Page 51 of Christmas off Script
She nodded again. ‘Michelle fell onto me earlier and it gave me a flashback. I think the nightmare was my mind trying to process it.’
‘Michellefellonto you? How did she manage that?’
Ella raised her head, her eyes puffy and tear-soaked. ‘I was at the door and she was mad at me for being three minutes late, even though I’d been waiting longer than that for her to let me in.’
Leo’s jaw tightened.That fucking woman. He wished she lived on the other side of the world. There, or in hell where she truly belonged.
‘I was so tired and pissed off, I told her I didn’t need to be there. She panicked and reached for me, but tripped over the doorsill and fell.’
‘You could have stepped to the side?’
Ella gave him a look. ‘It’s better that she landed on me. I can cope with a few bumps and bruises, but she can’t.’
A chill ran through him. ‘Are you hurt? Do you need a doctor?’
She shook her head. ‘I’m fine. My elbow’s the worst, but it’ll heal in a couple of days.’
‘Let me see.’
Lifting the sleeve of her pyjama top up she showed him the graze. ‘See, it’s fine.’
‘It doesn’t look fine. That’s an owie and a half.’
Ella smiled. ‘I haven’t heard that word in such a long time.’
‘Want me to kiss it better? That’s Mammy’s cure for owies.’
She let out a small laugh. ‘Go on then. Take the pain away, Doctor Foxbrooke.’
Leo contorted his mouth as if preparing for a professional gurning competition.
‘What on earth are you doing?’
‘Getting the owie removal machine ready for action.’
Ella snorted. ‘You look like the world’s most unsuccessful ventriloquist.’
‘I’m actually auditioning to be the dummy,’ he replied, the pain in his heart easing as she giggled. ‘Okay! They’re primed and good to go!’
Lifting her elbow, he placed a soft kiss over the scrape.
Ella shivered.
‘Did that hurt?’
‘Um, a tiny bit.’
‘Perhaps you need another dose?’ Before he could question what he was doing, Leo brushed his lips over her elbow again. A jolt of awareness shot through him and he froze.What the hell are you doing?
Moving away, he grinned at Ella’s shocked face. ‘Cured?’
‘Um, yeah.’ She blinked, then smiled back. ‘Good as new!’ Glancing down at her pyjamas, she pulled a face. ‘I should probably change out of these.’
Leo got off the bed. ‘I’ll leave you to it. You okay now?’
She hesitated. ‘I’m worried about falling asleep again. Do you mind staying a bit longer?’
‘Not at all. I can stay as long as you need.’
