"That hurt me more than anything, Christian," I whisper. "Almost as much as you seeing that woman."
He inhales sharply as if I've slapped him and all of a sudden, he looks exhausted. Closing his eyes briefly, he shakes his head, resigned.
"I know." He sighs. "And I'm sorry. More than you know." His eyes are luminous with contrition. "Please, eat. While your soup is still hot." His voice is soft and compelling, and I do as he asks. He breathes a sigh of relief.
"Go on," I whisper, between bites of the illicit fresh white bread roll.
"We didn't know Mia was missing. I thought maybe he was blackmailing you or something. I called you back, but you didn't answer." He scowls. "I left you a message then called Sawyer. Taylor started tracking your cell. I knew you were at the bank, so we headed straight there."
"I don't know how Sawyer found me. Was he tracking my cell, too?"
"The Saab is fitted with a tracking device. All our cars are. By the time we got near the bank, you were already on the move, and we followed. Why are you smiling?"
"On some level I knew you'd be stalking me."
"And that is amusing because?" he asks.
"Jack had instructed me to get rid of my cell. So I borrowed Whelan's cell, and that's the one I threw away. I put mine into one of the duffle bags so you could track your money."
Christian sighs. "Our money, Ana," he says quietly. "Eat."
I wipe my soup bowl with the last of my bread and pop it into my mouth. For the first time in a long while, I feel replete in spite of our conversation.
"Finished."
"Good girl."
There's a knock on the door and Nurse Nora enters once more, carrying a small paper cup. Christian clears away my plate, and starts putting all the items back into the box.
"Pain relief." Nora smiles, showing me the white pill in the paper cup.
"Is this okay to take? You know - with the baby?"
"Yes, Mrs. Grey. It's Lortab - it's fine; it won't affect the baby."
I nod gratefully. My head is pounding. I swallow it down with a sip of water.
"You ought to rest, Mrs. Grey." Nurse Nora looks pointedly at Christian.
He nods.
No! "You're going?" I exclaim, panic setting in. Don't go - we've just started talking!
Christian snorts. "If you think for one moment I'm going to let you out of my sight, Mrs. Grey, you are very much mistaken."
Nora huffs but hovers over me and readjusts my pillows so that I have to lie down.
"Goodnight, Mrs. Grey," she says, and with one last censorious glance at Christian, she leaves.
He raises an eyebrow as she closes the door.
"I don't think Nurse Nora approves of me."
He stands by the bed, looking tired, and in spite of the fact that I want him to stay, I know I should try to persuade him to go home.
"You need rest, too, Christian. Go home. You look exhausted."
"I'm not leaving you. I'll doze in this armchair."
I scowl at him then shift onto my side.
"Sleep with me."
He frowns. "No. I can't."
"Why not?"
"I don't want to hurt you."
"You won't hurt me. Please, Christian."
"You have an IV."
"Christian. Please."
He gazes at me, and I can tell he's tempted.
"Please." I lift up the blankets, inviting him into the bed.
"Fuck it." He slips off his shoes and socks, and gingerly climbs in beside me. Gently, he wraps his arm around me, and I lay my head on his chest. He kisses my hair.
"I don't think Nurse Nora will be very happy with this arrangement," he whispers conspiratorially.
I giggle, then stop as pain lances through my chest.
"Don't make me laugh. It hurts."
"Oh, but I love that sound," he says a little sadly, his voice low.
"I'm sorry, baby, so, so sorry." He kisses my hair again and inhales deeply, and I don't know what he's apologizing for . . . making me laugh? Or the mess we're in? I rest my hand over his heart, and he gently places his hand on mine. We are both silent for a moment.
"Why did you go see that woman?"
"Oh, Ana." He groans. "You want to discuss that now? Can't we drop this? I regret it, okay?"
"I need to know."
"I'll tell you tomorrow," he mutters, irritated. "Oh, and Detective Clark wants to talk to you. Just routine. Now go to sleep."
He kisses my hair. I sigh heavily. I need to know why. At least he says he regrets it. That's something, my subconscious agrees. She's in an agreeable