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His bandaged right arm was propped on a pillow. “It feels like lead, but it doesn’t hurt.”
“It’s full of local anesthetic. As that wears off, the soreness will set in. Tomorrow you’ll be glad you have the pain pills. Next week you can have the stitches removed. Until then, you’re to keep it in a sling, elevate it when you can, and avoid getting it wet.”
“I was covered with blood.”
“I gave you a bed bath.”
“Sorry I missed that.” He grinned, but it was a struggle to keep his eyelids open.
“I also cleaned up your car and the bathroom. They’re spotless.”
“You’re an angel of mercy.”
“Only to a point. I should be downstairs now laundering the towels.”
“Just throw them away.”
“I guessed that’s what you would say, so that’s what I did. Besides, I would rather be up here watching over you.” Tenderly, she combed her fingers through his hair.
He shifted slightly, looking for a more comfortable position. But even that much movement caused him to wince.
“I’m giving you another pill.”
This time he didn’t argue. He was almost asleep again when she pressed a tablet into his mouth, then cradled his head in the crook of her elbow and eased him up. She tilted a glass of water to his lips. He swallowed the pill.
As she was lowering his head back onto the pillow, he resisted, and nuzzled her breasts instead. They felt full and inviting beneath the soft cloth of his T-shirt. His lips closed around a nipple.
“You need to sleep,” she whispered, gently easing him away and back onto the pillow.
He sighed a protest, but his eyes automatically closed. He felt her light kiss on his brow. And something else, too. Opening his eyes again, he saw her tears. Even as he watched, another splashed onto his face.
Remorsefully he said, “Are you crying because of that goddamn report? And because of the way I acted about it? Jesus, Alex, I’m sorry.” And he was. For everything. For the horror of her childhood and adolescence and his sanctimonious reaction to it. “I acted like a bastard.”
She shook her head. “You saved my life. You were hurt because of me. If I hadn’t been there—”
“Shh.” Reaching across his body with his left hand, he touched her cheek. She clasped his hand and clutched it to her chest, bending over it and repeatedly kissing the ridge of knuckles.
“I was so afraid, Hammond.” Her lips moved against his hand. She pressed the back of it to her cheek, which was moist with tears. “You have been so hurt because of me. And you will continue to be hurt.”
He struggled to stay awake because this was important. “Alex… I love you.”
She let go of his hand as though it had burned her. “What?”
“I love—”
“No, you don’t, Hammond,” she exclaimed, softly but adamantly. “Don’t say that. You don’t even know me.”
“I know you.” He closed his eyes for a few precious seconds of rest and tried to work up the energy to say what he wanted to say. “I’ve loved you from…”… from the night I met you. When I saw you across the dance floor, I knew you immediately.
He thought the words, but wasn’t sure whether or not he actually spoke them out loud. Opening his eyes and focusing on her face, he smiled sadly. “Why did it have to be such a fucking mess?”
She licked a tear from the corner of her lips. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t find the words. It must have been as puzzling to her as it was to him that the first time in his life he was truly in love, it couldn’t be more wrong.
He patted the bed on his left side.
She shook her head no. “I could hurt you.”
“Lie down.”
