Chapter 332
“How about we switch places? You can lean on my shoulder–it might be more comfortable.”
Jamison rested his head against the car window. The road was so bumpy, he kept knocking his head. He was well aware of his own size and the weight he’d put on Ivy’s slender frame; she’d never be able to support him. He shook his head and refused quietly, “No need. I’m fine like this.”
With that, he closed his eyes again, his face still pale.
Ivy didn’t want to disturb his rest any further, so she simply reached out and took his hand in hers.
He didn’t say anything, but his fingers tightened around hers in silent understanding.
Neither of them spoke, but their entwined hands quietly bridged the gap between two hearts, drawing them ever closer.
By the time they returned to the hotel, it was already past eleven. On the way, Derek had arranged for some late-night food to be delivered. Ivy helped Jamison back to their room, and they ate just enough to fill their stomachs.
“It’s late. You should get some sleep. Rest is the best thing for you right now.” She looked at Jamison’s exhausted face, ready to help him over to the bed.
But Jamison shook his head.
“What’s wrong? Is there something else?” she asked gently.
Jamison’s brows drew tight. “We were out in the woods all day–mud, blood, who knows what else–I’m filthy. I need a shower. And my hair’s a mess.”
Only someone with his need for cleanliness could truly understand how much he’d suffered through the day. He’d made it this far on sheer willpower.
Ivy frowned, torn. “You’re hurt. You can’t get your wounds wet.”
“I’ll find someone to help me,” he said, getting to his feet and turning to her. “You go wash up and get some rest. I’ll be back soon.”
“Wait!” Ivy called after him. “Who are you going to find at this hour? Every salon in town is closed.”
He paused, realizing she was right. It was nearly midnight.
“The hotel must have a spa, or something.” Maybe someone there could help.
Ivy rolled her eyes. “You with your obsessive cleanliness–do you really think you could handle a public spa?”
Jamison stiffened, caught.
She pressed her lips together, knowing full well how tricky this would be. But she’d promised Thad she’d look after him. And after all, they were husband and wife–helping her injured husband clean up was hardly unreasonable.
She took a deep breath, muttering under her breath, “I’ve never met a man so obsessed with being clean… even when he’s injured, he won’t let it go.”
She rummaged through their suitcase for a clean set of clothes, not even looking up as she instructed, “Go wait in the bathroom. I’ll help you wash up.”
A faint, mischievous smile tugged at Jamison’s lips, despite his pale face.
“I don’t just need my hair washed, you know. I need a shower too. Are you sure you want to handle all of it?”
Ivy found the clothes and spun around to glare at him. “What else am I supposed to do? Who were you planning to ask for help–some guy? Or a woman?”
That shut Jamison right up.
There was no way he’d ever ask another man to help him shower. And as for a woman–well, that would be a scandal.
“If I went out, I’d only get my hair washed–not a full shower,” he mumbled, a little embarrassed.
Ivy ignored him, heading into the bathroom. She put the lid down on the toilet and hung his clean clothes nearby.
“Come in. Sit here, lean your head forward, and I’ll use the showerhead to rinse you off. That way, your wounds won’t get soaked.”
It wouldn’t be the most comfortable position, but with his short hair, it would only take a few minutes.
But Jamison eyed the toilet with unconcealed resistance. “You really want me to sit there?”
Ivy shot back, “What’s your alternative? Want me to cradle you in my arms while I wash you?”
She knew his obsessive need for cleanliness was kicking in–she’d seen it before. When they checked in, he’d insisted on replacing everything in the room that could be replaced, and she’d disinfected the bathroom herself, adding a disposable seat cover to the toilet just to be safe.
Chapter 333