INSIDE THEIR MINDS

Needs To Know

ALEX

I woke up cold, as always. I tried pulling at the blankets that were cacooned around his body but it was no use, they would not budge. I shiver as swing my legs over the edge of the bed and stand up wrapping my arms around myself. I find the clock on the nightstand to see that it is a little after 11 so I decide it best to not lie back down and sleep, though my body ached to be dormant once again.

A shower sounded like a perfect compomise. I head to the bathroom to just trip over a pile of my clothes but catch my balance before falling down completely. That's what I get for being messy.

The bathroom was cozy but functional, complete with a shower and a tub, thankfully.

In my opinion there is almost nothing that can replace the ultimate soothing feeling of a good hot soak.

I turned on the hot water feeling it rush quickly over my fingertips stinging them, leaving red in its wake.

I finally remove my bra and panties and instantly feel better. I fight with myself before finally giving in and looking into the mirror.

Deep red creases form over my body at my shoulders, ribs and chest where the bra had dug into me while I slept. Thankfully the marks were painless and impermanent. I ran my fingers over the marks punishing myself for not thinking through my actions last night.

I could tell the tub was full by the change in the rythum it made as it the water poured out inching closer and closer to the top of the porcelain. It was 75% up the inside of the tub when I deemed it would suffice. I flipped the faucet over and the water stopped.

I let my right big toe skim the water before submerging my entire foot; it burned but it was marvelous. It wasn't a minute later that my entire body was encapsulated in its firey wet embrace.

I took deep breaths trying my best to recall a breathing technique that I hadn't tried in ten years but somehow I got to work.

My body now felt completely relaxed but my mind continued to swirl and twirl with mixed emotions, thoughts and actions.

Talking had always seemed to cause the worries to subside, something both Kate and I have in common, but at this moment I couldn't go to her. My worries were the last thing she needed to worry about.

"Knock knock sunshine, do you need a lifeguard to come to your rescue?" Derek teased from behind the door.

"A little mouth to mouth couldnt hurt." I teased back.

I watched the handle turn as he let himself inside.

"You're up." He said stating the obvious.

"Nope, still sleeping." I said with a smile, "If only I had more blankets." I smirked.

He smile back then leaned down over the tub to give me a quick kiss.

"So I have a surise for you." He says taking a seat on the toilet after putting the lid down.

"What's that?" I asked grabbing the small shampoo bottle from the tubs edge and globbing a little into my hand.

"I booked us a couples massage." He says with a smile. I watch his eyes lustfully glide over my sunken wet curves.

I proceed to lather the soap in my hair pretending not to notice his glances.
"But Kate and Erica and Phil...we have to go back to the hospital and check on them and care for them and. .."

"You need to take care of yourself too." He says his eyes studying my legs lustfully.

"What time? " I grumbled.