Moonflower

Chapter 26: Beauty Can't Be Wiped Out by Ugliness

Of course, it wasn't. But she'd rather live her life alone than share her bed with a man who could never love her. A man who had, in fact, believed the absolute worst of her. She didn't answer his question. Instead, she turned from him and slathered more cream on his back. Her nimble fingers lightly massaged it into his skin.

She was behaving like a fool. Like a lovesick fool. Breaking her heart over a man she'd known for only two days. It was absurd. Perhaps she was just exhausted. Her back ached so badly still. And no one had rubbed any cream into her skin since yesterday.

His muscles were trembling with relief right now. He wanted to weep. Just because his back was sighing with the blissful comfort of her cold fingers on his skin. Surely, that was the only reason he wanted to cry.

He couldn't see her face right now. And she hadn't answered his question. He stayed silent as she ministered comfort to his body. She heaved a deep sigh a few moments later as she stood up. He saw her grimace in pain.

He frowned. "When did anyone put cream on your back last?"

"Yesterday," she whispered as she turned from him.

He reached out and wrapped his long, slender fingers around her wrist. "Mari..." he murmured.

Caught by that strong hand, she kept her gaze averted. She felt like bawling again. She'd spent most of the day weeping in the garden. She was thoroughly exhausted. She couldn't take much more.

He drew her towards him. He pulled her back down onto the bed. As she sat next to him, he released her wrist and reached for her hanbok. He began to tug it upward. She gasped and jumped up.

"What are you doing?"

"Mari," he uttered in exasperation. "You must be in intense pain. Come." He patted the bed. "You should have been attended to today. I'm surprised Moonflower didn't treat your back while you were with her."

"I left the cream here."

He lifted his fine eyebrows. "Then, allow me."

"But..."

"Are you afraid to let me see you?" he whispered gently.

His sweetness almost broke her. His fingers were softly brushing the top of her hand. He was making her dizzy with desire. Her eyes flooded with tears.

She swallowed. Then, she nodded.

His heart flooded with tenderness for her. "It's pretty dark over here. I don't think you have anything to worry about. But if you want me to avert my gaze while you remove your hanbok, I will. You can hold your undershirt up in front of you while I put the cream on your back."

She was gazing down at the bed. She didn't answer him.

"Please, Mari. I can't stand to see you in pain," he breathed.

His voice had caught on the last word, forcing her eyes to his own. When she saw the expression in his gaze, she wanted to throw herself at him and kiss him. But she held herself back. Finally, she nodded her head.

He looked away, and she stood up to remove her hanbok. She sat down in her bloomers. Then she pulled her undershirt off. But she covered her torso with it as she presented her back to him.

He reached for the jar of cream that she had set next to him on the bed. He stuck his fingers into the ointment before turning his gaze upon her beautiful back. But what met his eye shocked him. He gasped as he stared at the deep ridges in her skin.

"Mari." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "What made these scars on your back?" As he asked the question, he reached up to slide his fingers along one ridge.