Page 14 of Daddy's Little Patient

“It sounds serious,” Alex said.

“It is. I lied to you.” She peeked up at him.

“Baby, look at me when you’re confessing so I can see your eyes.”

She looked up and took a deep breath. “My name isn’t Sally.” She closed her eyes and waited for him to yell. She opened one eye enough to look at him to see his gentle smile when he didn’t. “You’re not mad at me?”

“No. I knew it wasn’t Sally, but I wanted you to feel secure enough to tell me your real name.”

“Oh.” She didn’t know how she felt about that.

“Do you want to tell me your real name?”

She nodded and suddenly got nervous and stuck her finger in her mouth. She wanted to tell him in the worst way but was afraid he’d take her back home.

Alex smiled. “You can tell me later if you want.”

She pulled her finger out and shook her head. He’d been so good to her. She didn’t want to disappoint him. “It’s Raina,” she whispered.

Alex stroked her cheek. “That’s a beautiful name. Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me.”

She relaxed, leaned against his chest, and stared up at him.

“What are you staring at?” Alex asked.

“You. You’re very handsome.”

“Thank you. I think you’re very beautiful.”

She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “No. I saw myself in the bathroom mirror. I look atrocious.”

“No, you don’t. You were hurt and tired, but I can see beyond that.”

Something inside of her brightened. “You really think I’m pretty?”

Alex nodded and smoothed her hair from her face. “Yes, I do. Very much.”

Raina couldn’t pull her gaze from him. “Did you know that if you save a person’s life, the two are bound together for the rest of their lives?” she asked.

Alex nodded. “I have read that somewhere. Do you believe it?”

Raina nodded. “You’ll always have me, and I’ll always have you.”

“I like the sound of that.”

She wanted to sigh and kiss him until their lips stung, but he pulled away. It looked like he was going to kiss her, but he changed his mind.

He lifted his head. “How would you like a shower?” he asked.

She straightened. “Yes, please.”

“So polite. I’ll help you with the water.”

“I’d like that. I smell like a pig.”

He snorted. “Not even close.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck when he stood. She looked around when he carried her into a room she hadn’t seen.

---