“Thank you,” Cera offered quietly.
Removing the disposable gloves from her hands, the middle-aged physician walked over to the trash can near the sink at the other side of the room. She dropped them into the lined, stainless steel cylinder before using the wall-mounted dispenser to pump a generous amount of hand sanitizer into her palm.
“I believe there are two F.B.I. agents waiting in the hallway to talk to you both.” Dr. Huhn slid her gaze from Ivan’s to Cera’s. I’m assuming you’d like to get dressed before they come into the room?”
“Yes, please.” She dipped her chin a fraction of an inch for fear the pounding in her head would worsen.
It was bad enough she’d had to sit in front of Ivan this whole time wearing nothing but a paper-thin gown and her panties.
Thanks to the X-rays Ivan had insisted she get—despite her being adamant that her bones were all still intact and in their proper places—Cera had been forced to remove her bra. The nurse had then instructed her to keep it off until Dr. Huhn had finished conducting the rest of her tests.
“I’ll let them know you’ll open the door when you’re ready.”
“Thank you,” Cera offered again.
A tense, almost nervous energy seemed to fill the entire room the second she and Ivan were alone. She looked over at him, expecting him to give her privacy to change, but the blond wall of muscle didn’t budge.
With cautious movements, Cera removed the white hospital blanket from her legs before sliding them over the bed’s plastic frame. With her bare feet dangling over the floor’s smooth tile, she carefully began lowering herself to the floor.
Ivan rushed to her side, his warm hands gently grabbing onto her shoulders to keep her steady as she stood.
“Easy,” he rumbled, the heat from his tempting body radiating between them. “Give yourself a minute to make sure you aren’t going to go down.”
How he could be angry with her and still care enough to worry was beyond all comprehension. His stoic, silent demeanor had conveyed his feelings about the situation—one she’d caused by dragging him into her mess—pretty damn clear.
Yet, here he was, still offering his assistance to ensure she didn’t fall flat on her face.
“Thanks, but I’m good,” Cera promised. “Really.”
Another male grunt was his only response before he shocked her with a surprising offer. “You need my help getting dressed?”
Uh…absolutely not!
“I got it.” She rushed to assure him.
She’d rather the floor open up right now and swallow her whole than havethisbe the first time this man saw her naked.
First time? Didn’t know you were expecting him to see you naked at all, let alone on multiple occasions.
Resisting the urge to physically shake the inappropriately-timed thoughts away, Cera wondered briefly if maybe the doctor was wrong, and shewasconcussed. She’d almost died a few hours before. Was sex really the topic that should be at the forefront of her thoughts?
Sex, chocolate, lazy days lying naked in bed with a man who already understands you more than any other man you’ve ever dated… You should absolutely be thinking about those kinds of things after having near-death experience.
Cera was at a loss when her subconscious attempted a rebuttal. Because the voice in her head was right. Thosewerethe types of things that made life worth living.
They were also things she’d been deprived of for most her adult life.
Even so, any interest Ivan may have had in her before lunch was most definitely squashed now. Feeling more disappointed by that than she should, Cera forced her lips into a tiny smile.
“Are those mine?” She pointed to a plastic bag on the floor near an empty padded chair.
As if to make sure she wasn’t going to collapse, Ivan gave her a quick, assessing glance before releasing her shoulders and walking over to get the bag. Bending down, he fisted the drawstring top before righting himself and bringing it to her.
“You sure you’re okay to do this?”
“It’s a cut and a bruise, Ivan.” She took the bag from his outstretched hand. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine. Promise.”
Still looking as though he didn’t believe her, Ivan relinquished the discarded clothes and stepped to the side. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”