“I’ll be right back, pequeña.”
She reached out to him. “Wait. You’re not leaving, are you? You’ll be here when I wake up?”
He sat down by her hip and then placed his hand on her lower stomach. “Of course, I’ll be here. I’m going to make you something to eat. Charles, the man who takes care of the house, usually has a ton of food in the place.”
“When do I get to meet him?” she asked.
“When you feel better.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I’m also planning on crawling into bed with you. I didn’t get much sleep last night. Would that be okay?”
He loved the way her face brightened at the same time that a heated desire filled her eyes as she nodded.
“Good. Rest, I’ll be right back.” He walked out of the bedroom and smiled. She was where she belonged—with him, and he just hoped she’d decide to stay with him because he would do whatever it took to protect her and make her happy.
****
Amber watched him walk away and had to hold back the urge to call him back. She didn’t know why since they had just met, but she trusted him. He made her feel safe. Safer than she had since her father died. The fact that he probably saved her life would forever bond them together.
Her eyes slid closed because she couldn’t hold back any longer.
The next time she opened them, Cesar was sitting by her hip.
“Hey, pequeña. I hate to wake you up, but I need you to at least take the pain pill and drink the juice. I’ve got some scrambled eggs here if you can stay awake long enough for a few bites.”
“I can try.”
“Good girl. Let me help you to sit up.” He lifted her by her underarms until she sat against a mound of pillows before he handed her a pill and a glass of orange juice.
Amber swallowed the pill and gulped the juice down. She hadn’t known she was that thirsty.
He chuckled. “I’ll get you some more after you take a few bites.” He lifted a forkful of eggs to her mouth. “Open up.”
She felt a little funny being fed like a baby, but she admitted to herself she didn’t have any more energy, and she liked him taking care of her.
She held up her hand. “Can I stop? I’m so tired.”
He put the plate on the nightstand and helped her to lie down.
“Is one side more tender than the other?”
“Yes. I’d rather lay on my left side. I think I landed on my right.”
He got her situated. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to lock up, shower, and then I’ll come to bed.”
“Have you eaten? You need to eat.”
He chuckled. “I’ll grab some eggs.”
She nodded and closed her eyes. While she was almost afraid to go to sleep because she thought he might not be there when she woke up, the pill and fatigue of being injured didn’t give her a choice. Her last thought was of his face.