to burst.
