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Matty slapped her palms on her thighs and pushed to her feet. “I’ll let Bax know you’re awake. He’s been a fucking bear downstairs.”
“How long have I been sleeping?”
“About twenty-two hours.”
Almost an entire day! Goodness. How was that possible?
Matty looked me up and down. “You need help getting to the toilet?” The expression she wore made it clear that assisting me was the last thing she wanted to do.
“No, I can manage. Thank you.”
She started toward the door, her boots thudding on the carpets. Then she paused. “I’ve been looking after Baxter for a long time. Don’t hurt him, Miss Kelly. If you do, you’ll have to answer to me—and I won’t go easy on you.”
Without waiting on a response, Matty disappeared into the other room. The outer door opened and closed, and I blew out a long breath of relief. Matty was intimidating and slightly terrifying.
Shoving off the bedclothes, I pushed to my feet. Once my knees were steady, I slowly made my way toward the washroom, which I found behind one of the closed doors in the outer room.
There was a rain bath inside, too, so I decided to soak my sore muscles under the hot spray. It was heavenly.
When I finished, I wrapped myself in Bax’s silk dressing gown and emerged from the washroom. A figure was propped against the wall, frowning at me.
Bax stepped forward and scooped me up in one smooth motion. I wrapped my arms around his neck, not ashamed to admit that I liked his display of strength.
“You should’ve called for help.” He strode toward the bedroom. “Don’t get on your feet again until I know you won’t collapse, yeah?”
I didn’t hate his concern, even though it was misplaced. “I’m fine, Bax.”
“I’ll decide when you’re well enough, widow.”
I pushed my face into the warmth of his throat, not wanting him to see my pleased grin. There was so much upheaval and chaos in my life, but he was here, solid and sure. He was like the bedrock under Manhattan or the steel used to construct the Brooklyn Bridge. I knew we’d just met, but I felt cared for, protected. Like I mattered to him.
“You aren’t a good girl, are you, Belle?”
His earlier words flitted through my mind. He was right. I wasn’t proper and I was tired of pretending otherwise. I almostdiedyesterday. And what did I have to show for my life? Some fancy undergarments that no one ever saw?
Instead, I was waiting around in my big home. Waiting for Papa to notice me and treat me like I was more important than his causes. Waiting for a suitor to take me on boring drives in the park and tedious walks along the avenue. Waiting, waiting, waiting . . . .
But I had the chance to live at this very moment with the most exciting man I’d ever met. Yes, it was temporary, but shouldn’t I grasp every opportunity when it came?
I didn’t want to fight this any longer. I wantedmore.More naughty undergarments, more cuddling. More of Bax’s attention and filthy words. Until we found my father, perhaps I could view this as an adventure.
I wanted, even for a short time, to belong to Billy Baxter.
He bent and placed me on the mattress, but I wasn’t ready to let go. I held onto his neck. “Don’t go.” The word fell easily from my mouth. “Stay with me.”
He unwound my arms from his neck, his face stern as he put distance between himself and the bed. “I’ll sit in the chair.”
“No, please. Lay here with me on the mattress.”
He stared down at me, his gaze piercing my soul. “Why?”
“It’s after sundown.”
“And?”
Was he truly going to make me say it? “You said you were coming for me.”
Something dark flashed in his gaze, like he found the reminder arousing, and my toes curled. Still, he didn’t budge. “You’re hurt. You should rest.”
