Page 59 of Consumed By You
“I’m sure.” I set my head back against the pillow.
“Okay, then this shouldn’t take long at all. I’m going to give you some pain relievers. You must have a killer headache.”
She moves to the counter and puts some pills into a plastic cup. I take it willingly and a cup of water, downing both of them.
She was right about the headache. My head is fucking killing me.
“I’m going to go set up the paperwork for your release. Do you need anything else?” she asks, touching my arm.
“No, thank you, doctor.”
***
“You’re all set to go.” The doctor smiles and lays my clothes down onto the bed. “The gentleman outside said he’d take you home. Is that fine, or would you like me to call you a cab?”
“Um, yes, that’s okay. I know him.” I stand. I can’t wait to get out of this hospital gown.
“You’re going to be sore. I can see you’re already going to have some bruises, especially on the lower half of your body. I would recommend resting for a couple of days before going back to work if you can.”
There’s no way I can take off work. I remain quiet.
“Well, I have to head to my next patient. I hope you never have to endure anything like this again.” She touches my face with tender care and my lip trembles, tears pooling in my eyes.
“You’re strong. You’ll be okay.”
Dragging the curtain shut, she leaves me to change.
***
I wrap the brown cotton jacket closer to my body on my way into the poorly lit waiting room accompanied by a nurse. I can’t tell if I’m freezing from the shock or from the temperature of this hospital.
We step into a room and I stop in my tracks at the sight of a disheveled Benjamin rising from a chair in a gray t-shirt and jeans. Dimitri is next to him, still in his suit.
“Darcy,” he breathes, and I want to hear that one word fall from his lips forever.
He runs to me and doesn’t stop until our lips collide. I fall back but he draws me to him with an exquisite force. I give in to the embrace, needing the comfort and the warmth even though I know I shouldn’t.
I lay my head on his chest while he asks the nurse over my head, “She’s free to go?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Come on. Let’s go,” Benjamin whispers, kissing my forehead.
Dimitri is holding open the door of the limousine. I run to him, hugging him tightly, and his bulky arms awkwardly embrace me back.
“Thank you.”
“Of course, Miss. Of course.” He pats my back a couple of times and I realize how uncomfortable I’m probably making him, so I pull away and step into the car.
Benjamin slides in behind me and exhales loudly, tugging my body to his. His hands are in my hair, stroking the mess sweetly. “I’ve never been so scared in my life,” he confesses, winded.
I bring my hands up to his shirt and his body heat warms me.
He pulls back, looking down. “You’re shaking.”
“The doctor said it’s common.” I leave out the part where I tell him I am already well accustomed to the symptoms of shock.
He takes my hands in his and brings them to his lips, kissing them repeatedly. I’m staring at his face, in awe of how tender he’s being with me.
