Page 22 of Love in the Darkness

CHAPTER EIGHT

* Liam *

Wednesday morning I had Gwen on speaker phone while I prepared to change Kayla’s bandages in the near dark. She had done them Saturday evening before she left. Apparently they only had to be changed this final time.

Gwen told me precisely how to look for irritation or infection. Then I ended the call, realizing that the light from the phone might disturb Kayla’s sensitive eyes.

It was so interesting to see more of her delicate face. Even with closed eyes, she was so pretty that my pulse raced from being this close to her. Yet I needed to keep my hands steady.

She didn’t have any visible cuts or scars, thank goodness. It wouldn’t have bothered me at all, but I didn’t want her to have reminders of this every time she saw a mirror. Kayla looked completely normal, just a little pale. And impossibly beautiful.

I had always been extremely gentle whenever I touched a woman. But slowly wiping her entire eye area with a warm washcloth was completely unnerving. I was handing her so carefully she may as well have been a live bomb. Smoothing ointment along her closed, sensitive eyelids, my hands were actually shaking. I was terrified to place any pressure on her whatsoever.

“It’s okay,” Kayla said softly. “The surgeons took knives to my eye muscles. It’s creepy, but I’m sure your fingers aren’t going to hurt me.”

“Thanks,” I said. “In case it’s not incredibly obvious, I’m really nervous about taking care of you.” She pursed her lips, and I couldn’t read her expression. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s very strange having someone take care of me. I’ve always been really independent. And having you cook for me, and care for me… It’s just sort of disturbing.”

I finished taping her fresh bandage in place, smoothing the tape around her forehead and cheekbones carefully. It was hard not to kiss her forehead. “Little one, a woman as beautiful as you should have a man caring for her day and night.” The words had just slipped out.

She laughed, shaking, as I snatched my hands away so I didn’t accidentally poke her.

“In order for there to be men in my life, I’d have to actually go somewhere and talk to men, wouldn’t I?” she laughed.

“You’ve been talking with me just fine for days.”

She bit her bottom lip for a second, but it was enough to send an indescribable spike of raw lust straight through me. Why did she have to be so damn gorgeous?

“No offense, but I didn’t have a choice, did I?” she said. “We sort of got thrown into this situation, and in a way, it’s actually easier. Because I can’t see you, it’s like I’m not second-guessing myself as much. I’m not analyzing every single word I say, for fear it’s wrong.” She paused, thinking. “Isn’t it funny that it took losing my sight for a while to help me relax around a guy.” She giggled sweetly. “What a bizarre thing.”

“To be honest, I would never have guessed,” I said gently. “But I respect if a girl is particular when choosing a guy. There are a lot of losers in this world.”

Kayla nodded emphatically. “There are a lot of guys who seem to want to conquer a girl. I’m not a prize to be won. I just want to spend time with someone.”

I nodded, then realized she couldn’t see me and laughed at myself. “I’m nodding again, but you can’t tell.”

Her giggle was the sweetest little sound. “Thank you so much for staying with me, Liam. I’ve always spent a lot of time alone, and it’s never been a problem. But it’s different when I’m like this. Fragile. Oversensitive. If anything were to happen, I would fall apart. Can you imagine if there was an emergency and I was here alone?”

Without thinking, I reached out to hold her hand. “I’m a phone call away. And I’m glad that I can be here for you.”

“Still, feeling this helpless makes me feel like a child. Delicate, and far too girlish.”

“I like that you’re girlish.” My thumb reached out to trail across her bottom lip. She jumped for half a second, then her lips gently parted before I snatched my hand away. “I like taking care of you. To be honest, I’m hoping that you’ll let me come back even when Gwen is better.”

“But you must have your own life. I’m sure you’ll be glad to get back to it.”

I put her hand on my shoulder so that she could feel my exaggerated shrug. “I work at home as well. I hit the gym, I go for coffee, I go for a beer with my buddies on Fridays sometimes. But I’m alone a lot too.” I couldn’t help but notice the way she took her time retracting her hand.

“Hey, do you feel up to a few minutes of sunshine again?”

Kayla blushed instantly. “Yes, please,” she nearly whispered.

I was flooded with relief, then nervousness. She had feelings for me as well. I knew this was obviously a rough time for her, and I knew that I shouldn’t be thinking all of the things careening through my mind, but I couldn’t stop them. I wanted her so badly I couldn’t stand it. Even if it wasn’t right.

Opening the balcony door, I took her hand and led her forward. “Do you want to take one step out this time?” She nodded. I stepped out first, holding her hand firmly as I helped her step over the edge of the sliding door. With my back against the window, I faced her toward the sun, wrapping my arms around her stomach.

“Snug and safe?” I asked.

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