Violet waits until I’m settled in the tub. It’s deep, so only the tip of my erection floats above the water. She sits on the edge, facing me, and lifts one leg over. I get an awesome view of her pussy. It’s too far away for me to touch, which is completely unacceptable.

I’m so fucking mopey, I’m annoying myself.

She dips a toe in, testing to see if it’s too hot. Violet has sensitive skin when it comes to hot things, and sometimes my jizz. We’ve decided suicide wings could be the culprit. She lowers a leg in.

I crook a finger. “Come closer.”

She scooches forward until I can reach her ankle. “Is this good?”

I run my hand up the back of her leg to her knee. “Almost.”

Her skin makes that wet, rubbery sound when she slides up a little more. I leave a wet trail as I ease my hand along the inside of her thigh.

She watches my fingers move higher. “What’re you doing, Alex?”

I lick my lips, focused on the place I haven’t been in several days. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

She covers herself with a palm. “I’m supposed to be taking care of you, not the other way around.”

“Have you had an orgasm in the past three days?”

“No.”

“So I should give you one.”

“Or I could do it,” she suggests shyly.

When Violet and I are getting it on, I’m usually the one taking care of things for her. I like being the one to give her orgasms, and she doesn’t seem to have a problem with me taking control in that department. She’s rather vocal about how much she enjoys what I can do for and to her. It’s great for my ego.

But when it comes to touching herself, she gets stage fright. It’s cute. And sexy. Until she’s in the moment, she’s a little reserved about the whole thing, especially if I’m watching. We’re working on it. Well, I’m working on it.

I figure I’m in a good bargaining position. I’ve had a shitty few days. So has she. I’m not sure I can manage actual sex. I’d like to, but every part of my body hurts. So I’m going to use all my leverage to help Violet get more comfortable with me watching her, and then I’m hoping she’ll want to give me a hand in making at least one ache go away.

“Why don’t I get you started?” I offer, walking my fingers up the inside of her thigh.

She scoots closer, like maybe she’s on board with that idea. When I get close to her pussy, she moves her hand aside. I would love to bury my face in there, but my jaw is killing me, so that’s out.

I brush my fingers back and forth over her soft, smooth skin. Her clit is already peeking out, so she whimpers at the contact.

“Does that feel good, baby?” I keep up the tender touch. It drives her crazy, and makes her insanely wet.

“So good,” she whispers.

“You miss me?”

Her eyes lift from where I’m touching her. “So much.”

There’s more in the weight of those words than need. There’s fear.

I get it. I share it. But as far as Violet should be concerned, I’m on the road to recovery. My fears go deeper. There’s a lot more at stake now than bruises and a cracked rib.

I push those thoughts aside, because they take me out of this moment, which I need more than anything else. This I can control: Violet’s response to me, what I do to her, how I make her feel. I circle her clit with a knuckle, slow, teasing. She doesn’t push me to go faster, just holds on to the edge of the tub to keep steady and spreads her legs farther apart.

When she starts to shift her hips, I go lower and ease a single finger inside. Violet moans my name, and it echoes off the tile. She clamps a hand over her mouth to stifle the sound.

It makes me feel like a teenager again. Except as a teenager I didn’t have to make girls be quiet, because I didn’t actually get much of an opportunity to date.

“Did you lock the bedroom door?” I brush the pad of my thumb over her clit.

She sucks in a breath. “I think so.”

“Want me to stop so you can check?” I’m about to withdraw my fingers, but Violet covers my hand with hers.

“Your mom’s washing dishes; she’ll be a while, right?”

“Yeah, probably.”

“I can be quiet.” Violet’s eyes roll up when I curl my finger, and her teeth press into her lip so hard she turns the skin white.

“You sure about that?”

She grips the edge of the tub and reaches out with her foot, her toe catching the door. It closes with a quiet click.

“Okay, we should be good.” She skims my wrist with tentative fingertips, and moans softly when I add a second finger on the next slow thrust.

I’m so hard. The head of my cock is visible, water lapping at it. If I had a free hand I’d stroke it. But that one isn’t working too well, so it’ll have to wait.

The next finger flutter makes Violet cry out. I’m still rubbing her clit with my thumb, and it’s not the easiest thing to do.

“You can help me out if you want.” My voice is all gravel.

Violet’s eyes roll back down, and she gives me a demure smile. “I love helping you out.”

The hand that’s been resting on the base of her throat starts the descent. She pauses at her right boob. Biting her lip, she glances at me, and then down at her perky nipple. It’s hard, because she’s excited. She circles it with a manicured nail. It’s painted red, with a tiny little team logo, and my number is on the next one. A few chips mar the edges, she hasn’t had time to get them redone, because of me being in the hospital.