His pale blue cotton shirt was open at the throat, showing glimpses of his tanned chest. His arms were muscular, the hair covering his skin. A frown was touching his brow as he concentrated. As if sensing that he was being watched, he looked up, his smile coming readily when he saw that she was awake.
"Hi. How long have you been here?"
"Twenty minutes." He put aside the device and drew closer to the bed. Taking her hand, he linked their fingers. "I spoke to the doctors." He glanced at the IV tube next to the bed. "It seems you're doing much better."
"I am." She squeezed his hand. "You looked busy."
He shrugged. "Some decisions concerning a parcel of land in Texas that needed my signature." Lifting their joined hands, he kissed the back of hers. "How are you?"
"Better now that you're here." She gave him a pleading glance. "And hoping you can use your scary influence to get me out of here."
"Not a chance in hell. Your blood pressure is still high, and there are other concerns. You're diabetic."
"Gestational diabetes, which will disappear as soon as I give birth."
"That matters not. You're staying."
"I would do so much better if I were at home."
"Don't even think of using those beautiful eyes to get your own way. I'm immune."
"Since when?"
"Since I was in the middle of a scene and I received a phone call that my wife was in the hospital. You scared the living crap out of me."
Her smile dissolved. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not sure how much more my poor heart can take." He placed the back of her hand on his cheek. "So, you're staying as long as the doctors deem it prudent that you should."
"I hate that I took you away from your work."
He gave her a surprised look. "Do you understand that you're my first priority? I will always drop everything and come running as long as it has anything to do with you."
She felt the lump forming in her throat.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"No need to thank me. You're my life, and it's time you start acting like you know."
"Do me a favor?"
"That depends," he told her warily.
She laughed softly. "You're supposed to say anything."
"I'm not an idiot. What's the favor?"
"Slide in next to me. I want to feel your arms around me."
His eyes smoldered. "That's an easy favor."
"Good Lord, darling, you look like you swallowed a couple of elephants! You're huge."
"And you're very good for my ego. I'm afraid I cannot heave myself out of the chair. It takes several minutes to get back in." She held out a hand, and he rushed forward to take it. "It's so good to see you."
"The feeling is mutual." Blair kissed her hand lavishly.
"You look tanned and healthy."