Page 63 of Keeping What He Wants

“What do you need me to do?”

“Nothing. Just guard the door.”

He motioned toward the IV pole. “You can’t take the damn pole in the shower with you. Do you want to get electrocuted?”

She frowned. “Fine.”

Pushing a few buttons, she turned it off and disconnected the main IV drip from her arm, leaving the catheter in her vein. A few minutes without fluid won’t hurt her too bad.

She undid the gown and gripped the wall. Ryker held her arm so she wouldn’t fall while he turned the shower on.

“You really should have waited until you could stand on your own.” Ryker waited for the water to get hot before he helped her inside.

“But that’s what you’re here for.” She clutched his arm for balance.

“I thought I was here to guard the door?”

“That too.” She pointed with her free hand. “You’re going to get wet.”

He moved out of the way and she stepped beneath the spray, keeping her head out of the water. She closed her eyes while she clutched Ryker’s arm, enjoying the feel of the warm water washing away the grime. She didn’t know how long she stood there, but Ryker didn’t rush her. He simply held her upright and guarded the door as she had asked.

Ella reached for the soap and squirted some in her hand. She smeared it over her skin, not really doing a thorough job before rinsing it off. Her stomach cramped and she clutched it, moaning in pain.

“What’s wrong?” Ryker was there, in her face, smoothing the wet ends of her hair from her cheek.

“Stomach cramp.” She groaned again. “It usually means I’m going to vomit. My body really hates me right now.”

He kissed her bare shoulder. “Come on. You’re done.”

He dragged her out of the shower and grabbed a towel, wrapping her in it. She closed her eyes as he leaned her against the vanity.

“Hook up your IV.”

She plugged it back in and turned the machine on. After the drip was situated, Ryker opened the door and escorted her back to the bed. He went to the dresser in the room and grabbed another hospital gown to put on her. After he had her covered, he took the towel and tucked her back into the bed.

“Will you tell the nurse I need some more medicine?” Her stomach continued to twist. “I feel horrible.”

He nodded. “I will.”

He pushed the button on the side of the bed and told the nurse what she’d said. Ella curled up on her side and clutched the pillow beneath her head. Her father sat on the sofa in the far corner of the suite. He’d been talking on his phone, and she couldn’t help wondering with whom.

“We’re spending the night.” Pat glanced over at Ryker. “They’ve marked this room off limits due to contamination. We have to stay a minimum of twenty-four hours.”

She chuckled. “Me and my two men. What could possibly go wrong with that?”

****

Ryker watched Ella while she slept. She looked as though she was feeling better than before. She had painful stomach cramps, and the nurse had said it was because she hadn’t eaten anything. She probably wouldn’t eat anything for a while either. Pat had made the bed on the pullout sofa in the room. Ryker didn’t have much to say to him. They didn’t get along, but they had come to a civil understanding of sorts. Both of them had put aside their own feelings to make sure Ella got better.

She shifted in the bed and opened her eyes. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he whispered. “Do you need something?”

“A new stomach?”

“I can’t help you there.”

She swallowed. “Are you going to tell me what happened?”

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