I can only describe the feeling of being alone with Nathaniel Sinclair as someone suddenly finding themselves trapped in a lion’s cage. Even though I was fully clothed, I felt exposed under his intense gaze. Did he like me? Hate me? Or want to kill me? His unreadable expression kept me guessing and anxious.
“Do you know what time it is?” Nathan’s raspy voice was as low as a whisper.
I glanced at my wristwatch. “Sir, it’s eleven in the morning.”
“I’m asking you whether you know what I need to do at this hour,” he clarified.
“Oh, no, sir.” I shook my head too roughly and almost strained my neck. “As Frank mentioned, I have just arrived and don’t know anything about your schedule. I should get someone experienced for that.”
“Stop right where you are!” commanded Nathaniel before I could move an inch. “Why do you need one of my employees to learn about my schedule when I am right here? Who can know me better than myself?”
I bowed apologetically. “Of course, sir. What do I need to do then?”
“It’s time for my bath,” he answered, and I blushed. “Unfortunately, my illness doesn’t allow me to perform the simplest tasks by myself. So, you must help me.”
“Bring me my clutches. They are on the chair next to you,” he added.
I looked to my right and found them instantly. When I moved close to give them to him, I wondered what disease took his ability to walk.
Nathan Sinclair struggled to stand with their support. I tried to help, but he resisted. He glared at me upon gaining balance. “Don’t look at me with pity. I’m not physically disabled. My disease sometimes makes it harder for my brain to balance when I walk.”
“Noted,” I said, moving away from him. “Should I fill the tub with warm water, grab towels, or fresh clothes?”
“Interesting. You know how a bath works,” he mocked.
“Yes, sir. What do you want me to do?”
Nathan curled his lip. “Does it look like I can do any of that?”
“No.”
“Then move and do it for me, genius!” he ordered.
“Sure, sir,” I said, rushing towards the bathroom. That man gave me the chills, but it was much better than running away from gangsters. Nathan, at least, wouldn’t kill or rape me.
“It’s done, sir,” I informed him after drawing the perfect warm bath.
“Good,” he said with a neutral face. “Now, come help me take my clothes off.”
“Me?” I gulped.
“Yes. Just the shirt. Don’t touch my pants.”
Why would I touch his pants? He should have gotten a man to help him bathe if he were such a saint. Wealthy men had hired women for such tasks since the beginning of time.
The color in my cheeks rose as my fingers worked to unbutton his shirt. I tried my best not to look directly at his torso and held one crutch at a time as he moved his arms out of the armholes.
Nathan’s shirt fell, and I bent over to pick it up. As I got up, his torso was right in my face. Stupidly, I stopped midair and gawked at it for a moment before standing upright. For a terminally ill person, he was in great shape. He had a broad chest, decent biceps, and somewhat visible abs. It must have not been long since his last workout session.
To my good luck, Nathan ignored my awkward staring and limped toward the bathtub with his crutches. Again, I tried to help, but he effortlessly got inside the tub without my help.
I watched him dunk his gorgeous tan-skinned body in the soapy water, and it came out glistening and soapy. Why was I enjoying it more than I should?
Nathan closed his eyes and relaxed his head on the porcelain tub. “Help me scrub my body. Be gentle with my back. I have scars related to my disease there.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I blushed like an apple, picking up a loofah and rubbing it against Nathan Sinclair’s body. It was a strange experience where I found myself somewhere between unwanted desire and unease.
I increased the speed and partially closed my eyes to stop myself from being drawn to his body. In haste, the loofah slipped out of my grip and fell onto Nathan’s crotch. I covered my mouth in horror. Why did that stupid bath accessory have to land there out of all the places it could have landed?
Suddenly, Nathan opened his eyes. First, he looked at me and then the loofah. A playful smile played on his lips. “I have a feeling you did that on purpose.”
“No, sir. I didn’t. It was an accident, I swear,” I defended myself. His smile made me want to burst into flames to escape that situation.
“Can you please pick the loofah for me?” I requested.
Nathan stared at me with mysterious intentions. “Tell me, Amelia Walter. Why are you here?”
“To take care of you, of course,” I answered, perplexed.
“How much did my mother offer you for that?” His fingers played with the bubbles in the water.
“A regular amount,” I gave a brief reply. How much did billionaires pay regular household workers?
“Really?” He raised his eyebrows. “She paid you a regular amount for seducing me? Don’t you think you deserve more for that?”
Oh no! He was on to us. Mrs. Sinclair had specifically ordered me never to accept that. I needed to lie.
“You’re mistaken, sir. I am not an escort or hooker. I am only here to take care of you.”
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at me. “Just because I am sick, you think I have become stupid, too? Every few months, my mother arranges a female caregiver for me. A few things they all have in common is that they are young and beautiful. I have seen blondes, brunettes, redheads, every shade of eye color and skin tone. And they have all failed to appeal to me. Why do you think you have a chance with me?”
“Sir, I assure you. I am not here for that,” I insisted.
“Good. Now, pick the loofah. I don’t care where your hands go on me. You’ll never win my interest. I am immune to a woman’s touch now. I’ll never marry anyone. Mother can continue her efforts. I don’t care.”
That bratty man had begun to get on my nerves. Who would even want to marry him? Not me.
“Sir. I am not interested in marrying you. I am not even attracted to you. Heck, I’ll even call you my brother from now on,” I blurted out in frustration.
With a blank face, Nathan gave me the loofah. My words had shocked him.
I leaned over to scrub the rest of his body. Suddenly, he grasped my wrist and pulled me closer. “What if I change my mind about you? Are you sure you can say no to marriage with me?” Nathan moved his lips dangerously close to mine, ready to kiss me.