CHAPTER THREE

Daphne opened her eyes and stared up at the rough-hewn beams of the cottage. She'd been there almost seven days now, recovering from a beating nearly as bad as the one her ex-husband had delivered to her.

Every day the medical team would arrive, give her a good examination, change her dressings, and help her to shower. They were patient, talented, and absolutely lovely to her.

She pushed herself up against the headboard, slowly, gingerly moving her own body for the first time.

"You're not supposed to be moving, beautiful," he smirked, leaning against the door jamb.

"Brix, stop calling me that," she grimaced. "I'm black and blue all over and can barely move. I hardly look beautiful."

"You're beautiful to me, Daph." He moved closer to the bed and sat beside her. "How are you feeling? Any pain today?"

"Some," she nodded. "It is better. Really, it is."

"Well, today, you're going to get a real treat. A bath in a hot spring."

"A bath? I don't know, Brix. I'm not feeling like a swim in some pond. I'm not sure why I'm still here," she said shyly.

"Sure you do," he grinned. "Come on, gorgeous."

He lifted her from the bed, carrying her out to the waiting ATV. Two of her medical team members were standing by. Gabi and Kelsey. The drive to the pond was longer than she expected, but the surrounding foliage and terrain were positively Eden-like.

She was surprised to see that the water was crystal clear. Brix carried her to the edge of the dock, and she looked back at him.

"This is where you turn your back for just a moment, honey. I have to strip to get into the water, then I'll lift you in."

"Strip? What kind of joke is this, Brix?" she said, wanting to cry.

"It's not a joke, Daphne," said Kelsey. "We promise. This is the real deal. But you have to get naked. Let Brix get in and then we'll help you in."

Daphne stared at them in disbelief but turned her back while she heard Brix removing his clothes behind her. A few moments later, she heard water splashing.

"I've got my back to you, honey. Go ahead and strip."

"This is ridiculous!" she said, looking at Gabi and Kelsey.

"We promise that it's not," smiled Kelsey, helping her to remove her clothes. When it was all done, they lowered her to the dock and told Brix to come and get her. Daphne immediately covered her breasts, but he only smiled a sweet smile at her.

"It's okay, baby. Nothing is going to hurt you ever again." Lifting her gently from the waist, he easily brought her into the water.

"Wow, it's really warm and soothing," she smiled.

"You haven't seen anything yet," he grinned. "Take a lap." She looked at him like he was crazy but began moving through the water with ease.

"This is nuts! How is this working? I don't feel any pain at all. Brix, what's happening?"

"We'll leave you two alone now," smiled Gabi. "Let us know if there are any issues after she gets out."

"Brix?"

"We don't know how it works, babe. We just know that it does. Are you okay? Any pain?" he asked, pulling her close to him.

She was suddenly painfully aware of her nudity. And his. His body rippled with muscles, tattoos, and unbelievable sexuality. She settled her hands on his shoulders, smiling at him.

"Thank you, Brix. Thank you for knowing what was best for me. For coming for me. For bringing me here."

"There is nowhere else I want you to be, babe. I want you here with me." She hugged him, her naked body pressed against his own. "Daph, I need to tell you something. I've been fielding calls from your parents. They're not very happy with me right now. I basically told them you were being taken care of but wouldn't be returning for a while. I'm sorry if I've overstepped."

She didn't say anything but swam to the dock, pushing herself out of the water. She grabbed a towel from the locker, dried off, and dressed, watching him do the same. They walked slowly along the paths.

"It's just going to take time, honey."

He stared at her, hoping she would speak up. She was the most infuriating woman he'd ever met. Sometimes, she would listen. Sometimes, she wouldn't. She would spend hours looking at art books, talking about lost art with Ellie and Ro, visiting the galleries in New Orleans, and then she would say she was no longer interested in art.

With the incessant calling of her parents, it was a wonder that she was healing at all. Physically, she was great, but mentally, they all agreed she wasn't quite there yet.

That's all Brix was worried about. They'd been in the same cottage for weeks now but had yet to touch one another beyond a hug or chaste kiss.

He was starting to wonder if she was interested in him at all.

"Brix?"

"Yeah, babe."

"Where are we headed?" she asked. He held her hand, smiling down at her.

"Right now, we're headed out to the Sugar Lodge. We have some interesting art pieces out there I thought you might like to see."

"No. That's not what I meant. Where are you and I headed?"

He stopped, smiling down at her. He'd wanted to have this conversation the moment they'd arrived at Belle Fleur, but he was giving her the chance to heal.

"Where would you like for us to be headed?" he asked.

"Brix," she said, frustrated with his answering a question with a question. "I'm asking you!" He laughed, shaking his head.

"Alright, if you're asking me. We're headed toward a permanent, full-time, all-in relationship. You and me, Daph. Marriage, kids, the whole thing."

She frowned at him, tears filling her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I thought that's what you wanted," he said, swallowing back his own tears. She shook her head.

"Oh, Brix, it's everything I want. But I'm fairly sure you're not going to want me."