“I’m not giving you your clothes until you let me explain.”
Tia’s head flung back to him. “Fine. You’ve got two minutes or I’m streaking out of here in my birthday suit and shouting rape all the way to the police station.”
He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
5
“It wasn’t like that. Honestly,” Brent didn’t know how he was going to explain last night to her without letting himself sound like a pervert or a criminal. Although he had tried his best not to notice every inch of her beautiful body, it was hard not to notice after seeing the dragonfly tattoo.
“Then how was it?” There was fire in her dark brown eyes.
“Last night I went out with a few friends for drinks—”
“You were drunk?” Her voice had shot up another octave, and Brent had a feeling that if he didn’t start talking faster she would become hysterical.
“I wasn’t over the limit, but I didn’t want to chance needing to a breathalyzer. So when I bumped into you … literally just bumped, I panicked. I got out of the car and you were lying there in the dark with rain pelting against you.”
She nodded with her arms crossed in front of her chest.
“I didn’t want to leave you lying there until an ambulance arrived, and you spoke. I can’t remember what you said, but you spoke. So I thought it would be better to bring you back here to see if you needed medical attention.”
“Instead of a hospital?” she asked, shaking her head.
“I was a stupid decision; I realize that now. I can take you to the hospital right now if you want,” Brent offered, hoping she would decline.
She sighed heavily and met his gaze. “No, I’m not going to a hospital. Besides, I don’t have medical insurance. It’s just my leg, and I’m sure it’s not broken. Why did you undress me?”
“You were wet,” Brent said as if that explained everything. When Tia just raised her eyebrows, he sighed. “I wanted to make sure there weren’t any other injuries. Except for sleeping for twelve hours straight, you were fine. I checked on you every few hours to make sure you didn’t have a concussion.”
“So I should be grateful you brought me here, undressed me, and left me alone in … where am I?” Chocolate-brown eyes darted around the room.
“In my penthouse apartment on Park Avenue. This is my bedroom.”
Tia clutched the sheets closer to her chest. “Where did you sleep?” she asked furtively.
“I didn’t,” Brent admitted ruefully. He had been so worried over the girl in his bed that he had fueled his body with coffee all night. In the early morning hours, he had briefly considered taking her to a hospital, but then had decided against it.
She tried to move and winced.
“Wait, don’t move. Please. I’ve got a friend who’s a doctor. Let me at least let him come and take a look before you leave.”
“I don’t have money for a private doctor.”
“I’m paying. Please, I feel bad enough as it is; let me do this?” Brent felt like he was pleading. But if news of his hit and kidnap came out, it would be all over the press.
He could see her consider his offer as she didn’t immediately decline.
“Please.”
“Fine, but first tell me your name. If you remember correctly, we didn’t exchange names two years ago.”
The memory of a passionate night flashed before his eyes and he shoved it aside. Now was not the time to remember how pliant and responsive she had been under his touch. “Brent Williams.” He held out his hand in greeting.
She looked at his hand as if he was handing her the plague before her dark brown eyes met his, shooting daggers. “Thanks. Now I know the name of the guy who took my virginity and left me without saying goodbye two years ago.”
Shit! She remembered, Brent thought as he sighed. “I’m sorry about that too. What is your name?”
“Tia Blues and I’m telling you now, I’ll wait for your doctor friend, but then I never want to see you again.”
Brent nodded and started to get up when he noticed a frown crease between her brows. “What’s wrong?”
A mirthless laugh sounded through the room as Tia shook her head. “I’m just confused.”
Brent took her in. Even with anger evident in her eyes she was beautiful. Her dark hair hung over her shoulders in a curtain of health. Her ivory skin was smooth without any imperfections. Her nose was narrow and her lips were the color of rose petals. She suited his bed perfectly and Brent wondered how long he would be able to keep her there.
Maybe he needed sleep more than he had realized, Brent thought as he watched her. “What are you confused about? I thought I explained what happened.”
“You running me over, kidnapping, and undressing me, I’m clear on,” Tia snapped before she tilted her head slightly. “What I don’t understand is why you have taken so much care after running me over when two years ago you couldn’t wait to run fast enough. I connected with you in a way that I had never connected with a man before. I gave you my virginity and spent the night naked in your arms, and yet you left at the first sign of light. You didn’t even bother to say goodbye.”
The question was one Brent had asked himself so many times over the past few years, and still he couldn’t answer it. He shrugged and hoped she would leave it at that.
“So I get the silent treatment for asking questions?” Tia snapped as Brent started to carefully tuck her in.
“Well, if your temper’s intact, at least I don’t have to worry about that being injured as well. Why don’t you get some rest?” Brent knew he was being rude, but he couldn’t help it. He wanted to kiss the grimace off her face and rekindle the flame he had snuffed out two years ago, but he knew neither was going to be possible.
“I’m not going to sleep, if that’s what you mean. Since you’ve taken away all my personal belongings, I don’t even know what time it is.”
“Almost noon,” Brent said as he straightened the bedding around her.
“Noon!” Tia shrieked, and tried to get up.
“Settle down. You’re going to hurt your leg.” He leaned over and pressed her back against the pillows.
“I can’t; I’m late for my shift at the coffee shop.”
Their faces were only inches apart, her eyes drawing him in. Brent moved closer before he retreated and cleared his throat. “You’re not working today.”
“Yes, I am,” she said defiantly.
“Tia, how much do you make a day?” Brent demanded.
Tia named a number and he could see she was ashamed at her meager daily wage as it hung in the air between them.
“I’ll pay you double that for every day you need to recuperate. So could you please calm down and rest until the doctor comes?”
He could see indecision in her eyes when she suddenly yawned.
“Rest,” Brent said firmly before he moved towards the door, ignoring the desire to climb into bed with her.
He closed the door behind him and quickly pulled up Roger’s number. After a few rings, Roger answered briskly. “Brent, I’m busy. Can I call you back?”
Brent silently cursed. “No, you can’t call me back. Remember that favor you said you owed me?”
“What?” Roger asked, agitated.
“You owe me a favor, and I’m calling it in, right now. I need you to come to my apartment as soon as possible.” Brent heard a few swear words streaming through the phone as he walked into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and pulled out the juice.
“You must be kidding me. I can’t come right now. I’ve got back-to-back appointments all day,” Roger argued.
“Roger, when you asked me last year to pay off your gambling debt, I didn’t give you excuses …”
Brent let the words hang in the air between them before Roger finally sighed. “Give me about an hour.”
“Great. See you then,” Brent said cheerfully as he hung up. If it hadn’t been for Tia he would have never called in the favor, but she
needed to see a doctor and Brent knew Roger would be discreet.
After having a quite a few gambling debts pile up last year, Roger had asked Brent for a large loan. Brent knew the circumstances even though Roger hadn’t offered them and had transferred the money within twenty-four hours, no questions asked.
He never did favors in the hope of getting one in return, but right now he didn’t care what Roger thought, as long as he came to see the vixen currently dominating his bed.
After taking a long drink of orange juice, Brent padded down the hall to his bedroom. He slowly opened the door and peeked in.
His patient had once again fallen asleep. Brent considered waking her to give her some food, but decided he’d rather wait for Roger.
6
Tia heard male voices coming from the living room. They slowly seeped into her dream-like state until she realized she was still in Brent’s apartment. She tried sitting up but felt too weak. Leaning back against the pillows, she allowed her eyes to flutter closed again.
She was so tired. If only she could sleep a little longer, Tia thought as sleep once more dragged her under.
“Knock knock,” a kind voice called through the door, accompanied by a knock. Tia didn’t recognize the voice as Brent’s and accepted it would be his doctor friend.
“Come in,” she said sleepily.
Roger was a tall man, at least ten years older than Brent. He had graying silver hair on the sides of his face; his skin was soft and shiny with age. In his hand he carried a small black bag and Tia could only hope he didn’t have any needles in it.
She had an awful fear of needles, one she didn’t want to explore with Brent watching.
“Tia, you’re awake,” Brent said, satisfied.
Tia frowned at him before turning back towards the older man.
“Hi, Tia, I’m Roger. Would you mind if I take a look at you?” His voice was kind and gentle and Tia could imagine his hands would be the same.
“Sure. Although I don’t think there is any need,” Tia said briefly, glancing at Brent who stood by the foot of the bed, shuffling in place.
“There usually isn’t, but it’s best to be sure.” Roger sat down beside her and Tia caught the stern look he gave Brent before turning back to her.
Tia wasn’t happy with Brent at that moment and was glad to know she wasn’t the only one. Roger gently started running his hands over each of her arms before shining a light into her eyes.
“No concussion; that’s a good sign. Although Brent did say you haven’t stopped sleeping since last night. Is that usual for you?”
Tia snickered. “Between two jobs, I’m lucky if I get five hours a night.”
Roger made a sound in his throat and Tia noticed a frown crease his forehead as he started on her legs. He stopped by the bruise and softly touched and probed it before he pulled the bedding over her legs again.
“Your leg isn’t broken, just a bit of a bruise. Because the bruise is still new it will hurt because of all the swelling. If you can, I would suggest staying off it for a few days.”
Tia nodded and could only think about how much this little bump was going to interfere with her plans of going home. Even though Brent had promised to pay her double her daily wages, she refused to accept his charity. Having his doctor come see her was the only charity she was going to accept.
Roger took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles before inspecting her nails. Surely he didn’t expect her to go for a manicure before he looked her over, Tia thought as the older man’s eyes met hers.
“So what’s wrong with her?” Brent blurted out nervously.
Both Tia and Roger glanced at Brent before Roger turned to Tia, ignoring Brent. “Tia, my dear, I’m happy to say you have no evident injuries except for the bruise on your leg. Although I do have a few concerns.”
“Concerns?” Tia asked worried.
“Yes. The dark shadow under your eyes, the pallor of your skin, and the condition of your nails … these are all signs of malnutrition and extreme exertion. I think you passed out last night from dehydration more than from the bump itself. If I were your doctor I would prescribe a large variety of vitamins along with about two weeks’ rest. You need to take better care of yourself.”
Tia faintly heard Brent clearing his throat across the room but ignored him. “It’s just been very busy lately. I didn’t realize I was letting myself go that much.” Tia looked down into her lap, feeling ashamed at the diagnosis. How could she admit to two very wealthy men that she didn’t have two dimes to rub together? That she was working two jobs in order to send money home and to save up to go back home? She couldn’t tell them that she had hardly eaten over the past few weeks, except for the small meals between shifts.
Roger softly patted her hand. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone seems to be so intent on catching the dream these days that they forget to take care of themselves while doing it. I’m going to leave you some vitamins that might help a bit already, but you really need to sleep until your body has had its fill.”
Tia laughed. “That could take months.”
Roger smiled gently. “Then you should sleep for a couple of months, my girl. When the body is overworked it can’t manage daily functions. Your immune system, your body’s natural instinct to heal itself, even your ability to solve problems, are all diminished when you don’t get enough rest.”
“She’ll rest; I’ll make sure of it,” Brent said harshly from his position.
Tia glared at Brent before turning back to Roger. “I promise I’ll take care of myself.”
Roger nodded and placed two containers of vitamins on the bedside table. “You do that, and remember to drink a lot of water.”
“I will. Thank you for coming,” Tia said as she squeezed Roger’s hand.
“It’s my pleasure,” Roger said before he gave Brent a withering look and left.
Brent turned to Tia as if he was going to say something. Instead, he followed Roger. Tia sighed and turned onto her side, falling back to sleep.
“Roger, are you sure?” Brent said as soon as he closed the bedroom door behind him.
Roger turned and shook his head. “That girl isn’t injured, Brent; she’s worked herself to the bone. She’s merely exhausted. You have nothing to worry about. Let her go home.”
“No.” Brent said the words a bit more forcefully that he had intended to. “I mean, I don’t mind if she stays.”
“What? Don’t tell me Mr. Alpha Male has suddenly stepped aside to let Florence Nightingale step into the light. What are you playing at Brent. This isn’t you.” Roger shook his head, looking at Brent in confusion.
“I don’t know. It’s my fault she got hurt; I can’t just let her leave,” Brent argued.
“Brent, it’s not your fault she hasn’t taken care of herself. What are you going to do, take in every stray that comes your way?”
“She’s not a stray Roger, she’s …” Brent stopped himself before he told Roger about two years ago. That night had meant so much to him that he had never shared the memory with anyone else. He didn’t intend to share it now.
“I don’t get you. You don’t care for anyone, at least no one I’ve ever met. And here you are intent on playing nurse to a girl that ran in front of your car?”
“She didn’t run in front of my car, she ran behind it …” Brent tried to correct.
“Either way, this doesn’t make sense. If she’s staying, you might as well make sure she gets enough water and she takes the vitamins. A proper meal might also do the trick. With cases of exhaustion it normally gets worse before it gets better. The body tends to go into healing mode, making the subject even more tired and weak than usual.”
Brent nodded and walked with Roger to the door. “I promise I’ll take good care of her. Thanks for coming.”
“Sure, though next time you run someone over, go to the ER. I don’t want to lose my license because I was an accomplice to your crime.” Roger laughed all the way to the ele
vator, but to Brent it wasn’t funny.
After last night he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to have a drink again. As Brent headed back to Tia, his phone rang.
He quickly pulled it out and noticed Michelle’s number. “Hi, Michelle,” Brent said, hoping it wasn’t urgent.
“Where are you? The meeting?” Michelle sounded distraught.
Brent closed his eyes and tried to remember what had been so important this morning. Shit. The meeting! “Is it over?” Brent asked urgently.
“Yes. Since you weren’t here and I couldn’t get hold of you, I stepped in.”
“You what?” Brent demanded. Michelle was his assistant; she wasn’t experienced in negotiating terms.
“Brent, you weren’t here. I worked on these proposals with you for weeks. I know better than anyone what you want and what is on the table.” Michelle’s voice was sharp, demanding Brent not argue.
“Fine. What happened?” Brent asked, knowing the offer wouldn’t have been made without him being present.
“Ten,” Michelle said quietly.
“Ten what, Michelle?” Brent barked into the phone. For the first time in his life he honestly didn’t have time for his company right now.
“Ten percent. I got them to up the offer with ten percent. I told them I’ll send through the final paperwork in a few days, but we’re accepting their offer.”
“You accepted on my behalf?” How the hell was his whole world out of control in only a matter of hours? Brent thought as he shook his head when Michelle’s words started to make sense. “Wait—ten percent? You got them to increase their offer with ten percent?”
Michelle giggled into the phone. “After all, I am just a lowly assistant with a keen eye for detail.”
Brent laughed. “Michelle, you completely hit this one out of the park. Well done!”
“Thanks. But you still haven’t told me why you didn’t show up.”
Brent sighed. “I had some personal issues to deal with. I’ll be back in the office in a few days. Until then you can contact me by email for anything that needs my attention.”
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