Ella Awakened Read Online Free Page B

night.  I feel weak.”
    “I just went
to your dorm room and picked up the bag you had packed.  How about we pour you
a bath and let you change clothes?  You need to eat something, and I’ll make
you some more medicine.  Afterwards, if you’re up to it, we can talk for a
little while.”
    “A bath
sounds wonderful.”  When Ella tried to stand her legs gave out and she began to
fall.  Burke caught her just before she hit the floor.  He lifted her back to
the bed.
    “Just sit
tight a minute.  I’ll start the water and be right back.  Your cell phone is
right there on the bedside table.  You should probably text Sarah and your
Aunt.  I already sent Sarah one text, check the history.”
    He left Ella
waiting and went to start the bath water.  She picked up her cell phone, sent a
couple of text messages, and then sat looking around the room.  Her head felt
clearer than it had since he had brought her here.  She still had no idea who
Burke was or what was going on, but last night she had been pretty sure she was
going to die, and he had helped her.  He seemed sincerely concerned about her,
anyway.  She didn’t really see what choice she had but to trust him; at least
for the time being.
    Burke walked
back into the bedroom carrying a fluffy blue plaid bathrobe.  His apparently . 
“Do you think you can undress and put this on by yourself?” he asked.
    “I’ll
manage,” she said sarcastically.
    “Give me a
break, Ella,” he rolled his eyes.  “If I was going to take advantage of you,
don’t you think I’ve had plenty of opportunity?”
    “I guess
you’ve got a point, sorry.  Anyway, I’m all right.  I was just a little dizzy
before.”
    Burke tossed
the robe onto the bed and turned his back towards Ella.  She pulled off her
shirt and bra.  Leaning back on the bed, she squirmed out of her jeans and
panties.  She put on his robe, then quickly folded her dirty clothes, tucking
the bra and panties between her shirt and pants.
    “Okay,” Ella
said.  But before she could stand, he had turned and picked her up.  Leaning
into him, she gave in to the whole prince charming act.  She couldn’t help but
smile to herself as she noticed the rate of his heartbeat against her cheek.
    Once in the
bathroom, he placed her gently on a small bench beside the bathtub.  Ella
gasped as she looked around.  Fortunately he didn’t seem to notice.  “I’ll give
you a minute,” he said and left her sitting alone.
    The light
was turned off, but the bathroom was lit by several candles of differing
heights on a tray on the back of the toilet.  The claw foot tub was filled almost
to the top and colorful aromatic herbs were floating in the water.  Ella had
never smelled anything quite like it.  It was breathtaking.  This guy sure knew
how to charm a girl.  She let the robe fall from her shoulders and cautiously
slid from the bench into the water.  Reaching over, she pulled the shower
curtain half way closed in case Burke came back to check on her.
    Ella closed
her eyes and slid down, letting herself become completely submerged in the
water.  After a few seconds, she slid back up and just lay resting and enjoying
the warmth and aromatherapy.  Burke returned with a cup of tea.  Without
looking at her, he set it on the little bench beside the bathtub.  Then he turned
his back and sat on the floor next to the drawn curtain.
    “The tea will
help with any nausea you have; it will ease your head too.  It’s made from the
same herbs that are floating in the bath water.”
    “I’ve never
smelled anything like it,” Ella replied.  “I could lie here forever just
breathing it in.”
    “You’ve
never smelled anything like it, Ella, because there is nothing like it. 
When your father and I came here, I had some seeds with me.  I have a small
greenhouse out back where I grow the herbs and some other plants from home.”
    “If these
are plants from another world, or planet or whatever you’re saying;