Chapter 6
LEAH
My eyes are swollen and sore from crying so much.
My head is pounding, and my body feels like I hit the gym for several hours.
I stretch and yawn as I turn to look at the sunlight pouring through my window, telling me what a beautiful day it will be.
I frown when I notice I’m still in my clothes, then bolt upright as the memories of last night come crashing back into my mind.
Mom! I snatch my phone off the nightstand, do a quick search for the hospital's number, then press the phone to my ear.
“ICU,” I say the moment someone answers. After a brief pause, a nurse comes on the line. “Hi, yes, I’m calling about my mother, Eva Ward.” I grasp my blanket as I’m placed on hold yet again. My heart is pounding, and my eyes start to tear up at the memory of how bad she looked last night.
“Miss Ward?”
“Hello, yes, this is her daughter.”
“I’m Dr. Lofland. I’ll be in charge of your mother’s care while she is in ICU. We’ve been monitoring her brain functions and have made a few adjustments to some of her medications. I’m happy to inform you that she is showing signs of improvement.”
My entire body relaxes as I release a huge sigh of relief.
“She hasn’t regained consciousness yet, but her tests are looking very positive,” Dr. Lofland says. “The swelling in her brain has gone down significantly. We’re very optimistic that she’ll regain consciousness.”
I wipe at the tears on my cheek. “Thank you, Dr. Lofland. I’ll be in shortly to see her.”
“I look forward to meeting you.”
I shoot off a quick text to Madison, letting her know what happened and that I won’t be in today, then place the phone back on my nightstand. Thank you, God, for watching over my mom.
I climb out of bed with newfound energy.
After a quick change into a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, I head downstairs for some much-needed coffee.
I finish pulling my hair into a messy bun just as I step into my living room and freeze.
Aaden is asleep on my couch. Lying on his back, he’s covered up from the waist down with the throw that typically hangs on the back of my couch.
And he’s freaking shirtless. I forgot he was with me last night.
I creep closer, hoping he doesn’t wake up.
His muscular arms bulge even without flexing, and his chest looks solid and thick.
My eyes move lower, feasting on his perfect six-pack. My god, he is perfection.
My attention snaps back to his face when he takes a deep breath and shifts his weight. I quickly turn and act like I’m busy searching for something just as his eyes flutter open.
“You’re up.” His deep voice rasps as he pushes himself into a sitting position.
“Yes, sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m just…looking for my keys.”
“They’re on the table.” He stands and starts folding the throw.
“Oh, thank you.”
He nods as he places the throw back on the couch. Grabbing his shirt from the chair, he puts it on but doesn’t bother to button it. He runs his hands through his hair, and I practically swoon as I watch his abs flex. “Have you heard anything about your mom?”
I give myself a mental shake to clear my thoughts, then grin. “Yes, I called this morning, and they said she was doing much better. All tests look good.”
Genuine relief washes over his face. “Thank God.”
“Well, she hasn’t woken up yet, so she isn’t completely out of the woods, but they’re optimistic.” Needing something to do, I head to my kitchen, and Aaden follows. “Coffee?” I ask as I reach up to grab a mug from the cabinet.
“Only if you’re making it for yourself.”
“I live on coffee.” I chuckle as I turn the Keurig on and grab another mug. I move about my kitchen, trying to keep myself busy, anything to avoid glancing at him. Or having him stare too closely at me. I must look horrible. “Thank you for last night. You didn’t have to do all of that.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just glad I was there when you got the call. Glad you didn’t have to face that alone.”
I tuck a stray hair behind my ear and keep my head down as I wipe nothing from my counter. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him lean his hip against the counter and cross his arms. “Am I making you nervous again?”
“No,” I say. “I just—I must look a sight.”
He’s quiet for a moment. “I think you look cute.”
My face scrunches in disapproval, and I scowl as I turn to face him. “Cute?”
He gives me another full scan, this time much slower.
My hair is pulled back but still messy, and my face is freshly scrubbed, devoid of any makeup.
My gray Victoria Secret’s sweatpants are a few sizes too big, hanging low on my hips, and my hot pink tank top shows a sliver of skin and wraps tightly around my slender frame.
His eyes settle on my chest, and my nipples harden under his intense gaze, which is are extremely noticeable since I’m not wearing a bra.
“No,” his deep voice drops lower, making me shiver.
“You look beautiful and very sexy.” When his eyes meet mine, they’re dark and heated.
A jolt travels down my spine, and my cheeks blaze as I stare at him slack-jawed.
His eyes smolder, and I can feel their intensity all the way to my core.
It’s way too intense and way too much. I clear my throat, then quickly turn, grabbing a frying pan and placing it on the stove.
“Hungry?” I ask as I open the cabinet over of the stove and stand on my tiptoes to reach the oil.
My breath catches as Aaden’s body presses against my back.
He reaches over the top of my head and grabs the bottle for me.
I turn to face him as he takes a step back.
“Thank you,” I say as he hands it to me.
He’s standing so close that I can feel the heat from his body.
My heart pounds, my chest rising and falling with my heavier breaths as we stare at each other.
The air around us feels charged and intense.
His hand comes up and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, then settles against my cheek with a gentle stroke of his thumb.
I shiver as a surge of heat pulses through my body. Oh my God. What is happening right now?
I practically jump out of my skin when the doorbell rings. With a heavy sigh, Aaden’s hand drops, and he takes a step back. A soft groan slips past my lips, and Aaden grins at my reaction. “I’ll finish breakfast; you get the door.”
With a nod, I leave the kitchen. A quick glance back catches Aaden pulling a carton of eggs from the fridge.
I bite my lip and smirk. Did that just happen?
Regaining my composure, I open the door, and a frantic Madison rushes inside.
She pulls me into a tight embrace. “Hey, sweetie, how are you? How is your mom?”
Reality comes crashing back. “I’m fine,” I say, taking a deep breath. “A little drained, but I’m okay.” She releases me, and I close the door and follow her to the couch. “I called this morning. She’s doing much better, still hasn’t woken up, but they said she should soon.”
“Oh, thank God,” she sighs.
We settle on the couch together, and she grips my hand. Blinking away the tears, I swallow hard. “I can’t believe how fast it’s all happening.”
“I’m here, sweetie, whatever you need,” she says.
I nod, ready to thank her when a noise from the kitchen catches her attention.
I watch as her expression changes from one of a concerned friend to the curious nosy Nancy with a perfectly arched brow.
My body tenses when movement catches both of our eyes.
I open my mouth to speak just as Aaden walks into the living room.
He’s buttoned his shirt and tucked it in, looking more professional than he did a few minutes ago.
“Good morning, Madison,” he smiles.
She jolts up from the couch like something has burned her ass.
Peering down at me, her eyes widen, a dozen questions flashing through them.
She quickly composes herself as she returns her gaze to our boss.
“Good morning, Mr. Stone.” She looks down at me with a smile as both her eyebrows practically hit her hairline.
I’ve no doubt my face is a bright crimson. “Stop,” I mumble.
“What? I didn’t say anything.” She grins. I glance at Aaden, who’s trying to hide a smirk on his face. I narrow my eyes at him.
He quickly composes himself and starts to explain.
“I was with Leah at the office last night when she got the call.” Not a lie, technically.
We were in the parking lot. “I didn’t want her drive, so I took her to the hospital and brought her back here.
I slept on the couch. I didn’t think she should be alone. ”
“That was very nice of you.” Madison beams as she glances back and forth between the two of us. “Well, I can see you’re in good hands.”
I roll my eyes as I stand and walk her to the door. With another hug, she whispers, “Call me later, okay? I want all the details.”
“I will.” I sigh, slowly closing the door behind her.
“Hungry?” Aaden asks. I turn to face him, scrunching my face and shrugging.
“Come on, you need to eat.” He motions for me to follow him, which I do.
I smile as I step back into the kitchen and assess the meal he’s preparing.
Scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. He’s even poured us both a small glass of orange juice to go along with our coffee.
After finishing up in the kitchen, he hands me a plate, and I follow him out onto the patio and join him at the small table.
It’s the first week of August, and I can already tell it’s going to be another humid day, but for now, it’s tolerable. The first sip of coffee soothes my aching throat and lifts the last of the fog from my brain.
“Mmmm,” I groan. I watch him sitting across from me, buttering his toast before taking a huge bite. “You’re quite handy in the kitchen.”
“I live alone and hate ordering out.” He lifts his juice and takes a big sip.