by Hale, Beth
Emma nodded. “Thank you.”
She slept again. She woke up to find Chris sitting by her on the bed, studying her face.
“Bruises are beginning to fade.”
“Ugly.”
“Well, yes, but you always have been,” he replied with a straight face. She stuck out her tongue and raised her middle finger. “Tsk, tsk. That’s not nice. You scared me, Emma,” he said seriously. “You really did.”
“I was scared, too. Thought…I was gonna die.”
“You came close,” he admitted. “I lost ten years of my life on the plane, worried that Norah wasn’t telling me the whole truth.”
Gave you gray hairs,” she said and pointed.
“Bite your tongue, you hussy.”
“Not nice.”
He grinned. “There’s that smart mouth. Yep,
you’re recovering. I don’t want to Emma, but I need to
leave in a day or two.”
“I know. Luke. And work.”
“Luke wanted to come, but he’s interning. I didn’t want him to fall behind. And we’re about to begin casting for the play.”
She raised her brows. “Love?”
He shrugged, smiled a little. “It’s possible. He’s great, Emma, I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“Soon.”
“As soon as you’re state side again.”
“Miss you.”
“And I’ll miss you. It looks like you’ll have plenty of people to look after you. Jack would sleep on the floor in here if we’d let him.” Emma smiled a little, so he pressed, “Have you talked to him?”
“Tried. Then everyone came in.”
“Sorry. I want you to work it out, if he still makes you happy.”
“He does. We will. Love him.”
Chris sat with her until she drifted off, then he quietly closed the door behind him.
Chapter 41
Tuesday came, much to Emma’s relief. She loved Norah, but she hated being hovered over. Norah was a hoverer.
“Now, you’re sure you don’t want more medicine? You only took half a pill.”
“I’m sure,” Emma rasped. Her vocal cords were healing; she could finally manage more than a whisper. “I’m tired of sleeping all the time.”
“Still, if you’re hurting…”
“I’m not, not more than I can handle. If it gets too bad, I’ll take more,” she promised.
“Well, OK.” She finished buttoning one of the shirts Chris had left behind for Emma to wear and they walked downstairs. She’d made a little nest on the couch, with pillows and blankets.
She settled Emma down, put the TV remote and her cell phone in easy reach. “Call if you need anything. James will swing by at lunch.”
“Jesus.”
“No, James.” At Emma’s beady stare, Norah cleared her throat. “We’ll all feel better if he does.”
“I’ll be fine by myself,” she groused.
“I know, but we still want James to come by. He’s bringing you food,” Norah coaxed.
“Real food?”
“Mmm. Well, soft food,” she amended. “The doctor said you could have soft food when he switched you from liquid to pills. I really wish you’d leave the sling on.”
“I want a hamburger.”
“Soon. The doctor said another two days before you try. He wants to see you in his office first.”
“Fine. Whatever.”
“You’re grumpy. Want a book?”
“No.”
“Oh, well. I guess this,” Norah produced a book about Anne Boleyn, “can just wait till later.”
Emma’s eyes lit. “Gimmie.”
Norah laughed and handed her the book. “You’re welcome. The car’s here; I’ll check on you later. Be nice to James.”
“I will. Thanks for the book.”
***
She was a quarter of the way through the book when James knocked on the door and stuck his head in. “And how is my lovely Emma today?”
“Not so lovely.” She gestured to her face. “I could scare small children.”
He sat beside her, looked closely. “No,” he decided, “only puppies would run in fear if they saw you.”
“Sweet talker.”
He grinned. “I’ve brought mac and cheese. Nobody makes it like my mum. Want me to warm you up a plate?” When he heard her stomach rumble, he nodded. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
He brought it to her on a TV tray and handed her a fork.
“Thank you for not trying to feed me,” she told him. “Norah and Jack see to think I’m completely helpless. And if it’s not them it’s Alison or Roger.” She chewed a small bite, swallowed. It hurt, but it was food. She could have wept in pleasure. “Yum.”
“I know.” He ate some of his own. “They’re
just worried about you. The better you get, the less
they’ll worry. I’ve brought you pie, as well.”
Emma slanted a look at him. “Pie?”
“Cherry.”
“You’re my new favorite person.”
“If I’d have known pie was the way to your heart, I’d have shoveled it down your throat in the beginning.”
Emma laughed, then sucked in her breath. “Oooo…that hurts.” She rubbed her ribs.
“I’m sorry,” he said, instantly contrite. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Silly. You didn’t. But maybe I won’t belly laugh for a while.”
“I’ll fetch your medicine.”
She started to object, but she had to admit the earlier dose had worn off. She dutifully swallowed the pill he handed her. After eating a slice of the gloriously delicious pie, Emma let James cover her with a blanket.
“Glad you came. Come back anytime. And bring more pie.”
James smiled and pressed his lips to her forehead. “Will do. See you later.”
Emma sent a text to Norah, and one to Jack, saying she was fine, James had gone, and she was taking a nap. She slept like a stone for eight hours.
***
“There’s my girl, finally awake.” Emma blinked sleepily at Jack when he leaned down and gave her cheek a quick, gentle kiss. “We’re discussing our dinner options.”
“Hamburger?”
“Not today.” When her face fell, he laughed. “Two more days, love. How about scrambled eggs instead?”
Emma pouted but said, “OK.”
Norah drifted to the kitchen to cook. When it was ready, she brought Jack two plates before taking hers to her chair.
“I can feed myself,” Emma told them.
“Are you sure?” Norah asked. “You only took the sling off yesterday.”
“I have two hands, Norah,” she replied testily. “I’ll eat with the good one.”
“I’m just trying to help.”
“I know, and I really appreciate it. But I’m not an invalid. I was broken a little, but I’m getting better. Will y’all please, please stop hovering over me?”
Norah nodded. “I’ll try,” she promised. “I’ll get the TV tray for you and bring you another pill.”
“No, no more medicine,” Emma said firmly.
“But, Emma, if you hurt,” Jack began. He trailed off when she held up a hand.
“If, only if, it gets really bad then I’ll take some. But I’m not going to pop a pill every couple of hours anymore.”
“OK.” He took a bite of his own eggs—he wouldn’t eat what she called ‘real food’ in front of her—and asked, “Did you and James have a nice visit?”
“We did; he babysat me quite nicely, thank you. And he brought me pie.”
“He wasn’t babysitting,” Jack protested.
“Yes, he was, but it’s OK.” Emma smiled. “How did it go today?”
Norah began by detailing Thomas’s frustration with the camera crew.
Chapter 42
“I’m going upstairs,” Emma said when they were finished eating.
“I’ll come with you, just to make sure you make it
all the way up.” Jack stood with her. She rolled her eyes.
“I’m going to read over some lines,” Norah told her. “If you need anything, just call for me.”
“I will.” Emma started up with Jack one step behind her. She made it almost to the top before swaying.
His arm came gently around her waist. “I’ve got you.”
“Just tired and winded.”
“It won’t be long before you have all your strength back.” They reached her room and he watched as she crossed to the bathroom and closed the door.
Emma studied herself in the mirror. The around her eye and the rest of her face had turned a mottled yellow and green. Her lip was almost completely healed and was just a bit tender now. Her throat still bore the imprint of Marcus’s fingers, but had faded from black to a dull purple.
She took note of her lank hair and decided to remedy that. She wanted a bath.
She began to run the water and heard Jack knock on the door. “What are you doing?”
“I’m taking a bath.”
He opened the door. “Are you sure you’re up to that?”
“Yes. I want to wash my damn hair.”
“Put your hands up, like you were working
shampoo into your hair.”
“What? Why?”
“Just do it. If you can, then I’ll leave you be.”
Emma scowled, but raised her arms. She couldn’t stop the wince when her shoulder protested.
“See there, you’re not completely healed. I’ll help you, if you want,” he offered.
“But that means…Maybe you could get Norah for me.”
“I’ve seen you naked before,” he reminded her with a grin.
“Yeah, but I’m not a pretty sight, Jack, with all these bruises.”
“You’re beautiful,” he told her. “Let me help you”
Wordlessly, she nodded and he began undoing buttons. He pushed the shirt off and unwound the tape around her ribs. There was bruising there, too, blue and yellow. He thanked God again for letting her live.
He pushed her pants down her hips and she stepped out of them. His eyes went hot when he saw she wasn’t wearing panties. He stepped back and began unbuttoning his own shirt.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking my clothes off. It’ll be easier if I’m in there with you, and I don’t have a change of clothes here,” he pointed out as his hands moved towards his fly. “I can keep my boxers on, if you want.”
She shook her head. “No,” she said. “I’ve seen you naked, too.” They shared a small smile.
When the tub was half filled with steamy water, he stepped in and drew her to him as he sat down. She moaned as the liquid heat seeped into her bones. He picked up the sprayer and turned it on.
She tilted her head back so that it rested on his
arm and sighed in pleasure as he wet her hair and began to lather shampoo into it. She closed her eyes as the spray washed the suds away. When that was done, he raised her back up and reached for the bar of lavender scented soap.
He rubbed it between his palms and put his hands on her back. Slowly, slowly, he stroked over the silken skin, using his thumbs to apply a little pressure when he found a knot.
Emma couldn’t hold back the whimper of pleasure. “Oh, God, Jack. That’s amazing.”
He laughed low in his throat. “You’re welcome.” He gave her arms the same treatment, careful to be extra gentle with the right one. He soaped his hands again and ran them over her stomach and sides. He hesitated then asked, “All?”
“All,” she confirmed and held her breath when his hands brushed her breasts. She was disappointed when those hands didn’t linger. “I can do my legs,” she said.
He handed her the soap and watched as she lifted one leg, then the other. She put the bar on the side of the tub and smiled. It felt good to be clean.
The hot water and the feel of Jack’s arms around her eased the tension in her body. With a soft sigh of contentment, she lay back against his chest.
Her bottom came close to his groin and Jack felt himself harden. “Comfortable?” he muttered.
“Umm-hmm. Feels so good.” She shifted again and felt his arousal against her lower back. She froze. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s a common reaction to being pressed
against a naked, wet woman.” His voice was strained
and Emma couldn’t stop the snicker. “Funny, is it?”
“A bit. I’m clean now, so let’s get out.”
“Sure thing.” He quickly stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist. He helped her rise and gently patted her dry.
He led her back to the bed and drew a nightshirt over her head, helping her push her arms through. It settled around her thighs. “We should wrap your ribs again,” he told her and she nodded. He reached for the bandage and held up the hem of her shirt.
She held it in her teeth and waited. She started when she felt his fingers lightly tracing the bruises. “Jack?”
“I know they’re fading, I know you’re getting better,” he whispered. “But I hate seeing them, I hate knowing he put his hands on you.” He pulled her closer and laid his head against her stomach.
The gentleness, the sweetness of it, almost made her cry. “You saved me, Jack. Nothing else matters.” She raised his head, looked into his eyes. “Will you love me tonight?”
“Emma. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I need you. I want you to touch me. I won’t break.” Silently, his eyes never leaving hers, he drew her down beside him on the bed. He cupped her face and his lips closed over hers. Tentatively at first, then with growing desperation.
Emma’s stomach fluttered into her chest at his tenderness. She angled her head and took the kiss deeper. He tangled a fist in her hair and trailed light kisses down her neck. He tugged the nightshirt back off and let it fall to the floor. Emma leaned back against the pillows and he lay beside her.
His hands played along her as he plied her
mouth with kisses. She trembled as his fingers traced every inch of her, as if relearning her body. His hands closed over her breasts and this time, they lingered. Her breath snagged when he lowered his head and drew her into his mouth. She felt the banked fire flicker into flames.
He wanted to bury himself in her, to claim her as his once again. He wanted to drive her over the edge first. He ran his fingers along the satin of her inner thigh before finding her, wet and ready for him. His mouth replaced his fingers and he heard her gasp.
She fisted her hands in the sheets as her hips arched to meet his mouth. She was drowning in the feel of his mouth on her. Her whimpers turned into moans and she pulled a pillow over her face to muffle her cries.
He felt her tense, felt her release, and slowly rose over her. He entered her gently, began to move slowly, keeping his eyes on hers. He groaned at the feel of her. She was hot and tight and he couldn’t get enough. He moved faster and she matched his pace. She said his name over and over, like a litany.
The tension built again, stronger and faster. Her eyes went blind with pleasure and when she fell, he fell with her.
***
He lay beside her, holding her hand and staring at the ceiling.
“What’s wrong?” she asked quietly.
He hesitated before answering. “That was
incredible, Emma, but I need to know if it was really
me you wanted. Or did you just not want to be alone
tonight?”
She moved to sit up and he helped, and then settled beside her. She looked at him. “I know about Sarah,” she said quietly. “I know you were telling the truth.”
His eyes widened, hope leaping into them. “How“
“I need you to listen,” she interrupted. “Please. First, I want to apologize for not believing you from the start. I was so hurt, so sad, thinking I’d been betrayed again. That I was the fool again. I fought against everyone who said I was wrong.
“It took a while bef
ore I really thought about what they said, what you said. That I hadn’t really let go of the hurt and bitterness from before. I didn’t want to admit y’all were right, but you were.”
“Emma.”
“No, let me finish. Please. I saw Sarah out one day and I kind of tricked her into telling me it was a lie. It was a slap in the face, Jack, realizing I had hurt you over a lie. And I’m sorry, so sorry, that it took her telling me before I finally believed.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t trust you enough. I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, if you’ll let me.” Her eyes filled with tears and her voice trembled. “I should’ve listened to my heart. Because when it whispers, Jack, it whispers your name. I love you.”
He forgot to breath. “Say it again.”
“I love you.”
“Emma, Emma.” He leaned forward, gave her a slow, sweet kiss. “I love you.”
“You mean it?” she managed through her tears. “Truly?”
“I’ve never said anything more true. I love you.
I tried to tell you that day, but you weren’t listening.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”
“I have, it’s done. The past is the past. I’m so thankful you’re alive and here with me and you love me. Nothing else matters. Don’t cry anymore, love, everything is right as rain.” A thought crossed his mind and he cringed. “I do have something to confess. I want no secrets between us.”
She sniffed. “What?”
“Umm…that day…Well, Sarah, she grabbed me, you see. And I responded. Well, not me, just that part of my body. That’s why I denied her being there; I didn’t want to hurt you.” He looked away from Emma’s stare. He looked back, incredulous, when she started to giggle.
She clutched her ribs but kept laughing. “Oh, Jack,” she gasped. “That’s just a man’s reaction to someone grabbing his goodies.”
He frowned. “It’s not funny. I thought you’d be mad.”
“I am. I’m furious with her for touching what belongs to me. It’s not your fault. Men are weak.”
He cocked an amused brow. “Weak, are we? When you’re all better, I’ll show you weak.”
“I’ll look forward to that day,” she returned, finally able to control her mirth. She rubbed her side; it had felt good to laugh but, Jesus, it’d hurt, too.
