Page 55 of Stripped

"Come here," he whispered to her. She looked back. Gabriel stood at the door watching. He nodded and stepped back. She leaned in to hear him, but instead of saying anything, he kissed her. "Don't leave me."

"I have to go get a test done."

"I thought you said you were okay?"

"I am, but the doctor is insisting. I'll come back later." She turned to leave.

"Primrose," he said. She didn't move. "I'm falling in love with you." Not looking back, she left the room. Gabriel led her to the room for the MRI. When the procedure was over, they waited in a small room for Dr. Forbes to come back with the results.

He came in, pushing his small, round glasses up on his nose. "I'm surprised, with how tiny you are and the violence of the injuries, you aren't hurt worse, but I'm finding nothing wrong with your internal organs."

"That's means I'm good to go?" she asked.

"I would rather you stay another twenty-four hours. Some injuries are late to show themselves, especially contusions."

"How about if we move her to Wraith's flat? She can at least take a shower and get a good night's sleep."

"I would agree to that. I'll come by in the morning then." The doctor took her hand. "Promise me, if anything develops overnight, you'll call Gabriel right away."

She nodded, thankful at least to get a shower and some privacy. Gabriel showed her to Wraith's flat on the other side of the mansion. Unlocking the door, he entered and turned on the lights. A stack of women's clothes sat on the bed. "I think you'll find everything you need."

"Thank you," she said awkwardly.

"Call me if you need anything. There's a phone for you on the nightstand. My number's in it." He stopped at the door. "Pim, Wraith can never offer you anything. There's no relationship in your future. If there is something there, you need to end it."

She was thrown off guard and suddenly felt foolish. "I-I-I know. There's nothing there. He was just havering on because of the drugs."

"Okay, lass. Just making sure." He shut the door behind himself.

Pim went to the bathroom and started the tub. She found a bottle of men's body wash in the shower. She poured a dollop in the hot water then took off the hospital gown and sat down in the foamy bubbles. The first tear fell, then the second. She let them come, one by one, as she washed off the foul touch of Sokolov and Wraith's words, 'I'm falling in love with you.'

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