Henry released a relieved sigh and gave in to the urge to kiss her again.He couldn’t get enough of her mouth.Long moments later, he separated their bodies and rose to deal with the condom.When he returned to the bed, Maia was sound asleep.Her lips curved in a soft smile, and her hair fanned across his pillow.
She looked like a perfect angel.His angel—as long as he didn’t make any mistakes.
Chapter 18
Thenextmorning,Maiabubbled with energy, her headache absent.A glimpse of her watch shocked her.Nine.She never slept this late.
The entrance swung open, and Henry stepped in, holding two mugs.
“You’re awake.How do you feel?”
Once she sat up and propped a pillow behind her, he handed her a mug.Tea, she discovered when she took a cautious sip.She smiled at him.“I feel great.The world doesn’t seem so fuzzy, and I don’t have a headache.I could train today.”
“No,” Henry said without hesitation.“Take off the week.Don’t push too hard or too soon.We can go for a walk this afternoon.Gentle exercise is better.”
Maia’s instinctive protest subsided.“You’re right,” she said with a heavy sigh.“But I worked hard for this contract.I feel like it’s slipping from my grasp.”
Henry sat on the bed, his expression full of sympathy.“We’ll walk to Sutton Salt Lake.Have you been there?”
“No.”
“Excellent.We’ll take two or three dogs and put them through their paces.Maybe do a little kissing and cuddling because it’s a quiet place.”
“Kissing and cuddling, huh?”
“Yeah.”He rose.“What would you like for breakfast?We had scrambled eggs and bacon, and I kept some aside for you.”
“I’d like that.”She hadn’t eaten much, hadn’t wanted food.Today, she did.
“Get dressed and meet me in the kitchen.”
“Where is everyone else?”
“Levi has gone to school.Dad and Gerard are installing a security system.London is at a meeting, and Megan is in her office writing.She writes in the mornings when Levi is at school.”
“You should’ve woken me.”
“You needed sleep.It’s helped since you’ve lost your pinched look.Ten minutes,” Henry said and exited the room.
Maia finished her tea.Henry was right about pushing her training.She’d have less chance of making the starting team if her stupidity sent her backward.
She showered, then dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt to combat the cold, the last of summer vanishing into autumn.
Breakfast was delicious, and she enjoyed every mouthful.She spent the morning pottering around with Henry, helping him with his dogs and on a security job.Although the lure was strong, she kept away from her laptop and resisted reading or anything that might make her headaches and blurry vision return.
That set the pattern for the next week, and finally, it was time for her doctor’s appointment.She sat in the team doctor’s surgery with Henry at her side.She’d asked him to come at the last moment.He’d looked surprised but hadn’t argued.She’d wanted someone to hear the conversation.Maia had no idea why, but she’d followed her instincts.
“Ah, Maia.You’re looking much better.How are the headaches?”The doctor appeared in his late thirties with short black hair, probing brown eyes, and a calm yet impassive manner.
“I haven’t had a headache for days,” she said.
“Blurry vision?Nausea?”
“None.I’m feeling good.”
The doctor gave her an assessing glance.“I’ll clear you to train, but it should be non-physical.Begin slowly and use honest assessment.If any symptoms return, cease activity and come to see me again.I’ll let the team know they can ease you back into playing after another week.The coach knows what to do.You’ll play for short bursts and not for the entire game.The object is to get you back to full fitness without setbacks.Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Maia said.
