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“Tell Sergio to keep hold of Barb in the staff house for now. Last thing she needs is dog paws on her face while she’s resting.”
“Will do.”
He walks out of the room, leaving me to sit and watch her. She looks peaceful. The color’s come back to her cheeks.
When we got her inside, I got her straight into bed, blankets over the top of her, tucked in tight.
Now I know she’s recovering, I find myself thinking about the fact she’s naked. In the boat, I didn’t really think about it. I was too busy trying to get her wrapped up, make sure she wasn’t going to freeze to death.
She almost did.
I could see the light fading from her eyes as they started to close. Luckily, the fear of being spanked got through the hypothermia, kept her awake long enough for her to protest that she wanted me to leave her alone.
Too late for that. She can’t be trusted to be left alone. Look what happens. She tries to escape. She almost dies.
I’ll keep her on a tight leash from now on.
I sit beside the bed, watching her as she breathes slow and steady, stirring slightly, the blankets shifting, revealing a hint of her shoulder.
So strange that it does more for me than seeing her naked in the boat.
I tug the blanket back up and she stirs again, her eyes blinking awake. She turns, fixing her gaze on me. “Where am I?”
“In bed, getting better.”
“What happened?”
“What’s the last thing you remember?”
“You carrying me up to the house and then I’m here. How long was I out?”
“Twenty-four hours, give or take.”
She sticks her arm out, seeing it’s bare. She frowns, glancing down under the covers. “I’m naked. Why am I naked?” She sounds scared.
Given how little say she’s had in anything else, I can understand that, even though it pisses me off.
“Your clothes were soaked. I had to get them off you before you froze to death.”
“And you didn’t think to put some more on me in that time?”
I sit back in my chair. “I didn’t think you’d want me staring at your body any more than was necessary.”
“Well, that’s very noble of you.” She drops her gaze. “I guess.”
“Clothes in the wardrobe. The tailor got a rough idea of your size from some pictures so he’s had a few options brought over. When you feel up to it, have a look, see what fits.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I mean for coming to get me. For rescuing me like that. I thought I was going to die.” A tear leaks down her cheek. I want to stroke it away but I resist, squeezing her hand before I know I’m doing it. I let go quickly. “I’ll go fetch you some clothes.”
I cross to the wardrobe and slide it open. I grab the first things that come to hand. I drop them on the bed by her side. “I’ll let you get dressed. Give me a call when you’re done.”
I walk out of the room, pulling the door closed behind me. I lean back against it. Every fiber of my being wants to go back in, spank the hell out of her for disobeying me.
Not yet, I tell myself, breathing slow and steady, getting a hold of myself. I cross the floor to the nearest bathroom, splashing cold water on my face. I look at myself in the mirror. “Get a grip,” I say out loud. “She almost died. Now is not the time.”
