Page 80 of Guarded Deputy
He comes around and helps me down from the truck, keeping his arm around my waist as we make our way to my apartment. Despite the sweetness he’s giving me, I am still so humiliated.
“In you go.” He kisses the side of my head when I open the door and limp into my home.
Nate doesn’t hesitate to walk straight for the bathroom and fill up my tub with hot water, using my kitchen thermometer to measure the water temperature. Once he’s certain it’s at the temperature the doctor indicated, I sit on the edge of the tub and soak my leg. I jolt at the heat but immediately get used to it, especially when the water starts to ease the pain.
“Better?” he asks after some time.
“Yes. Thank you.” I reach my hand out to hold his. “I’m sorry for being such a jerk.”
“It’s okay. Not everyone is cool when injured,” he teases.
“I’m uncool most times, but especially around you.” I shake my head. He chuckles, squeezing my hand.
“Relax, babe. I’m going to get you some water.” He kisses my forehead and leaves me alone in the bathroom, sighing softly.
Chapter 23
Nate
I’vediscoveredsomethingnewabout myself that I had no idea was hidden beneath layers of cynicism. I would kill anyone or anything that hurts Lizzy. I’ve never felt this need to protect someone, make their pain disappear.
Except you wouldn’t pee on the sting.
My conscience isn’t letting that one go. Of course I wasn’t going to pee on her. I knew it likely wasn’t a solution, and there were people watching. I don’t think Emerald Bay’s deputy should be swinging his dick around, urinating in public.
My priority was making sure Lizzy was okay, and a professional was the most apt person to care for her in that moment. Now, I’m the one that will be certain she fully heals. I’m not leaving until I’m positive she’s okay.
I grab two water bottles from the fridge and head back to the bathroom. Lizzy’s eyes are closed, her hands on either side of her, gripping the side of the bathtub. Her face is sun-kissed, and the bridge of her nose and her cheeks are a darker shade of red.
She looks beautiful and innocent. She looks like the woman you bring home to mom. Hell, she is the woman I would’ve taken to meet my mom, and I know my mom would’ve loved her.
I clear my throat, swallowing down my emotions, and Lizzy blinks her eyes open, smiling over at me. My heart beats to a faster rhythm as our eyes make contact.
“Didn’t mean to disturb you.” I awkwardly stand by her, handing her the water bottle.
“Thanks, and you didn’t disturb me. I was just resting my eyes.”
I chuckle, finally moving to sit beside her but facing the opposite way. “Are you feeling better?” I bump my shoulder with hers.
“Yeah, the warm water surprisingly helps a ton.” She takes a sip of water and then places it on the ledge between us.
“I’m happy to hear that. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to help you when you asked me to pee on you, but I just didn’t think that was the right move. I’d never want you to think that I wouldn’t help you if you were hurt.”
Lizzy’s cheeks turn a deeper shade of red that has nothing to do with the sun, and I smile.
“Have I already told you how mortified I am?”
“A few times.” I chuckle. “It’s okay, Murphy.” I hold the side of her face, brushing her cheek with my thumb.
“Murphy?” Her brows dip.
“You’re the embodiment of Murphy’s Law.”
“I am, aren’t I? I need to think before I speak or act.” She shakes her head.
“Nope. I like you the way you are.”
“Even when I call you a stripper and Mr. Hot Deputy?” She bites her bottom lip.