Jason answered the call on the first ring, and Gray filled him in on what was happening. Jason promised that he’d let Claire know, and that they would be at the hospital as soon as possible. Gray also called his brother Nick who was due to arrive in town at any moment. He’d made no secret of his feelings for Suzy to Nick, hell everyone knew how he felt about her but her. She knew of course that he was attracted to her, and she fought that attraction at every corner.
“Hey Nick,” Gray began as his brother’s voice came onto the line, “just wanted to let you know what was going on. Suzy had an accident, and we are at the hospital.”
“Oh shit, you didn’t get your chance to sleep with her finally and give her a heart attack or something did you?”
“Funny, smart ass, no she fell and is having tests right now.”
Gray heard Nick take a deep breath, and then all joking was gone from his voice. “Man, I’m sorry. Is she ok?”
“I don’t really know anything yet. She took a pretty ugly fall though.” Gray gave Nick a brief rundown of what had happened, and even though he assured him that it wasn’t necessary, Nick insisted on getting the name of the hospital and told Gray he was only minutes out of town and would come there first. Gray was glad for all the support he could get at this point.
Finally, after what seemed like years, a different nurse came out and told him that Suzy was finished and was on her way back to her room. Gray rushed back, not wanting her to think he’d left her. When he entered the room, Suzy’s eyes locked on him, and she held her hand out.
Gray took her hand and pulled the seat up beside her. The nurse told him that they were just waiting for the results and that the doctor would be back in as soon as she had them. Gray leaned over the bed and brushed a kiss on Suzy’s forehead and asked, “How are you, baby?”
“Besides feeling like I’ve been beat with a baseball bat, I’m just great. You sure know how to show a girl a good time, cowboy.”
“Hey, I aim to please. I wanted to give you the most memorable night you have ever had, and I think I succeeded, right?”
“Oh yeah, I’m not likely to forget this. I want to make it known right now, though, that all my clingy behavior here is totally due to my accident so don’t get any ideas. We aren’t dating or anything.”
“Duly noted. As soon as you’re healed, I’ll sex you up, just as we planned.”
Suzy choked on a laugh, grabbing her ribs as if it hurt her. “Ugh, no jokes, laughing is torture right now.”
Just as Gray was getting ready to go find the nurse for pain medication, Dr. Mills walked in. “Got your results here, Ms. Denton, and as suspected you have broken your right ankle. We will get a soft cast on your ankle tonight and then have the hard cast put on within a few days. As for the pain you’re having in your ribs, there is no sign of any broken bones which is very good. I suspect that you have bruised your ribs which can be very painful as well. There was no indication of anything abnormal on the CT of your head and due to the level of your alertness, I will allow pain medication. I assume that your fiancé will be on hand to care for you?”
“You assume right, Dr. Mills. I’ll make sure that my fiancé is completely taken care of, rest assured. Will you be admitting her to the hospital?”
“Yes, she’ll be admitted tonight for observation due to the head injury and could possibly be released as early as tomorrow depending on how she’s doing. I’m going to start the process of having Ms. Denton admitted. How’s your pain level?”
Before Suzy could speak, Gray said, “She’s hurting, please give her something.”
“I’ll send the nurse right in with pain medication. Ms. Denton, I’ll see you in the morning when I make my rounds. Please have the nurse on duty page me if you have any concerns.”
Soon the nurse returned with the promised medication and Suzy was resting comfortably, her fingers curled tightly around his. A light knock sounded at the door and Claire stuck her head around it. “Oh, Gray, thank goodness, I just couldn’t wait another moment. I finally played the pregnancy card, and rolled out some tears so the nurse would agree to let me come back. “How is she?”
“She has a broken ankle, and is just really banged up. They have her pretty heavily medicated right now so she’s comfortable I believe. The doctor wants to keep her overnight for observation.”
Claire’s hand flew to her mouth and the tears this time were real. “Oh no! Poor Suz, she must have been so scared. I’m glad you were there with her. No matter how she protests, I know she cares about you. Her sister Beth is in the waiting room going crazy and your brother just got here as well.” Walking over, Claire silently leaned over and kissed Suzy on the cheek and Gray heard her whisper, “I love you, my friend.”
I’m going to walk back to the waiting room and let everyone know what is going on. Beth and I’ll go buy some personal items for Suzy, a gown and some toiletries that she might need. Can I get anything for you Gray?”
Looking at Claire with gratitude, Gray said, “If Jason or Nick could loan me a change of clothing I’d appreciate it. After sleeping in these all night, they won’t be too great in the morning.”
“Of course, don’t worry about a thing Gray; we will get you both everything you will need. As soon as they move her to a room, please give Jason a call so that at least Beth can come back for a brief visit.”
Claire walked over and gave his shoulder a quick squeeze, “She’ll be fine, there is no way she’d be caught in that horrid hospital gown for any longer than necessary, trust me,” Claire joked. Giving his shoulder one last squeeze, Claire went out the door and back to the waiting room.
Soon a nurse arrived and informed Gray that Suzy’s room was ready, and he walked alongside the gurney as she was transferred to another floor and a room with more privacy. As soon as she was settled and the nurse was gone, Gray called Nick and let him know what room number they were in.
Within moments, the door opened quietly and Nick and a woman he didn’t recognize came in. Gray assumed that this must be Suzy’s sister even though they didn’t resemble each other at first glance. Nick walked over to his side as her sister approached the hospital bed. Leaning down, she picked up Suzy’s other hand and said, “Suzy-Q is there nothing you won’t do for some attention?”
Gray was shocked at the comment and was opening his mouth to defend Suzy when her sister continued on in a voice obviously laced with affection and concern.
“I leave you on your own and look where you end up. You’re in a hospital surrounded by hunky doctors and also have a hunky man sitting vigil at your bed. The thing I hate the most, though, is that even after wiping up the pavement with your body, you still look like a million bucks. That’s so unfair, sister dear. I guess you’re too high on the good stuff to answer me, right?”
Finally, Gray found his voice and asked, “I take it you’re Beth, her sister?
Turning to face him as if she’d forgotten him for the moment, a shy smile settled on her lips, and she said, “Ye…Yes, I’m Beth.” Oh good grief, I’m stuck in this tiny room with two of the best-looking men I’ve ever seen in my life, and this outfit makes me look like a cow. Beth tried to discreetly smooth the dress down that she was wearing, terrified that it was riding up in the back and stuck to her butt.
Gray took a moment to study Suzy’s sister. Now that she was standing closer, he could see the resemblance. Suzy had red hair, and Beth had dark brown hair but their eyes were the same and the curve of their face very similar. Whereas Suzy was stop-traffic beautiful with her bold dressing and smoldering sexuality, Beth was more of a quiet beauty. Her dress was conservative, and unlike her sister, she obviously didn’t want or seek to be the center of attention. She was someone you would want to nurture and protect. Suzy was someone you would want to arm wrestle after a hot night of sex unless you took the time to know the woman behind the façade.
Gray released Suzy’s hand and walked over to Beth, “I’m Gray Merimon and it looks like you’ve met my brother Nick.” Beth shook the hand that he offered and turned back to her sister. “You must want some time alone with your sister. Nick and I will walk down for a cup of coffee so you can have some privacy. Can we bring you something back?”
“Oh, no, no thank you.” Giving him a grateful look, Beth slid into the seat he’d vacated, clearly relieved that they were leaving.
Chapter Five
“How’re you doing, bro?”
“Better, now that I know Suzy will be ok. Did you get me a new cell phone?”
“Oh yeah, got it right here.” Nick reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a sleek black cell phone. “How often are you going to change phones before you admit you have a problem?”
“I can handle it, Nick, just let it go.”
Nick gave him a disgusted look and said, “You haven’t thought this out, bro. You’re going to be here playing house with Suzy now and what happens when she finds out? You need to go ahead and tell her and then deal with it. Trying to ignore it hasn’t worked too well.”
Gray ran his hand through his hair and expelled a deep breath. Fatigue edged the corners of his mouth as he looked at his brother. Gone was the cocky grin that Nick usually wore, in its place was a look of concern.
“Nick, this is a first for me, and I don’t know what the hell to do. I just kept hoping she’d get the message without this getting ugly. I can’t figure out how she keeps getting my new number. I hate to think it, but someone within Mericom has to be leaking my personal information, and right now that’s our starting point. See if you can find a connection.
Gray lowered his voice and said quietly, “Nick, you know how I feel about Suzy. This could not have come at a worse time. She’s been hurt before, and I’m afraid this would cause her to run and never look back. I need your help to get this taken care of before she finds out about it. I’m so close to getting through to her, and I won’t let some nut job take that away.”
Nick clasped a hand on his shoulder and said, “You can count on me, bro. I’ll get right on it. None of this is your fault, so there is nothing for you to feel guilty about. With a smile of mischief, Nick added, “It’s just the curse of the good-looking Merimon Brothers, it drives some women a little crazy.”
Nick left to get checked into a hotel, and Gray made his way back to Suzy’s room. He was surprised and pleased to see that she was awake and talking to Beth. Gray walked over to the bedside and was relieved to see the color was back in her face. Beth had also helped her change into a gown that was much more…Suzy. The woman did like the leopard skin.
~~~
Suzy felt her heart skip a beat as Gray walked in the door. Here she was lying in a hospital bed in complete disarray, and he looked like he’d just stepped off the pages of GQ Magazine. She felt a little better since changing out of the horrid hospital gown but there was only so much leopard skin could do. Her hair was a mess, her make-up was gone, and she was pretty sure she even smelled. She looked like she’d been rode hard and put up wet.
Suzy cleared her throat and tried to come up with one of her usual smart comments. The fact that it wasn’t coming naturally was out of character. It must be the damn drugs. “Hey slick, sorry about the date disaster and all.”
“Couldn’t be helped, Suzanna. You might want to check into some more sensible shoes though before our next date,” Gray said.
“Yeah, right, I don’t do sensible, you should know that by now,” Suzy sniffed.
Gray walked over and picked her small hand up from the top of the hospital sheet and rubbed his thumb slowly back and forth over the sensitive nerves of her palm. He locked his gaze with hers and lowered his voice to a sexy timber, “Oh, I know you Suzanna, better than you know yourself.”
Beth shifted in place awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with the tension in the room. “Um…Sis, I’m heading home now. Are you sure you don’t want me to call mom and dad?”
Tearing her gaze from Gray’s, Suzy warned, “You better not unless you want me to send them your way next.”
Beth held up her hands in surrender and said, “Ok, ok, but we might actually need their help. How are you going to get to the second-floor of your condo on crutches, and I also live on the second floor.”
“Beth don’t worry about it; Suzy will stay with me,” assured Gray.
“The hell I will,” shouted Suzy. The sudden movement jarred her injured ribs, and pain flooded through her.
Gray saw Suzy’s face pale and pressed the call button for a nurse. He rubbed her arm in a soothing pattern and said, “Baby, calm down. We can talk about all this later.”
A nurse came in and soon Suzy was floating again. As she was drifting away, she wondered when she’d started allowing Gray to call her ‘baby’ and had he always smelled sooo good.
