“Shit, I never paid for a second night,” I realized as I once again sat up to accept the food he held out.
“I already took care of it and paid for the damage to the door.” He hooked a thumb toward the broken deadbolt. “I paid up through tomorrow and figured we could see if you’re up for the drive after that.”
I winced at the very thought of trying to coax my bug through the mountains as I nibbled on a cracker.
“We’ll be in my truck, baby.” He sighed in exasperation, as though reading my mind. “I’ll sort your car later. And I know you love it, but if you’re moving to Bishop, which I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure happens, that car’s got to go. We’ll get you in something better for the weather and mountains.”
“I didn’t bring all my things,” I murmured as his gaze locked sharply on mine. “I didn’t want to assume...”
He leaned in, pressing his forehead to mine. “If you didn’t bring everything, then it wasn’t enough,” he murmured. “But we’ll get home to Bishop, get settled, and then we can go back for the rest, okay?”
“Maybe we should try things out and see how it goes,” I suggested. “We’re still getting to know each other. I might drive you crazy after a few weeks.”
“Not gonna happen.” He didn’t hesitate to reply before pressing a chaste kiss to my lips.
I leaned away quickly. “I don’t want you to catch my germs.”
He chuckled. “I’d say that ship has sailed, ladybug. And I don’t get sick.” He shrugged, seeming completely unconcerned.
“Hopefully not. I wouldn’t wish this shit on anyone.” I groaned, setting aside half the banana and the rest of the crackers, having managed to get down all I could. Suddenly a shower felt like a herculean effort as I snuggled back down into the covers.
“I’m gonna step out, make a few calls. You get some rest,” he murmured gently.
“’Kay,” I sighed, already drifting back into oblivion.
When I woke again, Ruston was gone, and a glance at the clock showed it was nearing dinner time. My stomach growled, a good sign I was on the road to recovery, but nothing was getting between me and a shower.
I swung over the side of the bed, standing on legs as shaky as a newborn fawn. Determined to no longer feel like something that had dragged itself out of a swamp, I made my way to the bathroom, knowing I’d feel one hundred times better once I was clean.
And under the warm spray, my hair shampooed twice and conditioned once, body scrubbed until my skin turned red, I felt something beyond half dead.
“Baby, you didn’t wait for me?” Ruston’s demand had me shrieking in surprise from behind the shower curtain. “You can barely stand.”
“I’m standing just fine,” I huffed. “And if I had to lie in my own filth for one second longer, I’d be asking you to take me around back and shoot me.”
He pulled the curtain back, eyeing me with a raised brow. “Should I take the fact that you’re in full drama mode to mean you’re feeling better?” he drawled as his heated gaze trailed over my naked body.
“I am feeling better,” I agreed. “And I don’t think you’ve yet seen full drama mode.”
He chuckled. “Something to look forward to then. All right, finish up your shower, and I’ll get dinner set up. I ran out to pick a few things up.”
The continued proof that he’d done nothing but take care of me obliterated my remaining ire. “Sounds perfect, thank you.”
He dropped the curtain, and I heard him leave the room.
Motivated by the thought of food, I made quick work of the rest of my shower, drying off and changing into the clean pajamas I’d brought in with me. There was no way I had the energy to blow dry my hair, and I was only slightly horrified that I’d have to let my wild mane air dry.
When I emerged into the room, Ruston had the TV on and a Styrofoam cup of steaming liquid ready for me.
I collapsed into the chair opposite him, taking a grateful sip of the delicious soup he’d bought.
“This is perfect, thank you,” I sighed, forcing myself not to inhale the entire thing in one go.
“You look a lot better,” he observed, relief clear in his tone.
I nodded. “I’m really hoping we can get out of here tomorrow.”
“We’ll stay as long as you need to,” he replied firmly.
