Before she could protest, she found herself roughly jerked against the side of the bed.The strength of his right arm was unbelievable, and the unyielding muscles of his upper armflexed as he held her firmly in check.A slow, satisfied grin spread evenly across his face.
Panic erupted within Skye but it was useless to struggle against his superior strength.Frantically she whispered, “Please, don’t.”
Jordan studied the terror in her eyes, and gradually his merciless grip relaxed, but his bandaged hand remained around her waist.
“This is just to let you know I can claim what is mine anytime I want.No more games, Pollyanna.”
Numbly, Skye nodded; her voice seemed to be locked in her throat, and she was breathing unevenly.
His arm fell, freeing her.“You’re really nervous, aren’t you?Has it been so long since a man kissed you that you tremble at the possibility?”His voice was smooth and teasing.
“Of course not,” she denied stiffly, backing away from him.Her hands were still shaking when she bumped against the rail of Billy’s bed.“I brought this for Billy,” she said, her hands groping for the smaller package.“Would you see that he gets it?”she asked in what she hoped sounded like a normal voice.
Jordan ignored her request, his eyes studying her astutely.“You’ve been badly hurt, haven’t you?”His words were soft with discernment.“How long have you managed to hide behind that easy laugh and witty personality?”
Despite herself Skye’s head snapped up, and what color remained quickly drained from her face.His perceptions were unnerving.Automatically she swallowed back a denial; as for her quick wit, where was it when she needed it so desperately?
“I should have remembered Billy wouldn’t be here,” she said, ignoring his question.It was a struggle to keep her voice even.“Please tell him I’ll be back later.”
“Oh, no, you don’t,” Jordan interjected quickly.“I’m not letting you go now, not when I pulled every string I could to remain on this floor until I got the chance to see you again.”
His disclosure halted Skye’s flight from the room.“You wanted to see me again?”she asked incredulously.Slowly a smile meandered across her face as she realized what he was saying.“Ah, you just wanted to collect another ‘dessert’.”
He answered with a lazy grin.“True, but thinking of a way to even the score helped pass the long day.”He shifted slightly and grimaced with a rush of pain.“Darn this arm,” he swore harshly.
Again Skye found his discomfort greatly affecting her, but she forced herself to stay where she was.“That trick won’t work a second time,” she said, although she realized his pain was genuine.
“Pity,” he murmured with a forced smile.
“Isn’t there something I can do?”
“No, it’ll pass in a moment.”His breathing was hard and labored.
“Please,” she whispered, her gaze resting on his strong face.“Let me do something to help.”The compassion he evoked in her was almost physical.“I’ll get Sally.”
“No,” he shouted.
His anger shocked her, and she stepped back as if burned.
Jordan made a savage gesture.“I didn’t mean to snap your head off, but the nurses can do nothing.”He relaxed against the pillow, the pain easing.“The doctors placed a pin in my arm, and every now and then a pain shoots through it like fire.”His eyes darkened defiantly.“But I refuse to be constantly drugged.”
Skye’s legs felt shaky; it was ridiculous to be so affected by this man.
“Skye,” he said, using her name for the first time.“Will you stay awhile?”
“I...can’t.”Nervously she moistened her dry lips.“I’m meeting Sally for dinner.”She had only left a message for Sally to meether if she could, but Skye knew if she were to remain with Jordan it would only enhance this unsettling effect he had upon her.
His eyes narrowed.Too late, Skye realized her excuse had dented his pride.Jordan wasn’t the kind of man women would easily refuse.She had already tried his vanity before with her deception; to provoke him again would be unkind.Jordan wasn’t like her neighbor who saw her as a conquest to be made.Billy’s roommate was in pain and lonely.
“Afraid?”he mocked.
“No, of course not,” she denied instantly.
“How about later tonight then?”he said, surprising her by pursuing the subject.
“I don’t think so...I sing with the church choir, and we practice on Wednesday nights,” she hurried to explain.She was making a mess of this.Her whole purpose as a hospital volunteer was to help others.Surely it went against his nature to even ask her to stay, and she knew she was denying him only because of the strange feelings he stirred within her.Right away she felt guilty.“I suppose I could stop for a few minutes afterward, but it might be late.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be awake.”He sounded like he was silently laughing at her.
