Page 109 of Almost Ours

His hands move to the waistband of my leggings with caution, waiting for me to change my mind, and when I don’t he eases the fabric down slowly, careful not to catch any of the tender places along my hips or thighs.

“You’re doing great, Ruby,” he murmurs, concentrating on what he’s doing instead of looking at me. “Just lift your foot for me.”

I do, gripping onto the top of his shoulders when the movement jolts my body and pain tears through me. Josh must sense it because his hand comes up to steady my calf whilst he works the other over my ankle. He does the same with my other leg, muttering little things the whole time, telling me he’s got me, and I’m doing great, and that he’s so impressed with me.

When the leggings finally come free, he folds them over his arm and stands, setting them with the rest of my clothes before reaching for the pyjama bottoms.

The ridiculous cat faces make him pause. “They couldn’t have found anything else?”

“The cats are cute.”

“Do you even like cats?”

I shake my head. “Not really. I prefer dogs.”

“Yeah.” He gives a small smile and starts to crouch again. “Thought as much.” He opens one of the pyjama legs. “Foot.” I slide it in. “The other.” I obey and he pulls the fabric carefully up my knees, moving away once I can reach for them myself. When I get them over my hips he reaches for the top. “Want me to help with this too?”

I nod, trying not to let the embarrassment end me right here and right now.

He lifts it over my head first, guiding my good arm through and then taking his time with the sore one, his fingers barely brushing my skin as he works the sleeve over it. When the fabric settles around me, he smooths it down over my sides, not lingering anywhere, just making sure nothing is twisted or caught beneath me.

“There,” he murmurs. “Nearly human again.”

I let out a tiny laugh. “Charming.”

“You know what I mean.”

He reaches for the fluffy socks last, and something about watching this tall, broody boy sit down on the edge of the bed and carefully tug ridiculous cream socks over my feet makes my heart want to explode. It is so domestic and so gentle and so completely unlike anything I ever imagined being intimate with someone would feel like. This goes far beyond sex ever could, because there is nothing for me to hide behind here, no flirting or kissing or clever excuse for why we are this close. He is seeing me exhausted and bruised and barely holding myself together, watching me fail at things I should be able to do for myself, and instead of making me feel embarrassed or weak he is handling every part of me with this ridiculous amount of care. He is helping me because I need him, and letting him do it feels more exposing than sleeping together ever could.

Josh finishes with the second sock and rests his hand over my ankle for a moment, a shiver wracking through him. “Better?”

“Yes.” I breathe, ignoring my heart battering against my already sore ribs. “Thank you.”

Josh stands to pull the duvet further back before holding his hand out again. I take it, letting him help me manoeuvre onto the bed and settle against the pillows while keeping the bruised side of my face away from the mattress. He pulls the duvet over me slowly, stopping at my chest before smoothing one hand across the top of it, and the tenderness in that tiny movement makes my eyes sting again.

“Hey,” he murmurs, lowering himself onto the edge of the mattress. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Ruby.”

I turn my face slightly towards him. “You’re being really nice to me.”

His brows pull together. “Am I not usually?”

“No. You are.” I try to blink away the tears. “It’s kind of your thing at this point. Saving me.”

“You do get yourself into the most insane situations. I don’t know anyone with such bad luck.” He gives a low laugh. “Except maybe myself.”

“That’s comforting.”

“It should be. Means you’re not alone.”

My chest constricts. I look down at where his hand is resting on top of the duvet, I could reach for it without moving much at all. “You know, most people would probably decide I’m too much effort at this point.”

Josh’s face stutters. “You’re not.”

“I’m kind of a disaster.”