“Alexander.”
“Now,” he commanded, raising his brow. This was his bedroom, and if he had to, he’d use that fact against her. “Please,” he added when she bristled. “I’m worried aboutyou.”
As Alexander slid his hand up to cup her neck, she sighed and sagged against him. “No more pain meds. Ever,” she said as she let him help her down, then arrange the pillows behindher.
“Elizabeth, we need to talk.” He sat at her hip, her hands held firmly inhis.
I’m in love withyou.
“Oh God. Did I make a fool of myself last night? I don’t react well to drugs. What did Isay?”
“You and Nurse Betsy had a rather racy chat about what you’d like to do to Benedict Cumberbatch. Nurse Betsy is…adventurous. You simply wanted to have a propersnog.”
The parts of her face not purple and blue flushed bright red as she looked away. “Kill menow.”
“I found your drug-addled burble quite endearing.” Alexander walked over to the dark blue draperies. “MayI?”
She waved her hand in acceptance. He parted the drapes to reveal the dramatic view of the Charles River Esplanade, decorated for theholidays.
Elizabeth squinted in the bright winter’s light. “What time isit?”
“A little after one. Donatella is making uslunch.”
“I have to go home. You broke down my door. I won’t have anything left. And my computer. He was on my computer.” Elizabeth shoved the blankets down her legs, but Alexander’s firm hand on her shoulder stopped her from getting upagain.
“Your computer is in my safe, and your door and window will be repaired as soon as the police release the crime scene. Until we know who was sent to hurt you, you’re stayinghere.”
“Ican’t—”
Alexander’s fingers trailed down her arm and, lifting her hand, he kissed her bruised knuckles. “Anything you need from your flat, we’ll send for, or I’ll go myself. Marjorie arranged for a few days’ worth of clothing for you. Anything you don’t like, we’ll return. But we’re having visitors today, and I assumed you wouldn’t want to receive them in yourrobe.”
“Oh. Thank you.” Elizabeth lay back against the pillows. “Wait,visitors?”
“Nicholas is coming at three. Ben and the federal prosecutor are coming at four. We should also speak to thepress.”
“Why?”
Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose. “Someone snapped a photo of us—of me standing over your bed—at the hospital. TheBeantown BabblerclaimsIbeatyou.”
“Ohshit.”
“Yes, that was my reaction as well. We will need to do a bit of damage control.” Alexander held out her phone. “And your friends have beencalling.”
Elizabeth scrolled through a few of the messages, growing more agitated with each one. “Nine calls? Two dozen texts? Toni thinks you hurtme.”
“I know.” Alexander sighed. “But if we speak to the press, we should be able to head off those rumors without too much difficulty. Still, you should ring your friends toexplain.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I don’t know if I can deal with them right now. They’ll go all Mother Hen on me, and one overbearing control freak is enough for metoday.”
Alexander chuckled and leaned in so his lips were only inches from hers. “Very well, but I am not a ‘control freak,’chérie. We’re in the bedroom, and in here, I’m in control.Remember?”
She made a low, appreciative sound. “Iremember.”
His cock stirred. If she weren’t injured, he’d take her right now, but instead, he just brushed a tender kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Would you like lunch in bed or do you feel well enough to godownstairs?”
“I want to getup.”
Alexander helped her into her robe, but she refused his arm and limped out of the room ahead of him. Before they reached the stairs, however, Elizabeth turned, her eyes unfocused. “I’m…dizzy,” she whispered as she wavered on herfeet.
