Page 77 of Sullivan

“Sully,” she whispered, suddenly leaning harder. “I’m tired.”

“Then let me take you somewhere you can rest.”

AUTUMN

I was surrounded by warmth and comfort as I woke. I sat up, staring around the opulent room, the confusion lifting as my foggy mind cleared.

After Lynn had woken up and had her surgery and I knew she was recovering okay, Sully had brought me to the hotel. Filled a deep tub and helped me into it as if I were a fragile piece of glass he was afraid would shatter. He fed me bites of steak and tender asparagus, finishing off what I couldn’t eat. There was something so innately sexy about seeing him cross-legged on the floor beside the tub, feeding me, whispering words of encouragement to keep my eyes open long enough to eat. The room itself was big and plush, yet with him in it, it seemed smaller.

After, he dried me and laid me in a bed so plush and decadent, I was sure I was dreaming. He slid in behind me, holding me close. I nestled against him, and the last thing I heard was his voice whispering words of love in my ear.

He wasn’t in bed with me now, but I could hear his voice in the other room, the low cadence comforting.

I felt tired but not the bone-deep exhaustion that had hit me last night.

He walked in, smiling when he saw that I was awake.

“I was coming to check on you. Order in breakfast.”

“What time is it?”

“Ten.”

“Oh God, I didn’t mean to sleep that long.”

His smile was gentle, his voice tender. “You needed it—and more. You were shattered.”

“I have things to do.”

He took my hand. “I’ve called the hospital and spoken to her doctor. She is doing well. We’ll go see her once you’ve eaten and gotten ready. I spoke to Georgia at The Haven. We’ll see her later to go through options for Lynn, and you can discuss with her what you decide. Then we’re having dinner with Finn, Niall, and their wives later. I have also arranged someone to sit with Lynn to give you a break. Georgia helped with that. Lynn is fond of one of the staff at The Haven, and she was looking to make extra money. I hired her and she is trained, so you can’t argue about it.”

I blinked. “I see. You’ve been very, ah, productive while I slept.”

“Your aunt asked me to look after you, and I am.”

“You are,” I agreed. “Above and beyond.”

He grinned. “Not really, lass. I can’t go back and tell her I followed all her instructions now, can I?” He held up his fingers, counting. “I got you a good meal. Some sleep. Took care of important tasks. But you’re still lacking the Irish injection. She’ll not be happy about that.”

I stared at him, unable to resist the smile pulling on the side of his full mouth. He looked sexy and irresistible. His scruff was thick, his hair tousled, and he only wore sleep pants, his chest and torso on display, the muscles taut. Tempting. His gaze was warm. Hot. Smoldering, almost. It made me feel warm all over.

Tingly.

“We can’t have that,” I said, sounding breathless.

He leaned over, pulling me onto his lap. I felt his erection pressing against me. “You need that injection,” he muttered. “You going to take your medicine like a good girl, Autumn? Take it all with a smile and thank me for it?” He ran his hands up my legs, cupping my ass and pulling me down tight to him. “I think it may take more than one to be effective. Can you handle that?”

“Oh God, yes,” I whimpered.

“Good,” he grunted, rolling us over. “Good girl.”

Our visit with Lynn was short and sweet. Anna and Una were there, fussing over her. Lynn looked better than she had, her eyes clearer, the bandage around her head gone and replaced by a neat square covering the jagged cut she’d gotten when she’d hit her head on the table edge.

“I look like a tough old lady now,” she quipped as I bent to kiss her.

“You always have,” I teased, relief almost making me giddy.

She studied me. “You look better.” Glancing at Sully, she smirked. “Took my advice?”