As Kiras eyes gently fluttered open she could feel the softness of the bed under her. Confused she looked around her wondering what had happened. The room was quiet but a light came from one of the bedside lamps closest to her, and moving her eyes to look at it she could see Craig sitting on one of the plush armchairs asleep. He was still wearing the suit he had been wearing from earlier less the jacket and tie, but now it looked dishevelled and dirty, his hair a mess. His head rested against the high wing backs, but there was not that peaceful look he normally showed in sleep, but a tortured tight look.
As the memories returned she groaned softly remembering falling towards the rocks below. She had thought she was about to die and she had been terrified for the fraction of a second she had taken to reach the ground before blissful blackness had taken her
“Craig” she whispered feeling her mouth dry
Her voice had brought him quickly round and he had leapt forward
“Kira…..Oh thank God” he said his voice pained and heavy
“I thought you were…..” he stopped himself looking deeply into her confused eyes
“How are you feeling” he said softly lifting her hand into his own. Looking at him she was surprised to see how pale he was. There were deep black lines around his eyes making him look 10 years older
“Are you OK” she asked with worry in her voice as he had laughed softly at her concern for him.
“I am now that you’re awake” he said gently
“You gave me quite a fright….I thought when I saw you that…..” again his voice faltered
“I tripped” she said remembering the details
“I know” he replied softly “I found your water bottle on the path”
She began to try to sit up but fell back against the bed as the dizziness had suddenly hit her
“Lie still. Docs orders” he said gently
“Did I break anything” she asked ruefully, not feeling any real areas of pain
“Not that we can tell” came back the answer
Hearing his tortured groan her eyes flew back to him
“God Kira another few feet either way and you would have been in the rocks. It was a miracle that you landed on the sand……..saved your life. I should have been with you. I should never have left you alone. I’m so sorry”
She could see the emotion in his eyes as he spoke, the look of fear deep within them.
She reached out her hand to softly touch his cheek, wanting to comfort him.
“Guess I’m just lucky” she joked softly
“Get to come away for an all expenses paid luxury holiday … and still miss the rocks”
He laughed gently holding her open hand so that he could kiss the palm.
“What time is it” she asked
“About 2 in the morning………you’ve been unconscious for a while. I was getting really worried about you” he said raggedly
“Oh” was all that she could manage
“Doctor said you might have one hell of a headache…….but he can’t see any other damage”
Kira smiled her eyes starting to flutter slowly closed. With a little giggle she weakly joked
“Is this how all the girls fall for you Craig” making his lips twitch with a soft smile, wondering at her ability to laugh even now
Craig stood, leaning over to gently kiss her forehead.
“Get some sleep sweetheart” he whispered this time the sweetheart spoken gently and not with its usual dripping of sarcasm.
Quickly her eyes had flown open
“Where are you going” she asked
“I’ll give you peace and let you sleep” he said softly “I’ll go to my own room”
Suddenly there were tears in her eyes as she reached out for him
“No, please don’t leave me” she whispered, her heart crying out for him “don’t ever leave me” she had added so quietly that he had not been able to hear it
Kicking off his shoes he lay down beside her on top of the covers watching her. He saw the panic leave her eyes as he lay on the pillows beside her, seeing her eyes slowly closing while her hand held his tightly. He watched as her features had become serene and completely relaxed as she fell into a deep sleep. After a while sleep took him too as he watched her breathing slowly her long lashes sweeping along her pale skin and her beautiful mouth slightly parted. He felt such strange sensations at the realisation that he had so nearly lost her forever and he had shuddered.
As her eyes opened she could feel her head pounding. Groaning slightly she felt Craig moving beside her.
“Kira ….. You OK” his soft voice spoke as he pulled himself onto his elbow to look worriedly down on her