Dirty Addiction (Dirty 2)

He raises an eyebrow as he edges closer to the bed.

“You? Afraid of falling?” He chuckles. “I didn’t think you were scared of anything, let alone a little fall.”

I narrow my eyes as the anger rolls through my body. I let it escape though, as swiftly as it came. I’ll prove Matteo wrong.

I throw the covers off my body and reach down and pull the gauze off my leg holding the stent in place so that I can move my leg. I scoot to the edge of the bed until my legs dangle over the edge and without thinking, I place my legs on the floor and stand up.

He claps in a slow, teasing sort of way when I stand.

My cheeks blush red, and sweat covers my brow, now more determined than ever to prove to him I’m not afraid. I take a step forward, and gradually transfer my weight to my newly healed leg. I think I have it when my knee buckles and I fall.

His arms catch me as my face and hands are about to make contact with the ground.

“Well, at least you proved you aren’t frightened.”

I snarl.

He laughs again. His laughter soon turns solemn as he holds me up under my arms and I clutch his shoulders.

“Try again.”

I take a step forward, and this time, with his help, I’m ready to put some weight on my leg. Not enough that I’m able to walk on my own, but enough to confirm my leg is healing and gives me enough faith I will soon make a full recovery, at least where my leg is concerned.

I grin so widely I’m sure my lips reach my eyes.

Matteo grins too, in his own way. It looks as much like a smirk as it does a genuine grin.

“Take me to the bathroom. I could use a bath.”

“I was going to say you stink.”

I hit him playfully, and he chuckles. It’s weird to be bantering like this. We seem normal. Like any two friends, or at least, close acquaintances would.

“Bathroom. Now.”

He smirks, and we make our slow trek to the bathroom taking far longer than I would like.

When my feet hit the cold tile, I gaze up at the tall shower standing beyond the entrance. The shower is impressive with five different shower heads and glass surrounding all of the walls. I don’t have a hope of using it again anytime soon.

“Help me into the bath. I can remove my clothes and turn the water on after you leave.”

He raises an eyebrow. “No, you either strip now, or you don’t bathe at all. I should receive a reward for helping you get this far. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve glimpsed your naked body.”

I blush when I remember he’s already seen me naked plenty of times before.

I pull my shirt off and push my underwear down.

Matteo’s eyes don’t go to my body like I was expecting. Instead, his eyes stay on mine.

I raise an eyebrow.

“I thought you wanted to ogle at my body.”

“I do.”

I swallow hard as my breath catches in my throat and my body shivers from the cold.

He runs my arms up and down instinctively, warming me.