Mason sits on the edge of the bed. “I know I’m not your favorite person at the moment, Evie, but I’m just trying to do what’s best for you. When I found out you were hurt, I couldn’t get here fast enough. I don’t really remember the drive here. Just a lot of honking and cursing.”
“From you or the other drivers?”
A small smile tilts his lips and he adjusts my blanket. “Alittle of both.”
“You said you were leaving town.”
“I was at the airport when I got the call. Parker went in my place.”
“I’m sorry. This isn’t your problem.”
I close my eyes as his fingers sweep lightly across my forehead, brushing a strand of hair from my eyes. “You could never be a problem, Panda.”
Chapter Eight
I’m allowed to leave the hospital the following evening under strict orders to stay in bed for a few days. Ian meets me at Mason’s house with a bag of clothes and my phone.
“Good,” Mason tells him. “You’re just in time to help me get her stubborn ass into bed.”
“I’ll sleep in the guest room,” I insist, starting down the hall. I make it about three steps before I’m scooped up and cradled against Mason’s chest.
“My room has an attached bathroom. You’re staying there.” I don’t have the strength to argue anymore as he carries me down the hall to his room.
Ian grins at me, and I flip him off while Mason places me on the bed and tugs off my shoes. Leaning to kiss my cheek, Ian puts my bag beside the bed. “I can see you’re in good hands, Ev, so I’m going to go. I’ll come by after work tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I reply, lying back. Just the trip from the hospital has left me exhausted.
“Call me if you need me. Love ya.”
“Love ya.”
Mason slips his fingers under the waistband of my sweats as soon as Ian’s gone. “Don’t.” I resist, twisting away. The movement sends a sharp pain through my back.
He shakes his head at my gasp. “Evie, you’re going to hurt yourself. I’m just trying to make you comfortable. You’ll burn upin those sweats.”
Giving in again, I allow him to remove my pants and sweatshirt. He pulls one of his t-shirts over my head and covers me with a fluffy comforter. The bed dips as he sits beside me. “Better, love?”
“Mmm Hmm, thanks.” I snuggle into the bed, fighting to keep my eyes open.
“Get some sleep and we’ll talk in the morning. Just call for me if you need anything.”
“I will.” I feel his soft lips against my forehead as my eyes slam shut.
When I wake, the room is dark and my pain is back with a vengeance. My head feels like an overinflated tire, and my back is full of needles. Mason hears my moan when I try to roll over. “You okay, baby?”
“Hurts.”
“Your head?”
“And my back. Fuck, everything. I need to lie on my side, but it hurts too bad to turn over. Why am I getting worse?”
“They doped you up pretty good before we left the hospital, but that was nearly twelve hours ago. The pain meds have worn off. Lie still a minute.” He dashes to the kitchen for a bottle of water, then grabs a container of pills from the bedside table. Gently, he helps me sit up and scoots to sit behind me so I can lean back against his chest while I swallow two pills.
Strong arms wrap around me and I’m surrounded by his warm scent. “Just relax and give the medicine a few minutes to work.”
I can barely make out his tattoos in the dim room. “Why flowers?” I murmur.
“You don’t like them?”
