Chapter Five

Jessica was usually a very good patient. She might not always agree with the doctor's orders but she generally listened when spoken to sternly. Right now her head was turned away and she ignored what the doctor was saying. There was a frown on her face too. Her head was hurting and she wanted to lie down, in her bed, at home. She couldn't believe she had spent another night in the hospital.

George was listening to the doctor's instructions and nodding his head. The doctor didn't want her to fly for a minimum of seven days and preferred ten days. The pressurized air on planes could cause a problem. The chances weren't high but why risk it? Since there were only three days left of their vacation, Jessica wasn't inclined to agree. After her vacation was over she planned to work on her next book.

George wheeled her to the front entrance of the hospital and went to get the car. An orderly stayed with Jessica. They got her settled in the car and George drove carefully to the hotel trying to avoid potholes and bumps in the road when necessary.

It was easier getting her settled into bed this time. The only body part that was feeling painful was her head. Her arms and legs, while still bruised, were no longer noticeably sore. Jessica had a stubborn glint in her eye and George had a feeling she was going to disregard the doctor's advice.

"Jessie, listen closely to me," he began. His voice was soft and gentle so her throbbing head wouldn't suffer. "You are going to do as the doctor commands and I'll have no more fretting about it."

"You can't tell me what to do, George Sutherland! I know how to take care of myself." She crossed her arms over her chest and stared defiantly at him.

"Lass, you've been here less than a week and have aged me five years," he walked closer to the bed. "Now, you are going to do as I say or I'll turn you over my knee."

"Of all the barbaric, neanderthal tactics!" Jessica rose to her full fury. "If you lay one hand on me you'll understand why the Americans defeated the British!" She moved to get out of bed but George was there to block her. "Move!"

Instead George climbed into bed with her and tucked her into his side. "Another word and so help me, I'll be loving on you and you'll be begging me to please you."

That stopped Jessica in her tracks. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She closed it again. She peeked at his face and he wasn't smiling. Her eyes welled with tears. "And if you start bawling, I'll be kissing you until you stop," he added.

She blinked her tears away. She stayed silent for a few minutes. This wasn't the way he normally behaved with her. She heard him sigh.

"I'm thinking I've been too soft on you," He admitted. "I love you and want to give you everything you wish so I've ignored it when you put yourself in harm's way and that was my mistake." He turned her face toward his. "So I'll say this slowly so there's no misunderstanding. You're going to stay in this bed today, you're going to eat all your food, rest or sleep as needed, and not try to escape. I don't care how angry you are. Nothing will be more pleasing to me than my hand on your bottom."

"That's assault!"

"Not if I kiss it better," he smiled.

"You wouldn't!"

"Don't try me," he warned.

The look in his eye told her he meant business. She turned away from him and closed her eyes. Oh, how he was going to get it when she was feeling better. She drifted off to devising ways to make him suffer.

The doctor wanted her to wake up every couple of hours so George set his watch alarm to alert him. He would ask her name and favorite color or something similar then tell her to go back to sleep.

Jessica woke for good in the early evening. George had a tray of food ready for her by the time she returned from the bathroom. Broth, scrambled eggs, and a couple of pieces of toast. There was plenty of tea and he had a cup with her.

"I never knew you were a bully," she said petulantly.

"I'm no bully. I just didn't let you have your way and further harm yourself," he countered.

She pushed the remnants of her meal away. "I'm going to take a shower."

"Leave the door open part way," he cautioned.

She said something unflattering and he laughed. He had to admit she didn't stay down for long. She could be a spitfire, one of the many things he loved about her. He went into his room while she was in the shower. Ten minutes later he looked into her room. The shower was still going but there weren't any sounds of washing. He called her name and there was no answer. He quickly entered the bathroom. She wasn't inside. She had actually left.

Shutting off the water and grabbing his room key, he hurried to the lobby taking the stairs. There she was! Almost to the exit but she had to walk slowly.

He moved in front of her. Her head was down so she didn't notice him until she nearly plowed into him. She looked up. He lifted her up in his arms and walked over to the elevator. Everyone in the lobby was staring. Jessica's face was red with embarrassment but his face wore a smile. He didn't say a word until they were back in her room.

"Why Jessie?"

"I don't want you telling me what to do."

"Even if it's for your own good?"

She looked away.

"This isn't a battle, Jessie. This is your health, your life." He gave a sigh. "I know you're trying to push my buttons. You want me to react so you can be angry with me."

She was silent because he was right. She was startled when his hands went to the buttons of her pants.

"What are you doing?" She backed away from his hands.

"Getting you ready for bed. You were supposed to shower and put on your nightgown."

"I don't need your help. I can get ready for bed on my own," she said irritably.

He didn't say a word. He pulled her gown from a dresser drawer and tossed it on the bed before lifting her sweater up.

She didn't have the energy to struggle. Her head hurt and lifting it made her feel worse. She was so embarrassed. He pulled the gown over her head and it fell to her knees. He reached beneath her gown and unbuttoned her pants and pulled them down. He lifted each leg for her and tossed her pants on the end of the bed. He walked behind her and lifted her gown. She hoped he wasn't looking at her backside. He unhooked her bra and slid the straps off her arms. She was thoroughly humbled now. She didn't think she could even stay standing much longer. He might have sensed it since he picked her up and carried her into the bathroom.

"Brush your teeth and use the loo so you can go to bed." He walked to the doorway and waited. She brushed her teeth quickly but looked at him when she was standing in front of the toilet. He turned his back on her but he didn't leave. She quickly relieved herself and washed her hands. Now her humiliation was complete.

He carried her to bed and tucked her in before crossing to the other side of the bed and getting in.

"I can't trust you not to sneak out so I'll be joining you. Goodnight."

"George!"

He didn't comment. As she began to complain he took off his pajama shirt.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"I hate wearing clothes in bed. Since I'm making the supreme sacrifice to make sure you're comfortable and you don't have the decency to accept my help gratefully, I'm not going to accommodate you any longer. One more complaint and the pants go."

"Why are you being so mean to me?"

"Funny, I was going to ask you the same question." With a huff she turned away from him.

It was quiet and Jessica was slowly drifting off to sleep when she mumbled she was sorry. He kissed her cheek and told her goodnight.

When he woke the next morning, he was pleasantly surprised to find Jessica in his arms, her head on his chest. He savored the feeling for a few moments. He waited until his bladder was begging him to go to the bathroom before he slipped out of bed without disturbing her. He took care of his urgent needs and took a shower. He dressed in his swim trunks and a T-shirt and returned to Jessica's bedroom. It was another hour before she woke.

"Good morning, love. How are you feeling?" Her eyes were clear and she wasn't frowning in pain.

She sat up and blinked. "I feel pretty good. My head isn't throbbing any more." She turned to get out of bed. She stood for a minute to get her bearings but she wasn't wobbly or dizzy. With a smile, she headed for the bathroom. George wouldn't let her close the door all the way, just in case, but he did retreat to his room with the adjoining door open. It took nearly an hour before she was content with her appearance. Covering the three sutures in her head took a bit of skill.

She crossed into George's room. He was watching a morning show but stood up when she appeared.

"George, I want to apologize. I was a little out of sorts yesterday."

George let out a belly laugh. "A little? I'd hate to see you riled up." He went over and gave her a hug. "I figured you'd be right as rain by morning. How did you sleep?"

"It was the most restful sleep I've had in a long time, George."

George looked smug but he didn't elaborate.

"And what does that look mean?" she asked, hands on her hips.

"It means you were in my arms all night."

"What? No, um, are you sure?" she stammered.

"Your head was on my chest too," he puffed his chest out and she laughed.

"Why are you in your swim trunks? Are we going to the beach early?"

"They have breakfast by the pool on Saturdays so I reserved a table for us. They have floaties in the pool too."

It was a very good morning. Jessica was self conscious about her bruises, not just because of the stares but because she didn't want anyone to think George was the cause. He assured her he could handle it but she didn't put on her bathing suit. She watched George swim laps. He was fit and trim and she had to admit he was looking pretty good to her. She had to fan her face a few times to cool off.

They took a gentle stroll along the walkway at the beach. George took her hand as they strolled and she let him. They casually made their way to the pier and she was impressed when George won a goldfish. He named it in her honor and little Magill was immediately made welcome. George also won a small stuffed animal and gave it to her. He would have tried for more but she assured him she loved her eighteen dollar six inch plushie and that was more than enough for her. She named it, Wick.

As they walked back toward the hotel, George paused and led her to a pair of recliners on the sand. "Lass, I want to talk to you for a minute. I have a question that I'd like you to answer."

He looked out over the water for a few seconds. "We get on well together. I know you're attracted to me, and not just physically, too. I just don't understand why you don't want romance in your life."

Now it was Jessica's turn to stare at the water. "I do enjoy my time with you, George. It's just we're so far apart. I can see it ending in heartbreak, at least for me."

"Lass, you loved Frank. I know he was everything to you. If you were told you'd only have him for a few years, would you have still married him? Would you give it all up because he isn't here now? Do you regret loving him? Letting him love you?"

She remained silent.

"You're so afraid of feeling again?"

"Yes," she whispered.

"My Jessie can slay dragons and walk across hot coals barefoot." He leaned closer, their lips barely an inch apart. "I love you, Jessie," he whispered. He kissed her. He no longer restrained himself to kisses on the cheek. He poured his passion into his kisses, awakening yearnings on which he kept a tight rein. If she was going to break his heart it wouldn't be because he didn't try.