Page 81 of Perfect Together
“I know. The paramedic warned me. I’ll take some ibuprofen, and I’ll be fine.” She wasn’t looking forward to it, but she’d survive.
He groaned. “Let’s go upstairs. You’ll be more comfortable in bed.”
She narrowed her gaze and shifted so he could move out from under her. She pressed her hands against the sofa, prepared to stand, when he lifted her into his arms. “Sam, this is becoming a habit.” One she already knew she liked and wanted to get used to.
He met her gaze, his eyes as serious as she’d ever seen them. “I need to take care of you tonight.”
She leaned her head against his chest and sighed. Earlier, when she’d turned from the paramedic only to catch sight of Sam, her knees almost buckled at the sight of him, strong and solid, there for her in her moment of need.
He was her haven.
And so much more.
He took care of her. He looked out for her. He understood her. He made her feel everything.
“You make it too easy to love you,” she murmured, deciding it was time to let out what was already in her heart. She’d grown up used to hiding her emotions and feelings, and she hated how she felt when doing it.
He stiffened but continued his climb up the stairs. “I don’t—”
“Shh.” She looked up and placed her finger over his firm lips, rubbing her fingertip back and forth over his mouth.
His hazel eyes dilated at her touch.
He couldn’t say it back, and it hurt. So did the fact that he didn’t want to hear it either.
“Sam, just because I needed to say it doesn’t mean you need to repeat it. And just because I feel it doesn’t mean you have to.” Although she sensed he did.
But he was running from his feelings because of his past and his fear of being hurt again. Though she had to accept that he might never let himself get beyond those fears, tonight’s accident reminded her that life was short. And so she was willing to fight for both of them and hope she could bring him around.
***
Sunlight streamed throughthe window, waking Sam in a painful way. He forced his eyelids open and rolled over to face Nicole, finding her watching him.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
Her eyes filled with pain. “I can’t move.”
Her groan went straight to his heart, memories of the mangled car coming back to haunt him.
“My whole body feels like I was slammed into by a semi.”
“Let me get you something to eat and some painkillers. It should ease the aches and pains.”
She closed her eyes. “Thank you. Then I’ll try a warm shower and see if I can get moving.”
Between sleeping and tossing and turning, he’d been fighting a mixture of emotions. Fear at the thought of what might have happened to her in that accident. Rage at the notion that someone might have been sent after her. And a healthy dose of both of those feelings over her words last night.
You make it too easy to love you.
Damned if she didn’t do the same to him.
He wasn’t sure what threw him more. That she’d said it or that she hadn’t pushed him to say it back. Vulnerable yet strong, loyal and so damn gorgeous she took his breath away; yeah, he was probably in love with her.
But the too-rapid pounding of his heart, the sweats and shakes he’d have if he didn’t have to concentrate on keeping her safe, and the fear of being hurt again told him he couldn’t handle it.
Thanks to her, he didn’t have to. “Be right back.” He slid out of bed and went to get the supplies to take care of her. That was something he could handle.
A while later, the painkillers had kicked in, so she was able to move around, although he saw the pain in her tight expression. While she went to shower, he called his folks to check in, then headed for the kitchen.