Page 32 of Liberating Mia
He felt her body heat disappear, heard rustling. Then he felt her presence beside him again.
“Come on. Let’s get you into this chair here. We don’t need you collapsing on the floor. Put your arm around my shoulders and I’ll help you.”
A testament to how bad he felt, he did as she suggested without argument. Leaning his weight on her, Finn felt her falter for a moment. Then she steadied herself. He felt movement under his arm and finally managed to pry his eyes open to see what she was doing. She’d swung the chair around, ready for him to sink into. And he noticed she’d put the robe back on.
“Down you go.” They maneuvered themselves until he could do as she said, almost sighing out loud in relief. “Where did you put the bag of medication you got at the hospital?”
“It’s in the right knee pocket of my cargoes.” This time, the huskiness in his voice came from pain.
She disappeared into the bathroom. Returning with a glass of water, she shook a couple of painkillers out into her hand and passed it all to him. Gratefully, he swallowed the pills down. “Thanks.”
“I know you most likely don’t feel like it now, but I think we need to get some food into you so you aren’t taking such strong medicine on an empty stomach.”
“Yeah, okay.” She had that right. The last thing he wanted was food now, but she had a point about meds on an empty stomach. In fact, he couldn’t actually remember when he’d last eaten.
Mia uncovered the now-lukewarm food. And her own stomach grumbled. Noisily. Despite the pain, Finn couldn’t help chuckling. Grinning sheepishly, she arranged his food in easy reaching distance and went around to the other side of the table, taking a seat opposite him.
Heaving a deep breath, he hooked a foot around the leg of the table and scooted around to face her. As the mind-blowing pain began to recede to an unpleasant ache, he found now faced with food he was actually hungry. Without another word, the two of them attacked their dinners like it was their last meal.
After long minutes of silence while they ate, Mia eventually spoke. “So how are our sleeping arrangements going to work? Shall I take the sofa while you take the bed? It just makes more sense since you’re the one who’s hurt.”
Shaking his head as he chewed the bite he’d taken as she spoke, he swallowed it down. “If you’re good with it, I have no problem sharing the bed with you. I sleep on the left of the bed in any case, so you won’t hurt me during the night.”
Hesitantly, she finally replied, “Well, as long as you’re sure, then thanks. That would definitely be more comfortable than that thing.” She pointed at the rather fussy, antique-looking sofa that seemed as if it wouldn’t hold the weight of a child. “As long as you’re sure.”
“Absolutely.”
“Thanks, Finn. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, Sugar.” Having devoured his food, he pushed the plate aside. “I’m gonna grab a quick shower, then hit the hay.”
He stood, supporting his injured side.
“Um, Finn … you’re not supposed to get that wet.” She pointed to the side he held.
“Yeah, I know, but I’m desperate for a shower.”
A thoughtful expression crossed her face as she sat staring at him. “I’ve got it. Give me a second.”
She got up from the table, packing their dirty dishes back onto the trolley. He watched as she dashed over to her discarded clothes and started dressing under her robe. When she was done, she snapped up the room card, wheeling the little cart over to the door. “I’ll be right back. Don’t get in the shower yet,” she said, as she let herself out.
“Where are you going?” he called just as the door swung shut. No reply. Then again, he doubted she’d even heard him.
He gingerly lowered himself back onto the chair and carefully leaned down to undo his combat boots. By the time he got the laces undone and had toed the boots off, he was breathless and cursing like a sailor. Easing back, he decided he’d wait right there until Mia came back from wherever she’d disappeared.
As he sat there, the painkillers started working their magic, and he welcomed the relief from the unrelenting agony. He leaned his head back against the chair and relaxed his body. He’d started dozing when he heard the door open. Cracking an eyelid, he saw Mia come into the room, carrying an assortment of goodies.
“Hey. Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” she said when she noticed him yawn, one eye still closed.
“I wasn’t asleep. Just kinda drifting, you know? I can’t deny I’m beat though. I’d really like to take that shower now, if it’s all the same to you, now that you’re back.”
“I have the solution to your problem.” She grinned, like the cat that got the canary.
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“It’s easier to show you.” She dropped her haul on the table, then reached around him to grip the hem of his shirt. She eased it up, taking care not to jostle his wound, and helped him slip it over his head. “Okay, I’m going to need you to follow me for the next bit.”
Grabbing all the goodies back up, she went over to the bathroom. Curious as hell, Finn followed at a slower pace. “What are you up to, woman?”
