Kara appeared at a loss until Rebecca passed her the fork. Kara dug in as if she worried someone might come in and take it. Rebecca buttered her pancakes and cut them.
Putting it to her mouth, she felt Julio watching her as she took the first bite. The flavors melded together and exploded in her mouth as she closed her eyes, relishing the moment. Her mind flashed back to a lazy Sunday morning.
Rebecca sat up in Julio’s bed as he placed a tray of freshly made pancakes and a side of bacon in front of her. He cut it into pieces and fed her while she added sugar and cream to her coffee.
“I might keep you around for your cooking alone,” she said, raising her chin to kiss him.
“After you eat, I plan to devour you,” he said as his voice deepened and his eyes grew darker and full of passion.
She trembled as she recalled their lovemaking the night before and eagerly anticipated Julio’s hands on her body. Rebecca shoveled the food into her mouth, making him laugh.
“Slow down, we have all day,” he admonished. “We’re taking a day off from work. Today, I want to play.”
She sipped her coffee and glanced over the edge of the rim at him. “What do you want to play?”
“It’s no fun if you know ahead of time,” he said playfully, feeding her a piece of bacon.
“Do I get a prize if I win?” she asked cheekily.
“Trust me, we’ll both win,” Julio murmured as he leaned in and kissed her.
She set the tray aside and pounced, sending him tumbling backward on the bed. Rebecca straddled him and unbuttoned his shirt, while his hands caressed her legs and bottom. Heremoved the tangled sheet from around her waist and gazed at her with loving eyes.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
Rebecca threw back the covers and fought with the railing until Julio let it down. She dashed into the bathroom, spilling the contents of her breakfast. Julio knelt, pressing a cloth against her forehead and neck. She stiffened at his touch.
“May I have a minute?” she asked.
Julio rose and softly closed the door. Tears ran down her cheeks as she flushed the toilet and rinsed her mouth out. Gazing at the scarred, half-starved body reflected in the mirror, she closed her eyes, willing away the memory from the past. She didn’t resemble the woman who spent the entire day in bed with the man she loved. The person staring back at her seemed shattered and empty. She no longer felt warmed by Julio’s love. It scared her. Once he discovered what they made her do, he’d feel relieved she refused to stay with him. How could he possibly love her when she hated herself?
“Rebecca?” Kara called from outside the door. “Are you all right?”
She swiped the tears from her face, using the cloth and called, “Sure. I’ll be right out.”
Planting a smile on her face, she opened the door and returned to the hospital bed.
“I guess too much rich food doesn’t agree with me. I’ll have to remember it in the future,” she said for Kara’s sake.
“I’ll order you some eggs,” Julio offered, grabbing the hospital phone.
“No. I’ll snack later,” she said, trying to appease him. Rebecca peered at Kara’s plate and grinned. “It appears you made up for lost time. Do you want more milk?”
Kara stared at her, seeing through her façade. “No. I’m done,” she announced. “I’ll head to my room and ask the nurse to restart my IV. You won’t leave without me, will you?”
“I’ll come get you myself,” she assured the teen.
Julio watched as Kara left the room before turning toward her. “You haven’t eaten since we arrived here. If you can’t handle pancakes, we can ask for something else. Maybe Kassie needs to keep you a few more days,” he said, worriedly.
“It’s the hazard of getting starved,” she stated, but Julio didn’t laugh. The room seemed to stifle her as she replaced the lids over the food trays and pushed them away to keep the nausea from returning.
A soft knock caught their attention. A woman with dark hair entered the room and Rebecca’s eyes widened in shock.
“Hello, Rebecca,” Avie greeted, walking to the side of the bed.
The two women grasped hands and then hugged as they cried together. “Thank you for sending Shadow and the team for Deni and me. Moments after they arrived, Rahimi’s men tried to take Deni.”
“I’m glad you’re safe. Shadow told me you’re married. Congratulations,” Rebecca said, appearing excited.
