“Definitely,” I quickly agreed. “I’ve had Feeders at my throat more than once today. Yet here I am. Someone’s on my side. And it might not be luck, but I can’t help but feel a little bit lucky and a lot blessed.”
“Plus there’s me?” He led the way up a set of latticed stairs and kicked open a door to a relatively unscathed tan trailer.
“You?” I laughed.
“Yes, me,” he scowled at me like I should have already been thinking that.
“Sure, you,” I patted his chest as I walked past him into someone else’s home and shook my head. He was getting way too sure of himself.
We spent some time exploring the trailer. A family had lived here, one with two parents and two little girls. Hendrix picked out an abandoned Barbie and blond haired doll for Page out of the dusty collection left behind. We also found toothpaste, floss, two bottles of expired Tylenol and Benadryl in the bathroom. A half gone tube of Neosporin made this trip extremely worth it.
In the Master bedroom, Hendrix pocketed a few pieces of jewelry that looked like real gold and silver and we found some articles of clothing to replace the ones we were wearing. We could have easily gone through our packs, but truthfully this was easier and we didn’t have to waste time unpacking and then packing again.
In the little girls’ room I also found Page some more socks, underwear and practical pieces of clothing like t-shirts and jeans. A new hair brush was a great addition and a few chapter books to help keep up with her education made me feel actually rich, wealthiest in the most important ways.
In the kitchen we didn’t find much, but there was an entire case of bottled water and granola bars. We set aside half of the water and then used the other half to wash off.
“Strip,” Hendrix commanded. “Take as much off as you feel comfortable with and I’ll help you over the sink.”
“You’re so bossy,” I growled, but already started to obey. He walked over to lock the front door and I started taking pieces of clothing off in the middle of the kitchen. I kicked them to one side and didn’t stop until I was back in my cami and underwear. My bare feet felt funny on the cool linoleum floor and I wiggled my toes in the air just because I could.
“This could almost make me thankful for Zombies,” Hendrix rasped in a deep voice.
He walked over to me with slow, purposeful steps. I backed away from him until I hit the sink behind me. He of course, didn’t stop. Not until his hand was splayed across my hip and his thumb was making light circles on my exposed stomach.
“Tip your head back.” He looked down at me, eyes flashing with barely restrained heat.
I swallowed against the lump in my throat, unable to do anything but obey.
He carefully poured the room temperature water over my head with one hand and worked the fingers of his other one through my hair. I closed my eyes as he completely wetted my head.
When he pulled out the shampoo, I realized I had a choice to make. This was heavenly and strangely erotic, but this was definitely not the most efficient way to go about this.
“Here, this will be easier,” I promised.
I turned around and leaned forward over the sink. Together we worked the shampoo through my hair and then I helped him rinse it out. He disappeared for a second into the bathroom and reappeared with several wash cloths. We wet a couple, painfully careful not to spill any extra water and then I got to work, giving myself the best bath I could while I was still partially dressed, half asleep and dealing with Hendrix’s roaming eyes.
“You’re so aggressive,” I finally sighed. I was on my fifth washcloth- since they were impossible to rinse properly. “I might never like you.”
He let out a bark of laughter and straightened to standing. He toed off his shoes and then stripped right in front of me, right down to his boxers. Dang it, and I was really hoping not to be affected by his near nakedness.
“You might not,” he agreed- which surprised me.
I leaned over as he dipped his head down toward the sink and started pouring water onto his head. I ran my fingers through his too-long hair, right along with the water and he moaned a deep, rumbling sound of approval.
“You might meet another girl, one that you like better,” I suggested, although the possibilities were slim- not that it was impossible to find someone better than me, just that he literally couldn’t find someone else. We might be all that remained of the normal, human population.
“Maybe,” He still agreed, but this time he sounded very cynical. A pang of pride hit me surprisingly. I liked- even if it was reluctantly- that he didn’t think he would like someone better than me.