Page 30 of Fumble

“I’m fine.” As I lean back, I realize the water soaking my t-shirt is red.

“You’re bleeding. Holy shit!”

“It was just a bump.” I stand and hoist her into my arms.

“I’m taking you to the ER. You could have a concussion.”

“No. I’m…” she fades out for a second, “… fine.”

“You’re not fine. We’re going to the hospital.” I sit her down on the edge of the bed and go in search of some clothing in her bag. I’m not used to dressing a woman, but there’s no room for irony right now. Once she’s dressed, I find a fresh towel to press against the wound. It’s difficult to see where exactly the blood is coming from in her dark, luscious hair, so I move to pick her up.

“I can walk. I’m okay. However, my pride is in tatters.”

“Don’t be silly. It could happen to anyone.” A little snort escapes her before she slumps into my arms. “You have to stay awake, Faith.”

“I’m fine.” I scoop her up into my arms and carry her the rest of the way. Even in the cab, I don’t let her go, forcing her to talk to me the entire time.

When we arrive at the ER, a nurse quickly recognizes me and finds a quiet room for Faith and me to wait. If there were ever a time to be grateful for the perks of celebrity, this is it. Within minutes, a doctor steps into the room, extending his hand to shake mine.

“I’m Dr. Rosen. Nice to meet you, Mr. Vaughn. And who is this?” He turns his attention to Faith.

“I’m…” I step in, knowing how quickly these things can escalate.

“This is my personal assistant, Faith.” His judgment is evident in the pursed line of his mouth.

“I see.”

“She hit her head. It was bleeding, and she seemed a little out of it. I thought it was best she get checked out.”

“You did the right thing. You can never be too careful with head injuries.” He sets to work examining her.

“Can you tell me what happened, Faith?” Shining a light in her eyes, she follows his finger as it moves back and forth.

“I slipped in the bath. Ended up straddling the tub. I think I broke my lady parts.”

“Well, let’s get this head wound looked at first. I want to get a CT scan of her head to check for possible injuries.”

“For my va-jay-jay?”

“For your head.” He turns to me.

“I think she may have a concussion. I’d like to keep her overnight for observation, and we’ll run the CT scan to make sure there’s nothing else going on.”

“Whatever she needs.”

“A nurse will be in to give her some pain meds and get her ready for the CT.”

“Thanks.”

I spend the next three hours sick to my stomach, worrying about a girl I barely know. Thankfully, the tests were clear, but as I sit at her bedside, an uneasiness washes over me. Tonight didn’t go nearly according to plan, but before she got hurt, we were having fun. I don’t remember the last time I laughed like that with a woman.

Five stitches later, she’s settled in her room for the night. I pull up a chair and take her hand in mine.

“I’m sorry, Faith. I shouldn’t have been teasing you with the towel. This is my fault.” Groggy from the pain meds, her head flops to the side, her eyes barely able to focus on me.

“My head is fine. It’s my hoo-hah that really hurts. Will you kiss it better for me?” This girl can disarm me with a single sentence.

“Yes. I’ll kiss it better.” A soft snore escapes her. “Faith?” She’s out for the count, and as I settle in for a long night watching over her, I think about those last words. Looking at her now in peaceful slumber, I know it’s not a case of if for me, it’s when. Maybe I’ll be able to stop short of taking her virginity, but after tonight, I won’t be able to walk away without tasting her.

---