Chapter Sixteen
The sky was just beginning to lighten when Cameron woke. Lying for a moment with her eyes closed, she enjoyed the feel of Ian’s body cocooning hers, his warm skin against her own. For the first time in years, she didn’t think of her past, but imagined a future with Ian. When she shifted, his arm tightened around her waist.
“Don’t get up,” he mumbled, kissing her back.
“I’m not going anywhere.” She turned on the small couch to face him.
Propping her head in her hand, she watched him. Over the past five years, she’d missed looking at him, missed the overwhelming love that enveloped her when she studied him unaware. That feeling washed over her now, as he lay beside her, drifting back to sleep. She ran a finger down his cheek and over his jawline.
Without opening his eyes, he murmured, “Why are you staring at me?”
She smiled and kissed him lightly on the forehead. “Because you’re so handsome.”
“Well, there is that,” he smirked, arrogant even in near sleep.
“And I’ve missed looking at you.” She laid her head on the couch next to his and brushed his unruly, dark hair from his face. He opened his eyes and met her gaze. “I’ve missed everything about you,” she confessed, her vision blurring with tears.
He lifted, rolling her to her back to come over her. He kissed her lips firmly. “Don’t cry. I’m here now.”
“Yeah.” She forced a smile. “You’re here now.” But that wouldn’t last, and she’d have to say goodbye to him again. Her heart ached with the knowledge. She’d survived the past five years on anger, hurt and the misguided thoughts he hadn’t really loved her or wanted a life with her. How was she supposed to survive him leaving now, knowing he still loved her?
“I know what you’re thinking.” He held himself above her on his elbows. “You’re already planning my departure.”
“I like to prepare for the inevitable.” She slid her hands to his hips. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t also plan to enjoy you while you’re here.”
He shook his head and dropped his gaze for a moment. “Does that mean you’ll stop pretending it’s best we stay away from each other?”
“I wasn’t pretending. It is better, but I can’t seem to stop myself from wanting to be with you.”
Narrowing his dark brown eyes, he pursed his lips. “So, what you’re saying is you can’t resist me.” He grinned, but she knew him well enough to know that wasn’t what he’d been thinking as he studied her.
“I never could,” she admitted, leaning up to kiss him. It was why she’d left him without saying goodbye. Even after everything she’d thought she knew, if he’d have asked her to stay, she wouldn’t have made it out the door.
He lowered himself until his bare chest was against hers, and the weight of him pressed her into the cushions.
“How long until we have to check on everyone?” he whispered against her neck.
She wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him into her. “We have time.”
* * *
“Doctor. Doctor Ian.”
Cameron’s eyes popped open. The sun had risen, bathing her tiny office in sunlight. But that wasn’t what had awoken her.
“Doctor Ian.”
Esmerelda.The other woman’s voice sounded unusually high, almost frantic.
Oh my God, the baby.
Cameron tensed. Beside her, half covering her naked body, Ian groaned and tightened his hold. Pushing against him, she struggled to rise from the couch. Ian rolled, hitting the cement floor with his bare ass.
“Cam, what the fuck?”
“Esme.” She didn’t know what else to tell him. Her friend needed her. The terror in her voice left no room for further explanation. Throwing on her clothes, Cameron sprinted down the hall to the room Esme shared with her husband and newborn.
Esmeralda stood by her husband’s bed. “Brodie,” the woman cried. “Brodie, I’m here. Look at me.”
As Cameron entered, the woman turned. Her dark eyes were wide. “His eyes are open, but he doesn’t see me. He said my name, but…”
“It’s okay.” Cameron squeezed her friend’s shoulder.
“He’s awake, but…”
Yeah. TV made people believe patients just woke up from sleep, totally oriented and happy to see everyone. Reality was a bit different.
“Wh… Where… Where’s Esmeralda?” Brodie grew quiet.
“Brodie, I’m here.” His wife inched closer to the bed. “I’m right here.”
“Water,” he whispered. “Get in the water.” His eyes drifted closed.
“Brodie.” Esme lunged for him. Levering her body over his, she clutched his shoulders, trying to shake him.
“Esme.” Cameron took hold of her friend’s biceps. “You’re going to hurt yourself. Stop.’
“But he was finally awake. I can’t let him go back to sleep. Oh God, what if he doesn’t wake up this time?”
Cameron’s heart broke for the other woman. Her terror was palpable in the small room.
Ian came to stand next to them. “This is completely normal,” he assured Esme. “He’s had a traumatic injury. He’s been under sedation for several days. It’s expected that he’ll be dazed, foggy for a little longer.” Pausing, he studied her as she processed his words. “Trust me and Cameron to handle Brodie, while you take care of you and the baby.”
“But—”
“No. He woke up. That’s all we hoped for at first. Give the rest time.” Ian’s dark eyes held a wealth of compassion.
“Does this mean he’ll be okay?” Tears filled Esme’s eyes and deepened her voice.
“It means he’s alive,” Cameron answered. “Ian’s right. That’s all we dared hope at first. Give the meds time to leave his system.”
Esme glanced back at her husband with such longing that Cameron’s breath caught in her lungs.
Ian squeezed the other woman’s shoulder. “Meanwhile, I think it would be best if you and the baby waited in another room.”
As if hearing Ian mention him, the baby whimpered from his bassinet. In his sleep, Brodie shifted his head in their direction.
“Baby?” he whispered, mostly to himself. His body tensed. “Vea? Vea, where are you, baby? Papi’s here. Tell me where you are.”
“I think he’s remembering the explosion,” she whispered to Ian, who watched Brodie through narrowed eyes.
“Esme.” Cameron lifted the baby from his bed as she addressed the mother. “Let’s get you and the baby settled somewhere while—”
“No. I need to stay. He’s asking for me.”
“And you’re here, but he doesn’t see you,” she pointed out.
“Oh my God. Is he blind?” Esme started toward the bed again.