Indulgent Pleasures

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Relief flooded her. He wasn’t dumping her, he really couldn’t get together. Thank goodness.

She was so selfish.

“Ah, don’t worry about me. I’m going to be confined here at my house for a while, though.”

“For how long?”

“At least a couple of days, maybe three? I don’t know, my doctor wants the swelling to go down and the only way that’ll happen is if I don’t do anything.” He paused. “I’m going to be bored out of my mind.”

“Do you want me to come over and take care of you tonight?” As soon as the offer flew out her mouth, she wanted to take it back.

He probably thought she was taking this too far, her wanting to come over. And maybe she was. This wasn’t anything serious and taking care of someone when they weren’t well was definitely the realm of serious.

“No, you don’t have to do that,” he said quickly. “I’m fine, really.”

“But I want to. That is, if you want me to.” Maybe he didn’t like being fussed over. Maybe he preferred to be alone so he could sulk and be cranky all he wanted.

The idea of going to his house and making sure he was all right filled her with warmth. Taking care of him, seeing to his every need, would that send their relationship into another realm? Make it all feel a little more serious?

Did he want to make it more serious? Did she? Is that why he didn’t want her there?

God, she was thinking about this way too much.

“I don’t want to put you out, Stephanie. It’s a long drive and to be honest, I’m really grouchy and I probably won’t be much company.”

“Have you had anything to eat?”

He sighed. “Just some cereal when I first woke up. I’m starving.”

“Then I’m definitely coming out there to help you. You really don’t mind?”

He paused and she waited, felt as if her entire world would come crashing down upon her if he said yes, he did mind.

Dramatic but true.

“No, no, I don’t mind. I really appreciate this, Stephanie.”

“It’s no big deal. I’ll call you when I’m on my way, okay?” She hung up, excitement bubbling within her.

She should be disappointed that they weren’t going to do anything naughty but she was secretly thrilled to play nurse to Justin.

Hmm. Nurse. Maybe they could do something a little naughty, a little role play. She had that costume from a Halloween party she went to a few years ago. It still hung in her closet.

If he was up to it, that is.

Glancing at the front door of the restaurant, she sighed. She’d have to deal with her sisters, tell them she had to unexpectedly leave. And then she needed to stop at Whole Foods and pick up a few things before she started for Half Moon Bay. She needed to feed that man right, give him the treatment he deserved.

She couldn’t wait.

Chapter Seventeen

With a frustrated growl, Justin pointed the remote at the big screen TV and turned it off with the push of his thumb. He threw the remote onto his bedside table. With a sigh, he stared up at the ceiling and watched the fan above turn round and round.

What, he’d been on bed rest for a few hours and he was already ready to climb the walls? Or tear them down, whatever was easiest.

Saturday afternoon and his knee had been a raging mess. It had been giving him regular trouble for the last couple of weeks, pretty much ever since he started seeing Stephanie.

Hell, the woman might be bad for his health.