Chapter 115: Was He Ever Married?
He brushed some damp golden-brown hair from her face. "I’m really glad you’re mine. That I was your first."
She managed a shaky smile while cupping his jaw. "Always you."
He kissed her softly and deeply, sealing their bond.
Then, still inside her, he softened. "That’s it for tonight. Your first time. I don’t want to hurt you anymore. You’re bleeding a little, babe."
Her eyes went wide. "Bleeding?"
He chuckled gently. "Some girls bleed the first time. It’s totally normal."
Aylin felt her cheeks burn, but before she could process her embarrassment, he leaned down and kissed her again, slow and comforting.
"Come on," he said softly against her lips, "let’s take a shower together."
She tried to sit up, but her limbs felt like jelly. Her legs shook when she attempted to move them. "I... I don’t have any energy. I can’t move. My legs, ahh..."
Zayden’s eyes softened, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I’m here for what, my love? Hmm?"
Without saying another word, he slipped his arms under her, one under her knees and the other around her back, and effortlessly lifted her against his chest. She tucked her face into his neck, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as he took her through the hidden door and into the adjoining bathroom.
The bathroom was huge, with marble floors and gold fixtures, and a floor-to-ceiling window that looked out over the dark city skyline. In the middle was a massive jacuzzi tub, already full of steaming water.
He carefully set her down on the wide marble side table built into the wall, her bare feet swinging above the floor. She watched, still somewhat dazed, as he walked over to the tub, opened a small crystal bottle from the ledge, and poured a good amount of a milky liquid into the water. Bubbles started popping up instantly, filling the room with the relaxing scents of lavender and vanilla.
Zayden came back, scooped her up again, and lowered them both into the jacuzzi. The warm water wrapped around her sore body like a cozy blanket. He settled her between his legs, her back against his chest, arms hugged securely around her waist.
They stayed like that for nearly an hour, quiet at first, then sharing soft whispers and lazy kisses. He carefully washed her, his soapy hands gliding smoothly over every part of her skin. She leaned into him, letting him take care of her in a way no one else ever had. When the water began to cool, he lifted her out, wrapped her in a thick, soft white bathrobe, and then put on his own.
Still carrying her, since her legs just wouldn’t work right, he walked them into the big walk-in closet. He sat her down on a cushioned bench, grabbed a soft towel, and gently dried and brushed her long, wet hair until it fell in damp waves down her back. He did the same to his own hair, quickly and efficiently, before carrying her back to the bedroom.
He laid her down on the fresh sheets, with the robe still wrapped around her.
"Feeling hurt?" he asked quietly, looking into her eyes.
She nodded, biting her lip. Physically, she was hurting, there was a burning and throbbing sensation between her thighs, but that wasn’t her only worry. An intense, strange ache had settled deep in her chest, right over her heart. Tears started to well up in her eyes. She pressed the heel of her palm to her sternum, rubbing in slow circles as if she could ease the pain away.
Zayden stepped into the walk-in closet to grab the first-aid kit. When he came back, robe off, wearing just low-slung black sweatpants, he froze.
She was crying.
Silent tears slipped down her flushed cheeks. She tried to wipe them away quickly, but more kept coming.
"Hey..." He strolled across the room in just three steps and knelt beside the bed. "Is it hurting down there too much? Is that why you’re crying?"
She shook her head quickly, wiping her tears away.
"Then what’s going on?" His tone was gentle and understanding. "Talk to me, Aylin."
She wouldn’t look at him, continuing to dab at her face.
He sighed, climbed onto the bed, and carefully tugged open the tie of her robe. "Lie back."
She complied, still sniffling.
He gently parted her thighs, much more careful than before, and reached for the small tube of soothing ointment he’d brought with him. With light touches, he applied it to her swollen, sore areas, being mindful not to press too hard. She made a soft hissing sound at first, then let out a sigh of relief as the cool gel eased the sting.
Once he was done, he closed her legs, pulled the blanket up over her, and tucked it around her. Then he stood, put the tube back in the closet, and came back to slide under the covers next to her, now naked, his skin warm against hers.
He wrapped her in his arms, resting her head on his chest.
"Okay," he said softly. "Now tell me. What happened? Why the tears?"
She stayed quiet for so long that he thought she might not answer.
Finally, in the cutest, pouty voice, she said, "You’re married."
Zayden blinked, then burst out laughing, a deep, genuine laugh that shook the mattress.
Aylin’s pout deepened, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes wide. She looked so adorable that he couldn’t stop laughing.
When he finally caught his breath, he cupped her face in his hands.
"Alright, listen to me, baby." He pressed his forehead to hers. "I’m not married. Never have been."
Her brows furrowed in confusion. "But... you said---"
"Two years ago. In the forest." He nodded. "I remember. I said that because I was trying to push you away. I didn’t want to hurt you. I wasn’t sure what you felt, or what I felt, and I thought if I made you think I was taken, you’d run away and stay safe."
She stared at him, trying to process his words.
