Chapter 319
The bathroom steam still clung to Mamie, wrapping her in the soft scent of white tea from her body wash. She sat on the edge of the bed, her pale legs stretched out in front of her. Scott had hold of one of them, his hand firm yet gentle around her ankle. She felt her cheeks heat up and tried to pull away, but he stopped her with a quiet, “Don’t move p>
His voice was lower than usual, thick with something she couldn’t quite name. Scott knelt beside the bed, thumb brushing over the swelling on her ankle. The touch made her suck in a sharp breath, her brows pinching with pain.
“Just hang in there,” he said, then got up and left. He came back almost immediately, carrying a first aid kit. He poured a bit of liniment into his palm and rubbed his hands together until they were warm, then cupped her ankle, working the ointment in with slow, steady motions.
Mamie’s lashes fluttered. The medicinal scent filled the air, blending with her body wash. It wasn’t unpleasant, just different. Scott was completely focused, his warm hands coaxing away the pain, moving from her ankle down to the arch of her foot. His pressure was perfect. Every so often, his thumb would brush the sensitive skin on the bottom of her foot and a ticklish shiver would run up her leg. She bit her lip, fighting the urge to pull away.
The whole thing felt so intimate, almost embarrassing. Her face was burning, and all she wanted was for it to be over. But gradually, as he kept massaging, the pain faded, replaced by a warm, tingling numbness.
“That’s enough,” she said softly, trying to pull her foot back.
A drop of water slid from her damp hair and landed on the back of his hand. Scott froze, then looked up at her. His eyes, deep and dark behind his glasses, felt even more intense tonight. There was something new in his gaze, something bold that made her heart skip.
Then, without a word, Scott took off his glasses, setting them aside. He leaned in, casting a shadow over her. When his lips met hers, Mamie’s mind went blank. Scott stayed kneeling, one hand braced on the mattress, the other gently lifting her chin. At first, his kiss was careful, almost tentative. But soon, he pressed in deeper, impossible to resist.
Mamie’s head spun. It felt like the world was shifting under her, not just her injured ankle.
“Dad p>
“Mom p>
“Where are you p>
The high, clear voices snapped her out of it. In a rush of panic, Mamie shoved Scott away. He pulled back slowly, licking his lips, looking like he was already missing her.
“Does it still hurt?” he asked, as if he hadn’t just turned her world upside down.
Her face was bright red, her lips even redder. Mamie ignored him, calling out instead, “Garth, we’re in the bedroom p>
Scott didn’t seem bothered at all by being brushed off.
“Mom!” Garth’s voice was closer, and moments later he burst in, eyes wide as he took in the scene. He spotted Scott, still on one knee, and frowned in confusion. “Wait, Dad, did you make Mom mad p>
Garth put his hands on his hips, puffing up like a little protector. “Dad, don’t bully my
mom! It’s too late to say sorry just because you’re kneeling, you know p>
Scott stood and grabbed his glasses from the bed, sliding them back on with a fazy grin. “I wasn’t bullying your mom. I’d never do that. Dyas
just taking care of fier p>
Mamie could only stare, lost for words. Garth huffed, turning to her. “Mom, tell me
the truth. If Dad’s bothering you, I’m totally on your side p>
Mamie still felt the aftershocks of Scott’s words, her heart beating too fast. She glanced at him, catching that teasing look in his eyes, and stumbled through an answer. “No, Dad didn’t bully me. I just twisted, my ankle. He was helping me pur medicine on it, that’s all p>