“That might be a good idea.” She shifted, but grimaced when pain shot up her arm.
Andy’s brow furrowed. “Do you need some pain medication? I should call the nurse anyway and let them know you’re awake.”
A nurse bustling into the room was the last thing she wanted. She wanted answers as to why the man she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about for three months was sitting by her bedside. And it wasn’t the first time he’d been there. Of that, she was sure.
“No. I’m fine. I just have to be careful not to move.” She swallowed and licked her dry lips. “But I wouldn’t mind a drink.”
Andy shot up and went over to the small jug that sat on the rolling table pushed to the side. His movements were swift as he filled the small glass with water. “Don’t drink too much,” he cautioned and held the straw against her lips.
She took a cautious sip, and then another, the liquid warm, but wet, and that was all that mattered. He placed it back on the tray and moved it over her, so that she could reach if she needed anymore “Thanks.”
He settled back in his chair, and she wished he would hold her hand, but he kept them lightly clasped in his lap. “To answer one of your questions. Yes, I live in Perth. Have lived here my whole life. I work for a security company. I’m a former SAS soldier. All the guys I served with work at Power Security now. One of our former leaders started the company and asked us to join him.”
She’d been partly right when she thought he might have been a spy. Working in security was sort of similar. “Is that what you were doing in Bali? Security work.”
Andy shifted in his chair, as if he found her question uncomfortable. Would he answer her truthfully or not?
“I was, but I can’t talk about what I was doing. We have contracts with Government Agencies here in Australia and in the United States. Some of the things we do, we can’t talk about.”
All through his explanation, he maintained eye contact with her, a sure sign that what he was telling her was one hundred percent the truth. Everything about what he said intrigued her.
“I can see that you want to know more.” He smiled wryly.
“I do, but I respect that you can’t share.” A waveof fatigue washed over her, and she tried to fight it. They’d only started the conversation, yet it was impossible to keep her eyes open.
“It’s okay. Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up. I promise.” He finally touched her hand, and warmth floated down her veins.
Narelle knew he would keep his promise.
Chapter
Nine
His back ached, and his stomach grumbled, but Andy wasn’t moving from his spot by Narelle’s bed. Her parents had come in just after Narelle had gone back to sleep. He’d told them that she seemed more alert, and their relief had been palpable. But the strain of being in the hospital the past day and half was showing on Narelle’s mother, and he’d told them that he would stay if they wanted to go home and rest.
They hadn’t wanted to, but in the end, fatigue had hit Julie hard and they’d given in to his suggestion, with promises from him that he would call if anything changed.
Andy was well aware of the trust Narelle’sparents were giving him, considering they’d known him for just over a day. It may have helped that he’d told them he’d promised Narelle he’d be there when she next woke up, and it was a promise he intended to keep.
He stood and stretched, his muscles popping at the movement. Did he have time to go out and nip down to the vending machine to grab a chocolate bar and a cup of coffee?
The thought of not being there when she woke up, and breaking his promise to her, kept him glued to the room.
Why did he feel this need to be close to her?
He didn’t understand it. Or maybe he didn’t want to examine it too closely. There was something about this woman that entranced him in a way he’d never experienced before. Kept her forefront in his mind when he should be focusing on other things—like his job.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he pulled it out to see a text message from Wilt.
Call me ASAP.
His colleague knew where he was and what he was doing. Before he left the previous evening, Steve had told him to take all the time he needed. But ifWilt needed him urgently, then a job must have come up that required all hands-on deck.
Narelle looked like she was sleeping peacefully. They were giving her some heavy-duty pain meds to deal with her broken arm and leg, not to mention her body was still processing the anesthesia that had been pumped into her for her surgery.
He didn’t know if she could hear him or not, but he leaned down and spoke softly in her ear. “I have to go make a call. I don’t want to leave you, but it’s important.” He brushed his lips across her cheek, not wanting to leave her, but his duty to his job and friends pulled at him too.
“’S, kay.” Narelle mumbled, and he doubted she was fully awake but if she did wake while he was out of the room, he hoped she’d remember what he told her.
