He struggled to sit up and I wished I'd grabbed a bucket. "Mommy. Mr. Fuzzles. I forgot him at Nicolai's. You have to go get him! I can't sleep without him and he's probably scared that I don't want him anymore because I just left him there!"
"Ssh. Honey. Mr. Fuzzles is in your backpack. I'll grab him as soon as you lie back."
"I'll get Mr. Fuzzles," Jensen said behind me. "It's a stuffed . . . ?"
"Orangutan. The backpack is on the dining room table."
Even in his panicked state, Calder could barely keep his eyes open.
"You want crackers? Or ginger ale for your tummy?"
He shook his head. His entire body sagged with relief when he had Mr. Fuzzles. Crushing him to his chest, he turned and closed his eyes.
I remained there until I knew he'd fallen asleep. I left the door open and headed into the living room. Jensen had been so quiet I suspected he'd left. But there he was, brooding out the sliding glass door. He turned to face me, his expression unreadable.
"He's asleep?"
"Finally." I ran my hand through my hair and didn't know what else to say. I could feel Jensen staring at me.
The least you can do is thank the man.
"So, uh, thanks for sticking around and helping tonight. Especially after Calder got sick on you. If your clothes are ruined I'll replace them, just let me know how much they cost. And how much do I owe you for the-"
"Would you stop?"
I didn't meet his gaze until his shadow fell across me.
"Come here," he said gruffly.
"Jensen, you don't-"
"Shut up and let me hold you. You're shaking." He wrapped me in his arms.
That felt good. He felt good. Solid. Comforting. I closed my eyes and sank into him.
After a bit, I said, "I'm sorry. I doubt you saw the night ending this way."
"I don't assume anything, Rowan."
"Oh." Not what I'd expected.
Maybe you should change your expectations when it comes to this man, since he's exceeded all of them.
"You settled enough to listen to me?"
That caused me to bristle.
His mouth brushed my ear. "Why did that simple question get your back up?"
"Because it's not a simple question. It sounded accusatory."
"Maybe it was. So I'll lay it out. You pissed me off tonight, Coach."
My back went even more rigid.
"I wasn't pissed because your son got sick. I'm pissed that you think so little of me. You assumed because we were interrupted that I'd be mad. That I care about sex-or lack of it-more than your son's well-being and your peace of mind."
I didn't deny it; I had thought that.
"Why did you assume I'd kick you out of my apartment and leave you to deal with everything on your own?"
I tried to squirm away but his hold tightened.
"See? When push comes to shove . . . you shove. If I hadn't been around to help you tonight, I've no doubt you would've done it all yourself."
"How would that have been different than any other night in my life? It's no reflection on you, Jensen, that I'm resistant to accepting help. I've never been in this situation before. Where I'm . . . on a date or hookup or whatever it was and I get a call that my son is sick. I don't date. Because of exactly what happened tonight! Calder getting sick was the universe reminding me I am a single mother and I don't have the luxury of going out and acting as if I don't have a responsibility in the world." I managed to hold it together-just barely.
"So I'm just a hookup? You'd bang me, get it out of your system and assume things would go back to the way they were between us before?" he demanded softly.
"I don't know. I wasn't thinking clearly. It was a whirlwind. A night of fun at a funky bar. And afterward, the way you touched me . . . the way you wanted me. For a little while I got to have the fantasy. So thank you. But this is the reality of who I am."
"You think I don't know that about you?"
"Knowing it and experiencing it are two different things." I kept my gaze aimed at his chest. "Calder comes first for me. Every single time."
"As he should."
"But?"
Jensen nudged my chin up to look into my eyes. "No buts. Your dedication to being there for your son will never be an arguable point for me."
"Then what are we arguing about?"
"Nothing. I had to force you to take my help tonight. All I'm asking is, next time? Don't fight me on it. Save us both the time and wasted energy and accept it."
I blinked at him. "There'll be a next time?"
"Well, if I have any say in it . . . yes."