Take a Breath(94)

I took a couple of the tablets the doctor gave me to help ease the pain a little. It did seem to help after a while. We talked about what had been happening for the last few days and the mention of Cindy made Matthew wince a bit.

“What’s wrong, Matthew? Has something happened?” I asked.

“No, it’s not that. I did mention to dad about her coming over and he said we would have to see. You obviously need some time out first.”

I look at Jake and his face is not amused. “Don’t be silly,” I protest. “I’m as fit as a fiddle. I want to see her. Jake, she can come over can’t she? Maybe this Friday or Saturday?”

Matthew beams and looks at Jake expectantly.

“Okay, that’s fine. Invite her over Friday.”

He gives us a big hug and runs to the phone to call Cindy.

“Are you sure about this, Ana? You’re more important at the moment. Cindy can wait.”

“Jake, stop worrying, I’m fine. I’m really looking forward to it in fact. I need the normality back in my life. I want things to go back to the way they were.”

Jake pulls me into him. “You’re amazing, do you know that?”

I bury my head in his chest, not wanting to let go.

“You’re pretty awesome yourself, Mr Bennett.”

He kisses the top of my head. “I love you, Ana. I will never have you taken away from me like that again. I never want to feel that hopeless. Ever. It was torture.”

“I love you too, Jake. I’m not going anywhere. This is where I want to be.”

I stare into his beautiful piercing green eyes. Jake almost speaks when Matthew comes in the room.

“Sorry, that was Cindy. She says that she would be honoured to come round on Friday for dinner.”

I chuckle at Matthew’s bashfulness.

“Honoured?” Jake says in surprise. “I wonder if she’ll still feel that way once sat round the dinner table with us.”

I slap Jake’s arm and he cowers. “Hey, we’re not that bad. I’m sure she’ll love us. We’ll certainly make her feel welcome, Matthew.”

He smiles at me in gratitude.

“Right, I’m off upstairs. I really need to take a shower.”

I make my way to the stairs with Jake following behind. I set myself down on the bed, feeling exhausted from the day. I rub my shoulder and sigh.

“Is that sore?” Jake asks.

“A little,” I answer.

“Hold on one moment.” Jake rushes to the bathroom and runs a bath.

He then glides back over to where I’m sat and starts rubbing my shoulders. It feels great. I moan my appreciation.

“Is that good?”

“Hmmm, yes thank you.”

We stay like that for a while until the bath seems full.

“Right, I think this is ready for you now.”

I begin to get up, but Jake stops me and picks me up.

“You know, it’s a funny thing, Jake,” I declare.

“Aha, what’s that?” he asks.

“There’s this part of everyone’s anatomy called legs. It’s a marvellous invention. I believe they were invented to enable us to walk.”

He chuckles a little. “I just love carrying you everywhere. Especially if it means holding you close to me.”

I give him a cheeky grin and sigh. How could I argue with that?

Jake takes special care of me after that. He undresses me and carefully places me in the bath. He bathes me tenderly, not once trying to squeeze a nipple or cop a feel—nothing. I almost felt neglected, wondering if Jake now felt repulsed by me after what had happened. This sudden thought has me panicking. Does he not want me anymore?

Once he finishes bathing me, he gently lifts me out of the bath and towels me dry. Again, he doesn’t touch me or linger his gaze on me the way he used to. The concept threatens to burn tears in my eyes. The quick stabbing in my throat helps me to hold them back though. He doesn’t want me and the thought hurts more than anything imaginable.

He disappears for a few moments and comes back with a white fitted slip on nightie. He carefully slides it over my head and takes me to the bed where he makes me comfortable.

“Better?” he asks.

“Much better, thank you.”

He gets up to leave and I panic. “Where are you going?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back. I’m just going to speak to Matthew a few minutes and I’ll come straight back up.”

He wanders off leaving me feeling a bit miffed and confused. Normally Jake is all over me by now. He has always known how to make me feel wanted and special, but now there is nothing. Instead, I feel isolated and undesirable. The thought rattles me through my very core. I turn around to one side, grabbing the sheets and hugging them to me. Jake makes his entrance a little after that.