Adonis | H.S

chapter forty-two: align

A week had passed since Harry's incident. They were back in New York, with Harry stable enough to be discharged. Scarlett kept a close eye on him, making sure his stitches were clean and ensuring he was taking his antibiotics. They painted each other's nails like they always did. He chose a crimson red because it reminded him of her.

He wanted to work, naturally. But Xander and Sebastian had everything under control. All he had to do was stay housebound and heal. He mostly sulked around the house, sometimes he painted, and other times conducted further research for his next taking.

Scarlett, on the other hand, was swamped with work, much to his dismay. She was practically playing catch up from the week before when she'd spent days next to his hospital bed.

He tried to hold her hostage in bed every morning, his bare body pressed against hers. Her willpower was stronger than ever, despite his advances. She gifted him millions of kisses every morning before she left. But he always wanted more.

He called her name as she got ready for work.

"Yes, Harry?"

"Come cuddle me."

"I've got to get ready, I should have left twenty minutes ago." She raised a brow, leaning on the doorway to stare at his sprawled body on the bed.

"But Scar..."

"Alright, let's hear your pitch." She crawled onto the bed. He took the opportunity to drag her onto his lap and she gasped, not wanting to hurt him, watching his face for any flashes of discomfort.

"Stay home with me. I miss you when you're not here and you make me feel better. Especially when you kiss me and tell me you love me."

She groaned, resting her head on his chest. She peered down at his stomach, glaring at the small yet ever-present stitching on his lower tummy.

"I have to work, Harry."

"Work from home. Make some calls, send some emails while you sit in bed with me... let me play with you and make you feel good."

"There will definitely be none of that."

"Just keep me company." He moaned.

"Xander and Seb are here every day."

"But they're not my girlfriend." He tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. "My pretty girl. Stay here with me today."

"You know I can't..."

"You're the boss, aren't you?" He rose a brow.

"Yes, dio. I'm the boss." She flipped what he was insinuating. "So do as you're told, okay? Be a good boy and get better. I'll see you this evening."

She kissed him once, twice, three times before clambering from the bed. She eyed the little elephant he'd given her, wishing she could stay with him and thank him in a way that would have them tangled up in his sheets for hours.

But, she had a life aside from him and had to focus on those outer factors while he got better. She was so wrapped up in him before their break and this time around she wanted more balance.

She dialed Mel on her way to work, her heart heavy at knowing how distant they'd gotten over the past few months.

"Scarlett?" Mel answered.

"Hi." Her voice was small almost as if she was waiting for an outburst of anger and hurt.

"Is everything okay?"

She frowned. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just wanted to call and see how you are."

"I'm always good. Just feel like the only time you've talked to me lately is to tell me when shit's hit the fan."