Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“You can leave,” he said. “I can do this.”
“Roman, stop being stubborn. I’m not going to leave you. Please, stop it. Also, I’m your wife. Do you think my mom left my dad’s side when he was sick? No, she didn’t.”
“I hate when you talk about your parents,” he said.
“I’m sorry.”
“I failed them,” Roman said. “They should never have been caught up in harm’s way, and every time you talk about them, I know they were good people. They had to be good people, because they had you, and you’re precious.”
There was silence.
“I know they wouldn’t have approved of who I am.”
“Roman, stop.”
“I wanted to do right by you. We took everything from you, and I just wanted to be a reason to give you back your smile. I love it when you smile.” Roman placed a hand to his face and groaned. “I think I smell.”
“You do. We need to get you up, so I can help you shower.”
“Trying to get me naked, Mrs. Sidorov? Are you going to try and seduce me?”
“As charming and easy as I think that might be, I also think it would be cruel, and I’m not cruel. I won’t hurt you.” She touched his arm. “Come on, Roman.”
It took a lot of strength to bring himself up, and he groaned. Everything ached. He’d been in fights and battles that hadn’t hurt as much as this did.
“I think someone poisoned me,” he said.
“Only the stomach flu, or something. You’re a man, so this is going to be, like, ten times worse.”
“You’re mocking me?” he asked.
“A little bit, but it’s only because I want to make you laugh.”
He was on his feet and he turned toward her. The room couldn’t be spinning. He’d stood in this bathroom many times, and it never moved at all. This had to be the illness.
“You do. You make me laugh, Chloe. You make me want to come home. I’ve never felt that way before.” He stroked her cheek.
Chloe grabbed his waist and guided him into the shower. She pushed him up against the wall as she turned the shower on, and she wouldn’t let him move until the water had warmed up. She placed a hand beneath the spray, testing it.
“You’re fine.” She started to pull and tug on his clothes. As she did, she jolted his body and it made him ache even more. “I know. I know. You’re feeling awful. I am trying to be careful.”
She removed his clothes and then grabbed the soap, lathering her hands. Roman wished he wasn’t ill, so that he could enjoy the pleasure of her hands. His skin felt so sensitive and even though he wanted to be aroused, he couldn’t bring himself to be, as he hurt too much.
Chloe slowly and tentatively washed his body. He was much taller than her, so when it came to doing his hair, he had no choice but to kneel before her. This position put him in direct sight of her stomach. He put his hands at her waist and then leaned down, pressing a kiss to her belly.
“Do you think we’re going to have a child?”
“I don’t know.”
“I think I’m being punished for lying to you. I’d hoped you’d be pregnant by now.”
“Why would you be punished?”
“Because you’re not,” he said. “I don’t want you to go. Not ever.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.
She was still fully dressed, but he didn’t care. Her hands had been soaping his hair, and he closed his eyes, attempting to breathe her in, but the only smell he got was the one of his shampoo.
“I want you to stay.”
“And you think babies are going to help?”
“Yes.”
“Roman?”
“I want you pregnant. I know you’ll be an amazing mom, and I took so much from you. I want to give it back.” He pressed kisses to her stomach. “I want you to get pregnant.”
“Roman, I need to finish washing you so I can get you back into bed.”
He didn’t want to let her go, but he saw he didn’t have much choice. He still held onto her waist, but this time, he leaned back far enough for her to finish washing his hair. She rinsed the shampoo and then applied conditioner. He was starting to slowly feel like his old self again. A little bit. His stomach still felt way too weak.
Chloe turned off the water and he tried not to let her go.
“I’ve got to grab you a towel.”
He didn’t want to let her leave, but he was also getting cold now. She returned seconds later with a couple of towels.
“I’m going to need you to stand,” she said.
She held out her hands and he did use her for leverage, but he also made sure not to put too much pressure on her.
“Are you good?” she asked.