237 Alone Time (1/2)

Finally, Jack started to wade through the water. He took his time until he could almost reach Eliza's back.

”Go on, you know how to use soap, right?”

”Of course I do!” Out of reflex, Jack grabbed the soap after to her taunt. His hands shook as he rubbed the bar and gathered suds around his hands. Just before he touched a bare skin he hesitated.

”Hurry up already.” Eliza then stepped back into Jack's soapy hands, letting them rub against her. ”Is it really so hard?”

Jack said nothing but he finally let his hands move across her back. With the rigid movements, he slowly lathered her shoulders.

”Gently, Jack.”

Her soft voice brought a rush of blood to Jack's face, and he was very glad that she couldn't see him. He did as he was told and loosened his fingers, gliding over her skin until Jack eventually finish washing her back. ”I'm… I'm done.”

”Good, now you can do my hair,” replied Eliza as she held up a small glass bottle to her side. ”Here, use this.”

”O-okay,” stuttered Jack.

His hands became shaky once again, but not quite as much as they were at the beginning. Placing the soap back in her hand Jack took the little bottle, opened it up, and poured some of its liquid into his palm. As he rubbed it into her hair Jack asked, ”Like this?”

”Softly, Jack.”

Following her command, Jack was more careful as he ran his fingers through Eliza's blonde hair.

The soft scent of newly blooming flowers assaulted his nostrils as he found himself getting closer and closer to her. Soon his chest was almost touching her back as he finished with the shampoo. ”T-there you go.”

”Thanks, Jack. Can I have my bottle back now?”

”Of course!” he quickly put it in her dainty fingers, finding it harder and harder to contain himself. ”Is there… Is there anything else you need help with?”

”No…”

Only then did Jack noticed that while he was taking his time, Eliza had already washed the entire front of her body.

”O-okay…” Jack stepped back as he turned to hide his bright red face.

Eliza let out a long and audible sigh as she quickly finished cleaning herself. She got back out of the water and grabbed her towel, still not hiding from Jack. Her steps were extra slow as she walked away. Before she exited through the door, Jack could hear her soft annoyed voice. ”You really are stupid sometimes…”

Once again alone in the bath, the blushing hero didn't know what to do next.

*****

”Where is Daliea?” asked Rydel as he looked around the table.

As if in reply to the call the gray-skinned girl walked out of the courtyard alongside Bowzer. ”Sorry, you can blame him.” Daliea took a seat as Bowzer failed to explain anything and defend himself.

”Thanks, Rydel,” stated Jack. ”Keela, were able to find everything we need?”

”I sure did. Now we have enough fresh food to last us another week.”

Before she could remove the bracer from her arm, Jack held up his hand. ”You keep that for now. You'll need it in case we need you to get anything else.”

”Good, then I'll have her grab some more shampoo,” said Eliza. ”Thanks to someone using too much, now I'm out.”