Always There

Chapter Seventy-Four

I nearly wince again at how fucking freezing she is.

"C'mon. Let's get you all cleaned up and then I'll tuck you into bed so that you can get some rest," I whisper to her as I carry her back into the apartment.

She remains silent until after I close and lock the apartment door behind us.

Then, she says, "Okay."

I kiss her forehead and then carry her all the way through the apartment and into my bedroom. I ignore the fact that her damp dress is getting my T-shirt wet because she's clinging to me so desperately that I couldn't possibly say something about it.

When we enter the bedroom, I set Blossom down on the bed. When I reach for the stuffed unicorn in her arms, she lets me take it from her without a fight. I'm surprised to find that, by some miracle, she's managed to protect it from the rain as it's nearly completely dry.

I set the stuffed animal down on the bed beside her before kneeling down in front of her. I then get to work removing her necklace, ring, bracelet, and earrings, placing the jewelry gently on the bedside table as I go.

Finally, I free her feet from the confines of her sandals before standing up and offering her my hand. She simply stares at it for a moment before gingerly lacing her fingers through mine and standing up, allowing me to guide her into the bathroom.

I switch on the lights as we go, dropping Blossom's hand once we're in front of the shower. I then slide the shower door back, get the water running for her, and turn to face her.

"Everything you need should be in the shower. Are you all right to be left alone now, baby?" I ask her bringing a hand up to the side of her face.

She nuzzles her cheek against my hand before shyly glancing down at the ground. "Could you stay with me while I shower? Pretty please?"

My eyes widen.

"You really want that?" I ask, my voice dropping shockingly low.

She nods, and takes a step closer towards me. "Today was a really lonely, scary day for me. I've never felt more helpless. I don't want to be alone again right now."

I raise an eyebrow at her. "Do you want me to look away while you take off your clothes?"

She shrugs. "It doesn't matter. You've seen me naked before. Do you think you could help me get undressed? I really want you to touch me. I've missed you. So much."

I've missed you too. So fucking much.

I purse my lips together and then, quietly, I say, "Of course."

Slowly, I reach for the bottom hem of Blossom's dress. She raises her arms above her head and I lift her dress up and off of her tiny body before dropping it onto the floor at our feet.

I suck in a sharp breath at the sight of her in just a bra and a pair of underwear.

I don't give myself long to dwell on the image. Instead, I force myself to unclasp her bra, which then falls to the ground as well, before I kneel down to remove her underwear.

Blossom shudders when my fingers curl around the waistband of her plain, white cotton underwear, and so I press a gentle kiss to her hipbone to soothe her.

"It's okay. I'm not going to touch you here yet. Maybe later, if you'd like me to. Whatever makes you most comfortable," I whisper.

Blossom swallows hard and then nods her head, her eyes wide and filled with desire as she stares down at me.

"Okay," she whispers back.

I kiss her lower abdomen, just above the waistband, before I pull the underwear down her legs. Once they reach her ankles I let go, getting back to my feet as Blossom steps out of the underwear.