“What do you mean?”
“Nothing works inside me. I’m broken.”
“No, you’re not. You’re just feeling a little sick right now. Come on. Let’s get you to your room.”
She continued to cry softly as they walked to her suite. What did she mean by saying she was defective? Her strange words put him even more on edge.
He unlocked her suite and helped her inside. As soon as he turned on the light, she lurched and groaned. Knowing what was coming, Alex followed her as she raced to the bathroom. She dropped to the floor before the toilet, one high heel on and the other falling off, and vomited what looked like a thousand Golden Oblivions.
Fuck. Just how much had she had? She hadn’t looked anywhere near tipsy when he left her.
Alex kneeled behind her. With a gentle hand, he pulled her curls back and made a ponytail in his hand. He rested his other hand on her upper back, slowly rubbing. “Let it out. It needs to come out.”
Her sobs continued between spasms and his guilt skyrocketed. He never should have left her alone.
Just as he never should have left Shannon alone that night.
He wouldn’t make that mistake again. Dana needed his help, perhaps in more ways than one.
I’m broken.
Her words haunted him and he knew they would keep haunting him until she explained herself. He might not have a right to question her. He barely knew her, but he wanted to know her. This thing may have begun as pure sexual interest, but it was changing, and he wasn’t sure he had the power to stop it.
She groaned. “Oh, God. I’m disgusting.”
“No, you’re not.” Vomit or no vomit, she was the furthest thing from disgusting. Even still, Dana was a proud woman. He didn’t think she’d remember this moment fondly.
Her body calmed. She breathed in and out and eventually grew very still.
“Better?”
“Maybe. Not really.”
“I’m going to get you a washcloth. Just rest.” Keeping an eye on her, Alex stood and reached for a clean washcloth from underneath the vanity, dampening it with warm water. He handed it to her. “Here you go.”
She took it and wiped her face. She then angled her face toward him. Her beautiful brown eyes pinned him to his spot. When her lip wobbled, he knew he was a goner.
“I’m sorry.” Her quiet voice insinuated itself into his heart. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. Would you believe it if I told you this isn’t like me? I don’t drink a lot of alcohol, I really don’t.”
“I believe it.”
She touched her forehead with a shaky hand. “My head’s spinning.”
“I’m sure it is. I’ll help you over to the bed. I’m going to call someone to get your sister.”
“No.” She moaned. “Not her.”
“Why not?”
“She’ll judge me.”
“Dana, you’re hardly a raging drunk.”
“It’s not that. I’m just always in control and I feel so weak right now. I don’t want her to lecture me.” Supporting herself on his arm, she kicked off her remaining heel and got to her feet. “Are you going to lecture me?”
