Page 18 of Love Under Protection

Then, the medical team drops the bomb on me: they don’t want me to leave on my own. Because I’m heavily medicated.

Well. Shit.

For the first time all day, I grab my cell phone that is fully charged, no doubt thanks to Harley. The last thing I want to do is call Liv and Jameson back here, so I take a chance and dial the resort. When the front desk attendant answers, I ask to be connected to Harley’s room number and pray he answers.

“Hello?”

I breathe a sigh of relief when he answers. “Harley. I didn’t wake you, did I? I don’t even know what time it is, to be honest.”

“No. You didn’t wake me, Raylynn. Whatcha need? Are they ready to send you home? You sound a lot better.”

“That’s why I’m calling. I hate to even ask...”

“I’m on my way. Don’t think anything of it,” he tells me. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes or so.”

“Th–thank you.” I do my best not to let my emotions get the best of me. No way in hell I’m going to cry over his kindness.

My nurse brushes back in with a clipboard and gives me a warm smile. “Got someone to pick you up?”

“Yes,” I reply as she hands me the clipboard and a pen.

“First page is your discharge instructions. Keep an eye on your fever, Tylenol or Motrin as needed. Imodium if the diarrhea persists and keep drinking plenty of fluids. If you’re still not feeling well by the end of the week or your symptoms get worse, follow up with your primary care or return to the ER. If you’ll sign the bottom of that first page, I’ve got your copy here, and then as soon as your transportation is here, you’re free to go. If you need anything before then, I’m right outside the door.”

I look at her badge to catch her name. “Thank you, Kai.”

“Anytime, hun. I hope you’re feeling better enough to enjoy the rest of your stay here,” she says before stepping out.

I’m dozing off again in the chair next to the hospital bed when I hear Harley shuffle in and chuckle.

“Come on, Sleeping Beauty, let’s get you out of here.”

Kai comes into the room with a wheelchair before I’ve even got a chance to stand up. “Your chariot awaits.”

“I can walk,” I protest.

“Or, I can carry her,” Harley offers.

I can’t tell if he’s joking or not, but the way Kai is checking him out, you’d think he hung the moon.

“You’re not carrying me. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Doctor’s orders, especially since you were still a little woozy from the medicine when we got you dressed,” Kai adds.

“Fine.”

Kai and Harley act like I’m crippled and help me stand and make the three steps to the wheelchair. Then she pats Harley’s arm. “I’ve got another patient coming in, I trust you to navigate her safely out of here.”

“You hear that, I’m in charge,” Harley says softly in my ear.

“As opposed to any other time?” I snark, and he grunts.

I don’t even want to think about how he got a cab to wait outside for us to come out. Or how much that’s going to cost me. Thankfully, I’m still relaxed enough that the thought escapes as soon as it floats through my mind.

Harley helps me into the back seat, settling in beside me for the drive back to the resort.

As soon as we pull up, he pays the driver without even giving me a chance to, then he gently helps me out and escorts me inside the resort.

“So, promise not to hate me?” he asks while we’re on the elevator to my floor.

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