She just couldn’t think anymore.
I suspect she’s disassociated herself from it all, and I totally understand where she is. I’ve been there myself.
It’s the only way to get through the pain.
Suddenly, the door is pushed open, and Luke runs in, his face a mask of fear and fury. He glances at her back, and his jaw clenches as he walks in front of her. I scoot aside so he can squat in front of Scarlett.
“Oh, baby.” He gently frames her face in his huge hands and brushes his thumbs back and forth on her cheeks, wiping the tears away. “Scar? I’m here.”
She blinks, and when her eyes find Luke’s, her face crumples again, and she leansinto him.
“Shh, I’m right here. I’m so sorry.”
Scarlett fists her hands in his shirt and clings to him as he brushes his hands up and down her arms.
“We’re done cleaning you up,” Dr. Asgood says with a sigh as she takes her gloves off and tosses them in the trash. “You’ll need to have them cleaned once a day. They should heal within a few weeks, but if you have questions or concerns, just call me. Luke has my number.”
“Okay,” Scarlett whispers, then turns her gaze up to Luke. “Will you please drive me home?”
“You’re staying with me,” he informs her and kisses her so tenderly on the forehead, I almost feel like I’m intruding. “You’re going upstairs to my place, baby.”
Scarlett sighs in relief as Luke turns to me.
“I have to go to work for a bit,” he informs me. “But will you please go with her?”
“Of course. I’m stuck to her like glue.” I glance at Michael. “Will you go with us up to Luke’s apartment?”
Michael nods.
“I’ve got her,” I say to Luke, who obviously doesn’t want to let go of Scarlett. His face is full of misery, and I feel awful for both of them.
“You’re safe,” he croons against the top of her head. “I’m sorry, baby.”
“I’ll be okay.” Scarlett smiles up at Luke, putting on a brave face. “Thanks for letting me crash at your place. I’ll head home tomorrow.”
“No.” He kisses her tenderly. “You won’t. You’re with me now. We’ll talk about it later, babe.”
Luke walks us to the elevator and makes sure we’resafely inside with Michael. As the doors close, he winks at Scarlett.
The ride up only takes a few seconds, and then Scarlett leads us to the second door on the right. She punches in a code—I didn’t know she had the code to his door—then pushes inside, and I follow her.
“I’ll be right outside,” Michael assures us before closing the door behind him.
Luke’s apartment is not what I was expecting. It’s big and bright, with cozy furniture and amazing artwork. Lots of blues and grays fill the space, making me wonder if he did this himself or hired a decorator.
“I can’t lie on my back,” Scarlett chokes out. “And I don’t know why I can’t stop crying.”
“Because you were scared, and it fucking hurts.” I take her hand and link our fingers. “You can sit on the couch, with your shoulder against the back for support, and I’ll rig up some pillows for you to lean on in the front so you can drift off.”
She bites her lip and nods. “Thank you. I’ll be better tomorrow.”
“I think you’re doing great now. But I need to know that this is where you want to be. If you want to come up and stay with me in the penthouse, I’ll take you up there right now.”
“No, this is perfect.” She squeezes my hand and smiles softly. “I feel safe with Luke. And something is starting between us.”
“Well, I can see that for myself. He was soswoonyback there. He cares about you a lot.”
“You don’t think it’s just about the sex?”
