She swallowed. “I was in fear for my life, at that point. I couldn’t even tell anyone what actually happened to the knee. I had to make up a story.”
Growing anger crossed Adam’s strong features as she continued. “The doctors said that with the type of injury … there was no way my knee would ever be the same to dance. That was almost seven years ago, when I was twenty. I can expect to have a replacement someday.”
Adam dried off his hands on a dish towel, then came back to the table and helped her to her feet. “Sorry to dredge up bad memories,” he said quietly.
“It’s good to talk about it to someone who understands.” Keri was keenly aware that Adam was still holding her good hand after helping her stand. “Most people act like I might fall apart if the subject is even brought up.”
Adam brushed strands of hair away from her face, catching her off guard and sending zinging sensations through her abdomen. “You’re a strong woman, Keri,” he said.
Seeing the conviction in his eyes almost made her believe he was right.
* * *
Keri waited as Adam filled the tub with warm water and bubbles. She loved watching him. He had fluid, easy movements, and she could see and feel the controlled power in his body. She liked looking at the muscles flex in his forearms and beneath the T-shirt that stretched across his back.
When he turned he saw she was watching him. He winked and heat rose to her cheeks. She had probably been staring at him like some schoolgirl with a crush.
He smiled and gave Keri a couple of thick, fluffy towels and a washcloth. While keeping the towel between them, affording her some modesty, he helped her out of her T-shirt.
“Make sure you don’t get your bandages wet,” he said and Keri nodded. “I’ll be in my office across from the bathroom,” he said. “Just call me if you need me. I’ll check in on you and help you out when you’re finished.”
Keri nodded. “Thank you.”
“Do you need help getting into the tub?” he asked.
“Getting in is the easy part.” She shook her head. “I think getting out will be the challenge.”
“Like I said, I’ll help you out.” Adam walked to the bathroom door and rested his hand on the doorknob. “Wait for me, okay? I don’t want you slipping and falling.”
Adam closed the door behind him. Keri eased into the wonderfully warm water and sighed. This was exactly what she needed.
Keri propped her bandaged arm on the rim of the tub while she bathed. She took her time, enjoying the feel of the warm water lapping her tired body. The cuts and scratches stung at first, but then gradually it all faded to a warm burn, like she had sunburned skin. She gently washed her body, doing her best without moving her arm too much.
When she was finished she let the water out of the tub. A knock at the bathroom door was followed by Adam’s voice. “Okay in there, Keri?” He seemed to have a sixth sense for knowing what she was thinking and what she needed. “Ready to get out?”
She reached for the towel on the bar to hide her naked body. As she was drawing it toward her it slipped out of her grasp at the moment she was already saying, “Ready.”
The door opened and Keri’s face flushed as Adam walked in. He didn’t say anything, just took the towel off of the floor and covered her with it as if seeing her with nothing on wasn’t a big deal at all.
“Thank you.” She clenched her jaw as Adam helped her to stand and climb out of the tub. “This looks just too strange with me dropping the towel as I told you to come in. I wasn’t trying…”
“It’s all fine.” Adam smiled gently.
As she arranged the towel around herself, Adam grabbed a second towel and began to dry her hair with it from behind. He didn’t say anything as he worked. The fog-shrouded mirror didn’t show their reflections, just a misty hint of an outline.
When he finished towel-drying her hair, he tossed the towel onto the rim of the tub so that it hung half on, half off.
“We need to change your bandage,” he said as he reached into a medicine cabinet and began taking out first-aid supplies.
Adam removed the bandages carefully, but she still found herself gritting her teeth from the pain. Blood had seeped onto the bandage—a lot more than she had expected.
With gentle hands he cleaned the wound. The entire time she tried to ignore how badly it hurt and to keep from flinching. After it was clean and he had applied antiseptic, he put a fresh bandage on it. She let her breath out in relief when he was finished.
She started to move away from him, but he caught her by her good arm. “I’m not finished with you yet.” His tone was teasing and she smiled as he reached into a cabinet and brought out a comb.
He had her sit on the vanity chair in front of the mirror, then began combing the tangles out of her hair. He was gentle with her, not tugging too hard, and falling into a rhythm as he combed.
The feeling of Adam combing her hair was luxurious. It made her languid, relaxed to the point of feeling like she was slipping into another place and time.
It had to be something to do with the trauma to make her feel this way now. So amazing.
The gentle tug and pull of the comb felt good. Felt real. It grounded her, kept her from flying completely into a dream world.
When Adam finished, he put away the comb, then took her hand and helped her
