Page 11 of Born To Be Bad

I smirk. I’ll never get used to being so wholly desired. It made my insides hum. “Mr. Ravenscroft. You’re going to have to feed me before any further action can be taken.”

We are all running on fumes—we’ve not had nearly enough sleep nor wholesome food in the last taxing twenty-four hours. Plus, I could murder a gin and tonic—preferably a double. But first, Jamie.

“Before we go,” I say, “I’d like to pop down to check on Jamie.”

“Of course,” replies Alistair. “I’ll come with you.”

“I know they don’t encourage family hanging around, but I’ll be quick. I feel like I haven’t seen him in ages.”

He rubs the small of my back. “We can stay as long as you like.”

Jamie’s nurse catches me before I reach his room. “Ivy! That was quick!”

I blink at her, not understanding. “Sorry?”

“We only just called your mum. Jamie turned a corner. He’s well enough to come off his ventilator. We’ve stopped administering sedation.”

My heart jumps. “Really?”

She chuckles. “Really.”

A weight lifts from my shoulders. Relief floods through me like warm water. Jamie is going to be okay.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I take it out and see that it’s Mum calling.

Alistair gestures to hand it over. "I'll take it,” he says. "You go and see Jamie."

Jesus, I love this man. I kiss him on the lips and follow the nurse.

Jamie is still asleep when I enter his room, but seeing him off the ventilator is a wonderful sight. In a strange kind of déjà vu of what had just happened with Ariana, I pull the chair to his bed and hold his hand. His skin is cool and soft. Strange times, I think to myself, when your lover’s sibling and your own are in ICU at the same time. Bizarre, but oddly convenient for visiting, I guess.

I probably shouldn't wake him up, but I reason that he's been asleep so long now that it would probably be good for him to have a conversation.

"Jamie?" I venture. I shake his hand a little. “Jamie?”

He stirs, but stays asleep. I pat his hand until he raises his eyebrows and sniffs the air, moving his head from side to side.

“It’s me,” I say. “Ivy.”

Eyes still closed, his lips curve into a smile. “Ivy,” he whispers. “My sister Ivy.”

“That’s me,” I reply. “You’ve been asleep for a long time.”

He swallows, and then frowns. “My throat is sore.”

I consider telling him about the ventilator but decide against it. “There’s water here,” I say. “Or I can fetch you a drink. Hot chocolate?”

“That sounds so good, but I don’t want you to leave.”

“I’ll ask Mum to bring you one. She’s on her way.”

He finally opens his eyes and blinks to adjust to the light. Slowly, Jamie focuses on me. “There you are. I thought I might be dreaming. I’ve had a lot of dreams.”

I smile at him. I hate that he looks so vulnerable. “I hope they’ve been happy dreams.”

“I have an important question, Ivy.”

“Yes?”

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