She smiled. “You know you don’t have to hang out here all the time.”
His eyes narrowed as he approached. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No.”
His expression cleared and his shoulders relaxed. “I talked to your doctors, and they are going to keep you for at least another day.”
“Ugh, I want out of here.”
“You will survive.”
“I guess it gives me time to find a place to stay.”
“You have a place to stay.”
“I do?”
“With me. You are staying with me.”
“I can’t put you out like that.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned at her. “You need someone to be around just in case. I will take care of you.”
She wanted to argue with him. Her heart was still a little broken. She had proclaimed her love, and he had yet to respond, and beyond the embarrassment was pain. It always seemed she loved people more than they would ever care for her. But, at this moment, she could accept his help. She knew she needed a few days to regroup before she decided what to do.
“Fine. But I will be looking for another place.”
He rolled his eyes and sat in the chair his sister had vacated.
“Get some rest, or the doctors will never let you out of here.”
With a sigh, and because she was exhausted from all the human interaction, she did as he ordered. As she drifted off to sleep, she felt his hand slip into hers. She didn’t know where they were going to go from here, but at least she had this…for now.
Twenty-One
It was another day before the doctors let Lila out of the hospital. Ian felt a little guilty about getting the doctors to keep Lila there, but once he explained everything, she had been through in less than a week, they agreed with him.
He pulled into his driveway. He had taken her to Kauai. Luc and Conner had been adamant that Ian take another week off, and he had wanted to keep Lila all to himself. He’d told their families where he was taking her. Well, Stryker knew where he was because they had once again used his jet. But he did it for Lila. She needed peace and quiet and he knew Kauai would give that to her.
Glancing over, he found her still dozing. She would never truly admit how much rest she had needed. Over two years of running did things to your body. He planned on spending the next week pampering her, feeding her as much food as she could take, and just letting her rest.
He hurried out of the car and went to unlock the door and key in the security code. Then, he made his way back to the car. He opened the passenger side door and undid her seat belt. As gentle as possible, he lifted her out of the car.
“You know my legs work, right,” she mumbled.
“I like carrying you.”
She said nothing else, but her sigh was filled with happiness.
After getting her settled in the bedroom, he brought in their bags. She was sitting up in bed looking sexy and rumpled, her unique eyes filled with sensual promise. Of course, his unruly dick shoved against his fly. Fuck, the woman had him by the bollocks. He wanted her more than he wanted his next breath, but she needed rest. He was not an animal. He could control his urges. Maybe.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
He blinked. “Like what?”
She shrugged. “It’s weird.”
It was another non-answer from her. He knew that was what she did to protect herself, but why was she using it now?
