20 Shades of Shifters: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Demelza Carlton

  After Lee and Gideon had rigged up the IV bag, Faye seemed to fall back to sleep and Lee was satisfied enough with her condition that he left the apartment make arrangements.

  There was a bench at the foot of Gideon’s bed that held extra blankets. He pushed them onto the floor and pulled the bench to the side of the bed so that he could watch over her. Faye’s arm, pierced by the IV drip in the back of her hand, rested on top of the blankets. She was so pale. Her hand so small. Gideon looked around the room, as though there should be someone else there with him. It shouldn’t matter, but he didn’t have any claim on this woman.

  She could have a boyfriend that was worried about her. Then again, if she did, why wasn’t he taking care of her?

  He reached out and wrapped his hand around her fingers, careful to avoid jostling the IV drip. Her skin was smooth and soft.

  Gideon knew better, he was smarter than this. He was taking liberties he had no right to. Worse, she wasn’t even aware of it.

  Faye’s fingers twitched then squeezed back gently. Maybe she did know he was there after all.

  Chapter 10

  Faye struggled to open her eyes. She expected it to be bright, but instead she found a room lit with the soft glow of a single lamp in the corner of the room.

  Turning her head towards the wall with the windows, she moaned at the ache in her back and neck. She was stiff and uncomfortable. Her throat was still sore though it felt oddly numb when she swallowed.

  She wasn’t so delirious that she didn’t know where she was. Gideon had come for her. He’d picked her up and swept her away. She remembered the feeling of sinking into a cloud when he laid her in bed. Her mind was moving much faster than her mouth. She wanted to tell him no, that she didn’t want to be in his bed. The faint smell of cologne told her it was most definitely his bed.

  That was what she was thinking before the bed gave under her and she felt like she was wrapped in soft down, her aching body settling in as the mattress sucked her will to fight. Her thoughts drifted to how sheets could be so nice. They were like silk or maybe they were. It was like lying in a cloud.

  A nice man came in. Dr. Lee. He had a nice voice that soothed some of her worry. The feeling of the IV being inserted sucked, but the saline flowing into her body did make her feel better. Faye knew how much a simple bag of saline could perk up a sick animal.

  The man who had called himself Dr. Lee woke her later to have her drink something that tasted like chalky candy. It knocked her out cold, but not before a warm sensation swept through her body. She vaguely recalled someone waking her again, she thought it was Sabrina from work, but that wouldn’t make any sense. Sabrina had been bossy and told her to sit up and change clothes. There was swearing, not from Faye, but from Sabrina.

  After a small flurry of activity, she was allowed to lie back down. She didn’t refuse their help, didn’t fight their ministrations; she went along with it because she knew she wasn’t going to win against Gideon and Sabrina if she was really there. A human surrounded by Kindred was always a losing battle.

  So far, Gideon, Dr. Lee, and possibly even Sabrina, had been nothing but kind to her. They didn’t even know her and she was lying in Gideon’s bed. Oh Lord, what if someone found out? Keeping a low profile at work was how she made it through her days.

  No one would know unless she told them, right? She just needed to thank him for getting her medical attention and get back to her place in the world.

  Pushing up to a sitting position, Faye blinked as her head swam. It took a few deep breaths to get her eyes to focus. The IV was still attached to her arm. An arm that was bare because she was wearing a soft white cotton nightgown. She remembered Sabrina making her hold the IV bag so she could maneuver the tubing through the sleeve of the nightgown.

  Faye paused for a moment, the realization that Sabrina had seen her naked flashed into her mind and she felt her face grow hot like her fever had returned. She could die of embarrassment.

  Faye needed to use the restroom, but she didn’t think she could manage the coat rack she was attached to.

  Swinging her feet to the floor, she tested her steadiness of her legs. She was a little weak, though her body had a slightly numb sensation.

  She was about to attempt to stand when the door swung open. Faye’s hand flew up to the modest neckline of the sleeveless gown.

  Gideon was standing in the doorway. He was backlit by the light from the other room and she thought he looked at least seven feet tall.

  “You’re awake.”

  That much was obvious she thought, but didn’t say the words. “Yes, ahh, I was going to get dressed and get out of here. Thank you for your help.” She watched him frown.

  “You aren’t leaving.”

  “I’m feeling better. Well, maybe not better, but not nearly as bad as before. I don’t see why you didn’t take me to the hospital. It would have been a lot less hassle for you.”

  “You’re aren’t a hassle. I trust Lee and his opinions over some stressed out resident at an ER. He says the rapid test came back that you have the flu. Just because you’re feeling a little better with medicine and fluids doesn’t mean you’re over it. You need to rest.”

  “I can do that at home. I appreciate your help, really.”

  As he stepped into the room, Faye saw that he wasn’t as big as he looked, but was still imposing. Dressed in slacks and a dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, he looked like he was still wearing his work attire. His hair was a little less perfect than it normally was. His entire appearance looked ruffled.

  “Who’s going to take care of you at home if you get worse?”

  His question stabbed Faye right in the heart. She didn’t have anyone to call and she was starting to think he knew that too.

  “I’ve managed just fine on my own for a long time, Gideon,” she said softly.

  “You’re already here and you’re getting treatment. Why move?”

  “Because, and this is just a guess, but I’m going to assume this is your room. I shouldn’t be in here. Heck, I shouldn’t even be in your house. I thought I was going to have a heart attack going into your office.”

  “Why? Am I so scary?”

  Faye thought about how to answer that. She wasn’t in a position to piss off a Kindred. “No, it’s not that at all. You’re my boss, and not just that, you own the company I work for, Gideon. You don’t just wander into the CEO’s office, and you certainly don’t take up real estate in his bedroom.”

  “I don’t normally let people just wander into my office. But I wasn’t angry at you when you did.”

  He’d ignored the last part of her sentence, and she decided to do the same. “You seemed surprised to see me.”

  “I was, but it was momentary. I don’t know much about you.”

  “Exactly, I’m an employee. We should keep it that way, don’t you think?”

  Whatever false obligation he felt for her was temporary. She was sure of it.

  “No.”

  “No, I shouldn’t be your employee?”

  “You can be my employee. I don’t think that’s all you can be.”

  Faye was confused. “What else could I be? I’m a mail clerk.”

  Gideon took another step forward, tucking his hands into his pockets. “We can be friends.”

  “Friends? Us?”

  “Why not?”

  “Because… you’re you.”

  Gideon raised his eyebrow at her. “Because I’m Kindred?”

  “What? No, of course not! I’m sorry I’ve disrupted your week so much. I’m sure they found a backup for me at work. I would have been back eventually.”

  “Are you sure about that? How many more days did you think you’d be in that apartment getting sicker and sicker? You know people die of the flu, don’t you?”

  “Of course, but most don’t. I wasn’t going to die.”

  Gideon closed the distance between them and Faye could feel the vibration coming off him. She wasn’t sure what it was,
anger, frustration, or something else. It was intense, that much she knew.

  “You could have died, Faye,” he said, his voice hissing.

  Faye swallowed. “I’m going to be okay,” she whispered.

  “Yes, because you’re staying here under Dr. Lee’s care. You’ll rest and recuperate. Then we can talk about you returning to work.”

  “Talk about? Are you saying my job might not be there? I’ll go back tomorrow if it means that. I can’t lose my job.”

  She heard a growl and his silver eyes flashed. “Faye, you won’t lose your job. You’re ill and you won’t be allowed back to work until you are better.”

  “I realize you are sort of my boss, but that doesn’t mean you can’t tell me not to come to work.” Faye’s voice cracked at the end, a cough tickling the back of her throat.

  “I can when I inform HR that you’re infectious. You need help, Faye. Let me help you.”

  “Can’t you see that this makes me uncomfortable?”

  “I do. I imagine that there are many situations you’re comfortable in. Take this from a practical approach. You need help, I’m offering it. Your job is fine; it’ll be waiting for you when you return. I have resources, Lee to see to you, there’s food, and every television channel available. Just a few days of rest, that’s all I’m asking for.”

  Faye wanted to say no. She wanted to tell him again she could take care of herself. But instead of giving him a speech about her ability to care for herself, she felt her eyes well up with tears.

  Damn it, she hated crying. There were so many things you get through if you just controlled your emotions. She’d learned that during her last foster placement. No emotion was often the easiest way to maneuver through the world. Head down, silent like a mouse.

  “Faye, don’t cry.”

  Her reaction to his words was to let the tears fall. She hung her head, letting her hair fall forward. She cried silently.

  “Fuck,” Gideon growled.

  Faye could hear his footsteps outside the door. A few moments passed before Sabrina and Dr. Lee came into the room.

  “Did he say something stupid?” Sabrina asked as she marched into the room.

  “No,” Faye stuttered. “He was b-being nice.” A wracking cough hit her and she doubled over trying to clear her lungs.

  “I want to listen to your lungs again, Faye,” Dr. Lee said.

  “I really need to use the restroom. I couldn’t figure it out with the IV,” she admitted.

  “And Gideon was in here blathering on. Let’s get you sorted out,” Sabrina said.

  “I think we can remove the IV. I wanted to get you rehydrated. Let’s leave the port in and make sure you can take fluids,” Lee said, unhooking her from the tubing.

  “Lean on me if you need to,” Sabrina offered.

  “I can do it on my own,” Faye said attempting to push herself off the bed. She managed to shift her weight then felt herself falling forward.

  “Hold up there,” Sabrina called out.

  Faye felt hands grip her arms. The room tilted and she couldn’t believe she still was so weak.

  “I’ll help her to the bathroom,” Sabrina offered.

  Faye wanted to refuse, but nature called so she let Gideon’s assistant help her into the bathroom.

  “I can take it from here,” Faye said. She looked up and her breath caught just a little. She’d never seen such a beautiful bathroom before. Dark gray tiles covered the walls from floor to ceiling. A long counter held sinks made of blown glass under ornate faucets. There was a freestanding tub next to a glass-enclosed shower and a separate room for the toilet. That was a good thing, Faye thought she might go crazy if she didn’t get some privacy.

  “And have to answer to Gideon when you fall and crack your head open? You think I’m going to let that happen?”

  “Sabrina, you’ve already helped me dress. I need a little dignity.”

  “Dignity is for those that can stand on two feet. I’ll get you in there and I’ll stand outside the door. That’s the only compromise I’ll accept.”

  “Fine,” Faye conceded.

  After closing the door behind her, she took her time. Faye blocked out the fact that Sabrina was inches away. That she didn’t need Kindred hearing to know what was going on. She had to assume Kindred put their pants on one leg at a time like everyone else.

  She wished she could take a shower. She felt... dirty. Too many days spent wrapped in a blanket soaked in sweat would do that. But the thought of standing that long was impossible.

  Finishing up and opening the door, she made her way to the sink with Sabrina hovering next to her. She washed her hands and then wet a washcloth that Sabrina handed her and washed her face and ran the cool cloth over her neck.

  Looking up to the mirror she was horrified at what she saw. Her eyes were shiny, unnaturally so. Although she was pale, her cheeks held bright spots of color. Dark bluish shadows had taken up residence her under eyes. Faye almost laughed; she wasn’t going to be breaking any hearts today.

  “You look much better, by the way.”

  Faye looked up at Sabrina with an incredulous stare. “How?”

  “You should have seen yourself a few hours ago. That IV has done wonders.”

  Just the mention of being sick made her start coughing again. She leaned over and gripped the counter, trying to get her coughing under control.

  “That’s enough standing. You’re going to get me in trouble,” Sabrina said, guiding her back to the bedroom.

  Faye collapsed on the bed, still coughing.

  Dr. Lee was waiting with medicine. She took what he offered and laid back against the pillows.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  “Not really,” Faye murmured as her coughing subsided.

  “That’s fine, we’ll try something later. Go back to sleep. I’m heading home, but I’ll be back to check on you in the morning.”

  “There’s really no need. I’m sure I can head home soon.”

  “And you seem to forget that I have Kindred hearing and I know everything that you and Gideon talked about. I’m going to have to agree with him. Rest here for the next few days. You’ll be better off in the long run. If we send you home, you’ll be lucky if you don’t relapse or infect anyone else. Our immune systems can handle it but your coworkers won’t be so lucky. Gideon told me that your apartment complex is made up of mostly elderly humans, you wouldn’t want to put them at risk.”

  Faye cringed. He was right. She didn’t want to infect anyone else. She wouldn’t wish this sickness on her worst enemy. The medicine he’d given her made her sleepy. She’d figure out the best argument to approach Gideon with in the morning. By then she surely would have a little more fight in her.

  Chapter 11

  Are you telling me they’re camped outside my building?”

  Gideon was furious. His lawyer had called to let him know that for some reason the pictures that were taken the previous day had gone viral. It was obviously the fact that he had Faye with him. The headlines ranged from: Kindred Caught Drugging Women! to Who’s The Package? And his least favorite: At Least He Doesn’t Have to Pay.

  Gideon had his lawyers working on each cease and desist letter as they came up. He could only go after the big hitters. The regular person reposting the picture a thousand times couldn’t be stopped.

  “Do they have her name? Do your best to keep it that way.”

  He ended the call and laid his phone on the kitchen counter. He’d sent Lee and Sabrina up to tend to Faye. His phone rang and kept him from listening in on their conversation.

  Gideon couldn’t understand her stubbornness. She was weak and vulnerable with no one to look after her and she was trying to refuse his help. Humans always tried to act so tough. If anyone in the world needed a little support, a little kindness, it was Faye. Gideon didn’t think twice about asking his Clan or his family for assistance. They were always happy to help, and he would return the favor just as quickly.

&nb
sp; It was a good thing she wasn’t ready to leave. They could leave the building by helicopter. But he’d have to land her somewhere. It wouldn’t be hard for the photographers to figure out where they were going to end up and be waiting for them.

  The only chance he had was if they lost interest. That would take someone else of interest to them getting into trouble. A celebrity arrest, a viral video, maybe a faked alien abduction. Unfortunately, he couldn’t hold out for one of those things to happen. Instead he needed to keep a low profile and that meant keeping Faye on a low profile too.

  Using his phone he sent an email to Faye’s manager and HR letting them know that she wouldn’t be in for the rest of the week due to illness. His email to Patty assured her that Faye was receiving medical attention and that she wasn’t alone.

  Walking out to the living room, he could hear the voices. It was just Lee and Sabrina whispering now. The door opened and they both descended the stairs.

  “How is she?”

  “Improving. Her vitals are steady, but her lungs still aren’t the greatest. The medicine is keeping her from coughing which is giving her a break from the pain. The antibiotics will really start to work in the next few days. She just needs to stay warm and rest. A little chicken soup might not hurt either.”

  “Can she eat?” Gideon asked. He didn’t think she’d eaten in days by the looks of her.

  “As soon as she can stay awake to eat. I’m guessing tomorrow she might be up to a little interaction.”

  “She said she wanted to leave,” Gideon admitted.

  “I know. She’s human. She doesn’t want to appear weak,” Lee agreed.

  “She is weak. She was practically on death’s door,” he growled.

  “I know, and now she’s recovering. Just a reminder that this is a safe and secure place. I’ll be by every day to check on her. In the meantime, spoil her a little. Whatever she wants to eat, get it for her. Whatever she wants to watch on television, change the channel to it. Make her think she’s at the finest hotel ever invented. That shouldn’t be too hard for you,” Lee said with a smile.