Disclaimer- I own nothing.
Chapter 2
When I awoke the next morning, Ranger was lying next to me shirtless and propped on one elbow. He was watching me. I tried to sit up but remembered that I had been burned when I felt pain shoot to my brain. I winced and flopped back down onto my stomach. When I opened my eyes, I found Ranger once again watching me with concern in his eyes once again. That was really getting old.
"Morning," I said. "Good morning sleeping beauty. You must have been exhausted. You slept like a rock and for quite a while too," he told me. I looked around at the clock: it was 9:30 in the morning. I was surprised to see that Ranger was still in bed this late in the day. I voiced my opinion and he smiled at me, his 200-watt smile. "Anything for you, Babe. You were not feeling so hot so I figured I would stay at least until you woke up so that I could make sure you were okay. How do you feel this morning, Babe?" So, Mr. Man of No words really can speak. "Fine, thank you for asking. Pain, but nothing that a little Advil or Tylenol can't fix," I said. He smiled at me again. Jeez, he must be really happy this morning. That or he knew I was lying and he thought it was cute that I was still trying to be stoic.
"Babe, I want to talk to you first," he said. "Okay, then talk," I replied. "I want to know what happened yesterday, all the way up until you got in the Turbo yesterday," he said. I told him and I could tell that Joe had really ticked him off. His hands were clenched at his sides and his jaw was tight as were his muscles. I would really hate to be Joe right now. "Babe, I would prefer that you stay away from Joe for a while. I don't want him to hurt you and I'm afraid that his control might break," he said.
I was shocked. I knew Joe and I knew he would never hurt me, that he would always have control over himself. I told Ranger this. He shook his head. "I knew that you would say that but I disagree. I also know that ordering you to stay away from him won't work either so I won't waste my time. Just remember what I said and please be careful, Babe. You can stay here until you heal but what you do after that is up to you," he told me. I nodded. "I will remember what you said and I will be careful but I won't stay here while I heal. I can take care of myself, Ranger. I'll take a couple of days off from work but then I will go about business as usual. I would like to take a shower and get ready here and then I want to go home. I appreciate all that you have done for me but I would like to go home soon. Please, Ranger," I said. He was silent for a few moments but then nodded reluctantly. "As long as you promise to call me three times a day to let me know you are all right, more if you want to, and to call me if there is any problem no matter how small. Deal?" he finished. I nodded.
I took me two hours to shower, get bandaged, and dressed. Ranger helped me downstairs but I was able to be more independent than I was the day before. I was thankful I didn't run into anyone on the way downstairs which I was thankful for. Today was not one of my more glamorous ones.
Once we were back at my apartment building, Ranger took me upstairs, checked the apartment and then helped me get settled in the living room. When he was content with everything he gave me a gentle hug and reminded me of his rules. Then he left.
I watched his car pull out of the lot and once I could see that he was really gone, I began to cry. I sobbed and cried like I was trying to cry a river. I cried for the pain, for the anger, the frustration, the helplessness, and the exhaustion. I don't know how long I cried for but I do know that it was a long time. At least after I felt a whole lot better. That is, until I answered a knock on my door to come face to face with Joe Morelli.
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