King's Throne(17)

Still good. He might just be healed.
Mitch looked around the small cabin and spotted Gina curled up on the couch across the room in front of the fireplace. She was sound asleep, but she opened her eyes the moment Mitch stood.
And then the world spun.
So maybe he wasn’t completely healed yet. But he was a lot better than the last time he’d woken up. He’d take that and run with it. Well…not exactly run. He’d have to keep it to a careful trot for the time being.
“Good morning.” Gina stretched as she woke up, looking soft as a kitten and just as adorable.
Mitch wanted nothing more than to go over and cuddle with her on that couch, but he couldn’t. Not only was he not up to it physically, but he had to carefully control all the carnal thoughts he’d had about Gina over the past days. Now that he was more clear-headed, he realized he’d let his fantasies go a little too far. Sure, Gina was the most intoxicating woman he’d ever met, but she was also the tiger princess.
Too good for the likes of him. Way too far above his station in life.
He’d be a fool to fall for her. A fool who would live the rest of his life alone because he couldn’t have the woman of his dreams.
“Good morning, milady. Please tell me you didn’t sleep on the couch all night.”
“I didn’t sleep on the couch all night?” She said it like a question as she rose to a sitting position and began to tidy the blanket and pillow she’d used.
And that’s when he knew he’d stolen her bed. He’d thought nothing of the sleeping arrangements in such a small cabin until just that moment. He could only blame it on his fuzzy head and whatever poison he’d been dosed with.
“Damn. I’m sorry. You get the bed tonight. If I’m still here tonight.”
“What does that mean?” She paused, stilling her motions as she looked at him with a concerned expression. “You feel better, right? Your vitals were strong all night. I checked your temperature and pulse every hour and you were okay.”
“I feel a lot better physically, but I’m feeling like a royal heel knowing you’ve been reduced to sleeping on the couch and watching over me all night.” He filed away the realization that he hadn’t woken up when she’d checked him every hour. Normally, Mitch had much sharper reflexes. The slightest noise out on the street would wake him instantly. He was always on alert. And yet, somehow, Gina had touched him and he hadn’t woken up once.
“I’ve slept in a lot of worse places than this comfy couch,” she assured him, standing and continuing to fold the blanket. “And taking care of people is my job.”
He had to give her that point, but he didn’t have to like it. It rankled that he’d been so inconsiderate of her comfort, but he’d make it up to her. He promised himself he would. Somehow.
“Regardless, tonight we switch places.” He rubbed a hand over his hair and realized how grungy he felt. He probably smelled pretty bad too. “I need a shower.” He’d used the bathroom a few times, so he knew there was a fully equipped, if small, shower.
“I’m way ahead of you. Dad stopped by earlier this morning and dropped off some clean clothes for you.”
Damn. Not only had he not woken when she’d checked on him every hour last night, but he’d slept through the king’s visit to the cabin entirely. He was really slipping.
“What time is it? I’m all turned around.”
“It’s almost noon.”
Mitch was a little shocked. “I lost more than a few hours in there somewhere.”
“Yeah, I know you were sleeping really deeply, but it appeared to be a normal sleep and you were doing a lot better than you have been previously, so I concluded that your body was working through the remnants of the poison. If I’m right, you’re out of the woods. I’m still ordering bed rest with maybe a little gentle exercise later today if you’re still feeling good.”
“I’d love to go for a prowl.” He knew running was beyond him at this point.
“It’s just possible that could be arranged, but only if you’re still in good shape later. For now, I think the shower is a good idea, as long as you’re steady enough on your feet. Can you stand on your own?” She had walked toward him until she stood in front of where he still sat, his hands grasping the edges of the mattress.
He’d be damned if he was going to continue to coddle his weakness. Mitch gathered himself and pushed to his feet. Only a moment of disorientation hit him, but it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Still, Gina reached out and placed one soft hand on his chest and one around his shoulder.