Been There Done That (Leffersbee #1) - Hope Ellis Page 0,92
a little, but it’s helping.”
“You’re pretty tight.” I sensed his position shifting, finger and thumbs delving into the rigid constriction of muscles at the base of my neck. I winced at the odd mingling of pleasure and pain as he kept kneading. I wasn’t sure how much time passed before I felt myself finally relaxing, sinking into the pillow, relinquishing the weight of my limbs.
“Thank you. It feels a lot better.” My voice sounded foreign and far away. Maybe the pain meds were working now.
“Good. You’re relaxed and loose and ready to surrender to the meds now, I think.”
The weight and warmth of his hands disappeared. The mattress dipped and the scent of him left. I stiffened, lifted my head from the pillow. “Nick . . .”
“Yeah?”
I opened my mouth, grateful I was facedown with my expression hidden, as I willed the words to come. Pride and shame warred within me.
“Zora.” I flinched at his sudden nearness, the whisper of his breath along the shell of my ear. The barest touch as he followed the profile of my nose. “You can have whatever you want. All you have to do is ask. You know that, right?” His hand returned, drawing ellipses on my lower back with soothing strokes.
My heart lurched at the words, and the surprising tenderness in his voice. I found the courage to work up the request. “Will you stay? Will you stay here with me?”
His hand paused in its circuit. “I’m not going anywhere. Let’s get you comfortable.”
Together, we rearranged pillows until I was less inclined to saw off the insistent throbbing of my foot. He kept distance between our bodies, but I felt his presence.
And I wanted him. I missed the feel of his body against mine. I wanted to shelter under him, to seek refuge in his strength.
What we had was gone, I knew that. Accepted it.
Don’t be weak, came a hectoring voice from the back of my mind.
I shushed it.
Would it be so wrong, just this once, if I chose to remember what was once precious? To take the good instead of fixating on the bad? To relax into the warmth I so badly needed instead of fighting with confusion? To have one night, one bit of sleep, where my mind wasn’t buzzing incessantly with all the what ifs?
Tomorrow, we could resume our roles. I’d renew my senseless efforts to protect a heart I’d already given away. But for right now, just for tonight . . .
I reached back, my fingers blindly seeking until I encountered his hair-roughened arm. I grasped his forearm, my hand sliding to his palm, then tugged his arm over my waist until he had no choice but to move. He inched forward obligingly, sliding into place until we fit like puzzle pieces. Solid warmth surrounded me. His unique smell invaded my senses. His chin nested in my wild hair.
I didn’t want to let go of his hand.
“I’m here, Zora. I’m not going anywhere. Everything’s okay, baby.” His thumb moved along my knuckles restlessly.
I closed my eyes.
In peace.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Zora
Sir Duke’s unblinking stare woke me. Soulful, wet eyes peered into mine from less than three feet away.
“Good morning, sweet boy.” I nuzzled his head and he pushed into my hand, teaching me how he preferred his pets.
I took a moment to stretch and take stock. Nick had woken me up in the middle of the night to feed me more medication, then wrapped himself back around me like a barnacle before we drifted back to sleep. Under the covers, he was curled around my non-injured side. Even in sleep, his grip around my waist was firm, and his prickly chin rested on my forehead.
The bed, the sheets, had taken on the smell I craved.
It was heaven. The best I’d felt in a long time.
Nick and I were in bed together. We’d cuddled all night long.
Yikes. So much for keeping my distance.
Sir Duke nudged me with his nose, more insistently this time. I didn’t speak fluent dog but I finally deduced he needed to, as my Grandma Leffersbee would have said, “make water.”
Gently, I disengaged from Nick’s hold, hopped over to the pair of crutches leaning against the wall and shrugged on the fancy robe I’d told Leigh I’d never have an opportunity to wear. Sir Duke followed me through the house, then exploded out the back door into my fenced yard like a canon. I lowered myself to the steps to watch this fascinating dog-horse acquaint himself with the new territory.