Chapter 26 Shower
Lana's POV
I stirred in bed, opening my eyes. Immediately, I squint as the sun shines through my window. My head is throbbing. With a groan, I sat up straight but when I looked to the side, Arden was fast asleep. He looks so at peace in his sleep. Moving my hand close to his face and I caress his cheek lightly.
I could watch him forever. With a smile, I attempted to get out of bed but then he stirred. "Where are you going to?" he asked sleepily.
"To shower," I replied.
"Come here," he said, holding his arm out to me. I lay back down, my head on his chest. He holds me. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
"I feel like sh^t, my head hurts,"
His chuckle rumbled in his chest. "That will happen, but no more," he said.
"Trust me, I won't be drinking again," I replied. I can't even think about it.
The door opened and Daniel came inside with a tray that he was carrying. "I made breakfast. Moses, you need to get your own," Daniel said as I sat up straight with this pounding headache. I placed a hand on my forehead.
"Don't you think that you should maybe go check your head out?" Daniel said as Arden took the tray from him.
" I'm fine, just my aftermath," I said. There was fruit on the tray, toast , juice and water with painkillers. "Thank you for the breakfast. Daniel, you don't need to pretend in front of Arden. He knows it was an act for Cynthia." I made it clear to him.
His jaw clenched and he nodded, "Okay then, let me know if you need anything," he said, and then he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
" I'm sorry that you didn't get breakfast," I said.
"Don't worry about it, he doesn't like me," Arden replied.
"What makes you think that?" I looked at him and he sighed.
"He knows that I am your professor. He doesn't like that I am around you all the time. There are consequences to us being together, but we are being careful," he said.
"Very careful. Daniel is only looking out for me, he always has." I shrugged.
"I understand that. As long as he doesn't take over my role as boyfriend," he said.
He took a grape from a bowl and he put it in my mouth. I chew it. "He won't, I don't like him in that way, never have."
"I can tell that he likes you, more than just a friend." he said as he put another grape into my mouth.
"He won't get that far with me. I have you," I reassured him.
After I ate and took a painkiller, we went into the shower. Arden stood behind me, and he took the t-shirt off, exposing my breasts. I am only left with my thong.
He placed his hands on my shoulders just admiring my body in the mirror. His gaze turned me on and he looked hungry. He strokes my skin lightly and I feel goosebumps. "What I would give to have this everyday," he lets out a breath.
"I believe when I'm done with university, then you will have all of me."
"I hope so," he said with what sounded like disappointment, and he looked sad.
I turned around to face him. I looked into his eyes but they were sad. His hands were still on my shoulders, and I rested my hands on his arms. "Are you not sure about us?" I asked, my heart was beating at a rapid pace.
He kept his gaze down, his lips parted. "You make me feel things that I haven't felt before, I want you and I want to be with you out in the open, taking strolls through the park, walking hand in hand, going to the beach and travelling to places with you. But..." he took in a deep breath.
"But what?" I asked. He was still not looking at me.
"I don't want to mess up what we have," he said as he finally looked into my eyes. They are still sad, searching my eyes.
"You won't" I said. "We will be together," I reassured him. "I need to shower," I smiled.
He leaned down and then he pressed his lips against mine, closing my eyes. I just enjoy this moment. He pulled away and then he crouched down. His fingers slipped into my thong and he pulled it down. He pressed soft kisses against my tummy as I stepped out of my thong.
He stood up and then he undressed himself, still holding my gaze. He was still wearing dress pants and his white shirt from last night. Once he was naked, I stepped into the shower, turning on the faucet. Water came pouring down on me. Arden's hands were on my shoulders again, he was behind me.
He took the shower gel and my wash rag. He started to gently wash my body for me, soap all over me as he washed every inch of my body. I stood under the water as it rinsed all the soap off my body.
He took the shampoo and conditioner and he washed my hair as the water rinsed it off. I closed my eyes as I enjoyed this kind of treatment from him. He was gentle all the way. It made me want him even more. Facing him, he looked at me with gentleness, there was no hunger in his gaze.
"If you are with me, this is how I will treat your body and take care of you," he said.
I swallowed. "kiss me," I said.
He leaned down and he pressed his lips gently against mine, but he was holding back. He pulled away, searching my eyes. "Are you okay?" I asked with concern.
"I just want to cherish you in this moment, if that is not much to ask," he said.
" I'm used to the other part of you, the part where you also want to have s^x with me," I replied.
"Not everything is about s^x, there is a time for everything. You are recovering from last night, so I am taking care of you," he said.
"If you take care of me now, we will have s^x after this. Maybe we can go to your place for some privacy," I suggested.
"No, its rather best that we stay here for tonight. You can come over tomorrow," he leaned forward and placed a kiss on my lips. He pulled away again. "Let's get you all dried up," he said as he turned the faucet off.
He helped me out of the shower and I must say that I love this part of him too, the gentle, more caring and lovable person. I don't know what I would do without him. I never thought that I would meet someone here in New York, let alone have a boyfriend due to what I went through, but Arden makes me feel different and I love to have that in a man.
I don't think that I can wait two years to be out in public with him, so far we have to pretend that we are nothing in public. It is the hardest thing to do.