Page 72 of Do Opposites Attract?

She wanted to ignore him, wanted to get away so she could lick her wounds in private, but the plea in his voice stopped her. When she slowly turned round, his eyes were full of apology.

‘It seems upsetting you has become a habit of mine,’ he said quietly. ‘One I need to break. God knows, you don’t deserve it.’ He paused and ran a hand across his shaven head. ‘I was surprised by your offer, that’s all.’

‘You were horrified.’

Mitch flushed slightly. ‘Okay, yes, I was horrified, but not for the reason you think,’ he added hastily. ‘It’s not the thought of staying with you. God knows, anything would be an improvement on this place.’

‘Wow, thank you. You really know how to make a woman feel needed.’

Mitch threw up his good hand in despair. ‘Hell, I’m making a real hash of this, aren’t I?’

Brianna could only agree. Still, it made a change to see him on the back foot. She watched as he sagged back against his pillow, sighing deeply. When he raised his head to look at her, it was the first time she’d seen his brown eyes look quite so unguarded.

‘I’ve never had anyone look after me, Brianna,’ he admitted slowly. ‘I’m used to taking care of myself. For me to have to admit I need help is incredibly hard.’ He gave her a rueful smile. ‘But here I am, in plaster casts from head to foot and as helpless as a bloody baby. I don’t have the luxury of being proud. You made a very kind offer and I’m really grateful. Hell, I might not show it, but I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me.’ His voice was as serious as the look in his deep brown eyes. ‘You saved my life, Brianna. Your visits also saved my sanity. I didn’t realise quite how much until you stopped coming.’

Brianna shifted awkwardly. She wasn’t sure she liked seeing him so humble. ‘Yes, well . . .’ she trailed off, unsure how to respond. To say it was nothing would be totally untrue. To tell him he meant everything to her, that she’d done what she had because she loved him, would be received with equal mixtures of horror and pity. ‘I did what I could, for a friend,’ she settled on, hoping it was the right response.

It seemed to be, because he smiled. ‘Well, as your friend, would it be okay for me to come and stay with you for a short while, until I can get rid of these damn casts? It should only be for a week or so.’

Brianna nodded, wondering what on earth she was letting herself in for. It was going to be so hard to have him stay with her but not touch him, not kiss him. But she’d gone from losing him as a lover, to almost losing him full stop. Having him as a friend was better than not having him at all.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Only hours after Brianna collected him from the hospital, they were having their first argument — over his determination to make them a cup of tea.

‘If you tell me once more to stop mothering you, I’m going to scream. I’m supposed to be helping you. Stop fighting me all the time and let me.’

‘I’ve got it,’ he replied through gritted teeth, not prepared to admit the simple task was causing him agony. Jeez, he couldn’t even fill a bloody kettle. He was useless. As the thing filled it became heavier and he found it increasingly hard to hold onto it, while also balancing on a crutch. There was no way he’d be able to carry it over to the plug socket. With a clatter he let it fall into the sink. ‘I didn’t want a cup of tea anyway,’ he declared with bad grace, before swinging out of the kitchen as fast as his one good leg and crutch would allow him.

‘You know I don’t have much experience with children,’ Brianna fumed after him. ‘But I’m beginning to realise what it might be like to have a stroppy toddler.’

He tried to block out her words as he lowered himself onto the sofa. He wasn’t stroppy. A little stubborn, maybe.

A few moments later she handed him a steaming mug. ‘Here you go. I thought about putting some sugar in to sweeten you up, but I don’t think I’ve got enough.’

Sheepishly he accepted the cup. ‘Thanks.’ He took a sip, and looked back over at her. ‘Regretting your offer already?’

Laughing, she sat down on the comfy chair opposite him. ‘Let’s see what the rest of the day brings. You know, you’ve got to relax and let me help you out for a while, Mitch. It won’t make you less of a man, just because I have to make your meals, help you up, drive you around.’ He grunted. ‘Right then, I’ve got to logon and check my emails. Is there anything else you need before I go?’

It was on the tip of his tongue to ask for a new leg and arm, but he stopped himself. Bitterness was going to get him nowhere. ‘Could you bring me the list of exercises the physio set out for me? I think it’s on top of my holdall.’

Within seconds she returned and held out the list for him with a flourish. ‘Here you go, sir.’

Her green eyes shone with mischievous amusement, her mouth twitched with barely controlled laughter. He allowed himself the sheer pleasure of looking at her. ‘You know, maybe I could get used to being waited on hand and foot after all.’

With a chuckle that pulled at his insides, she turned to leave the room. ‘Make the most of it, buster. You’ll soon be back home and fending for yourself once more.’

As Mitch watched her saunter out, the warmth he’d felt at her laughter suddenly turned into a chill. He couldn’t understand why. He wanted to get back home, didn’t he?

* * *

Later on in the day, having done his exercises, which hurt like hell, Mitch decided to take a shower. He’d had a couple at the hospital and knew he could just about manage by himself, as long as he put the protective covers over his casts. Making sure Brianna was still locked away in her study, he lay on his bed and shrugged off his clothes. The hardest part done, he hauled himself up and crossed the hallway to the bathroom. As soon as he closed the door, he realised his mistake. There was nothing to sit on. It was literally a huge, walk in shower room. There wasn’t even a toilet. He eyed up the shower gel. How the hell was he going to put the stuff on his body, and wash it off, when his only good arm was holding the crutch supporting him? He grabbed the bottle and tried to squirt it onto his skin, whilst at the sametime supporting his body with the crutch. It was impossible. With a gesture of total frustration, he let out a loud oath.

* * *

Brianna was typing away when she heard Mitch’s loud curse. Without a second thought she dashed into the shower room, stopping abruptly at the sight that greeted her. Stark naked, he was leaning against the wall and looking despairingly up towards the ceiling. He turned his head towards her as she entered.

‘Sorry,’ she whispered, quickly averting her eyes, but not before she’d managed to get a tantalising glimpse of him. He might be broken and bruised, but he still cut one magnificent male figure. It was the one that filled her dreams and even now made her heart race. ‘I heard you curse,’ she explained, looking him squarely in the face. ‘Is there anything the matter?’

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