Charlotte's POV
"We don't have the whole day to do this, the nurses will be here at anytime. Let's give you a bath." His voice came out more like a whisper, low and intoxicating, sending shivers racing down my spine and goosebumps crawling all over my skin. The sparks radiated on my body in maddening waves, my eyes helplessly leaving his and shifting to his lips, which curved into that cocky, teasing smile that drives me insane.
As though reading my mind, he bent forward and pressed a soft peck on my lips, his warmth lingering. It took every stubborn cell in my entire body not to deepen that kiss, not to fall completely into that ridiculous bond pulling us together like magnets. He looked into my eyes again, his gaze fierce yet filled with something gentle, and once again, our eyes locked, drowning me in his presence.
I could hear his heartbeat—strong, steady, confident—and no doubt, mine was louder, thudding so hard I feared it might leap out of my chest. He scooped me effortlessly into his arms, and I found my traitorous hands wrapping around his neck as though they belonged there, as though I had no will of my own. Right now, my body was like a stranger to me, doing exactly the opposite of what my brain screamed for it to do.
"Do you want us to shower together, or do you just want me to give you a bath?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement, but the huskiness in his tone did a whole lot more to my body than I cared to admit. The mate bond isn't helping matters at all. My mind feels foggy, my thoughts scrambled, like I can't even think straight anymore.
"I…" I tried to form words, but right now, my brain cells aren't functioning correctly, that's for sure. My mouth opened but nothing useful came out, only awkward silence.
He gently set me down on the bathroom counter, his movements slow, deliberate, like a predator sizing up its prey. His eyes darkened slightly as they raked over me, making my heart stutter. He reached for the hospital gown I had on, and before I could protest, he slowly pulled it over my head. That's when it hit me. I wasn't wearing a bra underneath—the realization sinking in like a tidal wave of embarrassment.
The cold morning breeze kissed my bare skin, raising goosebumps across my body, and instinctively, I wrapped my arms tightly around my chest in a weak attempt to shield myself.
"You know you don't have to do that," he whispered, his breath warm against my neck, his lips brushing my skin ever so lightly, sending more shivers down my spine.
"Yeee…" I moaned in surprise, the sound escaping my lips involuntarily, shocking even myself. That wasn't me. That couldn't be me, but somehow, my body had betrayed me again.
Without missing a beat, his hands trailed down to my hips, sliding effortlessly to my panties. He hooked his fingers around the sides and slowly pulled them down my legs, his touch burning against my skin, making my nerves buzz wildly. The moment the cold air hit my clitoris, an uncontrollable wave of shivers surged through my body, forcing me to clench my legs slightly.
Then, the most humiliating part came—he stood upright, holding my panties in his hand, inspecting them with a maddening calmness. My eyes widened in disbelief, horror blooming in my chest. What the hell does he think he's doing?
"You can't… No—no—no," I stuttered, stretching my hand to snatch them away from him, but he took a confident step backward, staying frustratingly out of reach.
To my utter mortification, he brought the fabric to his face and sniffed it—right at the center. I wanted the ground to split open and swallow me whole. I wanted to vanish completely. The embarrassment was so overwhelming, my cheeks burned hot with shame. I haven't taken a proper bath in days; surely, it would smell horrible. This guy must be insane.
"Your scent is addictive," he mumbled, his voice low and rough, making my stomach flip with unwanted anticipation. "It would be the perfect scent to wake up to every morning." His words settled over me like warm honey, dripping into the cracks of my stubborn walls.
He dropped the panties casually and walked back toward me, his eyes never leaving mine, those deep orbs dark with desire and mischief. I felt so inferior under his gaze, like he held all the power, and I hated that feeling more than anything.
"Ehhh… can we proceed to the bathtub?" I let out quickly, snapping him out of his thoughts. My voice came out weak, but I needed a distraction from the intensity between us.
He smiled faintly, then lifted me off the counter with ease and walked towards the bathtub, his arms strong and secure around me. He gently lowered me into the warm water, the comfort of it enveloping me instantly.
"You can leave now, I will take it up from here," I demanded, my eyes refusing to meet his, trying to reclaim a fragment of my dignity. He gave me a long, unreadable stare, then stood upright and quietly walked out of the bathroom. That wasn't expected at all. I thought for sure he'd protest, as he usually does, but he left without another word.
"That was crazy," I muttered under my breath, the sound of the bathroom door clicking shut filling the quiet space.
Whenever he's around me, I feel so lost, like my sanity abandons me altogether. It's as though my body becomes someone else's—responding exactly the way he wants, even when my mind screams against it.
"Is this really necessary?" I asked myself rhetorically, sinking deeper into the warm embrace of the bathtub, letting the water ease my tension.
"This mate bond shit is as crazy," I muttered again, closing my eyes, allowing myself a rare moment of peace. The water soothed my muscles, quieting the chaotic thoughts swirling inside me.
After taking my bath, I carefully stood up, my legs still wobbling like jelly beneath me. I knew the moment I tried to step outside the bathroom, I'd end up flat on my buttocks again. My pride wasn't ready for that. Reluctantly, I sat back down on the edge of the bathtub, too stubborn to call Jasper for help, but equally too weak to manage on my own.
"You done?" his voice echoed into the bathroom, smooth and casual, like he somehow read my mind or anticipated my struggle.
"Ahhh, well… yeah," I stuttered, embarrassment lacing my words. Moments later, he walked in, plucking a towel from the rack, approaching me like I was fragile glass about to shatter. I instinctively clasped my hands around my chest, shielding myself once again.
He chuckled softly, the sound deep and rich as he helped me to my feet, wrapping the towel around my body, his fingers brushing my skin with frustrating ease.
"You don't have to cover a thing. I've seen it all," he muttered, his voice low, teasing, but his words made me burn with a different kind of heat.
Without giving me room to argue, he scooped me into his arms once more and walked out of the bathroom, placing me gently on the bed.
"I will help myself with the clothes now, you can leave," I said quickly the moment my body met the soft sheets. I needed space to breathe—to reclaim my scattered composure.
He took a step back, then casually sat on the stool near the bed, his eyes fixed on me like I was his favorite entertainment, watching my every move.
"Don't you have anything better to do than to stay here all day?" I asked, my voice raised slightly, irritation pricking at me. His piercing stare was beginning to pour invisible holes into my skin, making me squirm.
"I do," he replied coolly, the smirk on his face only annoying me more.
"Then go do it," I let out, tugging on my bra, my hands fumbling from the weight of his gaze.
"I'm doing it right now."