At first, he kissed me back, but just as he was about to part my lips, he stopped abruptly. “Please don’t tempt me right now,” he whispered against my lips.
I backed away shaking my head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
He ran a finger down my cheek. “Don’t apologize, you’re in a vulnerable state now and I don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret.”
I was already regretting allowing him to sleepover. I mean, what were the odds of me having any concussion symptoms? And one-handed people functioned all the time. I held onto my shirt and walked away toward the hall leading to the bedrooms.
Ian gently grabbed my arm on the way. “Hey. Please don’t be embarrassed.” He knew me too well. “I was trying not to enjoy myself too much. You’re making that difficult,” he added.
The conversation we had in the hospital about men enjoying unbuttoning rang in my head. “I should go change.”
“I’ll get the couch ready for you.”
I had decided it was best for me to sleep on the couch while he was here. He had volunteered to sleep on the floor in my room, but the thought of him sleeping in my room was going to throw me over the edge. I had imagined us sharing a room and a bed too many times, you know until death do us part, or forever. If I couldn’t keep my lips off him, who knew what would happen. Probably nothing, because Ian wouldn’t allow me to do anything I would regret.
I walked into my room, shut the door, and tried to breathe normally. He was getting to me. It was then I decided I was wearing sweats; they had elastic bands. I also managed to get on a t-shirt. It hurt like heck, but there was no way I was asking Ian to help me. I could imagine Amanda and Zane laughing now. It didn’t take long before I was treated to the real thing. While brushing my teeth and lamenting over how awful I looked—bruises weren’t my color—my phone rang.
“How are you? Tell me everything that happened. Is Ian there with you?” Amanda spouted out so quickly I barely comprehended what she was saying. It didn’t help that I was feeling higher than a kite.
“I’m fine, and yes, Ian is here.”
Amanda squealed like a preteen. “I can’t believe you’re sleeping with him.”
“We’re not sleeping together. He’s sleeping on my loveseat and I’m sleeping on the couch.”
“I’m pretty sure two can fit on your couch.”
“Amanda, he’s my boss and you should see how I look. Besides, I can barely walk, I hurt so bad.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. I wish I was there to take care of you. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. Ian has been taking great care of me.”
“You know he cares for you, right?”
I sat down on my bed. I was feeling woozy.
“Kelli?”
“I’m here. I’m really confused right now.”
“Try not to over think it. You’re good at that.”
“It’s kept me from getting involved with some real idiots.”
“It’s also kept you from some great guys too.”
“You think Ian is a good guy?”
“I think Ian has made some choices he regrets, like we all do, but I like a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to right them.”
“Is that what you think he’s doing?”
“The question is, do you?”
I painstakingly laid down on my bed. “I don’t know. He thinks I’m too vulnerable to talk right now.”
“I’m liking him even more.”
