Professional Boundaries (22 page)

“So are Delfia and I having a slumber party tonight?”

He got a devilish grin on his face. “She has a date, so it looks like it’s just you and me.”

“Hmmm.”

“Come on, Kelli. We’re both adults.”

That makes it worse in my mind.

“Did you tell her I was injured and how important this was to me?” I mean, surely her date with Matt could wait a night.

“I didn’t think that was wise.”

“Why not?” I demanded

“Did you really want me to disclose to Ms. King that I was the alternative?”

 Of course I knew that was a terrible idea. I loved Delfia, but like I said before, she was the queen bee of gossip. I didn’t answer, though, because I knew it was a terrible idea for my boss and me to have a sleepover. Taking my chances of slipping into a coma sounded like a better and safer idea.

“I cleared it with your sister, if that makes you feel better,” he said in response to my silence.

I sat up as straight as my body would allow me to at the moment. I was finding movement of any kind to be painful and my right side was a little numb from the local anesthesia they had given me before they manipulated my shoulder. “When and why did you talk to Amanda?” I didn’t want to tell her until she got back.

He gently touched my shoulder as if to tell me to relax. I settled a tad at his touch.

“I knew she would want to know, and I had to get the code to your apartment.”

I stiffened again. “What!”

He smiled and then reached down and grabbed a bag and placed it gently on my abdomen. “I thought you would want some more comfortable, non-blood splattered clothing to change into.”

I shook my head carefully at his thoughtfulness. “Thank you, but …” I didn’t know what to say. The guy was throwing me for a loop.

“But, what?” he grinned.

“You shouldn’t have called my sister. I don’t want her to worry.” That just sounded stupid, but oh well.

“She’s happy I called her, and I promised her I would take good care of you, so there was no need for her to worry.”

“And she believed you?” I spluttered.

He grinned again. “You know, some people actually think I’m a pretty good guy.”

I dropped my shoulders and sighed. His smiled dropped too as he leaned closer and lightly touched the bruised side of my face. “I don’t blame you for the misgivings you have about me. They are well deserved, but I know somewhere in that willful mind of yours, you know it’s true.”

I so badly wanted to believe him, especially when he looked at me so tenderly, but I had spent years trying to get over him, only to have him hang over every relationship I’ve tried to have. Instead of words to respond, my body decided tears were a good way to go. It wasn’t the best option in my mind, but I couldn’t hold it liable; after all, I was tired and battered, physically and emotionally. A body can only take so much. To make matters worse, Ian carefully drew me in to him and just held me. Against my better judgment, I sank into him and soaked his shoulder in my tears.

Suddenly that overwhelming feeling of peace and rightness washed over me. But how could that be? I had loved him, and because of that, he left me. I extricated myself and leaned back against the bed and closed my eyes. I felt him softly kiss my forehead, then I heard my nurse walk in.

“I’ve come to spring you,” she announced.

It was the best news I’d had all day.

She came around to the side Ian occupied. “I’m going to need you to move,” she said kindly to him. “I need to check your wife’s vitals one more time, but don’t worry I’ll have her back to you in no time.” She winked at me.

It was all I could do to not roll my eyes, and I could tell Ian wanted to laugh at me.

It didn’t take her long to remove all the medical paraphernalia I had attached to me. Once she was done, she verbally went over a list of things I should and shouldn’t be doing for the next week. Heavy lifting and driving were off the table, but she did give me a list of exercises to do with my arm and shoulder.

She turned to Ian and gave him warning signs of concussions to look for, just in case. “Also, your wife may be unsteady for a day or two, so it would be a good idea to help her with everyday tasks like bathing and dressing.

Thankfully, her back was to me because my eyes widened at his evil grin, and then they practically rolled into the back of my head. She handed Ian a couple of prescriptions for pain relief. “Just let me know as soon as your wife is dressed and I’ll bring in a wheel chair to take her down to your car.” How many times was she going to call me his wife?

I balked at the wheel chair, but she said it was hospital policy; I had to be wheeled out.
Whatever
, I thought,
as long as I could go home
.

As soon as she left, I sat up slowly and grabbed the bag of clothes Ian had brought me with my left hand. He immediately came to my aid and helped me stand up.

“Would you like some help dressing?” he could barely say it without laughing.

I gave him the evil eye.

“Doctor’s orders,” he said again, with laughter this time.

“I’ll be right back.” 

“I’ll be here if you need me,” he called back. “I put a button up shirt in there so you didn’t have to reach above your head.”

He always thought of everything. I didn’t even respond. I just slowly made my way to the bathroom. I was definitely getting those prescriptions filled. Every step felt like I was dragging a ton of bricks, and the bricks shot needles every time they were moved.

Once in the bathroom, I realized why Janelle said I would need help dressing. It was all I could do to get my jeans on, but I had to. There was no way I was having Ian help me, and calling Janelle in here would blow the whole we’re married thing. I silently cursed Ian as I slowly pulled up my pants with only my left arm and without trying to cry or move too quickly. It was then I realized I couldn’t button them with only one hand. I had the same issue with my shirt. My poor right arm and hand just wouldn’t work right at the moment; the stupid anesthesia hadn’t completely worn off yet. This was so ridiculous!

I came out of the bathroom holding my shirt together with one hand to find a smug-looking Ian right by the door waiting for me.

“Do you need help, honey?”

If only I had a free hand to smack the smirk off of his face.

“Don’t even think about looking down my shirt or pants,” I warned.

He gently grabbed my shirt, pulled me to him, and immediately began buttoning my shirt while his dancing eyes stared directly into my eyes. Not once did he look down.

“Don’t enjoy this too much,” I growled.

He pulled a little closer and grinned. “Maybe you don’t how this works for guys, but we typically enjoy
unbuttoning
.”

“Did you really just say that to me, Mr. Greyson?”

“No more Mr. Greyson, Kelli.” His eyes burned into mine.

He had two buttons left when he stopped. “Is that sufficient?”

I just shook my head yes, and without a word, he buttoned my jeans for me. “Thank you,” I whispered. 

“My pleasure,” he replied. Afterward he gently led me to the bed and helped me sit down. There he put on my shoes for me like I was four years old.

He stood up and touched my cheek softly. “I’ll let your nurse know you’re ready to go, and I’ll pull the car around.”

I just shook my head. “Thanks.”

He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll see you in a minute.”

He seemed reluctant to leave as he walked out slowly, and he kept looking back as if to make sure I was still there. For some reason I held my breath as he looked, and I let it slowly out as he left.
This was going to be an interesting night
, I thought.

Janelle was there within a couple of minutes, and I found myself being wheeled out into the evening air. I loved that it was staying lighter later. It was around six, but there was still plenty of sun. Ian waited by the passenger side with the door already opened. He had some black sporty-looking car; I couldn’t tell off hand what it was, but it looked expensive.

Janelle helped me up, and Ian took it from there, helping me into his car. He even buckled me in. I was beginning to feel like a toddler.

Chapter 17

It took a while to get home, because it was rush hour and we needed to stop by the pharmacy. Ian, once again being thoughtful, had ordered dinner from Alicia’s, so we stopped by to pick it up. Alicia and Jose even brought it out curbside. They both fretted at my condition. I almost asked Alicia if she wanted to stay the night with me, but I had a feeling that even if I did, Ian would have interfered. I was making mental note to remind Holly and Amanda that they needed to coordinate when they would be out of town.

It was a slow walk to my apartment, and I did everything I could not to wince with each step, but I failed miserably. I had never hurt like this in my life. I didn’t think I’d be belly dancing anytime soon. Ian was patient and gentle the whole way there. He even offered to carry me, but I declined. Being in his arms only confused me more.

Once in my apartment, he helped me settle on my couch, and he brought me dinner and drugs. They had told me upfront I could take a higher dose, and I gladly did. I figured this way, too, I would fall asleep fast and easy, and my sleepover with Ian would be over before I knew it.

Dinner was mostly a silent affair, but the looks and body language were loud. I think we were both uncomfortable. I felt like there was so much that needed to be said, but I didn’t know where to begin. I had a feeling that my family had been right all along, and I wasn’t sure how to deal with that. I also had a feeling Ian wasn’t ready to deal with it either. I’m sure he had a plan and a time table, but somehow the accident changed all that.

All I knew was, I was beginning to feel quite good after dinner. The meds were doing their job nicely. The only downside was I knew I needed to change again; I had no desire to sleep in jeans. Of course, Ian was more than happy to oblige, and I think he tried his hardest not to smirk as he unbuttoned my shirt while I held onto it for dear life. I will say he was a gentleman like he’d always had been, and he kept his eyes averted, but I had a hard time breathing, and that was not just from the pain. Ian took my breath away, just like he had so many years ago. Looking into his deep, sultry eyes as he helped me did not help matters at all. I felt like I needed someone to douse me with ice.

When he finished undressing me, per se, he smiled. “So where are you planning on sleeping? This way I know where to set up camp.” 

I chose the couch. The thought of him sleeping in my room, even if it was on the floor, was going to send me over the edge. Not that I had never imagined us sharing a room; he was truly the only man I had ever wanted to share a bed with, you know until death do us part. Or like forever.

I walked into my room, shut the door, and just tried to breath. He was getting to me. It was then I decided I was wearing sweats; they had elastic bands, and I threw caution to the wind and carefully pulled on a t-shirt. It hurt like heck, but I had enough of Ian helping me get dressed or undressed as needed. I could imagine Amanda and Zane laughing now. In fact, it was just a few minutes and I was treated to the real thing over the phone as they called and checked on me. Of course they felt terrible I was hurt, and they wished they could be here to take care of me, or so they said, because they seemed to find great delight knowing who my caretaker would be for the night.

Their parting words were, “Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do,” followed by hysterical laughter.

I just threw my phone on my bed and walked out to find blankets and pillows on the couch and Ian waiting for me on the end with a big smile on his face. Thankfully I was feeling very drowsy.

Ian helped me settle in, and then he sat on the edge close to me. He touched my face softly. “I’m so sorry,” he kept repeating.  

I had a feeling he wasn’t just talking about the accident. I reached up and grabbed his hand and held it for a moment. “We really need to talk.”

He leaned down, and his lips met with mine just briefly. “Not tonight,” he whispered against my lips that already missed his.

I was so torn, part of me wanted to pull him back and kiss him thoroughly. The other part wanted to shake him and make him tell me why, after all of these years.

“But,” I whispered back barely. My eyes were already becoming heavy.

“Just sleep,” I heard him say before I did as he said.

I don’t know how long I slept, but I woke up in the pitch dark of night feeling disoriented and hurting. I tried to sit up only to find that difficult. I felt stiff, and I cried out in pain.

“Are you ok, Kelli?”

That voice jarred my memory quickly, as did his touch. He was by my side lightning fast, helping me to sit up. As my eyes adjusted, I could see him. The “him” that had left me and hurt me.

Suddenly, a wave of memories and pain washed over me. Anger engulfed me. “I don’t like you. I loved you and you just left me. Why?”

Even in the dark I could see his eyes widen.

“Kelli, I don’t think we should talk about that right now.”

“Why?” I cried, but before he could answer, I snapped and a flood of words just fell right out of me; it almost seemed out of my control. “I know why, you didn’t love me. It’s because I don’t have big boobs and blonde hair like Alexa and your ex-wife.”

His jaw dropped. 

“That’s right, my sister and I googled you and your big-boobed wife.”

He chuckled a little. “Kelli, you don’t know what you’re saying right now.”

I smacked his hand away from my face with my good hand. “I do know what I’m saying, I just can’t help what I’m saying. Ok? I deserve to know after all of these years.”

He took my hand, and I tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let me. “Please Kelli, let’s have this conversation when you aren’t under the influence of painkillers.”

“Just leave then.”

His shoulders dropped. “Fine, we’ll have it your way.” He let go of my hand and ran a finger softly down my cheek. “Kelli, first of all, this has nothing to do with the size of your breasts or the color of your hair. You are the most beautiful woman of my acquaintance, but you were so young and innocent. It was against my better judgment to get involved with you in the first place.”