Hidden Away

Chapter 19

Isabella POV

Hours have gone by and Axel hasn’t returned. He just up and left without a “hey, I’ll be back” or some kind of explanation for his abrupt disappearance. Maybe this is just payback for leaving him with his d**k hanging out at the club. I bury my head into my hands. Touché, mister, touché.

Suddenly I hear footsteps approaching and I immediately straighten up and run my fingers through my hair to make me look somewhat presentable. I have a smile on my face, waiting for the handsome dreamboat to appear in my door, but am sorely disappointed. As soon as I see it’s the nurse who brought me my backpack earlier, my face falters. I quickly recover before she realizes my disappointment.

“Dinner time, Miss St. Claire.” She says to me in a cheery tone. I find it hard not to smile at her sweet voice and thank her. She sets the tray in front of me and turns to leave. My mouth waters at the sight of the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and freshly sautéed green beans. I inhale the delicious food, shamelessly.

As soon as I finish my last bite, Dr. Grey saunters into my room while looking at her clipboard.

“Alright, Isabella, it’s time for your next neuro check.” She says as she pulls a flashlight from her pocket and proceeds to check my symptoms.

“Well, you look good! I don’t see any reason why we won’t be able to discharge you first thing in the morning.” She says with a friendly smile.

“Great! I’ve got finals coming up, so I was hoping I would be out of here in time. By chance, could I get the address for this hospital so my friend can come pick me up as soon as I’m discharged tomorrow?”

She hesitates before answering me,“Oh… Um I believe alp— Axel, I mean, wanted to take you home.”

“Well that’s kind of hard to believe since he’s been gone the entire time.” I tell her with a scoff while crossing my arms over my chest.

“Well have a good night, Isabella, I’ll be back first thing in the morning to discharge you!” She quickly says as she exits, or practically runs, from the room. I sigh and turn back to my text books and notes. At least I can study without any distractions.

I realize from the darkness of my eyes being closed that I must’ve fallen asleep at some point. I start to turn over to my other side, but am stopped by a heavy arm resting on my waist. I slowly realize I don’t have a blanket covering me, but I’m comfortably warm. I open my heavy eyelids then blink them a few times to adjust.

I’m welcomed with the most beautiful sight of Axel’s serene sleeping face. I sigh in content while admiring his handsome features. His glossy black hair was gracefully swept behind him, his full eye brows are furrowed as if he’s thinking really hard about something, he has high cheekbones and a narrow nose. I finally wander my eyes down to his delicious plump lips, I start salivating at the thought of them on mine. I take a deep breath to gain some control on my dirty thoughts when I’m flooded with that amazing scent. It’s HIM!

The smell of petrichor with pine and sandalwood from the bowling alley was him. How did I miss this yesterday? I must’ve been so wrapped up with everything else going on that I didn’t notice. A calm washes over me and suddenly everything feels so right. After this realization I go back to admiring his features when I land on the sexy stubble forming on his chin. I reach over and start rubbing his chin with my hand, feeling the light scratches on my palm while his face starts twitching.

I slowly trail a finger down his neck, over his shoulder, and onto his muscular bicep which is met with intense tingles rippling through me. I look back up to his face and am met with those beautiful chocolate orbs and a heart stopping smile.

“I don’t believe I gave you permission to sleep in the same bed as me.” I taunt him.

“I believe we’re well past such formalities.” He says with a smirk and then winks at me. I refocus on those plump lips of his and can’t contain my eagerness to taste them again. I cup his cheek and slowly raise my lips to meet his. It starts as a chaste kiss, but needing more, I move my hand to the back of his neck forcing him to deepen it. As I feel his tongue invade my mouth, my body is once again wracked with a sensation of fireworks.

I pull back from him and lean my forehead against his, both of us panting to catch our breaths.

“What was that for?” He whispers to me. I blush because I didn’t even know.

“I’m really sorry, but I need to get discharged. I need to go.” He backs away from me with a disappointed look then sighs deeply.

“I’ll go get Dr. Grey.” He says sadly as he rises from the bed. I can’t help but feel guilty for ruining the moment, but I’ve got finals to pass so I can graduate. I quickly get up from my bed and find some clean clothes folded nicely on the chair next to my bed.

I quickly change and by time I’m tying the last knot of my shoelaces, there’s a light knock on the door.

“Come in” I say. Dr. Grey enters with Axel in tow.

“Good morning, Isabella! Let’s get this check over with and I’ll discharge you.” She says with a smile. After a few minutes of her once again checking my symptoms ,”You’re all good, I’ll sign the discharge papers and you can be on your way.”

“Hey Dr, Grey?”

“Yes?”

“I’m just curious… you were initially going to keep me for 24 hours, so how am I leaving this morning and not this afternoon?” She bites her lip as I notice her having an inner battle with herself.

“Sometimes these things just heal faster. Honestly, you woke up quicker than most. I assume it just wasn’t as bad as I thought. I always like to over assume than not enough, it’s better for my patients’ health.” She explains and gives me a wink. I nod in understanding.

Dr. Grey signs my discharge papers and says goodbye. I’m gathering my things when Axel speaks up,” So can I take you home then?” I turn around to see him slumping in the corner.

I smile,” Sure,” he immediately straightens up with a small smile on his face.

I check my phone and see that it’s 7:30 which gives me plenty of time to get home and mentally prepare myself for my finals starting at 10. I sent a quick text to Danny to let her know I was on my way home and to not leave the house without me since I currently don’t have my car.

“You ready?” I look up at Axel and see him standing in the doorway. I nod my head and follow him out. There’s a black Jeep Wrangler parked in a roundabout in front of the entrance that he walks towards, opening the passenger side door for me. I start to notice my surroundings and am not expecting what I see.

Next door to the hospital is a four story Victorian style mansion. It has deep red paneling with gray roof tiles and white accents on the window sills, door and wraparound porch. There are people sitting on a porch swing deep in conversation while children run in and out of the house. I stood there with my mouth hanging open when I noticed two streets branching off from the roundabout and saw rows and rows of cottages of similar style to the mansion. This must be some kind of community.

I snap back to reality when I notice Axel is still patiently waiting at the passenger door for me and I quickly scurry inside of his wrangler. He closes the door for me and runs around to the driver's side. I sit there staring off into space while Axel starts the car and starts to exit the community. As we head out, I see to the left there seems to be a daycare with a playground next to a giant field. My eyes grow wide when I see a bunch of men, and some women, in workout gear exiting the field drenched in sweat. What kind of place is this?