“Just lie still, baby,” he told her. “We can work this all out later, when you’re feeling better.”
A huge yawn caught her by surprise. Hadn’t
she just woken up? “I’m sorry, I’m so tired.”
He brushed his hand over her hair. “That’s okay, baby. You go to sleep.”
***
Tara woke up with a groan. Her pillow was damp and she swiped at her mouth as she realized she’d been drooling.
“Yuck.”
“Tara? You okay?”
Alex stepped into her vision. Great, he really was seeing her at her most attractive.
“I’m okay. Can you call a nurse for me?”
“Why? Are you hurting? Do you need more pain killers?”
Tara shook her head. “No, I, umm, I need to…”
“What?”
“I need to go to the bathroom and I don’t think I can manage on my own.” She felt herself go bright red.
“Ahh.” He smiled gently then he held out his arm to her. “Hold onto my arm and let me pull you up.”
She held on and he eased her up, helping her twist around. He clasped her around the waist as she stood.
“Okay, I got it from here,” she said as they reached the bathroom door.
He shook his head. “I’m coming in with you.”
“No. Way.”
“You could faint, fall and hit your head. I’ll turn my back, I promise.”
“This is the most humiliating moment of my life,” she told him as he helped her into the bathroom. Her embarrassment grew when she realized she couldn’t pull her panties down. They’d stripped her bare and put her in this gown, but left her panties on.
Alex knelt without a word then pulled off her panties. He’d helped her sit then moved to the door and turned his back. Tara took a deep breath and tried to relax.
She peed quickly then realized there was no way she could stand without help.
“Umm, Alex?”
He turned and helped her stand before pulling her panties up. He steadied her as she washed up and then swung her into his arms and carried her back to the bed.
“Thanks,” she said tiredly as he lay her back in bed. She was exhausted and sore.
“I’m going to get you some more pain killers, and you’ll take them,” he told her sternly, tapping her nose. He hit the buzzer for the nurse and explained the situation. Once the nurse had brought the painkillers, Alex took a seat beside her bed again.
Tara smiled at him. “Thanks,” she said.
“For what?”
“For taking care of me. No one has ever taken care of me the way you do.”