Beautifully Broken

Can a relationship like that even work?

DAMIAN

When I’m done with the shower, I test it to make sure there are no leaks. I got a white curtain with an imprint of a gray thistle. I hope Cara likes it.

I check the time, and when I notice it’s almost afternoon, I decide to warm some chili for her. I butter one of the rolls and then carry the food to the bedroom.

I find her totally under the covers.

“Cara,” I say, but she doesn’t move. “It’s time to eat.”

She throws the cover back and slowly pulls herself into a sitting position. “I’m not hungry.” Her voice sounds empty, and it chips away at my heart.

I hold the food out to her. “You can’t live off painkillers.” I know she’s in a shitty place, but I won’t stand by and watch as she starves herself.

Cara takes the bowl and roll from me, and I watch as she takes a bite before I go to the window to open it so we can get some fresh air in the room.

“I made an appointment for you with the local doctor.”

Her head snaps up, her eyes widening. “Why?”

I frown and cross my arms over my chest. “To have the clips removed and the wound checked out.”

“Oh.” She takes a small bite of the bread roll and takes forever to chew it. I watch her take two more bites of chili before she puts the bowl on the side of the bed. “I can’t have more.”

She lies back down and pulls the blanket over her head again.

This is not good.

Worry claws at my insides as I take the half-eaten food to the kitchen.

Fuck, Cara’s not coping at all.

I can’t let her sink into depression.

I stalk up and down, and then it feels as if my blood explodes in my veins.

I have to do something… anything.

I walk back to the room and pull the covers away from her. Pushing my arms beneath Cara, I lift her to my chest.

“Damian?” She startles, but then she quickly wraps her arms around my neck.

I stalk to the bathroom and put her down in the tub. When I open the faucets, Cara gasps as the cold water hits her.

She struggles to her feet and then glares at me. I can see she wants to get angry, but there’s just not enough spark.

“I’m not just going to stand by and watch you slip into depression,” I warn her. “Clean yourself.”

Christ, please let this work. Don’t let me fuck things up even more.

I just need her to feel again. Even if it’s anger.

I yank the shower curtain closed and then settle with my back against the opposite wall, sending up a prayer that this will work.

Her silhouette doesn’t move for a good few seconds, and I worry I won’t get through to her. I have to stop this slippery slope she’s on before she falls too far, and there’s no getting her back.

Finally, I hear a sob, and then she sinks down in the bath.

I close my eyes as her heartbreaking sobs rip my heart to shreds until I can’t stand it anymore. Yanking the curtain open again, I crouch down next to the tub and then reach for the plug. I put it in and change the function from shower to bath.

As the water starts to fill the tub, I pull Cara up. “Come on, baby.” She doesn’t stop me as I begin to undress her. I first pull her shirt over her head and then help her step out of her sweatpants, dropping the soaked fabric to the floor.

I don’t put in a lot of water, not wanting her wound to get wet. I peel the bandage off and then reach for the loofah and squirt some body wash onto it.

For a moment, I hesitate, but seeing the heartbreaking tears sneaking over Cara’s cheeks, I start to wash her shoulders and arms.

She keeps her eyes trained on the wall behind me as I wash her whole body, except for her breasts, ass, and between her legs.

I’ve already crossed enough lines for today.

I’m careful around the clips and then gently rinse her body off.

“Lie back,” I whisper.

Cara listens, and taking hold of either side of the bath, she slides down.

I’m unable to stop my gaze from drifting over her body, drinking in the breathtaking sight of her breasts and pussy.

Christ.

I harden at the speed of fucking light, my cock twitching with need. My mouth waters at the thought of sucking her pale pink nipples between my lips and thrusting my tongue inside her pussy.

Christ, get a grip of yourself!

Doing my best to suppress the desire, I quickly wet her hair and then squirt some shampoo into my hand. I wash her ginger strands before rinsing the suds out.

When I’m done, I take hold of her shoulders, her wet skin making my fingers tingle and my cock harden even more until it throbs painfully.