“Ok, all fixed Miss Lane, do you live with someone?”
“No, I live alone, why?”
He cleared his throat, “You will have to get someone to stay with you tonight, and you will need to be monitored for a concussion. Sometimes with head injuries, even minor cuts, a concussion can settle in after the brain and the trauma settle down. I’m going to write you a prescription for some pain medication, take it only if you need to.” He glanced over at Peyton and smiled as he spoke to me, “Take care Miss Lane and call if you have any questions.” I thought Peyton was going to die as he walked out of the room.
“I’m staying with you tonight,” Peyton said as she got up.
Connor looked over at her, “Ellery will be staying with me tonight Peyton.”
She started to pout, “Elle is that true? We can have a girl’s night?” I looked over at Connor then back at Peyton and could not believe these two were fighting over whom I was staying with.
I took Peyton’s hand, “Listen, you are my best friend, and I love you, but I think its best I stay at Connor’s tonight, anyway, we are leaving in the morning for Michigan.”
Her mouth dropped, “What? The two of you are going to Michigan together? Why?”
“Connor and I are taking a road trip.” I looked at him and winked.
“Fine, but as soon as you get back we are having a girl’s night.”
I smiled and hugged her, “I will and we will, now go find Dr. Beckett; I didn’t see a ring on his finger, and I could tell he liked you.”
A gigantic smile grew across her face, “Do you think?”
“I know so, now go.”
Peyton started to walk out of the room and then turned around and looked at Connor, “You better take care of her and make sure she’s alright. She’s like a sister to me.” He smiled at her.
I looked at Connor who was helping me from the bed, “Why would you pass out like that? Is something wrong with you?” he asked.
I grabbed my purse, “I don’t know, I think I took too hot a bath.”
“You need to be more careful.” He lightly took a hold of my arm as we walked down the corridor. My eyes widened as I saw Dr. Taub walking in the opposite direction towards us. My heart started racing as I did not want to talk to him, especially in front of Connor.
“Miss Lane?” He said as he looked at the bandage above my eye.
“Dr. Taub, lovely to see you again,” I faked a grin.
“Miss Lane what happened to you?”
“Oh, I fell and hit my head; I tripped in the hallway.”
He looked at me curiously, “How have you been feeling?”
“I’ve been feeling great Dr. Taub, now if you will excuse me; I have to get this prescription filled.”
“Yes of course,” he said as he looked directly at Connor.
“Have a good day Dr. Taub,” I smiled as I could not get away from him fast enough.
“How do you know him Ellery?”
I knew that brief encounter would trigger questions. I looked straight ahead at the sliding doors.
“He’s my family doctor; I’ve seen him a couple of times since I’ve moved here.”
“A couple of times and he knows you like that? Why would he ask you how you’re feeling?”
Shit, why does he have to ask so many questions, he doesn’t explain anything to me when I ask him questions?
“I saw him a couple of months ago for a bad cold I had. He is a good doctor and truly concerned for all of his patients.” We walked out the door as the cold air hit me and cooled my burning body.
We slid into the back of the Limo as Denny turned and looked at me, “I’m glad to see you’re doing better Miss Lane.”
I gave him a heartfelt smile, “Thank you Denny, I appreciate it.”
Connor looked over at me and smiled, “Denny almost got fired today.”
I looked at him; shocked expression on my face, “What, why?”
“He didn’t pick me up for my meeting. It wasn’t until he called and told me that he drove you to the hospital because you cut your head.”
I looked at him with a confused look. “Didn’t you drive yourself to work this morning?”
“Yes, yes I did,” he answered.
I ran my tongue across my lips to moisten them, “Then why didn’t you just drive yourself to the meeting, especially if he was running late?” I heard Denny lightly laugh from the front seat, and I think Connor did to by the irritated look on his face.
“I suppose I could have but…”
I tilted my head, “There’s no but. You were going to fire him for not picking you up when you had a vehicle the whole time? I’m sorry he couldn’t call you, but he was concerned about me Connor Black, and for that you should be grateful. I could have bled to death on the streets of New York.” I was silently grinning.
He looked at me and rolled his eyes, “Now you’re being a drama queen.”
I let out my silent smile, “I know and I’m good at it to.”
Connor laughed as he took my hand and gently squeezed it. I laid my head his shoulder as my body warmed from his touch, and my heart started beating faster.
Chapter 17
I walked into my cold apartment and headed straight to my room to pack my bags. “Help yourself in the kitchen, there’s not much, but if you can find something it’s yours,” I yelled. I grabbed what clothes I needed from my closet and drawers and folded them neatly into my suitcase. I looked up and saw Connor standing in the doorway with his arm up on the frame of the door.
“Why did you lie to that doctor and tell him you tripped over something in the hallway?”
Oh shit, he wasn’t going to let this go. I looked down and continued packing, “I don’t know, I wasn’t going to tell him I fainted then he would make a big deal about it and want me to get a bunch of tests done, that’s what doctors do.”
“You said you took too hot of a bath.”
I stopped and looked at him, now seriously irritated, “I did Connor now let it go for fuck sake. You talk about me asking a billion questions, it’s different when it’s you, right?” My voice grew louder.
He walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulders, “I’m sorry, I did not mean to upset you.”
My first mistake was looking into his beautiful green eyes because before I knew it I cupped his face in my hands as I so desperately wanted to kiss him, taste him and feel him. I was vulnerable at that moment, and for one second, I didn’t care; all I knew is I needed him in ways every woman needs a man. Then reality hit me, “I’m sorry I raised my voice, I’m just tired.”
I let go of his face and turned to zip up my suitcase. He grabbed my arm, turned me to face him and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a warm embrace. This was the first real hug we ever shared. His arms were strong, and he made me feel safe. I closed my eyes as I took in his scent that made me weak but excited. He didn’t say a word, and it felt like we stayed in each other’s arms for eternity. He broke the embrace and turned away like he did something wrong. “We should get going.”
Suddenly it hit me; I never made it to my work to give my notice. I shook my head and sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Connor asked.
“I was on my way to the record studio to give my notice, and I just realized I never made it there.”
“Give your notice, why are you quitting?” Connor grabbed my suitcase, and we walked out into the living room. My face lit up as I was about to tell him the good news.
“I completely forgot to tell you, my paintings sold, all three of them,” I excitedly said. “Now the owner wants to contract me and my paintings, and that’s a full-time job.”