Page 30 of Karma

“That’s probably because the meds have worn off. You slept for almost four hours. Is the pain bad?” he asked.

“Yes.” One-word answers were the most she could manage.

“Okay, first things first. Let me clean up this water, and then I’ll bring you something to eat. Your last painkiller was a shot, and Alexa said it’s not a good idea to take the pills on an empty stomach.”

She heard the sounds of him getting a towel from her bathroom and cleaning the nightstand beside her. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

“Okay.”

Some time later, his weight dipped on the bed as he sat down beside her. “I wasn’t sure what your stomach could handle as far as food,” he said.

She forced her eyes open and found him looking down at her, concern in those gorgeous brown eyes. “Hey,” he said, smiling at her.

“Hi.”

“So…food. I made you some toast and jelly. That always works on an upset stomach, and Alexa said you might be nauseous from the concussion. I also brought you some soda. Coke or ginger ale?” he asked, pointing at two separate cans on her nightstand.

“This is so embarrassing,” she finally said, completely unused to anyone being there for her. “And you’re a prince to do this for me.”

He glanced away, obviously embarrassed. At least she wasn’t the only one unsettled by this situation.

“Come on,” he said, ignoring the compliment. “Let’s get you into a sitting position.”

He held out his arm for her to brace herself against, and she used the leverage to lift herself slowly. It wasn’t easy, and her head pounded like a son of a bitch, but she finally managed.

“Now give yourself a minute,” he instructed.

How he knew her head reverberated like a bass drum, she had no idea. Thankfully, a few minutes later, the pain eased.

“Here.” He placed a plate in front of her on the bed.

She glanced at the toast and jelly and realized she was starving. “I didn’t have any of this in the house,” she said before taking a bite.

“Kelly and Nash stopped by and dropped off food,” he said, relaxing while she devoured the small meal.

More people who’d do anything for him. More people she now owed. “That was really nice of them.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Family and friends are supposed to help each other,” he said gently.

What could she say to that? They’d done it for him, not her, so she remained silent.

“Here. Take the pill. It should help the pain in about twenty minutes.”

She smiled gratefully and did as he asked.

After he cleaned up the plate with the food and brought the dishes to the kitchen, he returned. “I think you’d be more comfortable if you changed clothes, don’t you?”

She glanced down. Her legs were covered by a blanket, but she knew her skirt had ridden up completely. Her shirt was wrinkled, and now that he’d mentioned comfort, she realized her bra pushed at certain body parts, irritating her like crazy.

She’d love to change clothes. “In the top drawer in the dresser, you’ll find some things,” she murmured.

He looked in the drawer and walked back to her with the only sleepwear she owned, a Victoria’s Secret set of matching boxers and a tank top dangling from his fingertips.

She blushed at the sight of her small clothes in his much larger hand. “I hate feeling confined when I sleep,” she murmured, sure her cheeks were flaming.

“No worries. I sleep stark naked,” he said with a wink that was obviously meant to put her at ease and make her laugh.

But his words had the opposite effect since all she could think about now was that gorgeous, tanned body lying beside her in bed. The current in the air was suddenly charged and electric.

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