“I brought the ice.” He held up a Baggie full of ice wrapped in a dish towel, but his intentions didn’t look friendly. They looked lethal.
“Well done.” Her voice cracked. She tried to remember the last time she felt this way about a man. Umm...never? Forget her aching head. She needed the ice to cool down.
A knock sounded. “How is Emma’s head?”
Oh, no. Lilah. Emma’s muscles tightened.
“Just a minute,” AJ yelled.
That would work for about thirty seconds. “What do we do?” she whispered.
He kicked off his shoes and pointed to the bed.
This was one way to get her into bed without her putting up a fight or a wall of pillows. She hopped under the covers, settling next to Blossom.
AJ followed so he was on his side, facing Emma with Blossom on the pillow to his left. He held the ice pack against Emma’s head then twirled a strand of hair with his free hand. “Come in, Grandma.”
The door opened. Lilah stood with a glass of water and a container of painkillers. “I thought Emma might need more than ice.”
“Thanks,” AJ said.
Lilah moved closer to the bed. “How are you, dear?”
“Feeling silly that I hit my head.”
“It happens.” Lilah’s gaze traveled from the messed-up bed coverings to AJ’s shoes lying haphazardly on the floor. “I hope my grandson is taking care of you.”
“He’s making a big fuss out of a little bump.”
“Let him fuss. Shows how smitten he is.”
Emma liked the word smitten. Too bad it didn’t have anything to do with AJ’s motivations in caring for her. “He spoils me.”
“I see that,” Lilah said.
“You deserve to be spoiled.” AJ kissed her quickly, a brush of his lips across hers. “Taking care of Emma is my favorite job.”
Her gaze met his. Time seemed to stop for a moment.
“Where’s Emma?” Grady entered the room, a beer in one hand and a cupcake in the other. “I had first aid training at the academy.”
Marianne followed. She held up a white bottle of pills. “I have ibuprofen. Do you think we should call Doc Hunter?”
Lilah clapped her hands together. “Oh, yes, let’s call him. He makes house calls. He’s also single, in his early thirties. Maybe Bailey or Camden will want to date and marry him.”
Grady groaned. He ate the rest of the cupcake and set his beer on the nightstand. “You need to let people find their own dates and spouses, Grandma.”
“Some need a little push,” Lilah said. “That’s all I’m doing. A shove here or a nudge there.”
“No doctors needed.” Grady stood over Emma. “I’ve got this under control.”
AJ sighed. “You hurt her, I hurt you. Got it?”
Grady nodded, but seemed confused. “Pupils are equal. Do you feel nauseous or weak?”
Emma did, but the feelings had nothing to do with her head. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention, but that was nothing compared to having AJ so close. The way he played with her hair and touched her played havoc with her insides. Butterflies revolted in her stomach to the point she thought she might be sick. “I’m—”
“Fine,” AJ answered for her. “She has a goose egg, but I got ice. A couple painkillers and a good night’s sleep, Emma will be good as new.”
Grady winked. “If you let her sleep.”
Emma fought the urge to cringe, but she had no doubt color was creeping up her neck.
Marianne clucked her tongue.
Lilah laughed. “They hardly see each other. Sleep will be overrated while they’re here.”
Emma’s cheeks burned. Libby’s parents had never discussed sex, let alone joked about it in front of everybody.
Grady looked closer at her head. “There’s blood.”
AJ moved closer. “I didn’t see any. Where?”
“Right here.” Grady pointed, both men hovering over her, but Emma couldn’t see what they were looking at. “The wound is clotting so no need for stitches. You must have hit hard. What were you doing?”
Emma glanced up at AJ, unsure if he wanted her to tell the truth. She assumed most billionaires’ girlfriends wouldn’t be crawling under the bed and that might lead to more questions.
“Never mind. I think I know.” Grady looked over her with wicked laughter in his eyes. “If you get sick to your stomach or the headache gets worse, go to the hospital. You might have a concussion.”
“I didn’t hit that hard,” she said.
“You still want to be careful.” Grady looked at AJ. “If she starts acting different, see a doctor. Wake her up every couple of hours to check for changes in mental status and don’t leave her alone for the next day or so.”
“I can manage that.”
Lilah nodded. “I’ll provide backup.”
Grady lifted a pocket-size reference book from his pocket and flipped to the back. “Oh, yeah. Avoid the pain meds if you can. They’ll mask the intensity of the headache. Call the doctor if it’s bad.”
“I’ve got this.” AJ caressed Emma’s chin with his fingertip. “I’m happy to spend the next twenty-four hours right here.”
That wasn’t going to happen. Especially when she liked him being so close to her right now. For show, she reminded herself. But that didn’t explain the tingles a brush of his hand brought. Or how his playing with the ends of her hair made her feel special. Emma sat up. “The appointments tomorrow...”
AJ placed two fingers against her lips, a gentle touch that made her ache for a kiss. “Let’s see how you feel first.”
“Looks like we’re done here. Emma needs quiet and to rest.” Marianne motioned Grady out of the room. “We’ll say your good-nights to everyone. They can see you around town and at the birthday party.”
“Thanks, Mom,” AJ said. “And thanks, Grady. You’re going to be a decent cop.”
Grady grinned. “Already am.”
“Well, good night.” Lilah walked toward the door. “We’ll leave you two alone. But let me know if you need anything.”
Emma held her breath until the door closed, leaving her and AJ alone. She exhaled. Then burst out laughing. “That was...”
“Unbelievable,” he finished for her. “At least only three of them came up.”
“Grady brought his own refreshments.”
“At least they weren’t here long.” AJ rested his head on his bent arm.
“I feel so silly. It’s a little bump on the head. No need for any of you to fuss over me.”
“People are worried.”
“Not people, your family. That’s very nice of them.” She relaxed against the pillows. “Their worry is an extension of what they’re feeling for you. They seem to link me with your being here, and for that gift they’re all grateful. Even your dad.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“It’s true.” She wasn’t going to let this go, even if common sense and a pounding head told her she should. “They care about you, AJ. They really do.”
He froze. The only sound was the beating of her heart.
“Everyone was nice to me tonight,” she continued. “But all of them wanted to talk about one thing...you. Your family and friends miss you so much.”
“Right. That’s why I get only form letters at Christmas and printed birth announcements that find their way to my office when a new family member arrives. Trust me. They do fine without me.”
He sounded like a rejected boy. “I understand you’re hurt, but did you contact any of them?”
He drew back. “Excuse me?”
“Since you left Haley’s Bay, who do you still talk with?”
“Grady. Bailey and Camden. Mom and Grandma. Occasionally Risa. That’s pretty much it.”
“Why is that?”
“They’re the ones who make an effort.”
“And how about you?” Emma wasn’t challenging him. She wanted to help. AJ didn’t seem to have thought this mess through.
“Everyone knows how to reach me.”
“You’re a billionaire. I can’t call your corporate headquarters and be transferred directly to you.”
“Ten years ago, I was a kid out of college. I was reachable. Hell, I was desperate for a call.”
“I’m guessing so were your brothers and father. I’m sure you had their numbers memorized. You probably still do. Boy, you Cole men seem like a stubborn lot.”
AJ smiled. “Determined, is what my grandmother says.”
“Fine, so you were all determined not to have a relationship with each other. And you succeeded. But what have you gained?”
AJ didn’t say anything. He rolled onto his back and drew a deep breath. “We didn’t have anything to talk about. If I stayed, there were conditions I couldn’t live with. If I left, I lost their respect. Not only my father, but my three oldest brothers who backed him. There was nothing to be gained. It was a no-win situation.”
“So you all lost. But it’s not permanent, right? They’re here. You’re here. You can fix this. I’ll bet you’ve fixed much worse.”
“Maybe.”
She couldn’t decipher his voice. She didn’t know him, but somehow she felt “in” this. He’d dragged her into this. She’d try to be useful. “When you left town, did you just leave, or were their words exchanged with your brothers?”
“I don’t remember.”
“I doubt that.” The way he huffed was adorable. As a mover and shaker of the tech world she could tell he wasn’t used to being called to task. But she respected his willingness to think in a new way. She felt safe because he wasn’t going to fire her. He needed her more than she needed him. “What did you say?”
“Not much. I may have said a few things about people who wanted to be stuck in a dead-end town their entire lives. Who wouldn’t?”
“You were young, but you need to make nice.”
“Huh?”
“Mend bridges, extend the olive branch, whatever other cliché you can think of. You never know what might happen.”
“Trying to make nice could make things worse.”
“Maybe, but expecting bad things to come from good is no way to live. What have you got to lose?”
“I’m not here for my family. I’m here to plan my grandmother’s birthday.”
“I’m here to do the planning work. You’re here to say yes to the details and pay the bills,” she clarified. “But only you can reach out to your family and friends now that you’re back in Haley’s Bay. You need to do that for their sakes and your own.”
“Why should I listen to someone I just met with a bump on her head who could have a concussion?”
“Because it’s good advice and I’m guessing if Libby were here she’d say the same thing.”
“You and Libby are nothing alike.”
“I know I can’t fill her shoes—”
“I meant that as a compliment, Emma.” He adjusted the ice pack on her head. “Libby is a great personal assistant. The best. But she has never spoken to me the way you have. I appreciate hearing what you have to say. You’re the first person besides my mom and grandmother who doesn’t hold back.”
“That’s me.” Emma giggled. “Honest to a fault.”
His smile was mischievous, intriguing. “I’ll give you a pass for today.”
“Thanks.” She stifled a yawn.
“You’re tired.”
“A little,” she admitted. “Go back to the party. I’ll rest.”
He set the alarm on his phone. “You heard what Grady said. Can’t leave you alone. I need to wake you every two hours.”
“You’ll be exhausted in the morning.”
“So will you. We can both sleep in.”
Her eyelids felt heavy. She struggled to keep them open. “I’m supposed to be taking care of you.”
“You are. Better than anyone’s taken care of me in a long time.”
Emma could say the exact same thing about him. Maybe they would come out of this as friends. She snuggled against the pillow. “There’s something else I’ve figured out that’s in your favor besides your sports car collection and not having sticky hands.”
“What’s that?” He covered her with a quilt.
“You’re a really nice guy, AJ Cole.”
“Thanks, but don’t let anyone know.” His conspiratorial tone amused her. “It’ll ruin people’s image of me around here.”
“You don’t want people to know you’re nice?”
“Hell, no. They might expect me back next year.”
She laughed. That made her head hurt more. “Heaven forbid you step foot in Haley’s Bay again before another decade passes.”
“If you knew—”
“I’m figuring it out.” She adjusted the ice pack on her head. “When I met your dad, I could imagine how Maria in The Sound of Music must have felt the first time she met Captain von Trapp. Talk about intimidating. But you don’t have to be the same guy who left here ten years ago.”
“I’m not. I didn’t have a clue back then.”
“And now?”
“You think I’m still clueless.”
“What I think doesn’t matter, but the past will influence the present without us realizing it.”
“That’s what you think I’m doing.”
“I’m trying to get you to understand if you’re doing it or not,” she explained. “I didn’t know you ten years ago. I’ve known you for about twelve hours so I have no idea if you are or aren’t. Only you know that.”
“Do you ever turn off the nurturing nanny part?”
“What are you talking about?”
“That’s what I thought.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Sleep. You’ve got two hours then we can talk again.”
She couldn’t wait.
Chapter Eight
Rays of light streamed through the bedroom window, but AJ didn’t need the sun or an alarm clock to wake him this morning. He’d barely slept due to checking Emma every two hours, but it hadn’t been a chore. A few minutes of pillow talk, then watching her fall asleep with the moon casting shadows on her pretty face, was worth being tired today.
AJ made multimillion-dollar business decisions daily and turned an idea into a successful company worth billions, but others did everything for him, from handling his bills to cooking his food. He hadn’t run an errand, written a check or purchased a gift since his company went public. Even before that, staff members had taken over doing the basic things in his life, things he’d never thought twice about doing himself before. His time had become too valuable to be spent standing in line at the deli or vacuuming his living room rug.
Watching over Emma was a novelty. The feeling of satisfaction had nothing to do with profits and good PR. Maybe he should add an element of service to his charitable foundation’s work in addition to writing checks and grants.
He lay on his side, looking at Emma. Her glasses sat on the nightstand. She slept with one arm under the covers and one the outside. Long, wavy strands of brown hair spread across her white pillowcase. A few reached all the way to his.
Earlier her lips had been parted, filling his mind with possibilities. Now the slight curve to her mouth intrigued him. What was she dreaming about? Cats and kids? A man? Maybe him?
Yeah, right. AJ smiled at the truth. His money didn’t impress Emma. Nothing about him seemed to impress her except his family. What he’d previously considered his most obvious liability were those who didn’t believe in him. Yet Emma seemed to bridge that gap and not choose sides. Impossible.
Still, AJ liked her. Blossom liked Emma, too.
The cat slept between them. She rested her head and one paw on Emma’s arm. The cat’s tail was against him, but AJ wasn’t about to move the feline. Disturbing the cat might wake Emma. He wasn’t going to do it. If he were a cat, he would prefer using Emma as a pillow, too.
He gave Blossom a rub, her orange fur soft against his fingers, the way he knew Emma’s hair would feel, though h
ers was longer. He’d given his word about not touching her so he hadn’t except for a nudge on the shoulder during the 3:00 a.m. wake-up.
Blossom purred, the sound comforting and surprisingly not unwelcome. Kinda cute. Maybe cats weren’t that bad. At least this one.
Emma stirred. She blinked open her eyes, then rolled to face him without disturbing Blossom. “Good morning.”
“How’s your head feel?” he asked.
“Better.” Her smile brightened not only her face, but also the room. “Thanks for waking me up through the night. I’m sorry you had to do that.”
“Not a problem.” And it wasn’t. If an employee or someone he knew were sick or injured, Libby sent flowers, balloons or a fruit arrangement from him without asking. Emma was different. He hadn’t wanted to pass her off to someone in his family. Waking up a person every two hours wasn’t that hard, and helping Emma was a good way to repay her for what she was doing for him. “Go back to sleep. I’ll bring you breakfast.”
She carefully moved Blossom’s head off her arm, then sat. The covers fell to Emma’s waist, giving him a nice view of her bare arms and chest. She wasn’t wearing a bra.
He forced his gaze to the cat, who was stretching after having her pillow removed.
Emma looked at the nightstand, picked up her glasses and put them on. “Thanks, but I have meetings at ten and one. I need to get ready.”
“Your work ethic impresses me.” One more thing to add to the growing list. “But don’t push yourself. Reschedule the meetings and rest.”
“No way.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not rescheduling. The party is on Saturday night.” She rubbed the top of her head. “I’m fine.”
He couldn’t believe she’d told him no way. Employees never spoke to him like that. Then again, he’d never had a discussion with an employee while in bed and wearing pajamas that outlined beautiful curves.
“The bump’s almost gone.” She leaned over, her breasts jiggling and making him forget what they were talking about. “Feel it.”
He did, wishing he were feeling something else instead. “You’re right. The bump’s much smaller this morning.
“Don’t sound so disappointed.” Her voice held a nanny edge rather than the sex kitten tones he preferred when in bed, but then again this was her job. “I’m not going to be an excuse you use to avoid your family.”
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