Chapter Ten

Like Heaven to Touch

Bane's POV

I felt like I was moving in slow-motion as I made my way down to the second floor, to the kitchen that was located there, so that I could make a complete and utter fool of myself. I felt like I was walking under water, it seemed as though my legs weighed one hundred pounds apiece, at least, but that was understandable, considering the fact that it was four o'clock in the morning, and I had grown accustomed, lazily and slothfully adapted, to the practice of rising at eight.

Five days had passed since I had behaved like a brute in Malayna's bedroom, and though we were on speaking terms once more, we were not exactly on speaking terms, that is, that she was still refusing to vocalize her thoughts and feelings with me. She also had not smiled at me in all of that time, not even once, and needless to say, I was starting to become impatient, not to mention desperate, hence my early wakening, to take the cookbook that I had filched from her kitchen, and do my utmost to make an ass of myself by endeavoring to prepare the morning meal for both of us, so that she might have a little bit of a lie-in…..

Blast…I had not told her of my plans, which meant that she would still rise at five, just as she always did. I had wanted to surprise her, in the bleak and, undoubtedly pathetic hope that she might find it in her heart to thank me, in spoken words, and with a smile that told me that I was forgiven. It was a longshot, I realized that, but it was not impossible, was it?

It dawned on me that I might have been going about things in the wrong way, because it was doubtful that she would feel very benevolent toward me, if I was to poison her with my novice attempt at cooking, and when I say novice, I mean that I have never even boiled water, but I had come too far to stop now, and felt that I had to proceed, no matter what dangers lay ahead of me.

"What should I make? What would she like?" I asked myself, as though I expected myself to answer, and, surprise, surprise, I heard no reply whatsoever.

"Oh, you are a fine one for helping me, are you not?" I continued, as if speaking aloud to myself was the most natural thing in the world. "I simply asked for a little help, a little inspiration, but you have chosen to remain mute…fine, I will make the decision on my own, who needs you anyway?"

This was bad; this was very, very bad. Not only was I prepared to humiliate myself, in the hopes of garnering Malayna's forgiveness, but I had also begun to speak to myself, and not simply to mumble a few words every now and then, but to carry on a conversation, an argument, on top of that, with myself. It was an action that bespoke of insanity, that had been proven time and time again, but surely I was in no danger of losing my mind, if I had only done so this one time…was I?

I opened the book of recipes and admired her elegant handwriting while I flipped through the pages, eventually settling on blueberry pancakes. I had noticed in the past, when we shared breakfast with one another, that she was partial to blueberry muffins, so I surmised that the love of one blueberry item surely meant that she would adore the other as well, after all, pancakes were very similar to muffins, were they not?

There was the pancake recipe, which sounded easier than I had expected it to be, but below that was a smaller recipe, for a blueberry compote to top the pancakes, and that was when I started to panic. The compote recipe sounded fairly easy as well, but what if I was mistaken? It would not do to serve her something that was inedible, and sauces seemed to be much more difficult to master than mere pancakes, no matter how straightforward the recipe. Would she be disappointed if I served her naked pancakes, or would she be too occupied by the surprise that I had cooked breakfast to notice, and subsequently take offense?

"Just make the damned pancakes and leave it be at that," I muttered, gathering the ingredients for the recipe, then the crockery and cutlery that I would need to assemble, then cook them. "You have calculated and overseen elaborate plots, you have acted as a leader for scores of men, how difficult could cooking be, in comparison?"

Malayna's POV

I was accustomed to awakening to colorful, rhythmic lights, but this morning was different, this morning found me waking to the unmistakable smell of pancakes and bacon. It was a positively blissful way to be roused from sleep, one that immediately set my stomach to grumbling with hunger, but it confused me as well, and made me think that I might have been imagining it, a lingering remnant from a dream that I couldn't remember, until I cautiously opened one eye and found Bane standing beside my bed, holding a tray that was laden with breakfast that he'd apparently made himself.

"Good morning, my dear," he said, placing the tray on my bedside table, wincing as he knocked over my lamp, which he hastily straightened before returning his attention to me. "It occurred to me that you might appreciate having breakfast prepared for you this morning, and though I cannot say that the fare that I offer you could hope to compare to that which you compose, I hope that it will suffice none the less."

He hesitantly approached my bedside, and even more tentatively bent to help me to sit up, moving my pillows so that I would be comfortable, and I was touched by his thoughtfulness…until I caught a glimpse of my clock and saw that it was 7:05, which meant that I'd overslept by two hours, and that he was an hour past the time that he should have had his medication, which meant that he had to have been in pain…at which time I did my best to leap from the bed, forgetting the covers that were wrapped around my legs, and fell back against the mattress with Bane, who I'd grabbed in a desperate attempt to keep my balance, falling right on top of me, giving me the most embarrassing sensation of déjà vu.

He was very heavy, but he only squashed me for a moment, then he rolled off of me and jerked me back up into a sitting position and started running his hands all over my body…including one or two spots that made me blush and wonder if he was even aware of the fact that he was basically groping me. It was nice to know that he cared, and, I'll admit it, even nicer to feel his hands roaming their way across my body, but it was probably for the best when he came to his senses and moved away from me, with a blush that was undoubtedly very similar to my own staining his cheeks.

"I expected disbelief from you, Malayna, but I have to admit that I never foresaw that you would react in a way that would potentially cause you bodily harm. Is the thought of partaking of a meal that I prepared so off-putting that you would rather risk life and limb than ingest it, or was this simply a new morning routine that you wished to demonstrate for me, my dear?"

I wanted to be angry with him, I truly did, but the truth of the matter was that I was pretty much incapable of holding a grudge, especially against someone that I cared about, and besides that, I missed him, I missed the closeness that we'd shared, and I wanted to have that back. It was obvious that he was doing everything in his power to make amends to me for the way that he'd behaved, and that meant a lot to me, because I would imagine that he was the sort who'd never become accustomed to apologizing, if he'd ever even done so before.

I was just caught off-guard by the time, and the fact that I should have been awake two hours ago, I shaped, pushing my butt back against the pillows, so that I could be as comfortable as possible when I was braless and pant less with him sitting beside me on the bed. I should have given you your medicine an hour ago as well, which means that you're probably in a great deal of pain, and I'm fairly certain that your tumble to the bed didn't help you out in that area either, did it?

He smiled at me, and took the tray off of the table, placing it on my lap. "I decided that you could use a bit of rest, after so many early mornings and long, tiring days. And do not worry about my medication, either. You must have forgotten that emergency dose that you left in my medicine cabinet, did you not? I took it at six, and my pain level is tolerable, so there is no need for alarm, my sweet."

When I'd set that dose aside for him I'd done so with an emergency which meant that I was incapacitated in some way in mind, not that he should use it as a means to stifle his pain while he fixed me breakfast, but he looked so pleased with his accomplishment that I couldn't find it in my heart to scold him. I told myself to enjoy the extra rest he'd afforded me, as well as the meal, but though the former was easy enough, the latter, well, that might prove to be a bit more difficult.

Pancakes were piled haphazardly on one side of a serving platter, a stack of twenty, at the very least, topped with a mountain of whipped cream and what appeared to be an entire pint of blueberries. The other side of the platter contained what looked to be a pound of bacon, burnt to a crisp, resting in a lake of grease that had already begun to congeal. I looked the mess over and felt my stomach, which had been growling in anticipation, flip-flop queasily and I wondered how many bites I'd have to take before I could be assured that his feelings wouldn't be hurt.

"I borrowed your cookbook," he said, smiling sheepishly when I looked back at him with one eyebrow raised. "Okay, I stole your cookbook and used your recipe for the pancakes, though I was not quite brave enough to attempt the compote for a topping and opted for whipped cream instead…is that alright with you, my dear?"

He had such a hopeful look on his face, and I couldn't help but nod at him and smile, even though everything in me demanded that I tell him no, that I insist that I wasn't hungry, anything, any excuse that would result in me not having to sample his cooking…I just prayed that doing so wouldn't result in having to make a beeline for the bathroom afterwards, to cast it all up, an act which would likely ruin my craving for anything with blueberries for some time.

Of course, I assured him, hoping that the smile on my face could be called genuine. As long as you will join me, that is.

His answering smile inspired me to respond in kind, and I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that it was a genuine beam that time, because I could feel it in my eyes. It would be easier to make it through with him suffering right along beside me…hmm…that had kind of become the theme for our relationship, hadn't it?

Bane's POV

She looked good enough to eat.

Hmm…that was a bad descriptive for me to make, was it not, when one considered the nauseating meal that we had both somehow managed to choke down. I ought to have given her flowers, perhaps a nice box of chocolates, anything that did not necessitate me testing her gag reflex. Oh, well, it was a mistake that I would not make twice, she could rest assured in that bit of knowledge, provided that she did not become deathly ill from the slop that I had bestowed upon her that morning.

Dr. Adelai had returned and demanded that we meet with him, to discuss my progress, and that was how I came to be seated beside Malayna, outfitted in clothing that felt tight and scratchy and bizarre on my body, complete with a tie and highly polished black wingtip shoes that pinched my toes. I truly despised clothing like the sort that the good doctor demanded, though I definitely admired Malayna in the dress that she had chosen for the occasion.

Her dress fit her well, contoured itself, you might say, to her curvaceous figure, so well that walking next to her, watching, as she, well, for lack of a better word, sashayed with each step that she took, had proven difficult, to say the very least. I had foolishly forgotten the effect that she had on me in moments such as this, I had allowed myself to become too comfortable with her in her everyday clothes and ponytail, that the sight of her as she was now had effects on my body that made it hard to speak, to listen, even to think properly…which was undoubtedly the reason that Dr. Adelai had to resort to shouting to garner my attention.

"Forgive me, Doctor," I said, a tad bit embarrassed, but not the least bit contrite over the fact that I had been caught staring at the delectable Miss Bishop. "I was a bit…preoccupied, and did not hear you."

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes traveling from me, to Malayna, then back to me again. "Yes, I can see that, Mr. Bane," he said disapprovingly. "Perhaps it would be best if Miss Bishop were to wait by the window, as I suggested….."

"She stays with me," I interjected, feeling my temper flare to life at his suggestion that we send Malayna to the window, to wait until she was called, like an obedient little dog. "Have you forgotten already the stipulations that I have made, Dr. Adelai, and before you answer that, and before you even consider threatening her life, please allow me to inform you that I have grown stronger, and would not hesitate to correct you as violently as possible, should you chose to do so. I do not relish the idea of a fight, but I would gladly put as many of your men out of commission as I possibly can…after I have killed you, of course."

I was not certain how many of my words Malayna had seen and comprehended, but I had a good idea that she had caught most of what I had said, and she did not look alarmed or disgusted, as a matter of fact, if I had to give a descriptive to the look that was on her face at that moment I would call it pleased, which bolstered me in ways that I cannot begin to describe.

"There is no reason for either one of us to make threats, Mr. Bane," the good doctor answered, his tone appeasing, his teeth frighteningly white against a face that was unnaturally tanned, as he sought to soothe my ruffled feathers. "I just have one more topic to discuss with you, one which you won't like, but which I appeal that you consider none the less."

"And what might that be?"

"Miss Bishop has provided exemplary preliminary physical rehabilitation, that much is obvious, but for the more extensive work I would like to suggest a new trainer, one who has more experience and can properly guide you through each and every exercise….."

"She cannot perform my surgeries, I accept that as fact, but she will be the one by my side for every other aspect of my recovery, Dr. Adelai," I interrupted, smiling at him when I saw his mouth tighten with irritation. "There is no one that I trust as implicitly as Malayna, so there really is no need for us to discuss this any further, is there?"

He shifted his weight in his chair and sighed, a deep, weary sigh. "You are a stubborn man, Mr. Bane. I suppose that trait has kept you alive, when you truly ought to be dead. The reason that I suggested this man is because he is the son of my wife's best friend, and every night at dinner she asks me whether or not I've found him a job. I was hoping that I could give her a 'yes' this evening, if for no other reason than to save my ears and my head from these annoying aches that plague me each and every night, but alas, you remain defiant, yes?"

"Of course," I said, reaching for Malayna's hand without thinking, not realizing what I'd done until I felt her fingers twine comfortably with mine, and then I drew a deep breath, feeling relief and joy battle for the emotion that dominated my senses. "Until my dying day, Dr. Adelai, and even then, I will not go without a fight."

He looked at our joined hands and sneered, and I felt anger join my gamut of emotions. "The day will come when my word will be law, Mr. Bane," he murmured, his eyes alighting with a sinister glow that made Malayna sink back in her chair. "And though it would sadden me to see things end in such a way, rest assured that I will not hesitate to have you put down, in the manner of a rabid beast, should you choose to defy me, but only after you bear witness to the defiling and torment of Miss Bishop…only when you have begged me to end you will I consent to do so. Please don't choose that option, Mr. Bane. It's a dreary prospect, wouldn't you agree?"

Malayna's POV

He was furious after our meeting with Dr. Adelai, and his rage showed itself in every move that he made, every step that he took, as he pushed himself harder and farther than he ought to have, until I'd practically had to beg him to stop, to relax and take his medication, before his pain broke through his anger and took him down to his knees.

I finally convinced him to take off his shirt and lie down on my bed, so I could rub some liniment on his body and I tried not to stare at the muscles that were slowly building and regaining their life, but it wasn't easy to ignore something that was so arresting a sight, and finally I decided that it was best to simply allow myself to enjoy the view.

At first I tried to massage him from my seat beside the bed, then I stood and leaned over him, but neither position allowed me the access that I needed to ensure that each and every muscle received the attention that it deserved, and with that thought in mind I climbed onto the bed and straddled his body, with my backside resting against his, which gave me just the vantage point that I needed to do the job right.

He'd grown very still beneath me, but when I placed my hands, slathered well with the liniment, on his back I felt him shudder, and watched, with a smile curving my lips, as his fingertips tightened rhythmically into the covers beneath them. I suppose that it was bold of me, to act the way that I was, but I was too busy enjoying the feel of him against me, and the knowledge that I was soothing him, just as I was rousing him, and myself, to give much thought to something as insignificant as decorum.

I lost myself in the movement of my hands as they caressed and calmed his aching muscles, I fixated all of my attention on the feel of his skin against my palms, and on the vibrations of his sighs that I could feel humming across his back, so I was completely caught off guard when he rolled over onto his back, taking hold of me by my hips, and gently pulling me forward, until my softest, most feminine place touched the part of him that made him undeniably and impressively male…the part that was unmistakably roused by my attentions.

"I realize that I am quite possibly stepping across bounds that I would do well to respect, but there are a couple of requests that I would like to make, if I may," he said, smiling up at me in a way that made me respond in kind, a reply that seemed to please him, if the way that his eyes were shining was any indication.

And what might these requests be? I shaped, shocked to find myself fighting against the urge to move against him in a way that was completely inappropriate.

"I would like to sleep here, in this bed, with you tonight," he said, his words slow, almost faltering, as though he was worried that I might refuse. "And I would like to kiss you as well, if you would only allow me to do so. Of course, I will understand if you refuse, so do not feel obligated to say yes. I know that I hurt you terribly, my sweet, and I know that….."

"H-hush," I said, finding my voice again easily enough, despite the fact that I had promised myself I would never use it again. "How are you supposed t-to kiss me if you're t-talking, hmm?"

His eyes darkened as he curled his hands against my hips, then ran them in a sensual caress up the sides of my body, until he reached my neck and pulled me down into his arms, cuddling me close as his lips met mine and he kissed me like it was the first time, and reminded me, as if I'd forgotten, of how much I wanted him, of how much I needed him, and how I could never, would never, let him go.