“You were involved in a car crash.” He gripped her hand more tightly.
“I remember the fireman talking to me and I couldn't find my phone. I wanted to call you and I thought you’d be mad at me.” She choked on her own words, struggling to get them past her swollen throat and the emotional thoughts in her mind.
“For what, for the car? Tasha, all I care about is you.” Jim’s voice shook with an unmistakable break in it. The idea that when she must have been shocked and in fear for her life, she was most worried that he’d be mad at her for a damned car or anything else.
“That's what the fireman thought I meant. I knew you wouldn't give a stuff about the car, but I ran out on you and I thought you'd be mad because if I hadn't done that I wouldn't have been in the crash,” Tasha said, revealing the extent of the details she knew.
“Oh, Tasha, that might be true to a point, but I wasn’t mad, not with you. I was worried half to death that I was going to lose you and when Juan came by to say he'd seen a car like yours down the hill after an accident I knew it was you and so did he. We drove down and they were preparing to cut you from the car. I really thought I’d lost you and not because of a fight, but forever.”
Tasha looked up and saw tears rolling down Jim's face. Just the sight of her handsome, fierce, alpha, dominant man shedding tears for her made her cry too. The idea that her accident, her being hurt did this to him, the strongest person she knew, brought her to her knees because firstly, it meant she had been hurt badly, but secondly, maybe harder to bear was the fact that he’d been emotionally hurt and was clearly flailing in his attempts to maintain control.
“I’m going nowhere. We're getting married and I’m going to take your name and wear your ring, remember?” She grinned but then the grin suddenly dropped from her face and was replaced with a worried expression. “I will be out of here in time to get married, won’t I? Although, I may need a little help with make-up because I reckon I may look a little rough.” She laughed briefly then winced again holding her ribs.
“Tasha, do you know what day it is, baby?” He gently stroked her cheek.
“No. I actually have no clue.” She realised she was clueless and smiled awkwardly at his sad expression.
“Shit, Tasha. Today is, was, should have been our wedding day. You have been here for the last week and a half and you've been really sick, honey.” Jim studied her expression, waiting for what he was saying to resonate in her brain.
“No,” she cried and allowed a few tears to flow. “I've missed it? I am so sorry.” She cried again, helpless to prevent more tears falling.
Jim got to his feet and held her face between his hands, kissing her lips gently. “Tasha, there is no need to apologise. We missed it today, but we’ll rearrange as soon as you are well because we have entered into a verbal contract and now that you’ve agreed to be Natasha Maybury I won’t be letting you back out of it.” He smiled, still holding her head between his hands.
“So, what happened?” asked Tasha again, stifling a yawn.
“We can talk later, but you should sleep.” He returned to a sitting position, her hand safely back in his larger one again.
“Will you stay with me for a while?”
“Sure thing, baby. I’m going nowhere either.” With his free hand Jim brushed the hair back off her face.
“Will you lie with me?” Tasha was eager to feel his closeness and warmth.
“I thought you'd never ask.” He smiled, dropped the cot side down and kicked his shoes off before sidling next to her on the bed where she pulled his arm across her middle and fell asleep almost immediately without any further medication.
Unsure how long she'd been asleep for, Tasha reached out to find Jim, but he was sitting back in the chair watching her closely.
“You left me,” she complained.
“Not my choice.” He glared at the man in scrubs who moved towards her.
“Miss Winters, Tasha. I’m Stan Marvin, your doctor, and the man who evicted your fiancé from the bed. How are you feeling?” He smirked at Jim.
“Sore, really quite sore and I have a bit of a headache,” she told him honestly.
“A headache? You didn't say you had a headache before. Where? Have you only just noticed it or is it getting worse?” asked Jim. He leapt to his feet and paced the floor around the bed.
“Jim, please calm down,” said the doctor. “I'd be surprised if you didn't have a headache after all you've been through, young lady, but feel free to answer Dr Maybury's questions.” Stan’s sarcasm made Tasha laugh then instantly regret it as she clutched her ribs.
“My head felt fuzzy before, a bit like a hangover, but it’s a definite headache now, not getting worse, but then my whole body hurts.”
Jim frowned. “What's wrong? Why has she got a headache? Shouldn't you give her something and run some tests?” Jim sounded seriously worried.
“Dear God, I thought you were a thorn in my side when this beautiful lady was unconscious with your questions andadvice, but now she's back with us you’re actually a complete pain in the ass,” sighed the doctor with a smile for Tasha. “I will run a couple more tests, Tasha, but I think your head is just aching like the rest of your body and your vitals are all returning to normal after the shock of coming round. You've been through a lot. It's nice to meet you conscious though, and I can certainly see the attraction of my son's regular visits to your house.”
Jim huffed and frowned.
“What?” Tasha was confused by the doctor’s words and Jim’s reaction to them.
