~Wednesday~

Something was tickling his nose. He lay still, trying to figure out what it was but could not think through the cobwebs in his brain. It did not matter anyway. Whatever it was smelled good and was soft and warm against him. He had no desire to move and drifted back into a restful slumber.

The next time he awoke, the fog had partially lifted and he realized Sue was snuggled against his side. He cracked his eyelids, cutting his eyes toward her to find her still sleeping. She was curled on her side, one of his arms nestled within hers and resting across her stomach. The events of the day before snapped into place when he noticed his bandaged hand.

She had surprised him. Her fear had been palpable when she had rushed into his holding room at the hospital. She had watched intently as the nurse gave her instruction on his care while her hands absently stroked his arm. He could feel the way her body trembled and hear the strain in her voice. She had asked questions he had not even considered and would not sign his release papers until she was confident that he was indeed fine and there would be no lasting repercussions.

His lips twitched into a smile, thinking about how attentive she had been the previous evening and how easily he had flustered her. Even now he thought about awakening her, knowing that she would be rattled to find herself beside him. She fascinated him. On one hand she could be shy and unsure but on the other...

His mind slipped back to his shower and he shifted uncomfortably as his body reacted to the memory. She had shocked him by swallowing her timidity and calling his bluff, focusing solely on helping him. His heart had dropped into his stomach when she had stepped into the shower and turned on the water. Her image was forever etched into his mind as she turned back to him, determination flashing in her eyes even as uncertainty slowed her steps. Her hands had been strong and sure, without hesitation, and had turned his blood to liquid fire. He'd had to consciously think about breathing, each breath more and more difficult to come by as her hands traipsed across his back under the soothing spray of water. It had been sheer torture to feel her body brush against his highly sensitized skin. He had listened in fascination as her breathing altered, proving she was not unaffected by her actions and yet she had not faltered. He had watched her slender fingers dance across his chest as she reached around him, her feminine curves pressing against him, leaving him desperate for more. Fantasizing about being able to return the favor, he had been unable to stop himself from turning and claiming her mouth, frantic for the taste of her and the feel of her lips crushed beneath his. She had instantly responded, matching him kiss for kiss, straining to get closer even as he pressed her into the shower wall, intent on vanquishing anything between them.

His breathing laborious, he fought to drag his focus elsewhere. How had he ended up in her bed? He remembered lying on the couch and being uncomfortable. He had needed a sheet so he had gone to wait on Sue. Beyond that things were just too blurry. He was not sure what was real and what was imaginary. The medicine she had given him had produced a nice buzz.

Feeling her move, he abandoned his attempts at recalling the previous night's events and enjoyed watching her waft into wakefulness. She rolled to her back and he sucked in his breath as the arm she was cradling nestled between her breasts. His teeth clenched when she stretched languorously, her arms over her head and her back arching off the bed. He pulled his arm away after she settled back and her eyelids began to flutter open. He knew he had a goofy grin on his face but didn't care when she turned her head his way and offered him a shy smile.

"Good morning, Jack."

The timbre of her voice had him swallowing thickly. She was an innocent enchantress and he never wanted to be out from under her spell. "Mornin', Sweetheart."

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I could spend all day in bed with you." He winked, his grin blossoming, as he watched the expected color wash across her face.

"I'm sure it's just the residual effects of the medicine you took last night."

"I'm not," he countered playfully.

"Jack," she sputtered for lack of a better response. "Wha...what are you doing?" she squeaked moments later when he rolled and trapped her with his body, his elbows supporting him. "Your hands."

"I'm not hurting my hands," he assured her. "And to answer your question, I'm enjoying the view. Do you have any idea just how beautiful you are?" He paused and watched her discomfort grow. "You are. I just can't figure out which is lovelier, your heart or your sexy body. So I think I'm going to have to stare at you even more than I already do."

She sputtered again, reading his words. "Jack, stop, you're embarrassing me."

"Better get used to it, Sweetheart. I've been quiet far too long. Now that I've been loosed, there is no going back."

"You're loose, alright," she muttered. "By several screws."

He threw back his head and laughed with delight. "I guess you'll always keep me on my toes, even when I'm sprawled on top of you in bed, which, I must say, feels really good."

"Well, I hate to end your fun, but I need to get up." When he made no effort to move, she rolled her eyes wondering why she was embarrassed, especially after the events of last night. "Jack, I, uh, I need to...Mother Nature is calling." She emphasized her urgency by pushing on his shoulders. He finally complied but rolled to her side of the bed and stood, smiling.

Giving her a wink when she turned an exasperated stare his way as he followed her, he shrugged his shoulders and explained, "I need to go too."