by Jean Adams
He rolled the thick covers over her to keep her warm, then went into the bathroom, took a facecloth he found laying over the sink, and ran it under the cold faucet. When he went back, she lay, eyes closed, clutching her stomach. “Here, put this across your forehead.”
She opened her eyes and took it from him. “I really am very sorry about this.”
“Don’t be. Unless you got sick on purpose.”
“No,” she answered with a weak smile.
He took a chair from the other side of the room and placed it beside the bed. “Is there anything I can get for you?”
She shook her head. “I’ll only bring it back.”
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang. “That’ll be the doc,” Lucas said, and left to answer the ring.
****
Jenna lay very still as Lucas ushered in the doctor. “This is Dr. Brown. He’ll soon fix you up.”
She struggled to sit up, but fell back on to the pillows.
“Just lie still,” Dr. Brown ordered gently, and shoved a thermometer under her tongue.
Lucas hovered around the bed, a concerned expression on his handsome face. Despite feeling like death warmed over, she thought he looked very sexy in his black tux.
The doctor removed the thermometer. “High temperature. What other symptoms do you have?”
“I keep vomiting, some diarrhea. Terrible stomach pains some of the time. I couldn’t get out of bed if I wanted to. I only just managed to scramble to the door to let Lucas in.”
“What have you eaten?”
“Fruit for breakfast. Light lunch. Chicken sandwich because we’re, we were, having dinner out tonight.”
The doctor peered over the top of his glasses. “Hold it right there. Chicken for lunch? Was it cooked properly?”
“As far as I could tell. I bought it from a deli yesterday.”
“And of course you stored it in the refrigerator?”
“Yes.”
“Well, young lady, despite your precautions, it sounds to me suspiciously like the chicken is the likely culprit. Campylobacter, it’s called. You’ll be laid low for a few days.” He started packing up his bag. “Do you have anyone to take care of you?”
“Me,” Lucas answered without hesitation. “I’ll look after her.”
“No, Lucas,” Jenna protested. “You’ve done enough for me and I’ve ruined the evening. You go to the theater.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you ill in bed. So, what should I do for her, doc?”
“She must stay right where she is, get plenty of rest. Not that she’ll feel much like kicking up her heels. Keep her hydrated. Plenty of clear fluids. Water, tea with lemon, or lemon juice, neat. Her stomach should settle in a couple of days.” He paused and glanced at Lucas over the top of his glasses. “Uh, will you be staying that long?”
“As long as I’m needed.”
“Good. If she’s no better tomorrow, give me another call. Otherwise, you can reintroduce solids in a couple of days, but only small amounts of very plain food.” The doctor headed for the door, then turned back. “Another good remedy, if she can handle it, is chopped garlic taken with water. Swallowed down like a pill. I’m a firm believer in garlic. Simple but effective.” He looked across to Lucas and laughed. “It’ll probably dampen your ardor, but it can cure most anything.” The doctor headed for the door again. “And, uh, no sex ’til she feels better.”
“No problem.”
The doctor smiled. “You do as Lucas says, young lady. I’ll see myself out.”
Jenna held out her hand to Lucas. “I’m so grateful you’re staying, but I feel awful about you missing the opera.”
“That’s okay. I know how it ends.” He took her hand between both of his. “You heard what the doctor said. You have to do as I say.”
She liked having him around. Liked being around him. Now she wanted to go to the Bahamas even less. She’d much prefer to stay here and be with Lucas. But he showed no sign of making that a reality. Didn’t even want sex.
She had to stop this silly sentimentality. Having finally got what she’d worked so hard to achieve for all those years, she wasn’t about to throw it all away because she was getting sentimental about one man. Was she?
One very special man who treated her like a princess and wanted nothing in return.
Lucas took off his tux and slipped it over the back of the chair. “Anything I can get for you?”
“Nothing for the moment I just feel like death and guilty.”
“Like death I can understand, but guilty for what?”
“Ruining your evening.”
He plonked his hands squarely on his hips. “I really don’t understand this obsession some people have with feeling guilty over something that isn’t their fault.”
“But—”
“No buts. Did you give yourself food poisoning on purpose so you didn’t have to go to the opera with me?”
“Of course not. I was looking forward to it.”
“Then stop feeling guilty.”
“Sorry.”
That beautiful, million-megawatt smile broke out on his face. “And stop apologizing.”
She managed a weak smile in return. “Sorry.”
He chuckled. “Now, are you sure you don’t want anything?”
She shook her head. “Other than get better quickly? But just having such good company is enough.”
He eased the chair closer to the bed and sat. “And you should know I’m the one who’s feeling guilty.”
She frowned. “You? Why?”
“I thought you’d changed your mind about tonight and didn’t have the courage to tell me.” He glanced at her under his long, black lashes. “Just a feeling I had. Guess I got hold of the wrong end of the stick. When I first arrived here it was in darkness, and I thought you’d gone out to avoid seeing me.”
“Lucas, I’d never be so rude.”
He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “I know. And I’m sorry. There, now I’ve apologized.”
She smiled. “Apology accepted. Goodness, she must really have done a number on you.”
As usual, he ignored the comment. “Mind if I root around? See what’s to read?”
“You’re supposed to be keeping me company. You’re not really going to sit there and read, are you?”
“Not all the time, but you’ll probably sleep a lot.”
“Oh, right.”
He grinned suddenly. “Think I might try—what were they called? Oh, yeah, that’s right. Woman Tamer and Sex Goddess.”
Stunned he’d remembered the titles, Jenna tried to laugh. “Are you really going to read those?”
“Sure. Problem?”
She looked at him under her lashes “They’re a bit raunchy.”
He lifted one dark eyebrow. “Afraid they might give me ideas?”
“No, not at all, but—”
“Well, you should be.” He laughed. “Rest easy. I’d never hit on a sick woman.”
“And why not, pray?”
He grinned. “Because I’d want her fully operational. She can’t be while she’s sick.”
“Oh.” Wouldn’t she know it? The first and only sign of an innuendo and she wasn’t well enough to enjoy it. “Well, I don’t want you thinking that…Oh, never mind.”
He laughed. “I’m a little curious to know what you women find so titillating.”
“It’s just entertainment. Just like men read spy stories, or westerns.”
“Entertaining then.”
Jenna started to laugh, then sat up quickly. “Oh, lord. I’m going to up-chuck again.” She threw off the bedclothes, and rushed into the bathroom, leaving slippers and robe behind in her hurry. She made it to the basin just in time.
Lucas was beside her in an instant. He turned on the cold faucet and bathed her forehead with a cool, wet cloth.
“Oh.” She gasped through bouts of retching. “You don’t have to watch this.”
“Stop grumbling. It’s what
I’m here for.”
She couldn’t argue if she wanted to. The bout finally over, she took the cloth from him and wiped her face.
“You got any lemons?”
She straightened and managed to nod. “I bought some this morning.”
“Good. We have to get some liquid into you or you’ll dehydrate.”
He placed his arm around her waist and helped her back into the bedroom. Jenna leaned heavily against him, grateful for the comfort and warmth his body offered. Even in her condition, she knew it wasn’t the cold sending shivers of awareness along her spine. It was the touch of his hand on her bare back.
She slid between the sheets, collapsed into the softness of the bed and closed her eyes, vaguely aware he was covering her to keep her warm, tucking her in. Then he was gone.
Missing his closeness, she opened her eyes a fraction to find he wasn’t even in the room, but she heard him moving about in the kitchen.
He returned carrying a mug of warm lemon juice and placed it beside her on the nightstand. “There you go. Sip it slowly.”
“Yes, doctor.”
He smiled and she watched him under her lashes as he moved around the bedroom. He hung up his tux, found a blanket and threw it over the back of the chair beside the bed.
“What’s that for?”
“To cover myself. It gets cold at night.”
“There’s no need to sleep in that chair.” She drew in a painful breath and pulled a face as severe cramp twisted her stomach. “Get in beside me. I’m hot enough to keep us both warm.”
He hesitated. “Thanks for the thought, but I don’t think that’d be a very good idea.”
“You’re probably right. I might throw up all over you. There’s a spare room at the end of the hall.”
“Better in the chair. If you need something in the night, I’ll hear if you call out.”
She closed her eyes. “You’re a beautiful man, Luke Nelson.”
He shrugged off her comment and grunted. “Don’t you worry about me. Try to get some sleep.”
Before long she drifted off, comfortable in the knowledge Lucas would be there when she woke up.
****
Lucas had to call on every ounce of will power he possessed not to get into bed with her. He knew it was the fever talking. She didn’t mean for him to get into bed beside her. She’d merely wanted comfort and he was the closest thing.
But it hadn’t stopped his mind from damn near exploding and his libido from acting up. The first time was bad enough. This would be pure torture.
Not for the first time, he’d had to will his telltale bulge into submission, but this was the closest he’d come to doing anything about it, especially since she looked so delicious in that pale orange-colored satin nightdress that had hardly any back to it. He’d discovered that as he’d helped her into bed with his hand on her near-naked back. Her skin had been so pale and creamy, felt so smooth, it was all he could do not to run his hands over her soft body.
Dammit! He’d gotten in too deep. Now, God help him, he’d have to ride it out as best he could.
He’d go to her farewell party in two weeks, smile with all the bravado he could rustle up, say all the right things. After she flew out the next day, he’d disappear too.
He’d go to Greece for a while, couple of months maybe. He could write just as easily from there as anywhere. Lisa’s apartment was set up with everything he needed to work.
Somehow he had to try to forget the woman he loved more than life itself would be living the life of her dreams on the other side of the world.
The woman he loved?
Oh, hell, no. He swallowed.
How did that happen? When did it happen?
But it explained a lot. Such as when he said he wouldn’t be somewhere, he’d usually show up anyway. Why he always bent over backwards to do things for her.
The way he wanted to protect her, keep her safe. The way his heart thumped every time she smiled at him. And as much as he wanted her to be here with him, share her life with him, he had to love her enough to let her go.
He made her a silent promise. No one would steal her dreams the way his had been stolen from under him. He’d protect her goals and aspirations, make sure she got what she’d worked so hard to achieve. And wherever she went in the world she’d take his heart with her.
But she’d never know he loved her.
Chapter Thirteen
Jenna awoke and checked her bedside clock. She’d managed to sleep for a couple of hours. Thank goodness.
Although the room was in darkness, she could easily make out Lucas’ silhouette as he slept in the chair beside her bed, wrapped in the blanket.
Trying not to disturb him, she slipped out of bed and tiptoed her way to the bathroom. Her face didn’t burn so much now, but she wiped the damp facecloth over it. Thankfully, the need to empty her stomach seemed to be lessening.
As she crept back into the bedroom, Lucas shifted. “You okay? Do you want anything?”
Even in her condition, just the sound of his voice sent little tremors of awareness skittering through her body. She clambered back into bed. “Sorry, did I wake you?”
“No, I was awake.”
She pulled the covers over herself and smiled into the darkness. “Fibber.”
“Go back to sleep.” Was that a note of amusement in his voice?
A vague memory found its way to the surface of her mind. “Oh, my God!”
He sat bolt upright. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Had she asked Lucas to get into bed with her last night? Or was her mind playing tricks on her? She couldn’t remember clearly.
Would he remember? Silly question. Of course he would. But what did he say? She remembered being in pain and needing to feel the comfort of his body close to her. She’d wanted to hold him, cling to his strength.
Usually not one to duck an issue, Jenna sucked in a deep breath and summoned the courage to ask him outright. “Lucas, about last night…” She faltered, unable to say the words. How would she face him in the morning if she didn’t get it sorted now?
He shifted in his seat. “What about last night?”
“Did I…did I ask you to get into bed with me?”
“No problem.”
She covered her face with her hands. “Oh, lord, I did, didn’t I?”
“Forget it. You didn’t mean it. You were in pain. You were just after a a little comfort.”
Was that all I wanted? “How can I forget it? I’m so embarrassed.”
“We’ve been through this before. There’s no need for that.”
“Despite what happened before, that—that other time in your apartment, I want you to know I don’t make a habit of asking men to…”
He chuckled in the darkness. “I’m pleased to hear it. But do me a favor. Don’t ask me again.”
Oh, lordy. Her racing heart threatened to jump out of her chest. “I won’t, I promise. I’ll never embarrass you like that ever again.”
“Don’t get me wrong. Nothing would give me greater pleasure. But you, I think, would’ve regretted it in the morning.”
Maybe she would, maybe she wouldn’t. What was it with this man? Okay, go back to sleep before this gets out of hand.
She swallowed. “Uh, good night then, Lucas.”
“Night.” In the darkness, she saw him turn on his side and pull the blanket over himself.
How would she get to sleep now? Her mind was full of visions of Lucas. She lay on her back, listening to the sound of him breathing. Just knowing he was there, gave her a sense of...what?
Safety? Belonging?
It was a feeling she rarely had. Since her mother died seven years ago, she’d felt so totally alone. Had to fight for what she wanted. Clawed her way out of poverty with determination and, as the Americans put it so well, true grit.
Then serendipity had stepped in. She got the job she’d always wanted with Europa, and from that moment on everything started to fall into place neatl
y and easily. After going through a series of exams over a matter of months, inch by precarious inch, she’d made it onto the secondment program. And the next stop was the Bahamas.
A new thought, unbidden and unexpected, found its way into her consciousness.
What’s it all for?
Would her life merely be a series of half-yearly stints? The joy of getting to know new people, followed by the trauma of having to wave them goodbye when she left. What then? What kind of a life would that give her?
What if each new posting brought with it another Lucas? A whole string of Lucases?
Finally drifting into a restless sleep, Jenna admitted there probably would never be another Lucas.
With him the world seemed right. She never felt alone. With him she felt like she belonged in the world.
Without him, she felt vulnerable. Out on a limb.
It had to stop. Lucas wouldn’t be with her forever.
But what to do about it?
****
Next morning, when Jenna opened her eyes, she found Lucas sitting in the chair, an open book in his hand. A sprinkling of stubble studded his jaw. It made him look sexier than ever. “What are you reading?”
He took a drink of coffee and waggled his eyebrows. “Woman Tamer. It’s quite, uh, illuminating.”
She managed a smile. “Are you looking to tame any woman in particular?”
She’d meant it as a joke, but after throwing herself at him last night, now she’d managed to bring the scowl back to his face. “No.”
His strong negative hit her like a punch to the stomach. She closed her eyes, very aware she was losing focus. Lucas was messing with her head again, making her doubt herself, doubt what she wanted from life.
“Do you want some lemon, or tea for a change?”
She managed another smile. “I could murder a cup of tea.”
“I made myself some coffee and toast. Hope that was okay.”
“Of course.”
“Well, I’m happy to say, you look a lot better. Not so flushed. You sound brighter too.”
“Thanks to you.” Oh, God. Why did everything she said now sound like an innuendo?
A few minutes later, he deposited a cup of weak black tea on the nightstand beside her bed. “I’m going back to my apartment to change. If you don’t mind giving me your door key, I can let myself in when I get back. In case you’re asleep.”