Rock Me Faster (Licks of Leather #4) - Jenna Jacob Page 0,84
ran out of tears.
“I want to go home,” I whispered. “I need to be on our mountain…need something to take this pain away.”
“I’ll see if I can make that happen, sweetheart.” Bodhi kissed my forehead and sent me a sad smile, then hurried out the door.
Twenty minutes later, Dad returned with a pretty blonde woman wearing a white lab coat and a bright smile. For the last time, I slid on my actress mask and sent her a convincing but inwardly hollow smile.
“I hear you’re ready to leave us.”
“Yes. I’d like to go home.”
“Normally, we’d keep you for twenty-four hours, but your vitals are strong and no hint of fever.”
As she talked to Bodhi about physical therapy, overexertion, fever, and swelling, I slipped inside my head and savored the memories of Ross I’d stored away. They were all I had left now.
It seemed to take forever before a nurse returned with my discharge papers, bottles of pain pills, antibiotics, and some plastic contraption I was supposed to wrap around my arm before taking a shower.
When she handed Dad a bag with my belongings, I realized it was pointless to try and wear my destroyed cocktail dress or heels. Instead, I left the hospital wearing the ugly green gown, a pair of non-skid socks, and a blanket draped around my shoulders—to keep from flashing a full moon to the whole city.
When the taxi pulled to a stop in front of the hotel, Dad helped me out and into the lobby. Since I had no idea what had happened to my purse, crystals, or room key, I gave the clerk my name, Quinn’s name, and my suite number. With a sympathetic smile, she handed me another keycard, and I shuffled to the elevator. I was already wiped out before we entered my suite, so I sat down on the sectional in hopes of regaining some stamina.
“You’re already spent, baby girl. Let’s stay the night and catch a flight home early tomorrow morning.”
I opened my mouth to argue but couldn’t find the energy.
He was right. If we could even get a flight tonight, we wouldn’t be back on the mountain until the wee hours of the morning. I wasn’t in any shape to travel and we both knew it.
“All right.”
“You stay put. I’m gonna run down the hall and pack my suitcase, then I’ll sleep here on the couch tonight in case you need any pain pills or help getting to the bathroom or whatever.”
“Okay.” I leaned my head back and closed my eyes as the door snicked shut.
Though the lure to fall asleep was strong and insistent, I lifted my lids and padded to the bedroom. I still had one working arm. I could toss my own suitcase on the bed and start packing.
When I flipped on the light, I saw a note and several bills nestled on my pillow. Easing onto the side of the bed, I gaped at the three twenties and the three hundred-dollar bills. Then I picked up the paper…
Harmony—In case there’s ever anything you want or need. Ross
Tracing my fingers over the strong, bold letters, I felt my heart breaking all over again. Tears I’d thought were all cried out slid down my cheeks as I pressed the note to my chest.
Lost in misery, I jolted when Bodhi pounded on my door. Wiping my eyes, I shuffled down the hall and pulled it open.
Ross—wearing a furious scowl—didn’t wait for me to invite him in. He simply bent and gently lifted me into his arms before carrying me back to the bedroom.
“What are you doing here?” he thundered as he carefully eased my backside to the mattress. “You had no business checking yourself out of the hospital.”
“Packing to go home,” I said, lifting my chin while struggling to disregard the self-indulgent loss of his heated body.
“Why the rush, princess?”
“You made it very clear there was nothing left for me here. Why in the world would I want to stay? To make myself more miserable? No thank you.”
Ross heaved a heavy sigh and scrubbed a hand over his head, then carefully eased in beside me. “I’m sorry about today. I-I… Fuck.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who messed up and convinced myself that I mattered to you.”
“You do. Too much.”
“Right,” I drawled, quickly clipping the wings of hope aching to take flight within. Reaching beside me, I picked up the money he’d left on my pillow and shoved it in his hand. “Here, I won’t be needing this anymore.”