“Ughhh,” I groan, pulling the sheet over my head. And then I realize, other than the light, I’m comfortable, more comfortable than I have ever felt. I lift the blanket and see I’m in bed. How did I get here? Did he carry me here during the night? Damn. His poor arms.
But damn, this bed is comfortable. It’s soft and firm all at once. Every part of my body feels like it’s being hugged by puppies. Fuzzy and warm and soft. A cloud of puppies, hugging me.
“Ahhhh,” I sigh, stretching out.
I’m going to need to get me one of these beds.
“AHHHH,” I sigh even louder, just for the fun of it.
“Hey. I don’t like when you make that noise and I’m not the one making you make it,” Jez’s voice looms over me.
I poke my head out from under the blanket. He’s already showered and dressed. Where the hell did he get new clothes from?
“Well, come in here and fix the problem then,” I grin, moving over on the bed.
“Don’t tempt me.”
I wiggle my eyebrows and pull the sheet completely away, exposing my naked body.
I can’t believe I’m acting this way. I’m not usually so confident, but Jez has shown me in no uncertain terms that he desires me. And it’s made me more bold than ever.
He takes a deep breath, drops a knee onto the bed to lean over me and kisses me hard.
I reach for him, but he pulls away.
“NO!” he commands, pointing a finger at me, “Down, temptress, down. I have other plans for you right now.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, come on.”
“Do I need to get dressed.”
“No, you’re dressed perfectly for what I have planned for you.” I climb out of the bed, suddenly shy, and wrap the bedsheet around me. I follow him into the bathroom and I can’t help but let out a gasp.
“Oh, Jez,” I sigh, looking around me.
He’s filled the giant marble bathroom with candles, everywhere. The lights are dimmed but every surface is lit up in that soft orange hue that only comes from a naked flame. The large round tub in the middle of the room is filled, steam coming from the hot water, bubbles overflowing the rim, the scent is like a field of lavender. Decadent, luscious, heavenly.
And there’s another scent as well. Just as heavenly, just as decadent.
What is that?
Oh god.
Coffee.
I notice a silver tray on the side of the tub, holding a French press and a double walled glass coffee cup. There’s also a plate with a fluffy croissant, and the smell of butter is making me drool.
“Coffeeeeeee.” I say, and it sounds like the Cookie Monster’s come to visit. I let go of the sheet; it drops to my feet as I reach for the tray.
He laughs. “I thought you might like that. I thought if you’ve been suffering through the same coffee as me at the hospital, you might be missing a good cup.” He comes up and hugs me from behind. I lean back against him, enjoying the feel of his chest against my back, protective, strong, mine. He kisses my ear gently and I shiver.
“This is amazing, I love it. I haven’t had a good soak in a tub for so long,” I coo, happily.
“Good. I’m glad you like it. I had to light the candles pretty damn quick in case you woke up and needed to use the bathroom.”
I turn around and give him a soft kiss. I feel so spoiled.
“Get in and I’ll bring the tray over to you.”
I wish I could take a photo of this moment to remember forever.
“Hey, turn around,” I tell him, as I prepare to climb into the tub. The last thing I want is for him to watch my lack of athleticism as I try to traverse the bath.
“No. You’re beautiful.” He says firmly, and doesn’t take his eyes off me. He watches as I throw my legs over into the tub as gracefully as I can and sink down into the bubbles, almost getting lost in them.
“AHHHHHHHH,” I sigh as every pain, every ache, every niggling discomfort in my body dissipates.
“There’s that sound again,” he laughs.
“Yeah, well, you could join me,” I wink at him, lifting a bare leg into the air.
“Maybe later, I thought you might like to just have a good soak for a bit. I had a long shower before. Someone tired me out last night.” He hands me the coffee cup and I take a long sip, ignoring the burn on my tongue and down my throat.
“Bliss,” I say.
“Enjoy it, Emmie,” he says, kissing my forehead, and hands me the tv remote before tiptoeing out the door.
I sink deeper into the tub, turning on the water jets, letting out a slow hum as they vibrate through my body. Yeah, okay, I could get used to this. The only thing that is going to make this any better is some mood music.
I grab the remote and switch on the TV.
“Ugh, no,” I say, changing the channel. The Bellagio has a TV channel completely dedicated to their fountain music. They must have mentioned it five times as Jez was checking in.
“Nope… nope… nope…” I say, flicking through the channels.
“Bingo,” I stop on the MTV channel, laying back and turning the volume up as high as it will go.
There’s a string of pop songs, some I know, and some I know so well that I’m soon singing along as I splash around content in the tub.
The end of a classic Britney song fades out and the beginning of a music video I’ve not seen before starts up.
It’s set in the middle of a forest at night, spot lights focus on the center on the band, set up in a clearing among the trees.
When the music starts, I close my eyes and lay back.
It sounds slightly familiar, I may have only heard it one or two times before. It’s starts out like classical music, and then it suddenly blends into a fast-paced lyrical rock song. It’s amazing. Strings weaving in and out of simple melodies and complex harmonies. It’s atmospheric and yet punches you in the stomach as well.
I open my eyes to see who it’s by. The camera is spinning up and over the trees, not focusing on the band. I squint, reading the caption of song and band.
“Forest Lullaby by The Rock Chamber Boys.” I read out loud. “Oh, of course,” I say to myself. I’d heard their songs on the radio before, but never an original. Or seen a music video.
The camera flies back in through the trees and zoom in on the band.
One by one.
Right up on their faces.
On his face.
Oh my god.
No.
“JEZ!!!!!” I yell, pulling myself up in the tub, causing a wave of bubbles and water to splash on the floor. “Oh my god. JEZ!” I yell again.
He comes running in, almost slipping on the floor.
“What? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” he shouts, looking me over, face stark with worry.