“Thank you for paying the hospital bill,” she said. “But I can’t accept your money.”
That green gaze at last moved...and locked on her. His blank mask was firmly in place. “You refused to see me. Why?”
She racked her brain for the proper response. Her reason had been a good one—Jessie Kay wanted him, and being around him only made Brook Lynn ache for what she couldn’t have. She refused to lie, but at the same time she had to protect her emotions.
“I’m choosing not to answer you,” she finally said.
“Are you afraid of me?”
“Define afraid,” she said.
He didn’t speak for a long while, and she began to squirm on the bed. Fought the urge to babble. Yes, I’m afraid of you. Of what you make me feel. Of what would happen if ever I fell for you.
“You don’t have a choice about the money,” he said. How like him. He’d ignored her request and changed the subject. “It’s already done.”
“I know, but I will pay you back.”
“And I won’t accept.”
They’d see about that.
“Tell me about your ears,” he said.
Suddenly self-conscious, she shifted on the bed. “Without the implants, I hear everyday noises at a higher volume than other people.”
“What caused it?”
“I was born that way.”
“So you’ve suffered all your life?”
“I used to wear earmuffs. They helped. And I realize I’ve missed two days of work,” she said, changing tracks, “but you don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of your list tomorrow.”
He was shaking his head before she could finish. “No. You’ll be resting.”
He was going to treat her like an invalid, wasn’t he? “Are you planning to fire me?”
He flinched, as though horrified by the thought. “No.”
“Then I’m going to do my job.”
“Then I’m firing you,” he said simply.
She sat up, grabbed him by the shirt collar and yanked him closer to her. As strong as he was, he could have resisted, and she wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it. She leaned toward him until they were almost nose to nose.
“Now you listen to me, Jase Hollister. My ears are messed up and unless there are extreme advances in medicine they will always be that way. Some days, like today, I’m totally deaf. Other days I can hear just fine. I have little machines attached inside and out, and sometimes they have flashing lights. People stare.”
His gaze dropped to her lips, and she shivered, almost losing her nerve to continue.
“But that’s it,” she said. “That’s the extent of my problem. I’ll heal from this newest surgery, and I will work. I will do a good job. You will not baby me. Do you understand?”
His eyes narrowed to tiny slits as he plucked her fingers from his shirt. Something about him...as if the icy husk he surrounded himself with was now melting before her eyes. Cold-blooded? Oh, no. This man suddenly burned.
But when next he spoke, his tone gave nothing away. “You’re saying I should treat you like a normal, healthy woman?”
Should I be nervous? “Yes. Because that’s exactly what I am.”
“Okay, then. That’s exactly what I’ll do.” He let her go and straightened. He smoothed his clothes, gave her one last lingering look and strode from the room—leaving her trembling...and desperate for their next interaction.
Despite his words—and his actions—something had changed in him. Between them. That look...
What would he do when she showed up for work tomorrow?
She could hardly wait to find out.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
JASE RETURNED TO the hospital bright and early the next morning, purpose in his every step. He couldn’t stay away a second longer, felt dragged by an invisible chain.
He didn’t pause at the nurses’ station and didn’t care if visiting hours had or hadn’t started. He went directly to Brook Lynn’s room, the private suite he’d ensured she had. The door was open, and she was perched at the side of the bed, looking fresh and clean with cheeks bright pink and her golden hair gleaming around her shoulders. She wore the T-shirt and shorts he’d had delivered for her.
The shirt had come straight from his closet.
The lingering effects of her illness had fallen away, and the sight of her arrested him. She was a beauty like no otherCHAPTER ONE so it was little wonder he’d been on fire for her all night. Or that she’d awoken needs he’d never known he’d had—needs he would never again be able to ignore. To possess utterly, through any means necessary. To consume wholly. Not just anyone, but her. Only her.
When she’d proudly proclaimed herself healthy, he’d almost pulled her flush against him and kissed her. But she’d looked vulnerable and hauntingly fragile, and he’d found the strength to walk away instead. The need to protect her, even from himself, had proved stronger.
Now here she was, on the bed, looking as healthy as she’d claimed.
He shut the door and moved into her line of sight.
She gasped with surprise—and pleasure? “Jase!”
He paused long enough to ask, “How are you feeling?”
Warmth bloomed in her baby blues. “Totally racer ready. Just waiting for my discharge papers.”
“Good.” He closed the distance, cupped the back of her nape and pressed his lips to hers.