Chapter 11
711 Words
When Nick spoke, his voice was gentle. “I get that it’s weird. I do. But the sofa isn’t very comfortable, and you need to rest. It’s just for a few hours.”
“But – don’t you need to sleep too? I mean, you’ve been up all night…”
“I’ll take the sofa.”
“But you just said it’s not comfortable.”
“Mia. I think that the person who has been drugged and has a head injury and stitches should get the comfy bed, and the person who is totally fine should get the crappy sofa.”
She looked at him and blinked. Then, to his complete surprise, she giggled, a sound so damn adorable that he had to respond. A rare real smile spread across his face, and he felt relief at her resilience.
“Yeah, OK,” she said. “I think you have a valid point.”
“Thank you. Now, come on.”
His bedroom was small and decidedly masculine, with a huge bed and dark wooden furniture. He handed her a long t-shirt.
“Put this on. Call me when you’re ready, OK?”
“Sure.”
Mia undressed slowly, wincing at the pain in her shoulder as she pulled her dress over her head. His t-shirt had a strong, musky scent mixed with something fresh, like citrus. She took a deep breath, and found that she quite liked it.
“OK,” Mia said, raising her voice slightly to reach the next room. “All set.”
He helped her into his bed and pulled the blanket over her. He turned off the light, then left the room for a minute. When he returned, he had a glass of water in his hands.
“Dr. Innis said that you can take a painkiller every eight hours. I think you should take one now. I know it’s two hours early, but it’ll help you sleep. Can you drink that?”
Mia put the small white pill between her lips and drank the cool water. It tasted so good, she drained the glass, and he brought her another, set it on the bedside table. He looked down at her, tucked up safe and small in his bed. She looked exhausted, but she was fighting going to sleep, he could tell.
“Mia, I’m not going to come near you, I promise. You’re safe here. I’m going to have a shower and lie down on the sofa. That’s it. OK?”
She nodded.
“I’ll take tonight off work so you can stay here as long as you need to…”
“Oh, don’t do that. Just kick me out when you have to go.”
“No way. I’m sure The Cave can do without me for one night. You just wake up whenever you want, don’t worry about it. No pressure.”
Her eyelids drifted closed, and she forced them open again.
Nick couldn’t stop himself from reaching out with one massive hand and stroking her cheek, his fingers brushing just under her bruise. “I’m so sorry all this happened to you, Mia.” He dropped his hand. “Sleep now.”
He grabbed a fresh pair of boxer shorts from his dresser, and then turned and looked at her from the doorway. She was already asleep, her breathing deep and regular. He smiled again, liking her being there with him, liking her soft curves all curled up in his bed. He gave her one last, long look, then closed the door halfway.
****
“Nick…”
He stirred on the sofa, turned over.
“Nick…”
He jerked awake, confused, squinted around in the dim light. Why am I in the living room?
Then he heard something in his bedroom. Weak movements. And – sobbing?
Oh, my God. Mia.
Nick shot to his feet and hurried to the bedroom.
“Mia? What’s wrong?”
She was trying to sit up, tears streaming down her face. He sat down on the bed and pulled her into his arms. She was shaking and cold, and it scared him.
“Talk to me, Mia. What’s going on?”
“It hurts. It hurts so much.”
“Your head?”
“Yes.”
- Writer
