okay?” I ask, still helping so she makes it out of the tub and onto solid ground without incident. She becomes aware that I’m holding on to her, and tries to pull away. I’m ready to shout. I bend forward and pick her up. “Stop fighting me and let me help you.”
I walk carefully through the doorway and carry her to the living room.
I lower her to rest on the sofa. “Stay here.”
“I’m fine, Jonathan. Really.”
“Yeah whatever. Where do you keep your lounge clothes?”
“What? No, Jonathan. I can get my own clothes and dress myself.”
“Like hell you can. You were unconscious for at least two minutes, and I’m already cutting you some slack by not taking you to an emergency room. You’re not moving from this chair until I say so. Now tell me where to find you some clothes. Unless you’re comfortable staying in just a towel.”
She glares at me like no one has ever talked to her this way. “Last door down the hall,” she concedes. “Look in the large dresser. Bottom drawer.”
I go find some sweat pants and a t-shirt, and take it back to her. “Here you go. You can figure out underwear after you feel better.”
She gives me another evil eye. I walk into her kitchen and pull a bottled water from her fridge.
“Drink this. How’s your head?”
“It’s fine,” she answers, opening the water bottle. She almost downs the entire bottle. “I’m completely fine. Okay, maybe I’m a little embarrassed, but I feel perfectly okay now, Jonathan.”
“Has this happened before?” I ask, sitting in the armchair opposite her.
“No.”
“So why are you brushing this off like it’s nothing?”
“Because it’s—look, it’s my fault, okay. I haven’t eaten. Kara and I were at court all morning, and then out to see you and your father in Long Island. I should have had something when I got back to the office, or before I went out for my run with Sarah.”
“Well at least I don’t have to give you the concussion test. Your memory is fine. You really haven’t eaten for the entire day?”
“Technically, that’s not accurate. I did drink the other half of the coffee I spilled on you this morning.”
I roll my eyes as she pulls the t-shirt over her head and pushes the towel down her torso, taking extra care to make sure I don’t see anything. I stand and turn away so she can get her pants on.
“Haven’t you heard of carrying a protein bar in your purse or leaving a box in your desk?”
She doesn’t answer. She must be embarrassed enough.
“You can turn around now.”
Turning, I see she’s sitting on the sofa again. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Thanks Jonathan. Yes. I’m fine.”
“Okay. Well in any case, it’s settled.”
“What is?”
“We’re not going out anymore.”
“What? Why not?”
“I’m ordering in for you, and then you’re going to sleep.”
“I have a few things to do at the office tonight.”
“You’re not going anywhere tonight, and neither am I.”
“Excuse me?” she says.
Her eyes widen as though she’s shocked I would use such a commanding tone with her. At this point, I don’t give a damn what she thinks. She scared the shit out of me, passing out like that. I’m ready to remind her she’s lucky I was around, but I don’t.
“You heard me. You need food and rest. I’m not leaving until I know you’re all clear—even if I have to sleep on this couch overnight. I hope you like Chinese food.”
She pauses and looks at me, and I get the sense she realizes I’m making perfect sense.
“Yeah, sure. Okay.”
Chapter 10 - Rebecca
E mbarrassment and dizziness —with a generous dash of desire. They pretty much sum up how I feel after catching sight of Jonathan leaning over me in the bathtub. Oh, and I can’t forget, mortified. When I first open my eyes, all I can see are massive shoulders filling up my vision. I barely recognize him.
Thank goodness he says his name, and God bless him for throwing that towel over me, or I’d