“Everything I said, I meant. You are mine and I am yours. And that I’m going to take care of you.” He carefully removed the oxygen tube and held a tissue against her nose. “Now blow.”
Sometimes she just didn’t get him. When she cried, he grew all awkward. He nearly panicked. Then he managed to calmly and patiently deal with cleaning up her snotty nose.
That was just weird.
“Blow,” he said firmly.
And the boss was back. She blew, then groaned as it sent pain through her chest.
“You need to rest.” He put the oxygen tubes back in her nose. Gross. Then he threw away the tissue.
She was not feeling at her most attractive right now.
“I’m okay,” she said hoarsely.
He gave her a look. “No, you’re not. But you will be. I’ll see to it. I’m going to see to everything from now on, Maeve. You’re not going to worry about a thing. Understand me?”
“Not really.”
“You need sleep. You’re exhausted. Everything else can wait until you’ve gotten some rest. Go to sleep, girl. I’m watching over you. I won’t let anyone harm you.”
Her body seemed to have a mind of its own, because despite the fact she had a zillion more questions, she found herself drifting off.
Several times in the night, she woke up. Plagued by nightmares or coughing. And he was there. Watching her in the near-dark. A guardian, protecting her from all evil.
And for the first time in a long while, she felt completely safe.
26
Can’t breathe.
The pressure burned in her lungs.
Breathe, Maeve. Breathe.
“Maeve? Maeve, wake up!”
Maeve woke up with a gasp, taking deep, soothing breaths. Where was she? What was going on?
She opened her eyes, looking right up into Gray’s worried face.
“There you are,” he said. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I think so.”
Had she had a nightmare? She wasn’t sure.
“This bed sucks,” she muttered.
“Hospital beds usually do.”
Gray settled back in his chair beside her bed. But he was still staring at her worriedly. His eyes had dark smudges under them, but he’d changed out of his hospital scrubs and put on some clothes. Where had he gotten them from?
Memories rushed back from the night. Of him comforting her every time she’d woken up scared, afraid.
He wasn’t that good at physical comfort. But when he whispered to her that she was safe, then she knew she was.
“Here, drink some water.”