He checked the time, looked up at the ceiling again, and decided he’d done enough for now. He didn’t want to be too far from Amelia. He checked on his staff, left the paperwork for Luke, grabbed some items from the kitchen, and went back upstairs.
After dropping things off in his own kitchen, he made his way quietly into the bedroom. She hadn’t moved an inch. He watched her for another minute, then left to start cooking. Even if she slept through the night and didn’t need anything today, he’d have food ready for her tomorrow.
He hoped she liked it. He wasn’t the best cook, but he’d do whatever it took to help her get well.
Chapter Thirteen
Millie woke slowly, the pain entering her consciousness first. Her body ached like she had the flu but a million times worse.
With her eyes closed, she tried to make sense of the aches and throbs while she enjoyed the warmth of the covers around her and an alluring scent on the pillows she couldn’t quite place. She realized her hair was down. Damn. Had she slept on it wet again? Good things never happened to her hair when she slept like that.
She took a deep breath, and pain lanced her chest. She let out a small moan, and everything came back to her in a rush.
The attack.
The hospital.
Her apartment.
Hector.
Hector’s apartment.
She was in Hector’s apartment!
She bolted up in bed, gasping, her eyes blinking rapidly open.
Hector came rushing towards her and took her hand. “It’s okay. Everything’s okay. You’re at my place, remember?”
She nodded as her heart stopped racing. He looked gorgeous. He’d changed clothes—a small part of her wondered if he’d done it while she was sleeping in this room—and he looked as great as he always did.
She probably looked like death warmed over.
“I’m okay.” Her voice was raspy, and he handed her a glass of water he’d set on the bedside table. God, he was so nice. She drank it slowly, pleased her throat felt better.
The rest of her, however, felt like an aching pile of shit. All she really wanted was a shower and more sleep. Even after being drenched by rain earlier, she still didn’t feel clean.
He took the glass from her and set it back, then picked up her glasses and handed them to her. “How are you doing?”
She slipped them on, her vision suddenly coming into focus. “Um, okay.”
He took her hand again and spoke softly. “Be honest.”
She sagged a little. “I’m still in pain.”
His jaw went hard, but his hold was still gentle. “All right, baby. It’s been long enough that you can take another pain pill, but you need to eat first.”
For once, food didn’t appeal to her. “I don’t know if I’m up for food. How long was I sleeping?”
“About six hours. I think you should try to eat a little. I made you some soup, nothing heavy. A Mexican specialty. It’s my mother’s recipe.”
He cooked? For her? “Wow. Um, thanks. You didn’t have to do that.”
“It’s a special dish. I don’t make it for just anyone. Only for the people I care about.”
Every time he said he cared about her, she believed him a little bit more, especially when he did things like that for her.
“Amelia?”
She blinked her thoughts away. “Hmm?”
“Do you think you can handle some soup? Maybe just the broth?”
“I—yes, I think so.” But definitely not in her current state. Her eyes darted to the bathroom, then back to him.
“Do you need to freshen up?”
“Uh, I’d like to take a shower, if that’s okay.”
“It’s more than okay.” He leaned forward. “Mi casa es su casa.”
My home is your home. Did he really mean that?
He sat back. “Do you need any help in the bathroom?”
Her cheeks burned. “Um, I don’t think—”
He grinned. “I don’t mean I’d be helping you, baby.”
Baby. She’d dreamt about him holding her hand and calling her baby at one point.
“I can call one of the girls. Liz or Beth, even Frannie’ll come and help you.”
“I—they will?”
He frowned lightly. “Yeah. Is there any reason they shouldn’t?”
She shook her head quickly. “No. No, of course not.” Except for the fact she didn’t want anyone to see her naked.
“Honesty, babe. Remember?”
“Um, anyone is fine. Maybe Beth?”
He nodded. “Okay, baby. I’ll call her.”
“I, um, I don’t have anything to wear.”
“I’ve got stuff.”
“Stuff? Like your stuff?”
“You can borrow my stuff if you want. I don’t have pajamas, but I’ve got shirts and boxers you can borrow.”
“You don’t have pajamas?”
A smile split his face. “I sleep in the buff, baby.” He leaned forward. “Though, obviously, I won’t while you’re around.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Unless you ask me to.”
Oh God! That meant he slept naked.
In. This. Bed.
The very same bed Millie’d just slept in, too.
Eep! “Oh. Um.”
He kissed her forehead. “As far as ‘stuff’ goes, I had Liz pick up some things for you. It’s in the other room. Do you want your shower before or after dinner?”
“Could I take it before?”
“You can take it whenever you want. I’ll see if Beth can swing upstairs, and I’ll bring your things in.”
She didn’t move the entire thirty-two seconds he was out of the room.
I sleep in the buff, baby.
I’m falling for you.
Oh, jeez. She was suffering from information overload.
He came back and put several bags on the bed, then sat down again and cupped her unbruised cheek. “Beth’ll be here in a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
“Everyone’s worried about you.”
They were? “They are?”
“All of the staff. Beth just told me that some of the customers have been asking about you, too. And Low was also worried about you. He wants to come over with his family.”
Prince Lorenzo was worried about her? A real-life prince, worried about her. Holy cow!
That was even better than having a glass the prince had touched. Though, thinking on it, that glass was probably broken now. Damn.
“No rush. Just whenever you’re ready for it.”
“Uh…” She didn’t even want him to see her like this, much less the prince. She also really didn’t want Beth to see her naked, either, but it didn’t look like she had a choice.
“Think about it.” He let go and stood. “We also got some fresh bandages, ointments, things like that. Your ribs aren’t bound, are they?”
She shook her head. “The doctor said they don’t do that anymore. I do have some other bandages on my body though.”
“Let Beth help you, okay?”
She nodded.
A knock came at the front door, and he left to answer it. Beth came into the bedroom a few moments later and gave her a gentle hug.
“How’re you doing, Millie? Stupid question, right? I mean, of course, you’re not doing great.”
Millie glanced at Hector, then back to Beth.
“You’ve been attacked, for God’s sake. Who could be okay right after that?”
“Beth,” he growled. God, even his annoyed growl was sexy.
“Sorry! Didn’t mean to upset you. I get, like, this brain freeze whenever something terrible happens because I don’t know how to respond.”
Millie’s mouth fell open because the same thing happened to her, just like it’d happened the first time she and Hector had met. Beth always seemed so confident and self-assured; Millie would never have suspected Beth of feeling awkward like she did.
“Anyway,” Beth continued. �
�I’m here to help. Just order me around as you see fit.”
“I’m going to check on dinner. You staying, Beth?”
“No, I’ll head out after this unless Millie needs me.”
“Okay. There’s plenty if you change your mind. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.” He gave Millie a last look, then left, shutting the door behind him.
“So, how are you really doing?”
Millie’d never had a close relationship with Beth, but she felt a pressing need to be honest. “Pretty shitty, actually.”
Beth’s bottom lip wobbled. “Whatever you need help with, I’m here.”
She flushed with embarrassment. “I’ll need help, um, undressing, and, um, changing some bandages. It’ll be kind of gross.”
“Don’t worry about ‘gross’, just worry about you. Do you want to detangle your hair before your shower?”
“No, there’s no point trying it right now.”
“Liz picked up some detangling spray. I don’t know if it’s any good, but we can try it.”
How had she known Millie would need it? She’d never worn her hair down at work. “How did she know I had curly hair?”
“Hector told us.”
“He did?”
Beth gave her a wicked grin. “He likes you, Millie.”
I’m falling for you.
“He was in such a broody, protective, badass mood when he stopped at the pub earlier.”
“He was at the pub?”
Beth nodded. “While you were sleeping. He popped down to tell us how you were and ordered us around. We’re all covering yours and Hector’s shifts until you recover.”
She frowned. “Why are you covering his shifts?”
“Because he said he’s not leaving you until you’re better. He also told us you’d been seeing each other for months. I mean, we suspected, but it was good to get it confirmed.” She leaned forward. “He. Seriously. Likes. You. How lucky are you?”
I’m falling for you.
God, could it really be true? God, just a few days ago, she hadn’t wanted anyone at work to know that she and Hector were together, or sort-of together, or whatever they’d been before the attack. Now he’d made it clear to everyone they were together and that he liked her, like really liked her.
Somehow that made everything more real. How was she supposed to feel about that? “Oh.”
Beth’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that mean? Do you doubt his feelings for you? Did he say something stupid to you?”
“No, but…I mean, look at me. Why would he be into me? I’m not anything.”
Years of abuse by Piers, years of being told she wasn’t good enough or pretty enough, came rushing back. She shuddered.
“Hey, hey, hey.” Beth grabbed her hand. “God, you’re ice cold. Don’t think like that. You’re not nothing.”
“But I am. He could find someone better.”
Beth frowned. “What does ‘better’ even mean anyway? He could find someone else—that’s true, Millie—but he wouldn’t. A man does not give up his bed for just anyone.”
“He’s being nice. That’s just who he is.”
“Mmm-hmm. If that’s so, why didn’t he take me up on my offer to have you stay with me?”
Her mouth fell open.
“That’s right. He was adamant, and I mean ad-a-mant, that you stay with him. Frannie even offered to make you food, and he said he was making your first meal here. Millie, he likes you.”
I’m falling for you.
She was believing he meant those words more and more.
“I know he’s my boss but he’s totally hot. And you got to sleep in his bed! Not with him, but still.”
Oh, yes, she’d slept in his bed.
That he usually slept in naked.
Nude.
Without clothes.
His penis free and unencumbered.
Don’t think about his penis!
Beth jumped up and looked around the room. “I’ve never been up here, and I’m itching to take a look around.”
“I don’t think he’d like that, Beth.”
“I’m actually itching more to find out how you two got together. He said you’ve been together months already, though he was pretty vague on everything. He just basically said you’re in a relationship.”
Millie’s cheeks warmed. “I don’t think I should talk about it.”
“Sure you should!” Beth patted her knee. “We can do girl talk while you shower. Do you need help getting up?”
“I should be okay.” She pushed the covers aside and slid her legs out. Then she realized she wasn’t wearing shoes. He must have taken them off her. Hector Perez had removed an article of her clothing and she wasn’t awake to experience it. That seemed like her luck.
As she fought the wince of pain from moving, her cheek twitched. Beth came to her side. “Come on. We’ll do it together.”
Together. Another word people took for granted. She’d so rarely been part of a ‘together’, whether that had been friendships or relationships.
She stood up slowly, her body bent slightly forward. She tried to straighten but her ribs protested, so she didn’t fully stand up.
“Achy?”
She nodded.
“Would you rather have a bath? Liz probably bought some bath stuff for you.”
She shook her head. “Shower.”
They made it into the bathroom and Beth pointed in the tub. “Oh, good. He’s got a stool so you can sit down while you shower. I should have realized he’d have one because of his legs. Lucky you! You get to sit your naked behind where his naked behind has been.”
Her cheeks warmed. “Beth.”
Beth giggled as she turned the shower taps. “Sorry. I’ll behave myself.”
Millie took her glasses off and set them on the counter. Some towels—which looked freshly laundered—were waiting for her.
God, he was so nice. Thinking about towels for her, and soup and medicine and clothes and Beth. She’d never had anyone be so nice to her before.
Her bottom lip trembled.
Beth put her hands on Millie’s shoulders. “Hey, it’s okay. Everything’ll be okay.”
Growing up as Millie had, being bounced around schools and homes so much, she’d never really made friends. She’d learned early that as soon as she made friends, she’d end up getting moved somewhere else and would need to start all over, so she’d stopped trying. Then, after graduation, she’d met Piers, who definitely was not a friend, nor did he ever really treat her like one. The result of a life like that was that she had made it to her thirties without the chance to form a normal friendship.
Maybe it was time to try for one now.
Millie wrapped her arms around Beth. God, it had been so long since she’d been hugged. Hector’s hugs and kisses were different, but this—a hug of pure friendship—was the first she’d had in a very long time. Physical contact and hugs were something people took for granted. She’d gone so long without them that she’d begun to think there was a reason why she shouldn’t be hugged or touched, that there was something wrong with her. It was only since Hector started touching her that she began to feel differently, but her old fears still struck without a moment’s notice.
Beth gave her a gentle squeeze. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Hector won’t let anything happen to you, none of us will.”
She hugged her as tight as she could, then let go. “Thanks.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. You’d help me if I needed it, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course.”
“So, don’t be so surprised that we’d do the same. Now, let me help with these scrubs.” Beth reached for the hem.
Millie stepped back.
“What is it?” Beth asked. “Are you in pain?”
“N-no.” She was shivering. Why was she shivering? She clutched the front of her top.
“Millie, what is it? Are you worried about me seeing the bruises? Those won’t matter to me.”
/>
“D-do you promise not to laugh at me?”
Beth went still. “Why would I laugh at you?”
“I—I’m not pretty. Underneath. I’m not pretty. Please don’t laugh at me.”
Beth’s lip wobbled again, and her words were gentle. “I won’t. I promise.”
“Don’t laugh. I know I’m not pretty, but please don’t laugh.”
Beth looked her straight in the eyes. “I promise, with everything I’ve got, that I’m not going to laugh. Okay?”
Millie nodded and let go of her shirt. She held her breath as Beth pulled the shirt up, and over her head and mass of hair. She automatically brought her arms down over her torso, covering up as best she could.
She’d never felt good about the way she looked. No curves on her ass, but curves everywhere else. Even her breasts, which had lost some of their perkiness, had risen in cup size with her weight.
Besides just the weight, there was the smattering of fine hair that coated her body and which everyone had, but which disappeared on models in magazines and ads. With everything going on, she hadn’t even had a chance to take care of her facial hair in a couple days, either. If she could afford it, she’d have lasered all her unwanted hair away. But that never lasted more than a few years and, besides, she couldn’t afford that luxury anyway.
It was why she was still a virgin and, at her age, people—even her own doctors—had judged her for it. She’d never planned on being a virgin at this age, but it’d happened, and she really didn’t want to be judged for it anymore. People always thought it was ridiculous if a woman was a virgin in her thirties, though there were plenty of reasons for it. Some women, like her, just kept waiting for the ‘right’ person. They just never came in her teens or her twenties, and then she was so mired in the shit life sent her way that she’d just stopped looking by the time she’d hit her thirties. Who’d want her with her flaws and debts and fucked up family?
Maybe part of the reason she’d been avoiding things with Hector was just this: eventually she’d have to get naked in front of him. He was gorgeous, but what if he didn’t feel the same about her? She wasn’t sure she could bear it if that happened.
Even now, she was terrified of what Beth would think. Beth was so pretty, and men loved her curves.
“Do you need help with the pants, too?”
Rush_Hector & Millie Page 21
