Page 76 of Wildest Desire

I think it’s sweet that he worries about me, but I want him to hug and kiss me the way he used to.

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“As soon as we get home, I'll make lunch,” Ethan tells me as he helps me walk slowly into the building. “And then you're going to bed.”

“Hi, Joe.” I'm so happy to see him. “Ethan, I’ll wait here while you make lunch. I have a lot of gossip to catch up on,” I say, holding on to the desk. Ethan looks at me incredulously. “What? I need to know what’s been happening, and on top of that, Joe has missed me.” I look towards Joe. “Haven’t you?”

“I have, but if Ethan says rest, then I’m not going to fight with him.”

“It’s only until he makes lunch, and I'll be sitting right here the entire time,” I say, pointing to the chair.

“I’m going to order a couch for you both since I can already see she will be down here all the time.” Ethan helps me sit in the chair. “When I’ve finished making lunch, you’re coming straight up without a word.” He leans down to give me a kiss.

“Promise,” I tell Ethan before turning back to Joe. “So, what’s been happening?” I move a little in the chair to get comfortable.

I listen to Joe as he tells me all the details that I’ve missed, and nibble on some of the lemon cookies his wife made. I still can’t eat too much without feeling nauseated.

“Are you worried about the court date tomorrow?” Joe asks me.

Ethan has been trying to avoid the subject. He knew it would stress me out, and the doctor told him to keep me away from stress as much as possible.

“I’m just happy that Ethan’s lawyers got the judge to say I don’t have to be there in the courtroom. I think I would’ve been in worse shape if I had to see Sam,” I tell Joe, my words coming out in barely a whisper.

Even though I don’t have to see him, I still worry because I know anything can happen tomorrow. Ethan told me that he's not going to tell me anything because he doesn’t want me to worry or get upset about it. He said there wasn't any sense worrying about something I had no control over. The fact that he would take on the stress of everything to keep me from worrying about it makes me love him even more.

“You look like you're doing better, but I can see you’re a little on edge. When doors open, you look to see who's walking through, and you’re still constantly scanning your surroundings.” Joe gives my arm a rub, and I take a deep breath. “Let’s get you upstairs.” He stands up and takes my arm to help me up.

“Maybe Ethan’s right. The chair isn’t really that comfy to me," I say with a giggle. “You watch and see. There’ll be a couch here in the morning.”

“Morning? I give it until the end of my shift.”

I start laughing, knowing that Joe is probably right. Holding my stomach, I try to suppress the laughter. “Laughing will have to wait until this pain decides to leave me alone.” We walk into the penthouse, and I look around, impressed by what I see. “Wow! They really did a good job with this place,” I say, talking to myself but Joe voices his agreement.

I see Ethan walking toward me. “You should’ve called me. I would’ve come down and helped you," he says as he stops in front of me.

“I’m sorry, but I needed a strong man to help me.” I look over at Joe and give him a wink.

“You're never going to stop with the teasing and the sarcastic comments, are you?” Ethan looks at me as Joe helps me to the couch.

“Where would the fun be in that?” I ask him.

“Joe, a couch will be delivered today before the end of your shift,” Ethan tells him, and I start laughing.

“It’s a good job I didn’t put money on it.” I look behind me at Joe who's laughing as well. I look back at Ethan. “Thank you, the chair isn’t comfy at all,” I say, lying through my teeth. “Joe, I would love some lemon cookies,” I say, smiling at him.

“I'll get some for you in the morning.” Joe walks over to the couch and kneels down in front of me. “But, I'll bring them up to you. I’d like you to relax for a few days,” he says, kissing my cheek. “I'll come see you before I go.” I nod at him then hear the door click shut.

“Lunch is finished. Are you ready to eat? I can bring it in here for you.”

“Please. Can I have a blanket? I’m getting a little cold.” Slowly sitting back up, I take Ethan’s fleece jacket off the side of the couch and put it over my shoulders.

He walks out, and I look around the new sitting room. You can tell that Ethan had no say in this place. There are beautiful photos on the wall, the couch has pillows, and there are candles all around the room.

“Your mom did a beautiful job with this place,” I tell Ethan as he walks back over with a blanket. “I can’t wait to see the bed you picked. I just hope its comfy.”

“There are things that I would have gotten, but her words were, ‘Lexi is living with you, now. You have to make it more homely.’ So, just for you, I’ve kept it the way she had it. But, if you don’t like anything, we'll get it changed.” He kisses me then walks over to the kitchen.

“No, I like it.” I move my feet around the footstool trying to bring it closer.

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