Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“If that’s what she wants. But you will take good care of her. I’ll be staying in Wishingbone for the next few days.”
“You don’t have to stay, Reuben,” she said. “I’m fine.”
“I want to help find the fuckers who did this.”
“Ed will be happy for your help,” Dominic said dryly.
“Course he will.”
Dominic lightly brushed his fingertips over her cheek. “Sleep now.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“I think . . . I might need a nurse.”
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Reuben snapped. “If Xavier missed anything . . .”
“No, it’s not that,” she said. “I just need the bathroom.”
Reuben nodded. “I’ll go get her.”
“I can help you. If you’re okay with that,” Dominic said.
Was she? She wasn’t sure. But then she wasn’t sure that she was any better off with a stranger.
“Okay. Thanks.”
“I’m going to go see Juliet and get some sleep for a few hours. I can come back and stay tonight if you want to go get some sleep, Dominic.”
“I won’t leave,” Dominic said. “But you’re welcome to come back.”
Was it her brain injury making her delusional or were they actually getting along?
“Fine. Be good.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Love you.”
“Don’t be mushy, Andy. Doesn’t suit you. But, you know, ditto.”
31
Dominic carefully picked her up in his arms.
“I’m sure I can walk.”
“Let’s not test that theory. Besides, after everything I went through, I’m going to need to do things for you.”
“I’m sorry, Dominic.”
“I know, darling girl. But I’m going to need you to be patient with me if I get a bit overbearing with your health and safety. Okay? I thought I’d lost you.”
He let out a deep breath and she felt his pain in that breath. Felt his fear. She couldn’t remember what happened, but she still felt weirdly scared.
It was worse than knowing, she thought. Because her body was on alert, telling her to be afraid.
And she didn’t know who to be scared of.
“I need you to be really honest with me about how you’re feeling. If you’re in pain. If you’re scared or worried. Okay?”
“You a mind-reader?” she asked as he carried her into the bathroom.
“I wish I was.”
“I do feel scared, and I don’t know why and that’s terrifying. I mean, I know why. But I don’t know who. It could be anyone, Dom-Dom.” She let out a small whimper.
“Shit. I know, baby. I know. That’s why I’m not going to leave you alone, okay? I don’t even know if I could leave you alone with the nurse at the moment. So let me help you, all right?”
“Okay.” She felt a wave of nausea run through her. God, everything hurt. She wanted to vomit again and the light in here assaulted her eyes.
“I have to pee.”
“All right. Can you stand while I lower your panties for you?” She was wearing just a hospital gown and panties.
“Maybe if I hold onto something.”
“There is a bar on the wall. Hold that. Good girl.” He set her down on her feet carefully before lowering her panties. Then he helped her sit.
“I have a shy bladder,” she said as she sat there, unable to do anything.
“Would it be better if I put the water on? And turned away?”
“Please.”
As he turned away, she took care of things.
“Dominic?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“I need something, but I don’t want to ask.”
“Is it a sanitary product? You’re still on your period, right?” he said matter-of-factly.
“Y-yes.”
“It’s all right, darling girl. I was married for years, remember? And there is nothing that I wouldn’t do for you. Let me go talk to the nurse and see if I can you get you something, okay?”
“Yes. Please.”
She sat and waited anxiously until he returned.
“Sorry. Took it bit to find her. Is a pad okay?”
“Yes. Thank you.” She reached for it in his hand, but he drew it back.
“Let me?” he asked. “You’ll have to bend down and that won’t be good for your head. I’ve got this.”
Tears dripped down her face.
“Darling girl, don’t cry. If you need me to, I’ll get the nurse. I don’t have to do this if you’re too uncomfortable.”
“No. I just, I don’t want you to see me as someone you have to take care of.”
He wiped her tears away carefully. “Even if that’s what I was put on this earth to do? Even if it’s what I want more than anything? If caring for you makes me feel fulfilled and happy? You’ll deny me that?”
“Are you sure? It doesn’t seem sexy or like something you’d want from a . . . a girlfriend.” She could feel herself blushing as she said that. She hoped he wanted that and that her feelings for him weren’t all one-sided
“It’s exactly what I want. I’m a Daddy Dom, darling girl. I thrive on this sort of thing. I want to wrap you in my arms, feed you, clothe you, bathe you, provide for you. I want to be your everything. To have you look at me like I can move mountains, because for you, I will. For you, I will do anything.”