Free Dragan's Redemption Book One of the Manor at Echo Lake Trilogy by Kelly Ilebode Page B

refused to give in to her sickness by staying inside.
    Dragan was beside her gently steadying her body before she could collect herself.  Laughing , she tried to pull away.  “You must tell me how you move so fast.  That would be a great skill to have.”
    Not releasing her, he stilled.  Her scent seemed to wrap around him and was intoxicating to his senses .  Amira c ould feel him staring down at her. She actually missed him these past few days while he was at work. Afraid that he would see how much he affected her in her eyes, she stared at the pulse beating in his neck.
    “Did you need something , Dragan?”
    Lifting her chin , he scanned her face noting the red cheeks and glazed eyes.
    “Are you not feeling well , Amira?”
    “Not really.  I think I need to go home now before… .”  
    Unable to complete her sentence before she fainted , Dragan caught her as she fell.  Lifting her up into his arms, he quickly strode to the cottage as Shadow trailed , whining with worry.
    Pushing the door open with this foot, he crossed the threshold while his eyes scann ed the room before striding to her bedroom.
    Dragan was grateful she had left a light on as he gently eased her onto t he bed as if she weighed nothing, then he turned to the bathroom for a moist washcloth.
    Before he reentered the room , he heard her speaking.
    “Shadow!  Please tell me that your hunky owner did not carry me and put me to bed?”  Grinning , he stepped into the room to see her trying to sit up .   He could not ever recall being called a hunk before.
    “Amira, you must lay down for a bit.”
    Embarrassment spread across her face.
    “Really , Dragan, I am fine.”
    “Really , Amira, I am not asking.”  Sitting on the e d ge of her bed, he pushed her shoulders gently forcing her to l ean against the headboard ; picking up the washcloth , he tenderly ran it across her face.  Amira hated to admit it but the coolness did make her head feel better.
    Dragan scanned her face worriedly as she closed her eyes allowing him to administer to her.  She did not look any better to him.  Her paleness was startling - s uch a contrast from several days ago when he had last seen her.
    Taking her wrist between his fingers , he checked her pulse.  Heartbeat seemed weak .  Feeling her head, she felt warm to his touch.
    “Amira , have you eaten anything today.”
    “Yes, of course.  You are so kind to stay with me , but really, I will be fine.  I just need to rest.  I am sure I will feel better in the morning.”
    “I am sure there is no way I could convince you to spend the night at the manor?”
    “Of course not.”  Smiling up at him , her breath caught in her throat.  The man was stunning.
    “You know, you are kind of ruining your reputation.”
    “I ’m sorry?”
    “Well you try coming off as aloof and untouchable with that whole private property thing , but here you are with me, in my bedroom no less, playing nursemaid.”
    Dragan could not figure out if she was trying to be funny or serious.   Choosing to ignore her comment, he wiped her forehead with the washcloth again .   After he finished , she turned onto her side touching his arm.
    “I am teasing you.  I am sorry.”
    Standing , he turned to walk out of the room , and Amira felt really bad.
    “Drag a n!  I was just teasing.”
    Smiling from the doorway, he winked.  “I know, I am just getting you some b lackberry tea and my medical bag f rom the car as I believe y ou have a fever , Amira.”
    “Don’t be silly.”
    “Hang on to that thought.”
    Amira thought of protesting but realizing that he had already left the room, she closed her eyes.  She really did not feel well. 
    Hearing him return , she opened her eyes watching him s ilently as he took out a stethoscope and thermometer from his ba g .
    “I am probably just getting a cold.”
    “Hmm.”
    Pressing the stethoscope to her chest, he listened for a few minutes.  The clock ticking in the hallway seemed to