In Bounds

by Bronwyn Green

  “Can I have four?”

  He frowned at her but shook out two more and offered them all to her. She scooped them off his palm and tossed them back with the glass of water he’d gotten for her.

  He winced as he sat next to her.

  “I’m so sorry about your knee.”

  “Not your fault,” he murmured, wrapping the peas in the dish towel.

  “I’m way too heavy for you to have tried to carry.”

  He scowled at her as he caught the back of her head with his hand, splaying his fingers through her hair and massaging her scalp as he gently brought the ice pack to her eye with his other hand. “You weren’t too heavy twelve years ago when I lifted you up and pinned you against the wall. You’re not too heavy now, Ivy.”

  Chapter Two

  Ivy’s gasp of surprise shot along every nerve ending Will possessed to settle in his already aching balls.

  “What?” he asked. “You didn’t think I’d recognize you?”

  She closed the one silvery gray eye he could see, and a flush crept up her chest over her neck to her cheeks.

  “Ivy!” his sister called as she ran into the cottage, followed by the heavier footsteps of her husband.

  “Where are you?” Caleb demanded as Charlotte asked, “Are you all right?”

  Ivy cleared her throat. “Back here.” She opened her eye and moved to take the peas from him, but Will wasn’t giving them up. Nor was he giving up his hold on her head—not unless she really wanted him to. And that was a discussion that would have to wait.

  Charlotte shot Will a look, eyebrows raised and head tilted to the side as her gaze traveled over where his fingers were buried in her friend’s hair. “What happened?”

  Will frowned at her. “Your hellion daughter didn’t want to do her lesson.”

  Caleb squatted down in front of Ivy. “Let’s see it.”

  “To be fair,” Ivy said. “Your brother suggested, in front of Phoebe, that she could maybe put off her lesson for a bit. To play soccer.”

  Caleb opened his mouth, but Ivy beat him to it.

  “Football. Sportsball. Whatever.”

  “Really, Wills?” Charlotte glared at him. “It’s hard enough to keep this child focused, and you had to dangle that in front of her?”

  “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

  “Well, it is. It’s a very big deal.”

  “Back to what’s most important, here,” Caleb said. “Let’s see the eye.”

  Will lowered the makeshift icepack, and his sister and brother-in-law both cringed.

  “That’s gonna leave a mark,” Caleb muttered.

  “I checked her orbital bone. It doesn’t seem to be fractured. There’s no numbness. No air pockets.”

  “I’m fine. I’m just going to be sore and bruised up for a bit. No big deal.”

  “It is a big deal. Phoebe knows better than to pull this shit,” Caleb snapped. “She’s grounded from...everything for the foreseeable future.”

  “Look, I’m sure she feels bad,” Ivy began.

  “Good,” Charlotte said. “She should. She’s been an absolute beast, lately.” She frowned and studied Ivy closer. “I think we should get you to a doctor.”

  “I’m fine. I am. Some more ice, and I’ll be great.” She lifted the peas from Will’s hand and gingerly pressed it to her face. “Though, I think I’ll pass on coming up to the house for supper tonight.”

  “We’ll bring you something to eat,” Charlotte said.

  “I’m sure I’ve got some food, here. Besides, right now, all I want to do is sleep.”

  “Oh, here.” Caleb handed over Will’s zippered pouch of reusable ice packs. “I’m not sure about a nap,” Caleb continued. “You could have a concussion.”

  “How about this...” Will said. “Let me get her set up with a fresh ice pack, and I’ll wake her up every two hours. If anything changes, we’ll get her to A and E, immediately.”

  Charlotte and Caleb exchanged a look, and Charlotte finally said, “I’ll be back down here with food in a few hours. We’ll reevaluate, then.”

  “Deal,” Ivy said.

  After they’d left to sort out what to do with Phoebe, Will went to the kitchen to grab a fresh tea towel from the drawer and put all but two of the ice packs in the freezer. When he returned to Ivy’s room, she watched him warily.

  “I can just set my alarm for two hours,” she said. “There’s no point in you wasting time here with me.”

  “I don’t consider it a waste of time. Besides, if I hadn’t said what I did in front of Pheebs...”

  Ivy started to shake her head then seemed to think better of it. “Honestly, she and I have been heading for this moment for the last two weeks. But yeah...in the future, if you can maybe refrain from making suggestions like that, that would be great.”

  Stopping just short of the bed, he bent down and quickly removed her shoes for her.

  “I could have done that.”

  “I’m aware.” Gripping her ankles, he lifted her legs and gently turned her until she had no choice but to lie back.

  “Will, stop. I can get into bed by myself.”

  “Then, lay down already, and close your eyes. You need to rest.”

  She scooted farther into the middle of the bed and laid her head on her pillow while he gently changed out ice packs.

  “If you recognized me, why did you bother introducing yourself?” she asked quietly.

  He carefully smoothed her hair off her forehead. “Because I wasn’t sure you remembered me, and I guess I wanted to see if you did.”

  “I wasn’t that drunk,” she muttered.

  “Well, I wasn’t sure. I wasn’t drunk, at all, but you seemed spectacularly smashed.”

  She snorted then winced. “I wasn’t that bad.”

  He stared at her in disbelief. “You cut most of the skirt off your dress in the bathroom using nail scissors, because, and I quote, you looked ‘like a butterscotch chip and butterscotch chips can’t dance with all that skirt.’”

  “I did not say that.”

  “Oh, but you did,” he said, smiling at the memory as he settled into the wingback chair near the bed. “Trust me, when you’re completely sober, and a gorgeous drunk girl demands that you dance with her and talk to her in your ‘hot voice’, you remember things.”

  Ivy groaned, the cheek he could see turning bright pink again.

  “Now, go to sleep, I’ll wake you in a few hours.”

  She frowned, but she didn’t say anything else.

  Watching as she wriggled, seemingly trying to get comfortable, he loosened his leg brace, slid the cold pack inside and waited for the chill to take the edge off the pain. He leaned forward and grabbed the bottle of ibuprofen and dry swallowed four of the tablets then set the timer on his phone.

  He doubted he’d sleep—not when Ivy, star of so many of his fantasies, was not only on the same continent as him, but also in the same room, and on a fucking bed. And god knew, she was a much better distraction than worrying about whether or not he’d fucked up his knee again. Granted, he was at nearly the six-month mark, post-surgery, but he still wasn’t supposed to be lifting more than three stone. Ivy wasn’t as heavy as she likely imagined herself to be, but since lifting Kit was pushing Will’s restrictions, Ivy was definitely past them.

  Seeing her again had been more of a shock to his system than he’d wanted to admit. He’d known she was going to be here. Charlotte had mentioned that Ivy’d had a relationship and a job end simultaneously. He didn’t know the particulars, but he knew she was coming to stay with his sister, not only to tutor the kids but to regroup after whatever had gone down in her personal life.

  He was curious, but he wasn’t going to ask. Well, he might. But it wouldn’t be today. Today, he was just going to take care of her and make sure that she didn’t need a trip to A and E.

  Leaning his head back in the chair, he listened to the slowing sound of her breath as it deepened and evened out. He opened his eyes
and watched the delicate rise and fall of her chest, his gaze drifting to the split seam of her skirt, to the line of milky flesh bracketed by the black fabric. It wasn’t a huge rip, but he couldn’t seem to drag his gaze from it. All he wanted to do was lean forward and trace his tongue along the exposed skin.

  Was she as soft as he remembered? Did she taste as sweet? Of course, he was going on a memory that was over a decade old, but he was sure he hadn’t forgotten a thing. Not what it had been like to kiss her. Not what it had felt like when she’d opened his zipper and slipped her hand inside his pants and wrapped her fingers around his prick. Said prick began to harden at the thought. Closing his eyes, he allowed himself the memory of shoving into her tight, wet cunt—the way she’d gripped him as she demanded that he fuck her harder.

  His hand strayed across his groin, but he forced it away. The last thing she needed was to open her eyes and see him watching her and stroking himself like some letch. And just because they’d had a drunken round of sex all those years ago didn’t mean she was interested in a reprise. But he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t. Once definitely hadn’t been enough.

  He could be honest enough with himself to admit that he’d like another go with her now that he had more experience under his belt. Show her how much better it could be. And yeah, part of that was pride. But part of it was that he’d never forgotten her. He’d never forgotten how she’d clutched at him. How she’d come apart in his arms. How she’d screamed when she’d climaxed and how he’d had to slap his hand over her mouth to keep everyone from hearing. And how his hand over her mouth had only made her come harder. He would never fucking forget that as long as he lived.

  Stifling a groan, he closed his eyes. He needed to get ahold of himself, and reliving that memory—again—wasn’t going to accomplish that. He must have slept, since he startled awake to the sound of the alarm on his phone. As he leaned over to shut it off, he noticed that Ivy hadn’t stirred.

  Frowning, he pushed out of the chair and moved to squat by the bed, ignoring the screaming pain in his knee. He reached out and cupped the uninjured side of her face. “Ivy. Wake up.”

  Her only response was to turn her face into the warmth of his palm and press a kiss to the center. At least, that’s what it felt like. And he was right back to that memory of her coming apart around him.

  He dropped his head to the mattress with a thunk, willing away his rekindled need for her. Forcing himself to focus, he slid his hand to her shoulder and gently shook her. “Ivy,” he said a little louder, a little firmer. “It’s time to wake up.”

  She slowly blinked open the eye not covered by the icepack then extended her fingers to stroke his cheek and brush her thumb across his lips. “Will?” she asked, her sleepy voice twining around him.

  “I’m here.”

  “You should come to bed,” she murmured, almost unintelligibly, her eye drifting shut again. Her hand slid down his neck until her fingers curled into the neckline of his t-shirt—her skin almost cool against his.

  “That is a terrible idea, love.”

  He knew she had to be mostly asleep to even suggest it. If she were awake, he was sure those words never would have passed her lips, even if that was what she wanted.

  “C’mon, Ivy. You need to wake up. Need to see how you’re doing—see if you need to go to the hospital, after all.”

  Her eye popped open, and she seemed to be getting her bearings. Removing the icepack, she shifted and moved to sit up, quickly yanking her hand from his shirt, an expression of horror on her face as she realized she’d been hanging on to him.

  “What day is it?” he asked, already missing the warmth of her touch.

  “Monday.”

  “What about the date?”

  She groaned. “I don’t know. It’s summer. Teachers don’t pay attention to dates in the summer.”

  He stared at her and waited.

  “Fine. It’s June fifteenth.”

  “Sixteenth. But close enough. Where are you?”

  “Kent, England. At your sister’s house. Happy, now?”

  He braced his hands against the mattress and pushed up from his squatting position. “I’m going to grab a torch—make sure your pupils are dilating normally.” Wincing as he turned, he made his way to the kitchen to rummage through the junk drawer. At least taking care of Ivy would distract him from worrying about the results of his latest scan. Of course, after attempting to carry her, he’d likely need another.

  Finding the bright penlight and checking to make sure the batteries worked, Will headed back toward the bedroom and sat on the mattress next to where Ivy leaned against the headboard. The warmth of her body seeped into his where they touched, but he noticed she held herself stiffly, so he scooted closer to the edge.

  She stared at him warily, barely blinking.

  He held her gaze, and gripping her chin, kept her head steady and frowned.

  “That bad, huh?”

  “You’ve got an occlusion—broken blood vessels—in your eye.”

  She sighed. “Awesome.”

  He tucked her hair behind her ear. “If it helps, I’ve seen worse.”

  Clicking on the torch, he shined it in her eyes and watched, fascinated, as her pupils contracted, revealing more of the silvery gray of her irises. Striations of gold flared like sunbursts around the pupils, brightening as more color was exposed. He flashed the light in her eyes again, made sure both pupils were reacting equally, then turned it off and set it on the bedside table.

  Releasing his hold on her chin, he slid his hand into the hair at her nape and cupped the back of her head. “I’m going to check again for air pockets and numbness,” he murmured.

  “Okay.”

  She closed her eyes as he stroked his fingertips over her forehead and flinched as he passed over the bruising skin above her eyebrow. Her nostrils flared as he gently moved his fingers along her temple and over her cheek.

  “Any numbness?”

  “Nope.” Her voice was tight with pain.

  “I’m sorry to have to hurt you.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “No, it’s not. You wouldn’t be in this position if I hadn’t cocked up so badly, earlier.” He slid his thumb over her lips and across her chin, noticing her eyelids flutter. “Any numbness, here?”

  They flew open again, and she choked out, “No. None.”

  Reluctantly, he withdrew his hands. “I’d like you to come to London with me.”

  “What?”

  “I’d just like the team physiotherapist to have a look at you.”

  “I’m pretty sure my health insurance won’t cover a sportsball doctor. Besides, I’m fine.”

  “And I’d feel better if we knew for sure. And you don’t need to worry about insurance. I’ll cover it.”

  “That’s not necessary.” She shifted on the bed, drawing her knees up. “I know I sound like a broken record, but I really am fine. It’s not like this is the first black eye I’ve ever gotten.”

  He immediately wanted to know more, but before he could ask, she spoke again.

  “We’ve already missed Phoebe’s lesson today; I’m not going to miss another one tomorrow for an unnecessary trip.”

  He wasn’t about to argue with her, right now, but she was going to see a doctor.

  The sound of the front door opening and shuffling feet had them both looking toward the sounds. Charlotte stuck her head into the room, and Phoebe peered around her mum’s waist. Her eyes were red and puffy. It was clear that she’d been crying. He hoped it was remorse rather than a tantrum.

  “Is there something you wanted to tell your Aunt Ivy?” Charlotte asked.

  Staring at the floor, Phoebe moved around to the foot of the bed, and Will returned to his chair, not wanting her to feel crowded.

  Phoebe scuffed her toe against the hardwood floor. “I’m sorry I hurt you, Aunt Ivy.”

  “I know you are, honey,” Ivy murmured. “But next time you disagree with someone, you need to use
your words and talk it out, okay?”

  “Okay,” Phoebe said, still not looking up.

  “Think I can get a hug?” Ivy asked.

  Phoebe did look at Ivy, then, and her face crumpled as she took in Ivy’s bruised and swollen skin. Phoebe rushed toward Ivy and wrapped her arms around the woman’s waist and buried her face in Ivy’s chest, muttering apologies as she burst into tears again.

  Ivy hugged Phoebe and smoothed her hand up and down the child’s back. “Hey, it’s going to be okay. We’re just going to work extra hard, tomorrow, right?”

  Phoebe nodded, wiping her tear-streaked face on Ivy’s blouse.

  “Okay, Pheebs, let Aunt Ivy and Uncle Wills eat their supper.”

  Phoebe pulled back and glanced between him and Ivy, confusion narrowing her eyes. “Are you two married, now?”

  An expression of horror crossed Ivy’s face. “What? No! Of course not!”

  Will laid his hand over his heart. “Ouch.”

  Ivy’s head whipped toward him, and Charlotte laughed.

  “Honestly, Wills,” his sister said. “You’re ridiculous.” Charlotte turned to Ivy, who’d looked away from him almost as quickly as she’d turned toward him. “How are you feeling?”

  Ivy shrugged. “Bit of a headache. Bit sore.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Charlotte frowned and turned to Will. “You’ve seen more of these kinds of injuries than I have. What do you think?”

  “I think we need to see how she feels after she’s eaten. And see how she does through the night. I’m going wake her every two hours. But she woke fine, last time, and her pupils are dilating normally.”

  Charlotte nodded.

  “Excuse me, but she’s right here. And she’s just fine and doesn’t need a babysitter. She’s completely capable of setting an alarm and waking her own ass up.”

  “If you’re not comfortable with Wills staying here,” Charlotte said, “I can come down and stay with you.”

  “No. Absolutely not. That’s not necessary. Having Will here—also not necessary.”

  “I can send Caleb down here, but god...the snoring. He’s yours if you want him, though.”