Seducing Lauren(73)
“Need water,” she croaks.
CHAPTER
Eighteen
“Baby?” I lean in close to her face, speaking softly. “Lauren, are you awake?”
She tries to move and scowls. “Fucking hurts.”
“I know. Don’t try to overdo it.” I reach over and press the red call button.
“Can I help you?” a faceless voice asks.
“Lauren is awake. We need the doctor, please.”
“Happened?” Lo opens one eye, trying to focus on me.
“I’ll tell you everything. Just relax for now and rest, beautiful. You’re in the hospital, but you’re going to be okay.” I kiss her forehead and gently caress the hair at her temple. “I’m so relieved to hear your voice.”
“That was quick,” Dr. Black murmurs as he bustles through the door with Dr. Shay on his heels. “Please stand back, Ty.”
The doctors take over, taking vitals, checking her pupils, asking her questions. A nurse stands at the end of the bed taking notes.
Finally, Dr. Black addresses me. “This is very encouraging, Ty.”
“How is she?”
“She’s going to be sore, and we’re going to keep her for a couple more days to watch that head injury, but I think she’s going to be just fine. We’ll do another CT scan tomorrow morning to monitor the fluid on her brain.” He grins down at Lauren and pats her hand. “You’re a very lucky woman, Lauren.”
“Don’t remember anything,” she whispers, and licks her lips.
“She asked for water,” I say.
“I’ll go get her some ice chips,” the nurse offers, and hustles out of the room.
“You’re going to be sleepy for the next day or two because we’re going to keep your pain meds up,” Dr. Shay informs Lauren. “You’re going to be very sore for a few days, so be careful when you try to move around.”
“Ty,” Dr. Black says, “why don’t you step out and make some calls while we remove her catheter and make her comfortable?”
“I don’t want to leave her.” I take her hand in mine.
“’S okay,” Lo whispers. “Call everyone. I’ll be here.”
I kiss her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
I hurry out into the hall and call Jill, then Josh and Zack, informing them that Lo’s awake. By the time I’ve called Cary and Emily, I’m itching to get back into that room to her.
I have things to say before she falls back to sleep.
I knock and wait impatiently for the nurse to open the door for me. Dr. Black is helping Lo back into bed.
“Why is she up?” I rush to her side.
“Had to pee.” She winces as she eases back against the bed. “My ribs hurt like hell.”
“How is your head?” I ask softly.
“Sore. Did I get hit by a truck?”
“No.” I shake my head and press my lips to her forehead.
“Call if you need us. We’ll be in for the next round of meds in about an hour.”
The doctors leave and I drop into the chair beside Lo’s bed, watching her carefully. “God, baby, I’m so happy that you’re awake.”
“What happened? All I remember is e-mailing my editor, and then waking up here.”
“Maybe we should have this conversation after you’ve had time to recover a bit more.” I don’t want to upset her and make her hurt any worse than she already does.
“Just tell me.” She raises her hand to cup my face. I feel tears in my eyes as I turn my face and press a kiss to her palm.
“Jack came to your house two mornings ago.”
Her eyes register confusion as she watches me. “Two days?”
“You’ve been asleep for a few days, letting your body heal.” I kiss her hand again. “Jack hurt you, sweetness.”
She frowns and closes her eyes, then they open quickly, wide, and she stares at me in shock. “He destroyed my office.”
I nod, waiting as it all comes back to her.
“He hit me.” Her breath catches and she winces. “He was pissed because he found out about the books. How did he find out?”
“I don’t know. I suspect he was the one who had been in the house while you were gone.”
“He was going to kill me,” she whispers, and a tear falls as the events of that morning play through her head. “He was drunk, and he had a knife.”
I feel physically ill with the need to go after him and hurt him, but suddenly, she blanches and tries to sit up, reaching for the call button. “I need a nurse.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I need to ask them something.”
“Lauren, stop, you’re just going to hurt yourself.” I settle her against the bed and hold her shoulders in my hands, looking deep into her injured blue eyes. “What is it?”