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My brows raise and my mouth opens and closes, but no sound comes out. A wave of dizziness washes over me as the events of the night spiral inside me, stretching my emotions to the breaking point. “Will, I need…”
He’s already on his feet, moving across the room, opening the door of the mini refrigerator. Hurrying back, he opens the bottle, then sets it on the nightstand. Reaching beneath me, he gently pulls me into a sitting position, then grabs the water, bringing it to my lips.
Once that first sip of cold water hits my tongue, I become ravenous. My only thought isI need more. But he shakes his head slowly. “Irelynn, it won’t do you any good to dump it down your throat.” He tilts it more, the refreshing liquid sliding down my throat, soothing my dry mouth and scratchy throat. He gives me several more sips before he pulls it away, studying me, then moves it back to my lips, letting me have more.
“Wow. You are good at this, like you’ve taken care of a damsel in distress before,” I joke, grateful for his assistance.
But instead of looking pleased, he flinches, pain lighting up his eyes like a spark of static electricity before he cuts them away from me.
That is an odd reaction to the compliment I just gave him. I thought he’d preen over my words.
A light tapping sounds on the door, and William turns, relief evident in his posture. “Come in.”
The door swings open and a very harried looking Emma is framed in the doorway, wringing her hands together. “Oh, Miss Irelynn.” Her hands stop twisting, moving to her heart, as she steps into the room, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m so glad to see you awake and… calmer.” Her gaze moves to William and he nods. She hurries around to the other side of the bed, reaching for my hand and squeezing it. “I was so worried.”
I’m spiraling from her words, images of my breakdown circulating unbidden through my head. I remember that horrible feeling coursing through me that Max was… Closing my eyes, I focus on breathing and not the agony inside my heart. I’m not even sure I have a soul presently. I’m pretty sure it was incinerated when the warehouse exploded and…fuck, I can’t. My head lowers as the pain engulfs me.
“I’m so sorry. I-I-I shouldn’t have said anything.” Her voice is full of contrition, making my eyes snap open and focus on her.
Shaking my head, I give her hand a gentle squeeze. “It’s fine, Emma.”I have to get off this fucking subject right now. I take a deep breath, and on the exhale, I give her a weak smile. “How are you feeling?”
Blinking at me a few times, a slow smile crosses her lips. “I’m feeling a bit better now, dear.” She pats our joined hands. “Thank you for asking.”
Movement draws my attention from her to the strange man standing at the foot of my bed. My brows draw together, and I study his features and demeanor. His attire, consisting of a long white jacket, suggests he is a physician.
“Irelynn, this is Dr. Jackson. He’s here to check you over and make sure you are okay.” William stands, moving to the doctor and shaking his hand. Emma watches them, squeezing my hand gently before she releases me. Stepping away, she heads toward the door. Panic fills me, my lungs constricting.
They aren’t going to leave me alone with this strange doctor, are they?
William pats the doctor’s shoulder, then moves to follow Emma from the room. Instantly, I panic, my body tremoring as sweat pours down my skin, my pajamas sticking uncomfortably to my warm skin.
“Will.” My voice is high pitched as his name tumbles from my mouth. He spins around, meeting my wide eyes. He looks worried as he studies my expression. “Can you stay?”
A slow smile stretches his lips as his gaze slides from mine to the doctor. Dr. Jackson simply nods curtly and moves closer to me. I automatically cringe into the mattress, my back sinking into the plush pillows. William moves toward me, his head briefly turning toward Emma and giving a quick nod, which she understands to mean to close the door behind her.
Moving quickly to the other side of me, William climbs onto the bed, sitting beside me and taking my hand in his. “Everything is gonna be okay, Irelynn. He’s not going to hurt you.”
My heart is racing, feeling as though it’s going to explode out of my chest. I want to flee to the closet and hide from the doctor hovering over me, peering into my face. I have a real fear of the unknown, and this strange doctor being here, examining me for God only knows what is stressing me.
Reacting on pure instinct, I press my body tightly against William, hiding my face against his chest. He’s momentarily stunned; not reacting for a few beats. And then he shakes it off, his arms encircling me, pulling me against his warm torso, his hands stroking my back. Closing my eyes, for one blissful moment, it’s Max’s scent I smell and his fingers that trail lightly over my back, calming my fears. Exhaling, my taut muscles loosen as he continues stroking me.
But it’s William’s voice that penetrates my ears. “You don’t have anything to fear. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
Hot tears prickle my lids, then pour over my skin, scalding it.Oh God, Max. I’m in fucking agony as my hands grip William’s shirt, fisting it as tightly as I can, feeling completely bereft.If he’s really gone, I’ll never recover.
William’s arms tighten around me. As anxiety and panic swirl through me, William’s muffled voice fills my ears. “Just give us a few minutes, please.”
The doctor’s heavy footsteps move away from the bed, growing softer as he moves across the room. He doesn’t say anything else; just simply rocks me in his arms, allowing me to cling to him like a child who has lost their mom.
After a few minutes, I slowly pull back, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. Sniffing, my watery eyes lower to see the box of tissues William has in his hand. My gaze raises to his and I try to smile, but it takes too much effort. Grabbing a couple of tissues, I nod my thanks, wipe my cheeks, then blow my nose. I’m shocked when William plucks my used tissues from me, his concerned eyes roving over my face.
“What…” I stop, clearing my throat. “What is he looking for, exactly?” I nod my head in the doctor’s direction, too scared to look at him.
“He’s just going to make sure you are okay, Irelynn. You…” William pauses, one hand running through his head. “You were hysterical earlier. I… well, I just want to ensure you’re alright.” His words and face are sincere.
I nod. “Okay.”
William studies me thoughtfully before raising his gaze to the doctor, nodding at him.
