Page 91 of Daybreak

“Yes, I did. Just like you showed me. And I have your extra house key on my key chain. Do you want something else to eat? Ice cream?”

He shook his head. “I’m good. What time do you need to be up tomorrow to get to work from here?”

“I’m working virtually from here, but the office doesn’t open until 8:00 a.m., so I’ll get up about six. If you hear my alarm go off, ignore it. Tomorrow, you do what you need to do at your own pace. There will be food already made in the fridge, and we will heat and eat.”

He frowned. “What? Have you been cooking for me?”

“You had nothing to cook. I ordered in. Don’t fuss. You can’t use your right arm. In the morning, do not get in the shower. You can’t get that road rash wet. Sometime during the day when you feel like it, I’ll help you get in your Jacuzzi. It will probably make all those achy muscles feel better, but I’ll need to wrap your arm at least up to the elbow before the bath to keep it from getting wet.”

He chuckled. “I shall obey, Dr. Dillon.”

“It’s your own fault for thinking you could fly,” she said.

He laughed, then winced. “Have mercy, are they sure my jaw is just bruised?”

“Yes, they’re sure. I saw the X-rays. And your ribs aren’t even cracked, which means you could be a bit of a superman after all.”

He cupped the side of her cheek. “Will you come to bed with me? I’m out of circulation in the sex department, but I love the sound of your breathing when you’re asleep.”

“Do I snore?” she asked.

“Not even a little.”

“That’s not what Travis says about me. He says he can hear me snoring from his room down the hall.”

Gunner just shook his head. “He’s been lying to you all along. He probably lies in bed laughing to himself about the trick he’s played on you all these years.”

She rolled her eyes. “Are all boys like this?”

“Pretty much. We have a really weird sense of humor, and one of the biggest kicks in my family was embarrassing your siblings.”

“Lord… Well, so be it. Feel free to check the security anyway, so you can rest easy. I’ll be here when you get back.”

And she was, wearing nothing but a smile and waiting for him to get settled before she went to bed.

Gunner groaned. “Lord… You are beautiful.”

She shook her head. “And you are so hurt. Lie down, sweetheart. This can wait.”

He eased himself into bed. She adjusted his covers and then circled the bed and got in beside him. When she turned the light out, she heard him sigh.

“We’re taking this bed to Crossroads,” she said and rolled over on her side.

He patted her bare butt. “Yes, we are. Night, darlin’.”

“I’m sleeping with a hero,” she muttered.

“Shut it, girl. I don’t want to laugh again tonight.”

She smiled and closed her eyes. The last thing she remembered was the touch of his hand against her hip.

* * *

Holly wasn’t in bed when Gunner woke up, but he remembered she was working from here and was probably in his office with the door closed.

Then he thought of Frankie Adams. She would either still be at home or on her way to work, and he wanted to talk to her about her sister’s beauty school debt.

He made a quick trip to the bathroom, eyed the black whiskers beginning to show on his face, and thought, Tough shit. So, I look like a pirate for a while. No way am I dragging a razor down the side of that face.