Halfway through the movie, we finished our meal, and I took the dishes to the kitchen, then cleaned up the mess I’d made. Willa had curled up on the couch and fallen asleep a few minutes after I’d cleared her plate and the tray. It had been a few hours since her mugging, and I hadn’t seen any worsening of her symptoms, so I let her sleep.
With the kitchen finished, I strolled back over to the couch and shut off the television, then scooped her into my arms and carried her to the bedroom. Gently, I laid her down, but as I stood, I frowned. I had intended to go sleep on the couch, but what if she woke in the middle of the night and needed something? Besides, to be truly cautious, I really should wake her every few hours. It would suck to have to get up and come into the bedroom every time. It made more sense for me to just sleep in her bed too.
My frown turned upside fucking down. The bed was a twin, so I stripped to my boxers and climbed over her and settled on my side. Then I curled myself around her and fell asleep, more content than I’d ever felt.
5
Willa
I never would’ve expected that Kurt and I would comfortably fit together on my small bed, but I didn’t want to move an inch when I woke up and found myself cradled in his arms. I had vague memories of him waking me up a few times during the night to make sure my symptoms hadn’t worsened, but I had been too groggy to realize he’d actually joined me at some point. Now I had another reason to be pissed at the mugger—my concussion had made me miss out on sleeping with a guy for the first time. Even though last night never would’ve happened if I hadn’t gotten mugged in the first place. And nothing sexual had happened.
I would have happily stared at Kurt for hours, soaking in how peaceful his gorgeous face was while he slept. Except he woke up after only a couple of minutes and caught me staring at him, and his lips curved into a smug smirk.
His index and middle finger stroked down the inside of my arm and settled over the pulse point at my wrist. “Morning, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good, actually.” I flashed him a shy smile as I snuggled closer.
“Your pulse is good.” He focused on my eyes for a moment. “So are your pupils. Has the headache gotten any better?”
I nodded. “Yeah, it’s down to a dull roar now.”
“Good.” He pressed a kiss against my forehead. “You’re past due for another dose of pain meds, so that’s an excellent sign.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not big on taking pills. I might have some ibuprofen in the bathroom, though.”
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. I brought everything you might need with me.” He stroked his finger down the bridge of my nose. “How about you hop in the shower while I whip up some breakfast? The hot water will help ease any lingering aches and pains you have.”
“You better be careful, or I’m going to get used to being pampered by you,” I warned him with a smile.
“That’s the goal.” He squeezed my butt, then nudged me off the mattress and jerked his chin toward the bathroom.
I was in a daze as I showered. One that had nothing to do with my concussion and everything to do with the sexy doctor who already had me under his spell. Our attraction was definitely a two-way street, and I loved how he didn’t even try to hide that he was into me. His confidence was such a turn-on. So was his cooking…even though the scrambled eggs he made me weren’t that good. It was the effort that counted, and I could just make them for us next time.
He was washing the dishes—since he refused to let me do them—when there was a knock on my door. With his hands in hot, sudsy water, I was able to murmur, “I’ve got it,” and dashed toward the door before he could argue.
After what happened in the ER yesterday, I shouldn’t have been surprised to find Vincent on my doorstep, but I was. “Hey.”
He didn’t seem to notice how awkward my greeting was, judging by the beaming smile he aimed at me. “Morning, Willa. How are you feeling?”
His words echoed—with the exception of using my name instead of sweetheart—the first thing Kurt said to me this morning, but my reaction was worlds apart. Vincent’s concern weirded me out a little while Kurt’s left me feeling all gooey inside. “I’m fine.”
He searched my face, his lips turning down. “You don’t look it.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Gee, thanks.”
His head jerked back as he realized how what he’d said sounded. “I didn’t mean you’re any less beautiful than usual.”