Chapter Twenty
Terrance knockedat the study’s door. “How’s my newest patient thisafternoon?”
Elizabeth drew away from Alexander and tried to force a smile. “Exhausted andsore.”
“That’s to be expected. Still, upright, I see.” The doctor gave her a slightly disapproving look, but then the corners of his mouth tugged up. “Perhaps you’ll let me examine you back inbed?”
“You’re as bad as Alexander,” she grumbled, but the bed didn’t seem like a bad idea—even the few minutes of standing had left her a littlewobbly.
Alexander chuckled. “I believe the term she used, Terrance, wascontrol freak.” With an arm around her waist, Alexander guided her back to his bedroom, then tucked the blankets around her legs once she’d reclined against thepillows.
“Not inappropriate,” the doctor replied as he opened his medical bag. “It seems her wit and powers of observation are perfectlyintact.”
“Much to my relief.” Alexander moved away, then dropped into a chair in the corner of the room. “Though I wish she’d have stayed in bed allday.”
Watching the two men verbally spar gave her insight into the man she thought she just might be falling in love with. Alexander’s focus never left her, and though he’d been firm, even controlling, at times this morning, he’d never been anything butcaring.
Terrance shone a light into each of her eyes and asked her to track the movements of his finger up, down, left, and right. “Very good, Elizabeth. Now let’s check those stitches. Anydizziness?”
“I—”
“She was unable to navigate the stairs,” Alexanderinterrupted.
Elizabeth shot him a look that she hoped would imply her displeasure, and he inclined his head in apology. “I can speak for myself, Alexander, thank you. This might be your bedroom, but—” Flushing with embarrassment, she redirected the conversation. “My head hurts, and I’m shaky. Yes, I was dizzy earlier, but I hadn’t eatenanything.”
As Terrance pressed a series of butterfly bandages over her head wound, he tried to stifle his laugh, ending up with a wide smile. “Perfectly normal, my dear. And your stitches look excellent. If you’re careful, you can shower and wash yourhair.”
“Thank God.” Despite Alexander’s scent infusing the sheets, the pillows, and even the whole room, she could still smell antiseptic, blood, and the foul stench of her attacker. “And, um…normalactivities?”
“Let me check thatshoulder.”
As soon as she’d removed her night shirt and clutched the silky material to her breasts, Alexander’s eyes darkened. He shifted in the chair, uncrossing his legs. Elizabeth’s gaze flitted to the St. Andrew’s Cross in the corner of the room, hidden behind a thickdrape.
Terrance probed the bruises gently and checked her range of motion. “Nothing too intense, Elizabeth. None of Alexander’s…usualtoys.”
Her cheeks caught fire. “Um, you…know?” she asked as she stared from Terrance toAlexander.
Alexander stood and adjusted his painfully obvious erection as he grinned. “Terrance and I used to frequent a local BDSM club before my face became well known in Boston. We’ve tested floggers and crops on one anotherbefore.”
“Wh-what?” The blood drained from her face so quickly she felt herself pale. “The two ofyou?”
“A responsible Dom always knows what his implements feel like,” Terrance replied as he stepped back to rummage through his medical bag. “Otherwise, someone could get hurt.” He glanced over at Alexander, then back at Elizabeth. “I’m sorry if I made youuncomfortable.”
She waved her hand weakly. “I should have known. You have that same…command to your voice that hedoes.”
Both men chuckled and Terrance handed Elizabeth a bottle of pills. “Alex told me you refused the Percocet. Vicodin shouldn’t leave you as loopy, but it will ease the pain. At least half a pill every four to six hours for two days. Allright?”
“I don’t like drugs,” she protested. “And I have to be lucidfor—”
“Chérie,” Alexander said firmly. “Every time you move, I can see the pain in your eyes. You’ll try the Vicodin. At least once.” His voice had changed—more like the authoritative tone he’d used when they’dplayed.
She sank back against the pillows, hating that he was right. Everything did hurt. “Fine. After we meet with the prosecutor, though. I can’t have my mind all foggy forthat.”
Alexander inclined his head. “Verywell.”
Terrance leaned forward and dropped his voice to a whisper. “I’ve never seen anyone change that man’s mind before, and I’ve known him for ten years. You, Elizabeth, are a very special woman.” Straightening, he looked over at Alexander. “Walk me out? Elizabeth probably wants somerest.”
Alone, she rolled onto her uninjured side and clutched Alexander’s pillow to her chest. He’d changed in the past few weeks. Softened, perhaps. Because ofher?
