Page 71 of Jackson
“Why did you do that?” Jackson asked.
“It was the only way I could get in your room. They said family only. Your captain and Detective Tolbert came in while Iwas here. It must be all over the department that we’re either engaged or I’m a lying slut. They didn’t see a ring, obviously.”
“We’ll deal with that later. Right now, I have some things I need you to do.”
“Anything, Sir.”
“Good girl. I want you to go home, take a shower, and eat a good meal.”
She opened her mouth to protest, and he silenced her with a frown. Inside she whined, ‘I don’t want to leave you,’ but she held her tongue.
He was silent for several seconds, as if to test whether she would obey him. “I get that you want to stay with me, and as much as I appreciate the sentiment, you need to take care of yourself.”
Paula nodded. That made sense.
“Could you go to my place and pack my shaving kit and anything else you think I might need, please? I assume that the nurse will know where my keys are.”
She nodded. “Let me check the cabinet here, first.” She opened the small door. “Your cell and your keys are the only things here. I guess your clothes didn’t survive the combination of the explosion and the emergency department.”
“Okay, give me a kiss, and go do your chores.”
Paula rose without hesitation and bent to press a careful kiss on his lips. As she pulled back, he gripped the back of her head with unexpected strength and looked deep into her eyes. “As soon as I’m able, I’m getting a ring on your finger and my collar around your neck.”
She sighed in bliss and relief. “Yes, Sir.”
“Master,” he corrected.
That made her smile. “Yes, Master!”
He let go of her, and she went. Damn it, giddy as she was, her legs didn’t seem to cooperate, and her knees wobbled.
Paula managed to reach the nurse’s station without a problem. She told Molly she was going home for a bit.
“Don’t worry, Detective Stone. Your fiancé will be here when you get back.”
Paula held out her hand. “Thank you so much for taking care of Jackson and me. I’m really grateful for your help.” After they shook hands, Paula dug into her back pocket and pulled out a crumpled business card. “If you’re ever in need of help, both my personal cell phone and my office number are on it. Oh, and please call me Paula instead of Detective Stone.”
Molly accepted her card with a big smile. “I’ll do that, Paula. Good luck. I hope that man of yours recovers fast”—she leaned forward and said in a low voice only Paula could hear—“so he can go down on his knee to propose properly.”
Paula shook her head and was still chuckling when she reached the bank of elevators.
On her way home, Paula contemplated the next few weeks. Jackson would need help after his surgery. She tapped the steering wheel with her index finger. Which meant she might want to move in with him. Although her house was bigger, moving around was difficult because she hadn’t finished clearing out all her grandmother’s stuff. Also, her bedroom and bathroom were on the second floor, and stairs would probably be impossible for a while.
She parked her car in the driveway and hurried inside. She would take a shower, then make a list of things she had to take care of and call Laura with an update.
Paula dropped her keys on the first flat surface she encountered and hoped she had clean towels.
Ten minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom with one towel around her torso, another around her head, and a cloud of steam escaping behind her. Damn, she’d forgotten to open the bathroom window, and she couldn’t leave it open while shewas gone. Nothing to do about that now. She would leave the bathroom door open instead.
Paula used the notes app on her phone to make a to-do list. It was hard for her to concentrate on the basics. Was it because she was worried about Jackson? She’d never understood why she struggled to organize her personal life when she had no such difficulties in her work life. Presented with a case, she had no problem deciphering the main and side issues, but when it came to running a household, she was at a loss. It was a challenge to figure out the right order for the tasks she’d come up with, and after a few frustrating minutes she decided to call Laura first.
“How is Jackson doing?” Laura asked.
Paula explained about Jackson’s injuries and the scheduled surgery. Laura listened without saying a word, although she gasped when she heard the details of his injuries. It felt good to be able to talk about the ordeal. “I’m thinking about moving in with him for the time being. I don’t see how he’ll cope without help, given his injuries.”
“I think you’re right,” Laura agreed. “How are you going to manage work?”
“How is it possible I totally forgot about work?” Paula exclaimed. “I need to call my captain. I have a ton of leave. Maybe I can take it now.”
