The Promise of Change - By Rebecca Heflin Page 0,94
soon he pulled away. “Sarah, remember what the doctor said: no rigorous activity—”
“Oh bollucks.”
He raised an eyebrow at her use of British profanity.
“I’m fine.” She reached for his face again, but he grabbed her wrists, stopping her.
“No. I promised Dr. Smithwick you would follow all his orders. I’m keeping that promise.” He stood up, placing her hands primly in her lap. “You must be hungry. What can I get you to eat?”
“There’s only one thing I’m hungry for.”
He only shook his head, smiling at her corny cliché, but chose to ignore its meaning. “Sliced strawberries and mascarpone cheese on toast, with a side of extra-strength Tylenol, it is.”
She groaned in disgust as he left the room. She hated to admit it, but he was probably right. As her pulse slowed down to normal, the throbbing in her head eased. She smiled. She’d give it a couple of days and try again.
“Ugh.”
“What’s wrong?” Alex’s concerned voice came from the kitchen.
“I’m so bored.” Even reading no longer pacified her. She wanted to toss her book across the room, and she’d never felt that way about books. “I’m tired of being cooped up.”
Alex walked into the living room, where she lay propped up on the sofa, wiping his hands on a dishtowel. “You mean you don’t enjoy being cooped up with me?” His face wore a look of mock distress. “I’m hurt.”
“I’d love being cooped up with you if our activities were a little more . . . rigorous.” She hoped her seductive smile was enough to persuade him.
“You only want me for my body.” Another mocking expression.
“Well, not only for your body, but yes, right now, I want your body.”
“You’re exasperating. It’s only been a week since you got home from hospital.”
His voice was placating, but it only served to aggravate her more. “But I’m going stir-crazy. Can’t we at least go for a stroll, nice and easy, nothing hardcore?” Her voice became whiny.
He looked thoughtful for a moment. “If you’re a very good girl and take it easy the rest of today, we’ll go for a walk tomorrow, weather permitting.” He sat next to her on the sofa, wrapping his arm around her. “How’s that sound?”
Like you’re talking to a child, she thought. But she was willing to take anything at this point. “Okay,” her voice going from whiny to petulant.
“Hey, I’ve got an idea! I bet you have your movies lying around here somewhere. We could watch those.” She was excited for the first time in a week, but from his expression, he wasn’t too fond of the idea. “Why not?”
“You really are bored,” he said, a little self-conscious.
“Oh come on. Do you think I haven’t seen them?”
“You have?” He didn’t know why that surprised him.
She could feel the heat in her face when she thought about the circumstances under which she’d watched the movies, over and over again, staying up all night and crying in self-pity. But he didn’t need to know that. “Of course I did,” she said, nonchalant in her response.
“Well . . ?”
It dawned on her that he was waiting for her verdict. She snuggled up to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her hugging her tight.
“Oh Alex, I loved them.” She could feel his body relax. “How could I not? You really are a very talented actor, and you make the most handsome, sexy Jude, Edmund, and Angel in history. Even though I haven’t seen Fitzwilliam Darcy, I can say without reservation you made the most handsome Darcy ever.” She sat back abruptly, startling him. “That’s what I’d really love to see. Do you have that one?”
“I’m sure it’s here somewhere . . . if that’s what you really want . . .”
“Yes. Then I’ll be a good girl, and we can take a walk tomorrow.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Okay, but first I have to run out. Your concussion obviously hasn’t impacted your appetite. We’re out of everything in Sarah’s basic food groups: Chocolate, berries, cheese, and oh yes, chocolate.” He laughed as he walked back into the kitchen.
“What do expect?” she scoffed. “If you take away one pleasure, it must be replaced by another, even if the replacement pales in comparison.”
“You’re incorrigible,” he muttered from the kitchen.
“I heard that.”
He grabbed his keys. “I’ll be back shortly. Try to rest a little while I’m gone.”
She rolled her eyes. Like she could do anything else. “Get some popcorn–for the movie.”