Doc hesitated a moment, then said, “He didn’t tell me his reasons, but I know he loved Ethan like a son. And I think maybe he hoped you two would help each other heal.”
I frowned, mulling over his words as he patted my leg and stood. “Take the pills. Get some rest. Don’t try to push it, or you’ll only end up back in bed.”
I huffed out a laugh. “Don’t push it. Right,” I muttered, thinking about how I was all alone in this big house. How I had my father’s practice to handle as well as my own caseload. How could I not push it? I could barely keep up as it was.
“Ethan offered to keep an eye on you and help out with anything.”
I blinked at him a few times, positive I’d misheard. “He did?”
“He’s a good man,” Doc said. “You can trust him.”
I wasn’t sure I could trust anyone, least of all Ethan, but I kept that thought to myself. Instead, I nodded. “What do I owe you?”
He waved a hand through the air. “It’s on the house.” He made it to the door before turning back. “Take it easy.” He glared at me over the top of his glasses. “I mean it, Audrey.”
“Yes, sir.” I mock-saluted him, and he merely shook his head before shuffling down the hall.
My phone chimed with an incoming text.
Unknown Number:I’m going to pick up your prescription. Do you need anything?
Ethan.
Me:I’m good. Thank you again.
I changedhis name in my phone, adding him to my contacts. He said nothing more, and a moment later, I heard the door shut downstairs. I was alone.
I attempted to review the latest research for the Stein case, but my back made it difficult to do anything but lie flat or on my side. Sitting up was out of the question, and I finally gave up on doing much of anything but staring at the ceiling. I needed a distraction—at least until Ethan returned with the pain pills.
I decided to listen to an audiobook—Meghan Hart’s latest release. It was just getting to the good part. The tension was building, the couple had been resisting each other, but they were finally about to give in. I imagined his hand on her thigh, raising her skirt. His touch electric and sensual, his cock…
I was so lost in the story, I didn’t realize Ethan had returned until he filled my doorway. I clutched for my phone, scrambling to pause the audiobook. Meanwhile, the words continued to swirl through the room, making my cheeks burn.
The narrator’s masculine voice seemed suddenly magnified. “He lined himself up with her entrance. She was bare, and he’d never seen such a beautiful—”
Finally, mercifully, I was able to switch it off.
Ethan’s raised brow had me wishing I could hide under the covers. But I steeled myself instead, saying, “Sorry. Work stuff.”
“Thatwas for work?”
I squeezed my eyes shut, my cheeks flaming. I could take on the opposition without blinking. I could stand before a judge and advocate for my client. But when it came to what I wanted in the bedroom… I shook my head.
I considered lying, telling him it was a copyright infringement case, but he spoke first. “Why won’t you just own it?”
My eyes shot open. “Why won’t you just drop it? Were you able to get my prescription?”
“Yep. Here you go.” He set a drugstore bag on the nightstand beside me as well as a bag from Lulu’s Diner.
“Thank you.” I popped open the bottle and gulped one down.
“I’ll be down the hall. Holler if you need anything.”
“Can I— What do I owe you?”
“Nothing,” he said, his back to me, and I tried to ignore the bitter undertone.
When he returned a while later, I paused my audiobook and didn’t blink.
