“You know it gets worse before it gets better.”
“I want you to get x-rays.”
“You’re like a mother hen.” And she loved it. When Drake was protective she felt cherished. When her family treated her like this she wanted to scream.
He was like a warm blanket that she wanted to wrap herself in. God, she had it bad. How could she be falling this fast? Was it propinquity, or was she actually falling in love for the first and last time in her life?
He looked over at her while they were at a stop light. “That’s an interesting look on your face, Ms. Eastman. What’s going through your head?”
“We’ve only known each other a few days, Mr. Avery, and it feels like so much longer. You scare me.”
He brought her hand to his lips. “No, I don’t. And that’s what really scares you.”
Damn, how did he manage to get in her head like that?
“The light’s green.”
He grinned at her and started driving again.
“You shouldn’t have taken me to the hospital, Aiden should have.”
“Bullshit.”
She sighed, lost in thought. She’d wanted him to take her. What the hell was wrong with her?
He stopped, and she reached for her door.
“Wrong. You wait for me to open your door for you.”
“Do you always do that for your women?”
“I’m a southern boy. What do you think? Also, let’s be perfectly clear, Karen. I haven’t had a woman I’ve considered mine, at least not before now.”
He got out of the car before she could say anything. He couldn’t possibly be serious. When he reached in and helped her out, she stared at him, stunned.
“You’re going to catch flies.”
“It’s snowing, there aren’t any flies.”
“You’ll catch a snowflake with your mouth open. Actually, I think you’re issuing an invitation.” His eyes darkened. He cupped her face and captured her cold lips in a warm and lush kiss. Soon she didn’t even realize she was in the middle of the hospital parking lot. All she knew is that her heart was racing and heat sizzled through her veins. It wasn’t snowing, she was in the middle of the tropics.
When he started to move away, she grabbed him. “More.”
“We have to go inside, you’re shivering.”
“Of course, I am. It’s not the cold. You pack a wallop, Avery.”
His eyes sparkled like black diamonds.
“Still, we have to get you inside.”
She looked around. Two nurses were staring at them. “Dammit, Avery, we’re kissing at the entrance. You’re dropping me off and kissing me at the entrance!”
“Of course, I am. You didn’t think I was going to make you walk from the parking lot, did you?”
There were people in the lobby who were staring out the window. What the hell? How had she not noticed? God, the man turned her mind to mush.
“Now go in and get warm and check-in while I park the car.”
She stared at him. “Karen? Are you listening to me?”
“Huh?”
“Honey, it’s cold outside, move your ass.”
“Go park the car, jerk.” She turned too fast and gasped. He was right there with his arm around her. She found herself being walked in.
“You can’t leave the SUV there.”
“Fuck it.” He walked with her to the nurse’s station. The nurse looked up with a frown.
“You’re going to have to wait.”
“I’m Chief Petty Officer Avery. This is Ms. Eastman, she’s a school teacher, and she’s in a great deal of pain.” Drake gave the woman an amazing smile. “Is there any way she can lay down?”
The woman melted. Karen did too. “What’s wrong?”
“Yesterday she was a victim of an assault. She should have been taken to the hospital for x-rays of her ribs.”
“Oh, my God. You poor thing. Let me take you back.”
“Let me get you my insurance card at least,” Karen said.
“We’ll take care of that after we get you settled.”
“I’m going with her.”
“Well of course you are.” The nurse smiled.
She got an orderly who brought out a wheelchair and ushered them through the double doors. Soon Karen found herself being seen by a doctor.
“Drake?”
A man about Drake’s age came rushing over and slapped Drake on the back.
“Robert?” Drake asked.
“Oh, my God, it’s good to see you. It’s been years. You’re looking great.” Karen twisted to get a good look at the small man who was smiling up at Drake.
“I need you to hold still,” the woman who was examining her said.
Drake and Robert walked off.