Ion comes in and hands me a bowl of food. “Eat. You’ll need your strength.”
My stomach growls at the scent of chili. I spoon some into my mouth. “How did you make this so quickly?”
“You’ve been sitting like that, staring at her, for two hours, my friend.”
I look at the light around the blinds. “She hasn’t moved.”
“Her body needs to heal. It’s normal for a vampire to go into a deep trance when they’ve been seriously hurt or poisoned. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s a good sign. At least her body is doing what it’s supposed to.” He steps to the door. “Sam and Mari are going home to sleep. They’ll be back later. I’m going to check on the child and make sure the boogeyman was picked up without incident. My number is on your kitchen counter. If you need me, call.”
“Thanks.” I set the bowl of chili on the nightstand. “For everything.”
“You should try to sleep as well, Max. You’re strong, but you’re not a vampire. You need rest in order to take care of Tilda.” He steps out of the room.
The front door opens and closes, and Sam’s truck starts and then pulls away.
I lean on the edge of the bed. There’s no color in Tilda’s lips, and her eyelids are dark, almost looking bruised. Reaching forward, I toy with the end of her braid. “I’m sorry I wasn’t faster. I shouldn’t have been so far away. You were brilliant. Olivia wasn’t hurt at all, though I’m sure she was scared.” Hoping she’ll react, I wait. “You’re the bravest person I’ve ever known. That monster was out of a nightmare, but you battered it. I know you would have died to protect the child, but I’m so angry at you for risking your life.”
Lowering my forehead, I let it rest on the mattress. “You probably think I’ve got a lot of nerve being angry when we haven’t even had a proper date. I don’t blame you. It never seemed like the right time to ask. Our night together was a surprise. A really wonderful one, but I had plans to take you out for wine. I bought a few bottles to drink here. I think you’d like my pond out back. Sometimes wild swans like to visit. Maybe when you wake up, you’ll see them.”
Emotions flood me. “You have to wake up, Tilda. Please. You’ll say it’s too soon, but I know how I feel. I’ve loved you from the moment I first saw you. Wake up so I can show you every day how much you mean to me.”
Chapter Nine
TILDA
Everything hurts.
Even my eyelids ache as I try to crack them open. A light source blinds me. “What?” I try to move my head, but the room spins.
“Easy, love. Go slow.” Max’s deep voice eases my panic. He cups my shoulders in his hands.
“Where?” I swallow. “What’s happened?”
“I’m going to turn off the lamp.” His hand moves away from my left shoulder, and with a snick of a switch, the room darkens. “Try opening your eyes.”
A moan escapes me as I try to comply. His handsome face is blurry at first, but then his dark gaze meets mine. In a red-and-white plaid button-down and jeans, he looks ready to trek through the forest. Hair pokes out around his cuffs and at the V in the collar.
“I see you.”
His smile looks weary. “You can’t imagine how good it is to hear your voice and see you move.” He presses a kiss to my forehead.
“Livi?” Another wave of panic hits me as I search for my last memory of the cave and the boogeyman. I try to get up, but everything spins.
Holding me tighter but carefully, Max presses his cheek to mine. His voice is soft in my ear. “Easy. You saved Livi. She’s home with her mom and sister. You’ve been unconscious in my house for a week.”
“I’m sorry.” I don’t know why that’s the first thing I say.
After a short laugh, he kisses my ear. “What could you possibly have to be sorry for?” Easing back, he looks into my eyes.
“I don’t like to be a burden. Why didn’t you send me home?” Scents begin to penetrate my slow senses. Mari, Sam, and others have been here.
With a long breath, he backs up and sits in a chair next to the overly large bed. His shoulders are slumped, and there are dark rings under his eyes. “I needed to take care of you.”
“Have you been awake for a week, Max?” I push myself up against the headboard. Pain, bone deep, sears through me.
“Mari and Ion came every day. I rested when they were here.” He doesn’t look away, but he leans an elbow on the arm of the chair and his head on his hand. “I’m glad you’re awake.”
“How did you get stuck with me?” My instinct is to get up and leave him in peace.
