Jade

Chapter 31

A few minutes later he returned with another bottle of wine in a bucket of ice and two wine glasses.  He sat them down next to the shampoo and conditioner.  He then descended the stairs into the tub.  He sat down in the water next to me.  It was then that I realized that I forgot to put the bikini back on.  “You can leave it off until we get out,” he suggested, “I do.”  “So you sit naked in the bathtub and just put them on to get out?” I asked, sure that my face was bright red.  “Well it is a bathtub,” he replied, “I am not going to do anything to you.”  “Okay,” because I have grown to trust him.  He poured me some wine and handed me the glass, then poured some for himself.  “This one is different, so smell it,” he instructed.  I brought it to my nose and smelled.  It smelled even better than the last one.  I took a gulp and swirled it around in my mouth before swallowing.  “This one is even better than the last,” I told him.  He smiled and took a drink.  “I like this one too.”
“So who's going to clean this Olympic size bathroom?” I asked him and took another drink.  He wrinkled his brow as if he didn't understand.  “You said you don't let anyone in because of that painting,” I elaborated.  “I will clean it,” he answered.  “Isn't there a way to make it to where no one can see it, like you did with the cabin?” I asked.  “I guess I could do that,” he answered, “It sure would make things easier wouldn't it.  It takes almost a whole day to clean the bathroom.”  “I can imagine.”

“Are you ready for me to wash your hair?” he asked.  “Only if I can wash your hair first,” I replied.  “Okay,” he smiled, excited, as if he had been waiting for me to ask.  He went under to wet his hair and came back up, “I am ready.”  I poured some of the honey smelling shampoo into my palm and lathered my hands up.  I reached up and worked it into his scalp then through his hair to the ends.  He laid back next to me so that I could work it and the tangles out.  When I was done, he sat up so that I could work the conditioner in.  Then he laid back next to me again so that I could work it and the tangles out.  “Thank you for doing this.  It feels so good.”  “You should have asked sooner if you wanted it.  I would have been happy to do this,” I told him finishing up.  He sat up, finished.  “I did not know how you would feel about it.  It is considered sensual to our people.  An act of love,” he explained.  “Oh.  Okay.”  “I do this because I love you.  It is okay if you do not love me yet.  I think that you have feelings for me though.  Otherwise, you would not have asked.  Am I correct?”  “Yes,” I answered, “I have feelings for you.”

That made him happy.  He poured some more wine and handed it to me.  I took a drink, needing to keep my liquid courage going.  “My turn,” he took my glass and set it back onto the side of the tub.  I ducked under the water and came back up.  I pushed the hair back out of my face and brushed the water from my eyes.  He lathered his hands up and began working the shampoo into my scalp and hair.  He put his hand on my back and helped me lean down into the water. He slowly worked the shampoo out of my hair.  He sat me up when he was done and worked the conditioner in.  He then leaned me back again and rinsed the conditioner out of my hair.

He handed me my glass.  I took a drink.  “Are you about ready for bed?” he asked.  “Yes,” I answered.  He stood up, swim shorts in place, reminding me to put the bikini back on.  He took my hand and helped me climb the stairs out of the tub.  Then he climbed out.  We went to the closet and dried off then put on bathrobes and slippers.  We both wrapped our hair up in towels.  We took the robes off, hung them up and changed into snowsuits for one last cigarette.  We took our hair out of the towels.  I brushed his and he brushed mine.  Right as we finished there was a soft chime.  “What's that?” I asked.  “The back door,” he answered.  “Were you expecting someone?”  “No, I was not,” he answered a bit annoyed.

I followed him down the stairs, where we met up with a sleepy Ethan, and to the back door.  Aris opened the door.  It was Max, Ripley and a younger man that I didn't recognize.  “James!” Aris exclaimed.  He grabbed the younger man and hugged him.  “Come in, come in,” we stepped aside so that they could enter.  “I thought you would not be here for at least two days,” Aris told him.  “I got away earlier than I thought I would,” James answered.  “Ethan go change.  We are going out for a smoke,” Aris told Ethan as soon as Ethan finished hugging James.  “James, I want you to meet Jade,” I stepped forward.  “Awe, the beautiful Jade,” I reached out my hand to shake.  He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug.  “I hear that you have made my brother very happy,” he let go of me.  “He has made me very happy too,” I stepped back.

“And why have we all been recalled?” James turned his attention to Aris.  Ethan returned and we all went out to the back porch.  I listened while they all entered into a discussion about what had happened and what we need to happen.  “We can help teach her to fight,” James offered.  “I need to teach her control first,” Aris answered, “I do not know if she could stop herself from hurting or killing you before it is too late.”  “Okay, so you need us to run things and take care of business while you focus on her?” James asked.  Aris nodded his head yes.  “Of course we will.  Have I not been trying to get you to delegate some for years?” James responded.  “Thank you James,” I spoke up, “Thank you all.”  They all looked taken aback.  “You do not need to thank us,” James gave the familiar response, “but you are welcome, always.”

They finally lit cigarettes.  I thought it would never happen.  Ripley handed one to me then passed his pack around, “Yaris, we got your snowmobile running.  We are going to leave you one of these and take it back with us for repairs.”  “What happened anyway?” James asked.  “He swerved to miss a bunny,” Ethan blurted out before Aris could stop him, “he threw Jade from the machine, and got stuck under it when he landed.  They probably would have died if I had not come along.”  “We wouldn't have died,” I scoffed at his over-exaggeration.  “You both had concussions and could barely walk,” he stated.  “I didn't get a concussion until you got involved,” I countered.  “I like her,” James concluded, “she has fight in her.”  “Everyone that meets her, likes her,” Ripley concluded.  “Is that true, or do you just say it because of Aris?” I asked.  “No.  You misunderstand Jade,” Max explained, “We say it despite Yaris.”  They all laughed except Aris.  He had a small smile though.  So he does get some humor.

We finished our cigarettes and all went inside.  We waited for them to get out of their snowsuits and boots.  We changed into sweat suits and slippers.  We all went to the living room.  Aris started the fire then sat next to me on the sofa.  Ripley sat on the other side of me.  Ethan and James sat on the love seat and Max sat in the recliner.  Max was holding a container in his hands, “Lia sent this for you Jade.  She said that it is only for you.”  I got up and took the container.  I opened it and squealed with delight.  It was a piece of apple pie.
“I have to get a spoon,” I hurried to the kitchen, got a spoon and sat at the dining room table.  Aris appeared in the doorway.  “You know that you can eat that in here, right?” he asked.  “I don't want to get it on the sofa?” I answered.  “So sit at the coffee table,” he suggested, getting a bottle of wine out of the refrigerator.  He got out seven wine glasses, “This wine will go perfect with apple pie.  Come.  Help me carry glasses.”  I got up with my pie, grabbed some wine glasses and followed him to the living room.  I sat down on the floor at the coffee table.

He poured me some wine first.  Then poured some in all of the wine glasses for the others and himself.  “Try it Jade.  I have been teaching Jade wine tasting,” he explained as I sniffed it, then took a drink.  I wished it around in my mouth then swallowed, “that is good.”  “How much wine has she had to drink today?” Ripley asked.  “A lot,” I answered.  “How much is ‘a lot?” “Ripley asked.  “She has probably had a total of a bottle,” Aris answered.  “She should probably stop.  She may get sick,” Ripley protested.  “This will be it,” Aris promised.  I took a bite of my pie, closed my eyes and chewed.  I think I moaned and then sighed.  I took a drink of wine.  They do go good together.  I finished my pie and wine, then climbed back up onto the sofa next to Aris.  I curled into his side ready to go to sleep.  He wrapped his arm around me.

“I think that is my cue to go to bed.  Do you all want to stay here for the night?  We have the rooms if you do,” Aris offered.  “I will stay,” Ripley answered, “We do not know how she will be drunk.  You may have your hands full.”  “I need to go back,” Max stated, “Lia is waiting for me.”  “I will go back too,” James stood up, ready to leave.  “Aris, can we just sleep here?” I asked, “it's so comfortable.”  “No.  I am going to take you to bed.  Just wait here while I see them off.”  He slid out and laid me down on the sofa, Ripley picked my feet up and put them in his lap.  “I will be right back Rip,” I heard Aris say.  “It is fine,” Ripley told him.  Aris left and came back a few minutes later.  “Ethan, can you show Ripley to a room?” Aris asked.  “Actually, I would like to sleep in here,” Ripley stopped him, “I want to be close to the stairs and both exits.”  “I will get you some pillows and a blanket,” Aris sounded relieved.  A few minutes later Aris was picking me up.  “Goodnight everyone,” I whispered.  “Goodnight Jade,” I heard Ripley say.

Moments later Aris was carrying me again.  He stood me up next to the bed.  I waited while he peeled back the blanket and sheet.  I fell down onto the bed, “Oops.”  I crawled up to where my head was laying on a pillow and plopped down again.  “Jade you can change into your pajamas now,” Aris told me.  I changed into the first thing I could think of.  “Do you not want to wear what you usually wear?” he asked, “that is kind of revealing.”  “Do you want me to change it?”  “No.  I am fine with it.  I just want to make sure that you are fine with it.”  I looked at myself in the mirrors above the bed.  A short violet nightgown with black lace.  “What's wrong with it?”  I thought that he would be happy with a nightgown.  It does have some parts that are see through,  but not where it is important and I’m wearing matching panties.  “Nothing at all,” he stopped me, “you look beautiful.”

I relaxed while I waited for him.  He went in the bathroom and shut the door.  A first for him.  I thought about going in.  You are always welcome to join me.  You may not like the smell, though.  I giggled.  No thanks.  I dozed off looking at myself in the mirrors.  I felt a presence.  I felt breath on my face.  There was a familiar smell that I couldn't place.  I smiled, waiting for Aris to kiss me.  When it didn't happen, I opened my eyes.  A hand went over my mouth before I could scream.  A tear escaped my eye.  I struggled, trying to free myself.  I bit the fingers covering my mouth.  He jerked his hand away.  I screamed, but no sound escaped my mouth.  He reared his right hand back and smacked me across my face.  I felt the familiar crack and pain in my left cheek.  Help!!!