“Oh, okay. What then? We made love?” I coughed out a harsh laugh. “Pretty sure you don’t make love when you’re going to marry someone else.”
Caden’s jaw hardened. “This is not the time to talk about this.”
“Damn right,” I snapped, pushing myself upright because arguing while lying prone in a bed really made me feel like I was at a disadvantage. It cost me, though. The flare of pain told me it was time to investigate that pill bottle that had been sitting on the nightstand after I’d stepped out of the shower. “There’s no point talking about any of this at all.”
“Oh, there’s a whole lot of points for why we need to talk about this.” Making a sound under his breath, he stepped forward and then halted. “Can I help you?”
“No.” I moved again, gasping. I slumped back, my heart pounding from the exertion ofsitting upand failing.
Caden crossed his arms. “Do you not want me to help because you don’t want to be touched or because you’re angry with me.”
Both, but mostly the angry part at this point. I was being ridiculous. To eat, I needed to sit up. And I needed to eat because I was hungry, and I needed to get my strength back. “Fine. Whatever. You can help me.”
“You sure?”
I shot him a dark look that promised murder.
He smiled at me, and it was a real one. The kind that softened the beauty of his face and brought fire to his amber eyes.
My breath caught.
I hated myself.
Caden chuckled under his breath, but then he moved toward me. I braced myself, but when Caden carefully slid an arm under my shoulders, I didn’t freak, so bonus points there. He lifted me up, helping me lean against the fluffed pillows.
“Thank you,” I muttered, about as gracious as a spoiled child.
“You’reverywelcome.”
Caden backed off, retrieving the food. “Luce wanted you to start with something light.” He placed it down, and with its little, sturdy legs, the tray was the perfect height. “It’s chicken soup with rice mixed in, and Luce said if you tolerate this well, we can move onto something more substantial.”
Staring down at the bowl, I realized there was cutlery. God, when was the last time I’d even used silverware? I could almost see the stewed beef staining the tips of my fingers. I started toreach for the spoon but stopped when I became aware of my arm shaking. Tremors coursed throughout my entire body.
I stared at the bowl, unable to move for several moments. The fear was irrational. I knew I could eat with no problem, but the emotion was so potent it choked me.
Heat crawled up my neck, and I looked over at Caden, expecting to see him watching me, expression haunted.
He wasn’t.
Caden wasn’t watching me at all. Instead, he was over at the small table, pouring a glass of the berry water.
Sweet relief swept through me. He wasn’t anywhere near me, and while I suspected that he’d done that on purpose, I didn’t care. The tremors lessened, and when I finally picked up the spoon, it wasn’t like I’d forgotten it.
A little of the broth spilled as I lifted the utensil, but at the first taste, I closed my eyes. It didn’t hurt, and it was so good.
I ate.
Caden stayed back, silent as he turned on the TV. I had no idea what he was watching because he had the volume turned down low, but he appeared engrossed in it.
At least that was what I thought until I placed the spoon in the empty bowl, and he turned immediately. “Thirsty?”
Belly warm and full, I nodded.
Walking over to me, Caden set the drink on the nightstand, within my reach. “I’m going to grab the tray,” he announced, doing just that. Placing it on the table, he then returned to sit in the chair that was next to the bed.
I stared at him for several moments and then picked up my glass, taking a sip. “So…” I drew the word out.
“Yes?”
