"Maybe we could just forget about the last two minutes and start over," I helpfully suggested even though I knew there was no way I would be forgetting anything.
"Yes, please." Vanessa let out a relieved breath.
I cleared my throat. "I know you mentioned wanting to go to the couch, but wouldn't your bed be more comfortable?"
Now I was thinking about Vanessa and how she would look in bed naked. I needed to stop this train of thought before I wassporting a boner while trying to help her. I had a feeling that wouldn't go over very well.
"I can get myself up there later."
Later? It was already well into the early morning, and at some point, she would crash from the adrenaline rush. To be honest, I was surprised she hadn't while we were at the hospital.
"Or you could do it now and I could spend the night on the couch like I planned."
Vanessa blanched at my mention of spending the night. "What…what do you mean spend the night?"
She was so damn cute when she was flustered.
"Do you really think I plan to leave you alone after what happened?"
The answer was hell no, but I was curious to see what her response would be.
"I mean…" She looked around the room like maybe a piece of furniture would be able to finish her sentence for her.
"Let me help you out. No, I have no intention of leaving you alone until we figure out who assaulted you."
I could tell the second I said the last word that Vanessa had every intention of arguing with me.
"That's not necessary."
"It absolutely is necessary. Someone came into your home and attacked you. What kind of man would I be if I left you alone and it happened again?"
Vanessa opened her mouth but then quickly closed it. She did this several times and each time she looked more and more like a guppy fish. "Not a very good one." She finally relented.
"Exactly." I smiled triumphantly. "So let me help you upstairs and into bed, then I can go outside and grab my bag."
"You packed a bag? How did you know you would be spending the night?" She looked at me suspiciously, and I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
"You can relax. I had no intention of spending the night at your place. I always keep an extra bag in my car just in case. We all do. It's a habit that comes with the job."
Vanessa visibly relaxed, and it was then that I realized we were still standing next to the couch. Her ribs had to be killing her.
"Come on." I looped my arm around her waist. Careful not to shift her ribs too much. "Let's get you upstairs."
This time, Vanessa didn't fight me, and I took that as either a good sign that she was finally caving or a bad sign that she was hurting more than she wanted to admit. My bet was on the latter of the two.
The walk up the stairs was slow going, but I had to give her credit. Vanessa didn't complain once, but she did let me take most of her weight rather than try to do it all on her own.
"Which room?" I asked when we got to the top of the stairs and was faced with three doors.
"The one on the left."
I opened the door and instantly recognized the scent as the one that belonged to the woman I was holding. A mixture of cherries and vanilla.
The room was decorated in soft pinks and pale greens. It completely matched Vanessa's sweet demeanor.
We walked over to the bed, and I helped Vanessa sit down. "Did you want to change before you lay down?"
She looked at the dresser and sighed. I could imagine she was debating her options. Letting me help her or doing it on her own. I knew from past experience how difficult it would be to get changed especially when she refused pain medications.
