Loving Cara(21)

I need to get her the hell out of here.

I wrap my jacket around her, jog around the truck to climb in the driver’s side, and head off toward home.

By the time we reach the ranch Cara is trembling violently, tears streaming unchecked down her cheeks. I need to get her into a hot shower quick. Jesus, I have to do something.

“Come on, baby.” I smile down at her as I lift her out of the truck, carrying her through the house to the master suite.

“I thought I would have my own room,” she murmurs, her voice thin and trembling.

“You will, but we need to get you cleaned up.”

“You’re not showering with me.” She clenches her eyes closed and shakes her head.

“Hey, Cara, stop this.” I set her carefully on the closed toilet and kneel before her, gripping her shoulders in my hands. “You’re in shock, baby. I can’t let you take a shower by yourself. It’s okay.”

“I’m so embarrassed,” she whispers.

I sigh. “No need. You’re gorgeous, but I’ll be good. Let’s get this fiberglass off you.” I turn and quickly turn the hot water on in the shower, giving it time to heat up. I turn back to her and my heart clenches. She looks so small and defeated. I grip the hem of her tank in my hands and pull it over her head. Her breasts are as beautiful as I knew they would be, but I keep my face calm and focus on the task at hand.

She stands and strips out of her yoga pants, and I gather the ruined clothes and shove them in the garbage.

I’m thankful that when I built this bathroom, I installed a separate walk-in shower and bathtub. The shower is large enough for two. When the bathroom is steamy, I shuck out of my own clothes, leaving my boxers on, and guide her into the shower and under the hot water.

“You have shorts on,” she states matter-of-factly.

“Yep.” I grin down at her.

“Why?”

“To make sure you behave yourself.” I raise an eyebrow as I guide her under the hot water and wince when she flinches.

“Too hot?”

“No, my skin is just really sensitive.” She won’t look me in the eye, and I know she’s embarrassed.

This is not how either of us envisioned seeing each other naked for the first time.

She leans her head back into the stream of hot water, and when I’m satisfied that she’s no longer in danger of being cut, I wash and rinse her hair and soap up a washcloth, running it over her curves and soft skin. Despite the hot water, she’s begun shaking violently again and her skin is covered in goose bumps.

As I wash her hair for the third time, she looks up at me with wide amber eyes and bites her lip, watching my face as I rinse the suds from her thick locks.

God, she’s so fucking beautiful.

“You’re good at this,” she whispers.

I smile down at her gently and cup her cheeks in my hands. “Are you still cold?”

She shakes her head but continues to shiver. Her eyes fill with tears. “Thank you for being so nice to me,” she stutters.

“Come here.” I pull her into my arms and we stand here, under the scalding water, pressed against each other. I’ve never before felt so close to another person, not even when I was making love to one.

Not even when I was inside one.

She breaks down into sobs, her forehead against my sternum, and lets go.

“It’s okay, baby, let it out. You’re safe.” I continue crooning to her, gently rubbing her back and her arms, kissing her wet hair, until the shivering slows and she takes a big, deep breath.

“I’m sorry.”

“What do you have to be sorry for?” I tilt her head back to look me in the face, and her eyes fill with fresh tears.

God, she’s killing me.

“For everything. Making you bring me here, falling apart. We’re naked, for God’s sake!”

“You didn’t make me do anything, Cara. I want you here. I’ve wanted you here for a while. You needed to fall apart, and having you naked is a fantasy come true, although I was planning on it being under very different circumstances.” Her shoulders relax and I lean down to plant a chaste kiss on her pouty lips. “Let’s get you dressed.”

I lead her out of the shower and begin drying her with soft towels. “How does your skin feel?”

“A little raw and it’s really itchy.” Her arms, face, and chest are irritated from the insulation, but her face is still far too pale, and I’m suddenly filled with more rage than I’ve felt in months.

She could have been killed.

“I don’t even have any underwear.” A single tear falls down her cheek and she just looks so defeated.

“You can borrow some of my things for the rest of the night, baby.”