Part 13 (1/2)
”You can eat as soon as you take this next-to-last dose of antibiotics,” he said.
”You were the annoying voice, weren't you?” she accused, narrowing her eyes.
His smile turned into a grin. ”Guilty.”
”How long have you been here?”
He shook a small, plastic bottle at her. ”Take your meds like a good girl and I'll tell you.”
”I've got your good girl,” she muttered, but she dutifully opened her mouth. Quickly swallowing the vile stuff, she took the gla.s.s of water Austin handed her next and practically gulped it down.
”You're adorable when you're grumpy.” Taking the empty gla.s.s from her, he placed it on the nightstand and sat back in a chair that he had dragged to her bedside.
”I'm not adorable.”
”But you are grumpy.” He crossed his arms over his chest. ”I've been here for two days.”
”Two days?” Her mouth dropped open. ”You've been here with me all that time?”
He shrugged. ”It's no big deal. You'd already gone to the doctor and had your prescription filled, so by the time I figured out you'd lied to me and was able to get a ride over here, you were pa.s.sed out in bed.
”Left your keys in the door, by the way,” he added. ”That's not very safe.”
Belatedly, she realized that not only did she have pajamas on, which consisted of a tank top and a flannel pair of boxer shorts, but that her breath also had to reek as well.
Smacking her hand over her mouth, she said, ”Get out.”
”After nursing you for days on end, you're kicking me out?”
The fact that he'd actually taken care of her when he could have been elsewhere made her uncomfortable... and it also made her soften even more toward him.
”No,” she said, letting her hand fall away as she gentled her tone. ”I need to brush my teeth and shower.”
He made a face. ”You do smell ripe.”
She rolled her eyes.
”Even your freckles are dirty.”
”Seriously?” She pushed the covers back and attempted to get out of bed, but quickly discovered she was as weak as a newborn kitten.
Austin jumped up, helping her stand. ”I got you.”
”You can't wash me.”
”If you let me, I can,” he said, his blue eyes darkening.
How on earth could he be attracted her to right now? ”I like to shower alone.”
”After you shower with me, you won't.” Despite his c.o.c.ky words, he helped her to the bathroom. Once he was satisfied that she wouldn't topple over, he left her alone and she finally able to brush her teeth as well as take care of all her other pressing needs as well.
Funny how all she wanted was for him to be in there with her.
”Need a hand?” he shouted from the bedroom. ”I have two really good ones, or so they say on ESPN.”
A giggle escaped her. ”They just like making your ego puff up.”
”Good thing I have you in my life then.”
Biting her lip, she turned on the water and waited for it to heat up. Once steam began to rise, she stepped inside and began to wash. Slowly. The hot water felt so good that she moaned.
”Stop enjoying your shower without me,” Austin said, his voice sounding much closer.
Jerking the shower curtain back, she checked the bathroom. It was empty, but the door was cracked open. A flash of movement let her know he was there.
”Stop spying on me.”
”I'm only keeping close in case you fall,” he said.
”I won't fall.”
”You could pretend to.”
”I could, but I won't.” But she wanted to. Oh my, she wanted to pretend. She wanted him to come in and strip off his clothes. Watching him would be pure torture until he put his big, capable hands on her body, soaped her up, and- A gasp left her.
”d.a.m.n it, Harper. Stop teasing me.”
”I'm not teasing you.” Except she wanted to. She wanted him. He'd taken care of her for four days, even after she'd sent him away. Even after she lied to him about her mother taking care of her. Austin had still come back.
Maybe he wanted her after all. Maybe their differences didn't matter. Maybe she was being too uptight about the five years between them and how his life in Charlotte was nothing like hers in Jessamine.
If he didn't care that she was only a second grade teacher while he was a famous quarterback, then why should she? Why should she care about what anyone else thought?
New year, new you.
Purposefully, she grabbed a bar of soap and let it slide from her fingers. It fell to the bottom of the tub with a loud thunk.
Austin shoved through the door, panic on his face. ”Are you okay?”
Their eyes met. She pushed the curtain open wider, so he could see all of her as she stood waiting for him.
Licking her lips, she waited for him to say something, but when it became clear he was waiting on her, the only thing she could think to say was, ”I fell down.”
Chapter Nine.
”And,” he prompted, his hands going to the back of his s.h.i.+rt. Slowly, too slowly, he slipped it over his head, revealing hard muscles and colorful tattoos on his arms.