ARRANGED (Book 1) ✔

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE.

ONE WEEK LATER

(Lea's Pov)

"Eric! You do realize I can walk?" I giggled as he carried me into the house, bridal style. 

"I know, but I don't care." He smugly replied. I grinned, shaking my head at him, letting him do as he pleased. 

It had been a week since my unfortunate accident. All I remember about that night, is seeing the flames take over the kitchen before I blacked out. I don't remember feeling of the fire brushing against my arms and legs - but it did.

When I was finally able to shower in the hospital, I found light burns going down my arms and legs. I cried to myself a little, but Eric was there to wipe them away. He washed me that day, gently cleansing my skin with his touch.

"Don't cry, Angel. These burns are just here to remind you of your strength." 

He had whispered in my ear. And oddly, it helped me. I no longer cried. Instead, I would only think back to his words.

I snapped out of my thoughts when Eric placed me down on the leather sofa, a smile growing onto my lips. Ever since that night, he had been much more caring, more than before. He was extra cautious to my well being. Possessive...if you could call it that.

It didn't annoy me or get on my nerves at all. Instead, it made my heart flutter and made me smile.

"Welcome back home." He grinned, flopping down beside me. I chuckled, sitting up on the sofa.

"Thank you. It's glad to be back." I told him.

"It's glad to have you back." I heard him whisper and my heart fluttered. I suddenly remembered the kitchen and a frown grew onto my lips.

"What's wrong?" He asked in concern.

"T-The kitchen..." I trailed off, my eyes searching his face for a reaction of some sort.

"It's been taken care of. The past week, I've had it redone." He told me, his hands reaching out to hold mine. I absentmindedly smiled at his gesture, relaxing a little.

"I-I'm sorry, Eric. I-I don't know how it all -"

"- Stop that, Lea, okay? We've already talked about this. It wasn't your fault, we don't know what happened. Maybe it was just a stove left on there happened to be something near it, which spread the fire - but we don't know. Don't apologize, Angel." He silenced me, leaning forward and kissing me gently.

"You're right," I nodded, clearing my throat.

"Good. Now, I'm going to go and take a shower, I smell of the hospital. Stay here and relax, remember what the doc said?" He said, pecking my lips once more, before standing up.

"But I want to shower, too." I mumbled, standing up. He arched a brow in amusement, making me blush. He was so handsome.

"Do you now?" His voice fell low and he slowly inched towards me. I stood my ground, nodding at him.

"Well, my shower is big enough to fit two." He shrugged and in one swift movement, picked me off my feet and into his arms.

"I can walk you know." I sighed.

"And I know, but I don't care."

---

He wrapped the towel around me, picking me up and heading into his bedroom.

"Wait here." He whispered, placing me down on his bed. I watched him head back into the bathroom, a towel hanging around his waist. I shivered to myself, trying to snuggle into the towel and get as much protection from the cold air.