Page 102 of Paper Roses

He ponders that for a few seconds, before saying, “I think you’re right. I don’t know why I’m surprised. You usually are right.”

“Really?”

“Don’t look so startled. I’ve taken your advice for years. You have a keen eye for people and a clever, quick mind.”

“Thank you.”

“You sound more pleased by this than when I compliment your looks.”

“Looks fade. It’s nice if there’s a brain there too.”

“Well, you have no need to worry about that.” He cups my chin again, his face affectionate. “Cleverandbeautiful,” he says thoughtfully. I must be glowing because his face turns wry, and he leans down and kisses me. “Stay.”

“Like a dog?”

“Not one owned by Joe.”

I snort. Joe and Lachlan have got a new puppy, and it’s so wild that it’s almost feral. Yesterday, Joe tied the lead to his office chair while he went to the loo, and the dog took off running. It ended up with the chair wedged in the front door, while the dog barked furiously at a startled bride and groom.

“He shouldn’t bring that dog to the office anymore. You can tell him.”

I blink. “Me?”

“Yes. You’re much better with the unpopular news. You always find a positive way to spin it.”

“I’m going to say okay, secure in the knowledge that you will allow Joe to bring the dog in until it’s okay being on its own. Because that puppy loves you.”

He grimaces. “Well, I could have done without the slobbering on my trousers. I’m not a puppy lollipop.”

“No, you’re a husband lollipop.”

His eyes flare at the memory of the blowjob I gave him kneeling under his desk, and he bends to steal another kiss.

“You’ll keep that dog away from me. My hero.”

“I’m pretty sure I won’t. Roger loves you because he recognises you are a big softy underneath your growl.”

He waves that away. “Roger is a ridiculous name for a Jack Russell. And why does Joe have to carry it everywhere? He looks like he’s auditioning forDownton Abbey.”

I laugh, and he turns and lopes over the one-way street, his stride graceful, his head high. A woman passes, offering him an appreciative look, and I can’t blame her. She passes me, and I notice the hot chocolate she’s carrying, and my mouth waters. I think I fancy that rather than tea.

I get up, wincing a little as my knee twinges. Jed’s already ducked into the bakery, but it seems worth it to pop over and askhim to change the order. I take a step into the road and freeze at the sound of screeching brakes.

Something hits me hard.

The breath punches from my chest, and as pain sears through me, I’m oddly aware I’m falling, the sky blue above me. I hit the pavement, and everything goes black.

When I come back to awareness, I’m lying in a bed, and I’m freezing. My whole body shudders with the chill, making the sheets rustle around me. The only warm spot is my hand.

I try to force my eyes open. They won’t work for a second, and I have an intense stab of terror, but then they open stickily. I wince at the bright light and slam them shut again.

Pain starts to make itself known. I hurt all over. My head is throbbing like a drum, my ribs hurt, and my right arm is heavy and numb. When I shift position, I can feel the tackiness of blood on my legs. What has happened?

I try to focus, which makes the pain worse. The last thing I remember was hot chocolate. And then… Something hit me.

My eyes fly open. This time, the light is a little less bright, and my eyes widen when I see Jed. He’s sitting hunched over with his head on the mattress next to my hip, and my hand is warm because it’s clasped between his. His body seems to vibrate with intensity.

I swallow hard. “Jed?”

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