Page 65 of Her Noble Protector

Raiden closed the door after the last person left. Lisa was barely keeping her eyes open at the kitchen table that was now cleared of food.

“I liked them,” Lisa yawned.

Raiden bolted all of the doors, then went over to the carport door and made sure all of those locks were set as well. “There is a lot to like,” he agreed.

When he looked back at her he saw her heading toward the kitchen.

“What are you doing?”

“I thought I would start a load of dishes.”

“A.J. already loaded the dishwasher, didn’t you hear her bitching?” Raiden asked as he coaxed her back into her seat.

Lisa gave a tired smile. “I really liked her. She’s totally funny.”

Raiden nodded as he sat in the seat right next to hers.

“We’ve got to get you to bed. Did you hear Lydia tell you she changed the sheets?”

Lisa gave her a perplexed look.

“Clint and Lydia slept in your bed last night,” he reminded her.

“Oh yeah.”

Raiden relaxed. He couldn’t believe this was the same woman he’d been talking through windows to six days ago. But just because she had made such remarkable strides didn’t mean she was well. Nor did it mean she was safe; Maria was still out there. Yep, they had a lot to talk about in the morning.

“So are you going to sleep in the guest room tonight, not out on the patio?” she asked.

“Are you comfortable with that?” he asked.

Her eyes didn’t meet his, but she nodded. Not the resounding ‘yes’ he’d been hoping for, but he’d take it.

“Then yes, I’m sleeping in the guest bedroom.” He smiled. “But I think you need to hit the sack right now. You look done in.”

He stood up and went to the kitchen counter where there was a little white sack containing her prescriptions. He took out her pain meds and read the bottle. He poured out the correct dosage and dispensed a glass of water from the fridge.

“Here,” he said as he handed the pills and water to her.

“You’re pretty pushy,” she said as she took the glass and pills from him.

“Yep. Now drink up.”

She stared up at him. She didn’t look mad, just contemplative. This was a good sign; hopefully, she’d still have that attitude tomorrow when he laid out his plan.

“Raiden,” she said quietly after she swallowed the pills.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for saving me.” Her lip trembled.

He crouched down in front of her and cautiously brushed back a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Nothing and nobody was going to stop me,” he whispered.

She leaned into his hand and he cupped her face. She sighed—it sounded like a sigh of pleasure. “It seems like you’ve been saving me forever.”

“Lisa, haven’t you noticed? You’re working on saving yourself.”

Her eyes caught his. “You think? You think I have it in me?”