* * *
A coupleof days went by agonizingly slowly, and we moved to a safe house in the sticks somewhere. I started my rehabilitation to start walking again. I was beyond frustrated and growing very agitated at not being able to walk properly. Ezra hasn’t left my side and has been so supportive and patient, which seems to add to my annoyance.
I’m a proud man, I’m not too fond of the feeling of being immobile, and I don't particularly appreciate asking anyone for help; I detest it. That’s not even the worse of it; no, the worse part was that each day I was becoming a little more aware that I was falling deeper in love with Ezra, and I couldn’t control it. I command every damn thing in my life, but these unfamiliar emotions I’ve got growing deep inside of me are driving me nuts.
Ezra’s been sleeping on the sofa so that I could be more comfortable in bed, and I catch myself watching her sleep for hours without getting bored, and I worry that she isn’t comfortable or that she’s cold. Everything just disappears when she’s around me, and I need to remind myself constantly that I can’t have her; add sexual frustration to that mix, and you have a highly perplexed, insanely randy man on your hands.
“Damien, you’re doing great. One more time,” Ezra encourages, looking up at me, her hands stretched out and on my elbows while I use the walking rails. I sigh and grip the bars tight to keep the annoyance out of my tone. I’ve been snapping at her constantly the past few days, and she’s been brushing it off like it was nothing.
“Ezra, I think I’ve done enough for today.” I huff, and she lifts her eyes and looks up at me, her hands on her hips.
“Your doctor said three times. You have one more to go. Do you want to get better or not?” She sighs, brushing a strand of dark hair out of her face while still glowering at me. “Come on. Again.”
“I don’t need you niggling over me all the fucking time. I am more than capable of doing this by myself. I’m a grown-ass man.” I growl, peeved, and she exhales slowly, her eyes close briefly.
“Then act like one and stop letting your stupid pride delay your progress. Yes, you are big, and you are strong, but even the strongest person needs some help from time to time, Damien. So, shut up and let me help you.” She snipes back hotly. God, she so unbelievably sexy when she’s angry, and this would have been a perfect moment to kiss her beautiful face off. Begrudgingly, I turn and walk along the rails one more time. “Good. You’re progressing very well; you’ll be back to yourself before you know it.”
“Yeah, not soon enough,” I mutter bitterly. “If we are done here, I need a shower.” Ezra moves to the side so I can step off the rails, her hands coming up to my shoulders to support me while I move slowly toward the ensuite bathroom in the master bedroom of the safe house we were currently hauled up in. The wound was healed mostly, still aches from time to time. The pain now is physically trying to walk again.
I need to get back to myself, and soon before I lose my fucking sanity.