Chapter 176

Chapter 0176

I can’t relax, but I do listen, and I lay back. I look up to see if he’s giving my body the same lecherous looks the vampires did, but he’s not. He’s focused on my hair. I frown, weird.

He puts his hand under my head, holding it above the water then takes his other hand and begins cupping water into it before pouring if over my head. I feel myself start to relax as I watch him focus on his job. He looks into my eyes. winks at me before returning to his work.

“Your eyes are a striking shade of gray. I’ve never seen eyes that color before, like a stormy sea.”

and

He pushes gently on my head. “Sit up.” He says and reaches for one of the bottles. I watch as he sniffs several, the frown between his brows getting deeper until he huffs and finally picks one. He puts the shampoo in his hand, rubs it into his other hand then begins massaging it into my head. This time it’s a whimper that leaves my mouth. His fingers rubbing against my scalp feel better than anything I’ve felt in more years than I care to remember. It’s utter bliss.

I hear a noise outside the bathroom and my whole body goes stiff. Liam never stops running his fingers across my scalp. “Shhh, they are just changing the sheets while you are in here. I didn’t think you’d want to get back into dirty sheets after getting clean.” His voice is low, as if he’s talking to an injured, trapped animal, and maybe that’s how he sees me.

“Lay back.” He says and gently pushes on my shoulders. Again, he holds my head as he rinses my hair clean of the shampoo. When he pushes me back up to sit, he grabs a bottle of conditioner and rubs it into my hair. Then he grabs a brush and starts to gently work his way through the tangled mess in my hair.

“Your hair is beautiful. I’ve been wondering how long it really is. I can’t wait to

see it.‘

“The last time I looked at it, it was past my waist. I haven’t had it cut in years.” I

tell him.

“Do you want to cut it? I can have someone come cut it for you. Although, I like long hair, so I hope you’ll keep it long.”

I turn and look at him over my shoulder again. He seems mesmerized by my hair. He turns his gaze to me, winking at me again. I frown. He’s a strange alpha.

Without taking his eyes off my hair, he reaches down and grabs a washcloth. ”

+15 DONOS

You can bathe yourself while I do this if you want. This may take some time.” He hands the washcloth to me.

I peer over the side of the tub, looking at the bottles. I can’t see what they are, and I start to reach for one, but he grabs a different one. “Here, try this one.” I open it and it smells like vanilla. It’s a nice smell but when I used to choose my own scents, I always went for more fruity scents, like berries.

While he’s busy with my hair, I pour some body wash into the washcloth and begin rubbing it over my body. I’m careful as I go over my wrists. It was a favorite. spot of the prince’s and they feel scarred over on the top but still sensitive underneath. I move up my arms and over my shoulders feeling the bumps of scarred–over puncture wounds. I must look repulsive to Liam. My body is a disfigured mess.

I can’t help the tears that begin to fall. What if Alessia can never heal these and I look like this for the rest of my life. What if I have to carry the reminder of my time with that monster forever.

I hadn’t realized that Liam had stopped brushing my hair until he gently takes hold of my chin and turns my face to look at him. “Scars are nothing more than proof that you are stronger than you know. They show that you have lived. through difficult times but you’re still here, still fighting. Don’t be ashamed of your scars. You should wear them proudly. Not many could have survived what you did.”

I nod my head at him and go back to washing as he continues to brush out my hair. The water begins to cool and he starts to let it out, turning on the faucet and adding more hot water as the cooler water runs out of the tub, clearing the sudsy

space.

“Better?” He asks me as he turns off the faucet.

“Yes, thank you. It’s been a long time since I’ve had warm water.”

“Can I ask you something?” I need to know why he’s being so nice. What’s in it

for him.

“You can ask me anything.” He replies.

I turn to look at him over my shoulder again. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

+15 BONOS

Chapter 0177