The Cursed Pharaoh's Bride

Chapter 31: Rest and Recovery

Carolina

After getting all my excitement out of my system, I finally take a second to scan the bathroom I'm in. To say this bathroom is luxurious is an understatement. The master bathroom is huge with a long jacuzzi and large standing shower on one side, and a fancy double sink and toilet on the other. I notice the standing shower, which could easily fit four people, has multiple shower heads, and the jacuzzi even has a small built-in waterfall. On another edge of the bathroom, there's a large linen closet that is filled with towels, robes and other bath wear. By the closet sits a love seat and small table. Across the bathroom is a large door, which I can only assume leads to his closet.

I place my duffle bag in the loveseat and go through what Tori packed me. Thank the heavens she included extra underwear, an extra bra and even my glasses. She's a lifesaver. I notice she threw in some other toiletries so I don't have to worry about awkwardly asking for deodorant or a toothbrush. Once I've decided Tori packed me everything I'm going to need to at least stay another night, I slip out of the silk long sleeve men's night shirt Elijah let me borrow.

I let the material slip to the floor before kicking off my underwear. I walk over to the double sink which has the towels that Elijah said I could use. I catch myself in the mirror and I can't help but cringe. My curls a messy and poking out everywhere like some hideous bird's nest. My face looks dirty and what's left of my eye makeup is smudged. Elijah always looks at me like I'm the most beautiful creature in the world. I don't know how he could stand to even spare me a glance when I look like this. On top of how filthy I look, my eyes look exhausted. I still feel exhausted but I crave being clean right now.

I slip into the large standing shower. The feeling of the warm water hitting my skin is relieving. I happily lather on some soap and his body wash. I wash my hair using the shampoo and conditioner Tori packed for me. I wrap my body and wet hair in towels and let out a content sigh. It feels so nice to be clean. I take the time to wash my face to rid myself of any leftover makeup I might have and I remove my contact lens, replacing them with my glasses.

I finish my routine, feeling as though I just gave myself the spa treatment. I slip into my underwear and bra before placing on the tank top and leggings Tori packed for me. I throw my used towels in a dirty towel bin. I gather all my things into the duffle bag and carry Elijah's night shirt which I folded neatly.

I step out of the bathroom to find Elijah's muscled back facing me on the bed. I drop the duffle bag somewhere to the side and place his shirt on his night stand. My hands find themselves gently stroking his shoulder blades, back and biceps. I place gentle kisses on Elijah's shoulders, causing him to hum in content.

"Back to cuddling," he mumbles as he reaches back and pulls me into bed with him.

I giggle as I feel his arms snake around me. He's spooning me again, but this time one of his legs are splayed over mine, keeping me locked to him. "You smell nice," he mutters as he nuzzles his nose into my slightly damp hair.

"All the more reason for me to be glad I showered," I snicker.

We soon start to get comfortable all over again. Just as we're about to drift to sleep, my stomach growls loudly. My face burns with embarrassment and it only worsens when I hear Elijah laugh. "I'm sorry," I say awkwardly.

"No, I'm sorry," Elijah chuckles, "I should have known you'd be hungry. You were missing for at least 36 hours." His tone becomes more serious as he mentions my kidnapping. I reach over and press a reassuring kiss on his lips. He pulls away, giving me a half hearted smile.

Elijah then reaches over to a phone on his nightstand. I zone out while he talks to the unknown person on the phone. My eyes trace every muscle on his sculpted back. My eyes then flicker to a small, strange looking scar on the center of his back. Given his tan complexion and the small size of the scar, it's unnoticeable.

Elijah suddenly rises from the bed and he stretches his long, muscular arms. My eyes can't stop looking over his strong biceps, his broad shoulders, his sexy back. He then turns to face me. "I told the cook to start preparing us dinner," he yawns while lazily scratching the small patch of hair that deliciously litters his chest. Now that my eyes are trained on the center of his chest, I see another faint scar in the shape of a vertical line that's a bit larger than the one on his back.

Elijah's voice snaps me out of the trance I'm in. "We can go eat after I've showered," he says just before slipping into the bathroom.

Now that I'm left alone with Elijah's massive bedroom, I take the opportunity to explore a bit. Across the room, he has a lounge area with cushioned chairs and couches and a small coffee table. He also has a minibar with a fridge stocked with a number of bottles of rum and scotch among other things. There's a small staircase in the room that leads to a upper level. Taking a quick peak into the room on the second floor, the room looks like a small den with a large flat screen tv, leather sofas and two large book cases lining the wall. There also seems to be a sliding door at the end of the room that leads to an outdoor patio. From the bottom of the staircase I look at the beautiful view Elijah's room has of the city skyline.

The setting sun is making me think about tomorrow. If I've been gone for more than a day, that means today has to be Sunday. I have to go back to classes tomorrow. Would that be safe? Charles would be with me. Would it be safe to go back to the apartment? I think I already know the answer to that. And I know what Elijah would say. Either way, I have to go back tonight anyways.

My head snaps towards the bathroom door when I hear it open. "That was fast-" My voice gets caught in my throat at the sight before me. Elijah is in nothing but a white towel, water dripping down his dark locks onto his chest. His towel hangs teasingly low, revealing a deep V and a happy trail. His abs glisten with the drops of water that remained from his shower. My eyes trail up and down his cut form. My heart skips a beat when my eyes meet his eyes which are dark with lust.

He silently raises his finger and gives me the "come here" motion. I slowly walk over to him and let him place another sweet kiss on my lips. I don't miss the heat behind it.

"You know, I could always just eat dinner with you dressed like this," he says while cupping my face.

"Put on some clothes," I snap playfully. "Besides, I want to go somewhere after dinner."

Elijah raises his brows at me before stepping into his walk in closet. "Where could you possibly want to go? Everything you could ever need is right here."

I hesitate for a moment. "I want to go back to my apartment," I say warily.

"Why?" He asks stiffly from his closet.

"I didn't think I needed a reason," I reply.

Elijah steps out of his closet in dark gray form fitting joggers and a black fitted v-neck t-shirt. "Humor me," he bites out.

I blink at him taken slightly aback. I let out a sigh as I wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my chest against his abdomen. One of his hands finds my waist while he runs the other through my hair.

"I get it, you have your life, and I shouldn't cross those boundaries. But I just got you back and I can't handle being away from you for a moment right now," he pleads.

"You're coming with me to the apartment. You have nothing to worry about. I'm safe with my boyfriend, aren't I?" I pout, batting my eyelashes innocently.

A small smile crawls onto Elijah's face as he leads me out of his bedroom. "You just had to call me your boyfriend," he sighs.