“Wha-?” I yelped and tried to turn away, but once more he scooped me up in those strong arms and began carrying me to the bathroom. I wiggled helplessly, then stopped when I realized it just made my clothing gape open.
“You can’t watch me bathe!” I protested.
“I’m the Alpha.” Gideon said, unequivocally. “I do what I want.”
Moon Goddess save me, I thought weakly as Gideon held me over the tub that was still half-filled with warm water.
It had been bad enough when he’d seen me naked on the floor earlier. His eyes had taken in every inch of me, and he hadn’t even reacted. Just… stared at me, like he was appraising me.
A part of me was insulted that he could see me at my most vulnerable and not bat an eye.
I hoped one day I would be with someone again who did react to seeing me naked. My memory flashed back to my mystery mate in the woods. That man had worshipped my body, and made every inch of me sing.
Compared to that, Gideon’s assessing stare was nothing.
Fine. If he could seem unaffected, so could t.
“Put me down.” This time I didn’t ask, or whine, I just said it.
Surprisingly, it worked. Gideon lowered me to my feet next to the tub.
“Turn around.” I ordered.
He hesitated.
“I will,” he said finally, “after you are in that tub.”
He pointed one finger at the water.
“Successfully.”
“Fair.” I said under my breath and gritted my teeth. My track record today was Me = o, the Floor = 1.
I shifted my weight to my good leg, and stepped into the water, still robed. I am embarrassed to admit that I did lean on Gideon’s forearm slightly to keep my balance. My balance was definitely off.
“Ok, turn around now.” I said.
“You’re not in the water yet.” He pointed out.
“Let me help.”
Quickly he yanked the tie off my robe so that it fell open. In another swift movement he pulled it off my shoulders, steadying me as I wobbled with a firm hand on my abdomen.
Then, quickly, but not without care, he knocked my legs out from under me so that I sat down with a splash of water, dunking my head under.
I came up sputtering, streaming and spitting water and wiping it out of my eyes.
“Why did you do that?!” I squealed.
“I’m turning around now.” Gideon raised one eyebrow, looked me up and down once more, and turned his back, “Try not to drown without a lifeguard.”
Cursing under my breath I flicked water in his direction, which I swear he evaded without even looking.
Insufferable, arrogant prick.
I guessed I better get this over with.
I soaped myself up while keeping one eye on Gideon’s back where he lounged against the doorframe, staring out into the room.
At least, as far as I could tell, he wasn’t peeking.
Quickly I washed and conditioned my hair, and ducked myself under the water to rinse once more.
Finally, I was finished.
“Ahem,” I coughed, “My robe please.”
Courteously, Gideon retrieved a fresh towel and bathrobe from a hook and crossed to the tub.
I expected another snide remark, but he said nothing as he helped me out. I hated to admit, but getting out of the tub would have been a challenge by myself. This time, he just… lifted me out.
His hands on my waist were so strong. He lifted me as though I weighed nothing, even soaking wet.
I stood on the bathmat, dripping water, and hastily dressed myself in my robe.
“Now, if you’re done…” Gideon offered me an arm and navigated me out of the bathroom. Once I was on carpet safely, he leaned over me.
The imposing aura returned.
“Don’t let me find you taking unnecessary risks with your health again.” He turned and walked towards the door and opened it.
“Oh, and Avery,” he turned back to glare at me, “If you want to leave me for Ryan, I am not going to let you succeed.” His face bore a dark and frightening expression.
He departed down the hall, leaving me stunned.
For someone who didn’t seem like he wanted to marry me, he sure was adamant about not letting me have any other options.
Well, I had no plans on leaving for Ryan anyways. That ship had sailed.
The problem was that I didn’t have any good alternate plans.
I was stuck. Like a wolf in a trap.
I was still standing there, dripping water onto the carpet, when a messenger appeared at my still-open door.
“The Old Luna summons you to her office.”
Avery’s POV
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