Holding Strong
Page 31

Cherry shook her head. It was enough that he’d taken on caring for her. She did not want him financially taxed, too. “I’ll pay you back.”
“No, you won’t.” Ignoring her indignation, he said, “I’m staying here, too, so don’t sweat it. Now stay put while I go get some ice. I’ll be right back.”
“Wait a min—”
He bent and kissed her forehead. “You’re not up for arguing with me, girl, so just relax, okay?” Another kiss and then he strode to the door.
The shower had cleared the fog of lethargy enough for reality to intrude. The timing was a problem in more ways than the obvious.
The second Denver returned with the ice bucket filled, she said, “I have to work tomorrow.”
“Around kids?” His brows climbed high. “That’s not happening.”
“I’m feeling better.” Better, but still on the dark side of rotten. And since she worked in a day care, she probably shouldn’t be around little kids. Still...
“Hate to tell you, honey, but you’re going to need at least two more days. Maybe three.” He looked her over. “Or more.”
Unacceptable, but knowing he might be right got her head to pounding.
The ice clinked in a glass as Denver dropped it in, then poured juice over it. “You want a straw?”
Her shoulders slumped. “No.”
He handed it to her and went to the small table to open up some bags. “I grabbed food for myself, but I wasn’t sure—”
She held up a hand. “No. No food for me.”
“I figured.” His expression softened. “Will it bother you for me to eat?”
“No, just...don’t talk about it.”
Smiling, he shook his head and pulled out a seat. “If it makes you nauseous, tell me.”
Turning to her side, she snuggled down in the bed. Keeping her eyes open wasn’t easy, but she’d been enough of a pill already. “What will you do today?”
He opened several containers. “What do you mean?”
“You usually work out? Or jog?”
“Both, but I can miss a day.”
She watched him dig into what looked like cottage cheese. She closed her eyes. “Denver?”
“Hmm?”
“Would you do me a huge favor?” When she opened her eyes, she saw that he’d turned toward her and was waiting. “Please, will you go make use of the gym? Or at least jog?”
“You planning another shower?”
His teasing made her smile tiredly. “No.” She yawned, sank a little deeper into the bed. “I’m going to doze and I’ll feel better knowing I didn’t completely ruin your day.”
He pushed his chair back and came to sit on the side of the bed. “I like being here with you.”
“Not like this.”
“Even like this.”
Could that be true? And if so, did that mean he actually cared for her? They had so much to work out, but first... “Please?”
Hesitation showed through his frown. “You promise to stay in bed?”
Since she didn’t think she could move anyway, she nodded.
“All right. I’ll finish eating then take off for an hour or so.” He bent to put his forehead to hers. “Be good while I’m gone.”
Soon as she got well, Cherry decided, she’d set him straight on his bossiness. But until then...yeah, sleep seemed like a very good idea.
CHAPTER SIX
DENVER HAD TO ADMIT, the jog did him good. He’d still been tense from his clash with Cherry’s supposed family. He hadn’t gone too far from the hotel and he’d stayed alert while pushing himself, but he hadn’t seen them anywhere when he left or when he returned. With a little luck, they’d taken his advice and split.
Most of the fight crowd had finally cleared out by the time he returned so he made it to their floor without getting stopped even once. Wearing a sweaty T-shirt and running shorts, his phone and the key card in a special carrier strapped with Velcro around his wrist, he headed to the door.
The sudden splitting noise of a fire alarm obliterated the calm he’d just achieved by the long run. Jogging the last few steps to the door, he jerked it open and found Cherry sitting up, groggy and confused.
“What happened?”
“Fire alarm.” In rapid order he went about shoving his things into his overnight bag, then started on her stuff, grabbing up discarded clothes, shoes, makeup she’d left in the bathroom...
“What are you doing?”