“Drink this, Miss Jameson. Your blood sugar is too low, but I think some juice will set you to rights.”
Chrysander took the juice then curled an arm underneath her neck to help her sit up. He held the cup to her lips as she cautiously sipped at the sweet liquid.
“When was the last time you ate, Miss Jameson?”
The doctor pinned her with an inquiring stare, and she felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment. She ducked her head. “I didn’t eat breakfast,” she admitted.
Chrysander bit out a curse. “Nor did you eat much dinner last night.Theos,but I should not have brought you here today. I knew you hadn’t eaten properly, and yet I didn’t think to remedy the situation.”
She gave him a wan smile. “It isn’t your fault, Chrysander. It was foolish of me. I didn’t give it much thought in my excitement over our trip to the ruins.”
“It is my job to take care of you and our child,” he said stubbornly.
The doctor cleared his throat and smiled at them. “Yes, well, no harm was done. A proper meal, and she’ll feel like a new woman. I’d suggest being off your feet for the rest of the day. No sense in chancing things.”
“I’ll personally see to it,” Chrysander said stiffly.
Marley sighed. He was taking her fainting spell personally. He fairly bristled with guilt, and she knew there’d be no swaying him from his course. She might as well resign herself to the rest of the day in bed.
“Can I take her home now?” Chrysander asked the doctor.
The doctor nodded. “Just make sure she eats promptly and that she rests.”
“You can be certain I will,” Chrysander said grimly.
Marley made to slide off the exam table, but Chrysander put out a hand to prevent her movement. Then he simply plucked her up into his arms and strode out the door.
When they got outside, a dark car pulled immediately in front of them, and a man jumped out to open the door for Chrysander. He ducked in, still holding Marley close to him.
“So much for you driving,” she muttered as they were whisked away toward the airport.
“I cannot drive and hold you at the same time,” Chrysander said patiently.
“I wasn’t aware of the need to be held.”
“Iwilltake care of you.”
It was said with ironclad resoluteness, his voice solemn, and she knew he took his vow very seriously. Realizing she wouldn’t win any arguments with him today, she relaxed against his chest and curled her arms around his body.
He stroked her head and murmured softly in Greek. She was nearly asleep when the car came to a halt. Soon after the door opened, and a shaft of sunlight speared her eyes as she looked up.
Chrysander threw his arm up to shield her then gently turned her head back into his chest. He got out of the car still holding her and walked rapidly toward the helicopter.
“Go back to sleep if you can,pedhaki mou,” he murmured as he climbed in.
But when the whir of the blades started, the fog of sleep disappeared. She contented herself instead with snuggling into the curve of his neck as they lifted off toward the island.
He’d obviously called ahead and issued a montage of orders, because when he walked into the house with her, Patrice had a meal waiting, and Dr. Karounis stood by to monitor Marley’s condition. After an initial fuss, Patrice and the doctor, once they’d assured Chrysander that Marley was well, excused themselves, leaving the two alone.
Marley dug into the bowl of soup first and sighed as it coated her empty stomach.
“You will not skip any more meals,” Chrysander said reproachfully as he watched her from across the table.
“I didn’t intend to skip any,” she said. “I just got sidetracked.”
“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
She raised an eyebrow then grinned mischievously. “So it’s back to being no fun then?”
