“What show?” she asks, but Apollo is already nudging her into the hallway.
“Good night,” I say to everyone before locking the door behind him.
Letting out a long sigh, I turn around and face the room. Carrie is still curled up on the couch, and she smiles softly at me as I walk over and take a seat next to her.
“Are you tired?” I pull her feet out from under her and onto my lap.
“Not really.” She lets out a little moan when I begin to massage her toes and then her arches.
“I’m sure the adrenaline crash hasn’t hit yet.”
“Maybe, but I’m not sure I could shut my brain down right now, even if I tried.” When my eyes meet hers, I nod in understanding.
“How about a distraction?” I offer, and her smile grows.
“That sounds like a great idea. Do you want to watch a movie or something?”
I shake my head as I stand up and hold out my hand for her. “A bath would work better.”
“Oh.” She makes a little squeak in her throat as she slowly reaches out and puts her hand in mine.
“I’ll get the water started.” When we go into my bedroom, I glance around and make sure it’s still like I left it this morning. Bed made, clothes put away, no lube on the nightstand, thank god. “Take a seat.” I nod toward my bed, and she looks at me shyly as she sits down on it.
Seeing her in here is almost too much, and I have to look away. Instead of thinking about crawling on top of her, I focus on the task at hand. Walking into the bathroom, I turn on the water in the antique claw foot tub. I haven’t used it much, maybe only a handful of times, but when I moved in, Anna gave me a basket with all kinds of soaps and oils for it. Looking through them, I choose the one that says it's for relaxation. When I pour in the lavender, immediately bubbles begin to form. Once I’ve placed towels on the small table next to the tub, I step out and nod to Carrie.
“I think it’s ready. You can change in there if you want, and I’ll find something for you to sleep in.”
“That’s really sweet.” She tucks her chin as she goes into the bathroom, but I don’t miss the blush on her cheeks.
After a few moments, I hear her get into the tub, and I go in search of some clothes. Pulling out one of my old swim team shirts, I make sure it smells clean and then grab a pair of shorts that tie at the waist. They will be huge on her, but at least she won’t have to sleep naked.
I close my eyes tight. The thought of her naked in my bed makes my cock ache. Every time she touches me or moves in my lap, it’s all I can do not to groan with need. But I keep telling myself that I can’t touch her, not right now. She’s been through something awful, and I need to give her some space.
I hear something and open my eyes, searching for the sound. When it happens again, I go over to the bathroom door and listen closely. Carrie lets out a sound that can only be her crying.
“Carrie?” I knock on the door gently, but it takes her a second to respond.
“I’m okay,” she says softly, but I can tell by the sound of her voice she’s trying to pretend she’s fine.
“I’m coming in,” I say, not really thinking through what I’m about to do but knowing that I have to do something.
When I open the door, I see her sitting in the tub with her knees pulled close to her chest and bubbles all around her.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m crying.” She wipes away her tears, and I’m in motion.
Grabbing the stool from next to the tub, I sit down and grab a washcloth and some of the body wash.
“You’re crying because you went through something scary, and now that the adrenaline is wearing off, you’re going to crash.” Dipping the cloth in the hot water, I bring it up and rub it across her smooth back. “It’s okay to cry.”
She lets out a small laugh as she wipes away her tears. “How is it that I feel better the moment I’m with you?”
“Because this is where you’re supposed to be.” The words are out of my mouth before I can think them through, but they’re the truth. There’s nowhere else she belongs but by my side.
“Shy.” She turns her body so that she can face me.
“I’ve thought for a long time I wasn’t good enough to have you.” I shake my head. “But in truth, it was easier to think that than to think of you not wanting to be with me.”