My Protector

CHAPTER - 14

[AVA]

I was about to get up when I heard his footsteps. He came back and sat behind me, I could see a box beside me it's a medical kit.

"Ava"  his voice is gentle now "I'm going to remove the tshirt"

I nod

Ruth slowly pulled my tshirt, carefully not touching my wounds "raise your arms"  he instructs, his voice so close to my ears goosebumps spread over my skin.

I raised my arms and he pull the shirt over my head. I blush feeling self conscious, thank God I'm wearing a bra.

"Lie down on your stomach"  he ordered again. God I think something's wrong with my head, every time he orders something tingling happens in my stomach.

I quickly lie down waiting what he's going to do next.

Ruth opened a medical kit and took an ointment tube, he leaned down a bit and spoke in my ear "the wound is still raw baby, I'm going to apply the ointment, don't worry it will help cool down the burning."

I can smell his woodsy aftershave, feel his breath on my skin.

The same shiver passes all over my body, I know I'm attracted to him but knowing he has this effect on me is unbelievable.

His fingers tracing the wound, his touch feather light, a shiver passes my body.

His fingers reach my bra clasp, before I tell him to stop he unclasped it. I gasp.

"Shhhh... Relax"  he whispered next to my ear, its his voice that's relaxing.

And then he squeezed some of the ointment in his hand and gently started rubbing on my back.

I whimper from pain "I know sweetheart, it hurts... I'm sorry darling, just bare with it a few more minutes. Once the ointment works it reduces the inflammation and burning" he cocoons in my ears.

The endearing way he says sweetheart and baby does something to my heart.

His reaction earlier and his actions now doesn't match at all. Instead of suffering myself by guessing random things i asked "Why were you angry earlier? Is it because it's ugly ?".

He stopped for a second and continued his massage. It feels good. The ointment started working, the burning sensation slowly reducing on my skin.

"No baby, why would I be angry with you. I was angry at the person who did this to you" he spoke rubbing the ointment "

And you are not ugly Ava, you the most beautiful woman I have seen. You are beautiful even with all of these wounds" He says.

I was hardly holding my tears but I couldn't anymore.

When was the last time someone treated my wounds? When was the last time someone said I'm beautiful ? When was the last time some called me with so much endearment.

I suffered for so long that I became so emotional, tears pouring out of my eyes and a sob escaped my lips.

Ruth immediately stopped massaging, he leaned down to look at my face, I'm still lying down on my stomach, my face turned to the side.

"Ava ? "  His voice lacing with worry.

His one hand is beside my face on the bed holding the weight of this body and the other hand started stroking my hair.

"Baby... Does it hurt so much ? I'll get the doctor"  He says moving to get up, I immediately grabbed his wrist that was beside my head not wanting him to go anywhere and sobbed uncontrollably.

"I'm here darling, I'm right here"  he repeated with a very gentle voice, stroking my head in a soothing way.

He pushed the hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear, his every gesture is so gentle and delicate as if I'm precious and I'm hit by another emotional wave.

It's like all years of suffering and agony is coming out all now. There's no stopping of them.

"Cry all you want baby I will not stop you today."  His face inches away from mine, eyes looking into mine "But from tomorrow I'll make sure no one will hurt you again and If anyone does they die"  his words are full of promise.

"You are mine to protect now"  he says fiercely and kisses my forehead

I grabbed his wrist even more tightly and called his name out for the first time "Ruth"

A deep growl came out of his chest, he turned me and took me into his arms peppering kisses in my hair.

Sobbing I hugged him tightly, resting my face in the crook of his neck and inhaled his scent.

His hands are a band of steel Giving me a sense of protection and safty. When was the last time I felt safe ?? Never.

But now for unknown reasons I feel safe in his hands.

He said he will protect me. Maybe I have found my protector.