Free Stern Desire Love Redeemed by Leah Shay

cultures and send them off to the lab.
    "I'll have to start a new intravenous line for your antibiotics," I told Jared.
    "Go ahead," he said, stretching out his left hand.
    "This is going to be tight," I said as I tied the
    tourniquet to his upper arm. My favorite vein, the cephalic, popped up right above his gorgeous, gold, Patek Philippe watch.
    "Do you mind removing your watch?" I asked.
    "I do mind. You'll just have to find another
    vein," he replied curtly.
    "No problem," I said. Then after sticking him in the mid-forearm, I started his antibiotics. Why was he so terse? What was he hiding? Maybe a tattoo?
    "Would you like something for sleep? You need to rest."
    "No, thanks."
    "Fine, you're the patient."
    "You sound upset."
    "Jared, you need to rest so you can get better. You are always on the phone or the computer. Don't you want to get back to your life?"
    "I haven't had a life in six years."
    "A great number of people might beg to differ." I turned toward the door. "We'll talk after you have rested." I left the room.
    Half an hour later I went back to disconnect his antibiotics. Then, unbeknownst to him I gave him the nurse's dose of Benadryl,
    a little more than what was ordered to make sure he slept.
    "Kyra, maybe I should take something for sleep," Jared said.
    "You've already gotten it," I replied.
    He smiled and shook his head. "What did you give me?"
    "Benadryl."
    "We need to talk, Kyra. Promise me you'll wake me up before you leave."
    "I promise. Goodnight."
    "Thank you, Kyra."
    "No problem. Just doing my job."
    "Do I get a good-night kiss?"
    "That's not in my job description. Good night, Mr. Stern.
    "I hate when you do that."
    "I know."
    How many boundaries did I cross in that encounter?
    Before I left at six o'clock, I peeked in on Jared and he was peacefully sleeping. He looked so angelic, I was tempted to caress his lips with mine and I had to remind myself that he was my patient. It was morally wrong and I had to maintain professional boundaries. He had been sleeping for
    about four hours now, the most I have ever seen him sleep. I could not help but wonder why Ella hadn't visited him. But the most pressing question was why he was so discourteous when I asked him to remove his watch in order for me to
    start an intravenous line. So guarded was he, with apparently a great deal to hide.
    I took my phone out and sent him a text.
    My text: Standing next to you right now watching you sleep
    so peacefully. Could not bring myself to wake you. Left early. See you later. - K
    I got home, took a shower, ate, saw Nate off to school. I could not have asked for a more respectful, well-behaved, studious child.
    Everyone he met loved him and it made me so proud to hear the accolades he received from his teachers and friends. He was my only child and I couldn't help but spoil him a little. He loved his games, so when he asked for the latest PS3 game, I went online and ordered it. He would have it when he got home; Aunt
    Maggie was making a run to the store to pick the game up. After completing some research on a paper that I had to write for school, I nestled myself between my comfy Egyptian cotton sheets when my phone chimed.
    Jared's text: You broke your promise.
    My text: Please forgive me.
    Jared's text: I'll have to think about it.
    My text: How was your sleep?
    Jared's text: Very restful. Most I've had in years.
    My text: Good. You needed it. I'm going to bed now. See you later.
    Jared's text: What would you like for dinner tonight?
    My text: Surprise me.
    Jared's text: Seafood?
    My text: My favorite. Why were you so blunt when I asked about the dressing on your hand the night you were admitted, and also last night when I asked you to remove your watch?
    Jared's text: Sorry if I was. It's nothing really. Sweet dreams. Can't wait to see you.
    It's nothing really . That's a load of crap, and I'm not buying. Nobody reacts in such a snappy, cagey manner to nothing. My
    suspicious antennas were up transmitting skeptical