***
Jacey stepped into the large living area of Derrick’s house, glancing around in interest. She hadn’t had a chance to do much exploring since she’d arrived eight days ago from the hospital.
With Derrick out of the house she was taking the opportunity to stretch her legs. Plus, she was curious about Derrick’s house. It wasn’t snooping, she reassured herself. After all, she wasn’t going to open up drawers or cupboards. She just wanted to get out of that bedroom for a while.
It wasn’t that Derrick hadn’t done everything he could to make her feel at home. But she was feeling a lot better now and she was starting to wonder if she wasn’t outstaying her welcome.
Derrick hadn’t mentioned anything, of course, he was just as hell bent on looking after her now as he had been when he’d first brought her here.
But he hadn’t touched her. Not sexually, anyway. And when he had, his touch had been fleeting and brief, almost as though he was afraid of catching something from her. It was a big difference from the man she’d spent the night with. Then he’d barely let her out of his arms.
And he hadn’t kissed her once. They slept in the same bed, but they could have been at opposite ends of the house for all the closeness they shared. Although he’d remained conscientious about her health, he’d lost that stern edge to his voice. Surprisingly, she actually missed that side of him.
Had she done this with her inability to open up and trust? Maybe. Or maybe he just regretted bringing her home with him.
Stepping outside, she lay down on one of the poolside loungers, luxuriating in the feel of the sunshine on her skin. Laying one hand on her stomach, she came to the conclusion that it would be best to leave. Soon.
Derrick didn’t need her hanging around like a bad smell, keeping him from his work and probably from socializing as well. A stab of jealousy hit her at the thought of him with other women, but she had no right to feel that way. He wasn’t hers. Which was best, for both of them.
***
“Jacey?” Derrick called out, thinking she must be in the bathroom when he didn’t find her curled up in the sofa or in bed.
“Jacey?” He knocked on the bathroom door. When there was no reply, he opened the door. Empty. Panic unfurled and he pushed it down. He’d only been gone four hours. She must be in another part of the house. She knew he didn’t want her wandering up and down the stairs by herself. Although she was a lot better, there was still a slight wheeze to her breathing and he didn’t want her testing her lungs. If she had a coughing fit halfway down the stairs or felt dizzy she could fall and be seriously hurt.
“Jacey, where are you? Answer me now.” He grew increasingly concerned as he wandered through the house. Then he saw that one of the French doors in the living room was open. Stepping outside, he immediately saw her on one of the chaise lounges.
“Jacey, what are you doing out here?”
“What? Huh?” She sat up, looking confused. “Derrick? You’re back quick. Did you forget something?”
“I’ve been gone for four hours,” he said, unable to tone down the sternness in his voice. “What were you doing sleeping out here? You could have gotten burned.”
“My skin doesn’t really burn.” She stood up, swaying slightly.
Derrick immediately scooped her up in his arms. “You’re dizzy. Bloody hell, do you know what could have happened if you’d had a dizzy spell on the stairs? You could have broken your neck!”
“Derrick,” she said softly, placing her hand on his cheek. “I’m fine. I just stood up too quickly.”
“You know I don’t want you wandering around the house alone,” he replied as he carried her through the living room and set her on the sofa. Sitting on the coffee table across from her, he picked up her foot, testing the toes she’d stubbed earlier.
“I wasn’t snooping,” she said sharply.
He glanced up at her, his gaze narrowing. “I don’t recall saying that. I’m worried about you hurting yourself while you’re alone in the house. How are your toes?”
“They’re fine.” She slipped her toes from his grasp. “Derrick, I need to talk to you.”
“Yes?” he said, not liking the serious tone to her voice.
“I think it’s time I left.”
“What?”
“I can’t stay here forever,” she began. “I’m feeling a lot better and I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done, but I can’t help but feel that it’s time to move on.”
“Why?”
She looked at him in confusion. “You knew I’d have to leave sometime.”