Page 80 of Unexpected Hero

Probably.

By the time he opens the door, I’ve thrown my purse strap across my body, freeing up my hands.

After propping the crutches on the side of the car, he helps me to my feet. Honestly, I still have one good foot, and the heel of the other is fine. I can walk without his help. But I find myself growing more comfortable with how he takes care of me.

I just wish he didn’t need to spend money to do it. The way he comforts and looks after me feels good. Dare I go so far as to say it feels right. But I hate how often he’s had to open his wallet since I met him.

Gah. This man has turned my brain to cheesy potato casserole.

And not the good kind like Katie Walker used to bring to the church potluck back in Climax.

Standing face to face beside his car, the tension bouncing between us sparks to life again. Heat flames my cheeks, and my breath hitches.

He studies me with what can only be described as a carnal intensity before he finally breaks his stare by glancing at the crutches on my right.

“I can walk, James. I’ll be fine,” I offer, hoping to put an end to our suffering. If this continues much longer, we’ll both be smothered to death by sexual tension.

He nods somberly, hands me the crutches, and takes a step back to give me room to get situated. Yet he stays close enough to assist if needed.

Thack. Crunch. Thack. Crunch.

I prod along toward my room, him lingering nearby. He’s stoic and reserved once more.

Halfway down the sidewalk to my room, he grumbles an annoyed harrumph. “Fuck it.” He picks me up, but it’s so abrupt this time that I let out a startled squeak. My crutches clatter to the concrete.

“It’s okay.” His buried Southern twang rises to the surface and caresses my ears. “I got you, sugar.”

Sugar? Oh my god. He really shouldn’t give me an endearment if he doesn’t intend to kiss me good night. That’s just downright cruel.

I lock my arms behind his neck, holding him close. I’m not fearful that he’ll drop me, but I’m greedily soaking up my last few minutes with him. So I can pretend there are more moments like this to come.

Not those with me needing emergency medical care — although we all know that’s going to happen — but moments where I’m in his arms. Feeling his steadiness. Letting it surround me and soothe my chaotic thoughts.

It dawns on me that I need to direct him. When he picked me up tonight, I met him by the parking lot. “Aren’t you going to ask me which room?”

His pace slows to a near stop. “Oh. Good point.” He glances down at me. “Where am I taking you?”

“One thirty-six.”

He nods and resumes our trek. It’s only a few steps away. Odd. It was almost as if he knew where he was going. Maybe he’s psychic.

Unfortunately, my stolen cuddle ends when we get to my door. He sets me down gently so I can get the key out of my purse. “Once you get inside, I’ll grab your crutches off the sidewalk. And I’m gonna run to the store to get you some pain reliever. Do you have a preference for the brand?”

“Oh that’s not necessary. I have plenty. Believe it or not, I have a habit of finding myself in need of pain-relieving medications.”

He’s chuckling from over my shoulder as I pop open the door to my room. It’s taking all my strength not to drag him inside. The only thing stopping me is the sting of the rejection I know he’ll eventually deliver.

He kicks his foot forward to prop open the door, then moves beside me, lifting me subtly from one side like he’s actually my human crutch.

“Thank you,” I mutter.

He shakes his head and grins, his eyes twinkling with mirth. “I think that’s eight times. Maybe nine.”

This man is adorable when he’s annoyed by my manners. But if he touches me much more or grins at me like that again, I’ll wind up humping his leg.

After bringing me to the bed, he sets me down gingerly on the edge.Kneeling, he unstraps the support boot they gave me.

To distract myself from the feel of his skin on mine, I start rambling nonsense.“Speaking of pain meds. Did you know that ibuprofen is a blood thinner? I didn’t realize that, but it explains so much about past bleeding incidents. The darndest thing happened a few weeks ago. I broke my nose right here in this room, actually. I guess my painful screams were too loud for this fine establishment. The front desk called me ‘cause my dickhead neighbors complained about the noise, which is hypocrisy at its finest.”

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