He held out some pajamas. They were silky and a deep crimson color. “I got Jenny, my housekeeper, to do some shopping. Hold your arms up and I’ll help you get changed.”
She blushed bright red. Seeing her naked during sex was one thing, but seeing her naked like this was a whole different ball game. Sex, she could deal with. When had anyone taken care of her like this? Only her nanny when she was sick as a child. Her parents had never shown any interest and Stephan had always expected her to wait on him. Whether she was feeling up to it or not.
Derrick’s behavior confused her.
“Jacey? What are you thinking?”
“Nothing,” she replied automatically.
Derrick raised her face, his hand gentle but firm beneath her chin. “We’re going to have to work on that, aren’t we?”
“What?”
/> “On getting you to open up. When I ask a question, I’m not expecting a brush off or to hear what you think I want to hear. I really want to know what you’re thinking.”
Jacey tried to move her head away, feeling uncomfortable. But Derrick tightened his hold. Not to the point of pain, but she knew he wasn’t budging.
“I’m not used to doing that.”
He chuckled. “I can tell. Would you like me to help you?”
She raised her gaze to his. Letting him into her head was dangerous, it opened the way for her secrets to spill out. But as she looked up into his gaze and saw the concern, she wanted to open up to him.
“Yes,” she whispered. “But I’m not sure I should. I can’t…there are things…” she trailed off and he sat beside her, pulling her onto his lap.
“Let’s just take this slow. At the moment you’re not well and my main goal is to get you feeling better. Let’s concentrate on that for now and we’ll slowly work on getting you to open up and trust me.”
She grabbed his hand. “I trust you more than anyone else I know.”
He grinned, a smile that turned his face from handsome to breath-taking. Leaning in, he kissed her gently.
“Thank you, baby. Let’s get you into bed, okay? You look knackered.”
She smiled. Most of the time he sounded so American, then every so often his accent would become obvious or he’d say a word like knackered and his English heritage would slip through. It was sexy as hell.
Ignoring her protests that she could do it herself, he soon had her stripped and dressed in amazingly comfortable pajamas.
“You didn’t have to buy me anything, Derrick.”
“Well, I wasn’t sure what you had. There are more clothes in the dresser for when you’re feeling better. Do you need to go to the bathroom?”
“Yes, but I can—Derrick!”
He swept her up, striding for the bathroom. Setting her down on her feet, he reached for her pajama bottoms. Jacey quickly slammed her hands down on his.
“Uh-uh, no way.”
“Jacey—”
“No,” she said firmly, before bending over as a cough wracked her body. Derrick held her close as she shook, running his hand up and down her back.
“Better?” he asked as she calmed.
She nodded her head, feeling exhausted. She leaned her head against his chest.
“I really need to go to the bathroom. Alone.”
Derrick kissed her forehead. “Okay, I’ll wait outside the door. Call me when you’re finished and I’ll carry you back to bed.”