“No, but I’ve just realized you must have found me naked. You had to carry me in herenaked,” she groaned, avoiding my eyes.
“I covered you up in the bathroom. I didn’t look. I didn’t see a thing. I promise I was the perfect gentleman.”
“That’s not the point,” she muttered. “God, I’m so embarrassed. I need to find something to put on. Oof, my head is banging.”
“Here, sit down. Let me help. What do you need?”
“I’m fine. I just need to find—” I watched as her legs went from under her. Luckily, I was close enough to lunge forward and grab her before she hit the floor, wrapping my arm around her waist.
“Sit the fuck down, Frankie. Now,” I demanded.
She opened her mouth to speak, so I glared at her until she nodded, letting me help her to sit on the edge of the bed.
“You’re going to have to learn that my one job is to keep you safe. Whether that’s from crazy fans, not wearing your seatbelt, or from yourself. Now, sit there and tell me what you need, and do not make me ask again. Do you understand?”
Frankie nodded slowly, rolling her bottom lip between her teeth. I was surprised when my cock twitched in appreciation. Shocked because it hadn’t worked in years. Losing Emma and Alfie made me shut down in every way and not once since then had my body craved someone. Trying to ignore my reaction and not think about what my now semi swollen cock meant, I keep my glare fixed on Frankie.
Looking up at me through her long dark lashes, she suddenly seemed nervous.
I crouched down in front of her, trying not to get too close so I wouldn’t be tempted to reach out and touch her. “Hey, you’re okay. I might bark like a dog sometimes, but it’s done with the best intention. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m a teddy bear, really. My bark is way worse than my bite.”
She nodded. “It’s fine. I’m just not used to people telling me what to do. It feels a little surreal.”
“Well, get used to it because I won’t be sugar coating my words in case I offend you, but I’m only doing what’s in your best interest… what’s going to keep you safe.”
“I kind of like it,” she whispered so quietly that I wasn’t sure I’d even heard her correctly. “My pajamas. I was looking for myPower Rangerpajamas.”
I laughed loudly as I pushed myself up, moving to the closet. “I’m sorry, did you just sayPower Rangers? Like the kid's TV show?”
“Don’t judge me. I like retro pajamas. We all have a thing. This is mine. They’re pink. Can you find them for me?”
“Do you want underwear as well?”
“No. What weirdo wears underwear to bed? I don’t like wearing it during the day, so I’m not wearing it to bed.”
I forced myself to swallow as I realized I would now wonder if she was wearing them every time I saw her. “Okay, kid's TV show sleepwear and no knickers. I’m learning a lot about you tonight, Frankie.”
I ignored her mumbling to herself about how embarrassed she was while I searched until I found them.
“Thank you,” she said as I handed them to her. She slipped the top over her head, so it covered the towel wrapped around her, before leaning down to put on the bottoms, but she groaned with the effort. “Every time I move, I feel like my head might explode.”
“Can I help?”
“No. I mean, thank you for everything, but I don’t want to make you feel any more uncomfortable than I’ve done already.”
“What about I close my eyes? Here.” I knelt before her, taking a moment to take her in. Despite the butterfly stitches, the doctor applied, and bruises across her temple, she looked stunning. Make up free, her long hair now twisted into a messy bun, exposing her face. High cheekbones, kissable lips, honey-colored eyes that drew you in and made you never want to look away.
Frankie sighed, snapping me back to the job at hand.
“Can I?” She nodded and handed me her bottoms. I closed my eyes, feeling for her feet, and slipped her shorts on before pulling them up. Lifting her from the bed, I tugged them over her hips, trying to ignore my fingers brushing her bare ass cheeks.
Once I was done, I tugged the towel from around her. “There, all sorted,” I announced, opening my eyes, and stood, ignoring the sight of her flushed cheeks and incredibly long, toned legs.
“Right, bed. Rest. Can I get you anything?”
“Pizza. And a full fat coke. Not diet or any of that Pepsi crap.”
I laughed at her reply as I helped her get under the sheets. “Okay, and what would madam like on her pizza?”