Plus Size Luna Obsession

Chapter 14

Rio’s POV

I kept her hand against my chest for a few seconds before slowly lowering it. “Come on,” I said quietly. “You need to get cleaned up.”

Aurora raised an eyebrow. “You say that like I'm five.”

“You're injured.”

She rolled her eyes at me. “That doesn't mean I'm helpless.”

“I didn't say you were helpless.”

“You're acting like it.”

I almost smiled. “And you're arguing too much for someone who nearly scared the life out of everyone today.”

She rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile hiding at the corner of her lips.

I took her hand again and helped her toward the bathroom. She moved slowly, and I stayed close enough to catch her if she stumbled. Every few steps, my eyes dropped to her face, checking for signs of pain she was trying to hide.

She noticed. “You can stop looking at me like I'm about to fall apart.”

I tightened my grip around her hand. “You're not.”

“Then why are you watching me?”

“Because I want to.”

She went quiet.

There was something about the way she looked at me after that which made my chest tighten.

When we reached the bathroom, I turned on the tap and tested the water with my fingers.

Aurora leaned against the counter. “You're really going to help me?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “And I'm ready to do more than that if it calls for it.”

Aurora blushed. “You know Marcus is probably somewhere complaining about this.”

“Good.” She laughed softly.

I hadn't heard that sound enough lately.

My hand went to her waist as I helped her sit down carefully, and I felt her fingers tighten around my arm.

“Easy,” I murmured.

“I am being easy.”

“Your idea of easy is usually doing something reckless and pretending it didn't hurt.”

“That sounds more like you.”

I smiled. “Maybe that's why we're good together.”

Her eyes met mine and for a second, neither of us said anything then I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against her forehead.

Her expression changed immediately and the teasing disappeared. She looked up at me with those eyes that always seemed to see too much.

“What was that for?” she whispered, her words barely audible.

“Nothing.” I shrugged. “I just went it on for it.”

“You don't kiss people for nothing.”

“I do.”

“You don't.”

I leaned closer and kissed her cheek this time and she smiled.

“See, you're doing it again.”

“Maybe I like kissing you.” Her cheeks warmed slightly and I couldn't help smiling.

“Don't look so pleased with yourself,” she muttered.

“Too late.” I helped her into the warm bath, making sure she was comfortable before kneeling beside the tub.

She sighed when the water touched her skin.

“Better?” I asked as I felt for the water to be sure it wasn't too hot and she was pretending.

“Much.”

I picked up the cloth and dipped it into the water. “Tell me if anything hurts.”

“You're going to panic if I say yes.”

“I'll survive.”

She gave me a look. “Barely.”

I laughed under my breath and gently wiped the cloth over her shoulder. Her eyes closed as I moved slowly, careful not to touch anywhere that might still be sore. My fingers brushed over her shoulder, then her arm, and when she shivered, I immediately stopped.

“Did I hurt you?”

“No.” She opened her eyes. “Rio, you're being too careful.”

“I'd rather be too careful than hurt you.”

Something softened in her expression. “You really were scared.”

My hand paused. “Of losing you?”

She nodded and I looked down at the water. “I thought I had.”

Her fingers reached for mine and I let her hold it. “I kept thinking about what I would do if you didn't wake up.”

“Rio…”

“I know.” I swallowed. “I shouldn't talk about it.”

“No. You should.”

I looked at her and she squeezed my hand. “You don't always have to pretend you're fine.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “I'm not very good at pretending with you.”

“I know.”

I leaned closer and pressed another kiss against her forehead. This one lasted longer.

When I pulled back, she was still watching me.

“You're staring again,” she whispered.

“I told you. I like looking at you.” I smiled.

“You're impossible.”

“And you're beautiful.”

Her lips parted slightly. I saw the way her eyes dropped to my mouth before returning to mine. That was enough to make my heartbeat change.

I lifted my hand and gently touched her cheek. “Can I?”

She nodded.

I leaned down slowly and our lips met in a soft kiss. It was nothing like the desperate thoughts that had been running through my head earlier. I didn't want to rush her. I didn't want to make her body do anything it wasn't ready for.

I just wanted to feel her close.

Aurora kissed me back. Her fingers curled around the front of my shirt, holding me there. I kissed her again, a little deeper this time, then pulled away before the moment could become too much and her eyes remained closed for a second.

When she opened them, there was a faint smile on her lips. “That was short.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You're injured.”

“I know, but that doesn't mean I can't get more, right?”

I kissed the tip of her nose. “You can't get more until you're healed.”

I continued helping her bathe, but the atmosphere had changed. Every now and then, our eyes met, and one of us would smile. Sometimes I would press a quick kiss against her temple or cheek, and each time, she seemed to relax a little more.

Eventually, she reached up and touched my face. Her thumb brushed gently across my cheek. She leaned forward slightly and I met her halfway and kissed her forehead.

Then her cheek, the corner of her lips and her eyes softened. A tiny moan escaped her lips and I could feel my entire body come on fire.

“Rio.” she muttered as I pulled away. Her cheeks were rosy red and she could barely meet my eyes. “You like kissing me.”

“Very much.” I kissed her lips again and this time, she smiled at mine.

When we separated, I rested my forehead against hers. “I could stay here all night.”

Her fingers slipped into mine. “You probably shouldn't.”

“Why?”

“Because the others might think you've drowned me.”

I laughed. “Marcus would probably celebrate.”

“Jokes on him, it's not going to happen at all.”

I helped her out of the bath when she was ready, wrapping a towel around her carefully before lifting her when she tried to protest.

“Rio, I can walk.” she protested but my arms tightened around her body.

“I know but I still insist.”

She signed and her arms slipped around my neck then she rested her head against my shoulder as I carried her toward the bedroom.

For once, I didn't feel the need to fight anyone. I didn't feel the need to threaten anyone, I only wanted to keep her close.

And when she lifted her head and pressed one last soft kiss against my cheek, I realized something that scared me more than my anger ever had.

Aurora wasn't just someone I wanted to protect anymore. She was someone I couldn't imagine losing.