Run Wild Horses

Chapter 17

The way you smile and I can't help myself
Girl, you got me tryna catch my breath
You got me tryna catch my breath, yeah

I felt a little giddy when I woke up the following morning, almost like a schoolgirl with her first crush. Butterflies in the stomach and if I didn't have a sprained ankle, I would have danced around my room. Ryan and I had spent the evening watching movies and cuddling on the couch. That was the last thing I remembered. I guess I had fallen asleep and he carried me to bed. I smiled when I thought about our talk. We both shared that we had feelings for each other. We kissed...a lot. We talked some more. It was amazing. However, despite my mushy, gushy feelings, I also felt disgusting. My fever must have broken completely during the night because I woke up drenched in sweat. The sheets and my clothes were soaked and sticking to me.

Ryan had thought to leave my crutches next to the bed for me. He really was sweet. I'm so glad I finally got to see this side of him. So glad that I stopped acting like a total bitch to him.

I sat up and unwrapped my foot. The bite, although still itchy, looked so much better. The swelling had decreased to almost nothing, but was still pretty red. My ankle looked awful. The bruising was much more pronounced today. It could be a long few days. I sighed.

Using the crutches, I peeked into the living room and saw Ryan asleep on the couch. I decided not to wake him up. I stripped the sheets off of the bed and balled them up in the corner. Later, I would ask him to help me put fresh ones and get these washed. What I really needed more than anything was a shower. This could be tricky, but I didn't want to ask for help.

I sat down on the edge of the tub so that I could remove my shorts and underwear, and got an idea. I could probably clean up well enough like this. I might have to stand up on one foot to wet and then rinse my hair, but there were handrails, so I should be able to manage on my own. I had to. I just felt...gross.

"Sam, what are you doing? Are you trying to injure yourself even more?" Ryan's scolding voice startled me, nearly causing me to slip as I was balanced on one foot, wetting my hair.

"I felt disgusting. I woke up drenched in sweat." I explained, realizing I had no way to shield my nakedness, even if I wasn't holding on to the safety rail for dear life.

"You should have woken me up so I could help you. It's not like we haven't seen each other naked before." He scolded me again, but this time, he had a teasing smirk and a twinkle in his eyes. I felt my cheeks heat up, and it was not from the hot water. His gaze had me so flustered, I felt myself start to slip. I grabbed tighter to the safety rails and managed to regain my balance

Luckily, my hair was sufficiently wet, so I sat down on the edge of the tub like I had previously and began to shampoo my hair. "I got this Ryan. I'm mostly sitting." I said.

"Yes, but you nearly fell." I could hear the rustling of clothing behind me, and when I turned my head, he was undressing.

"What are you doing Ryan?"

"Keeping you from getting even more hurt." He stepped around me into the tub. "Stand up. I've got you. Just let me help you. That's what I'm here for." I think my heart may have just exploded.

He extended his hand and I took it. "Just lean back against me, I've got you." He wrapped an arm around my waist as I stood under the shower to rinse my hair. Without me even asking, he used his free hand to grab the conditioner and squeezed some into my hand. He set the bottle down, and helped me massage it into my hair.

"Can you grab my body wash?" I asked after rinsing my hair, my voice sounding husky, realizing how aroused I was from leaning against his naked body. I also realized he was aroused as well, I could feel his hardness pressed against my backside. This was way too intimate.