Of course Elodie could tell Jarrod was doing this on purpose.


    He''d just disrupted her meeting, too-clearly out of spite.


    With no other choice, she rose to her feet and strode over to the bed, ignoring Jarrod''s antics entirely. Leaning over, she pulled back the cor of his shirt to check his wound.


    Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. At this stage, he didn''t need his dressing changed so often anymore-just some scar cream from here on out.


    "Aren''t you the one who wanted a shower?" Her expression didn''t even flicker; she showed no trace of embarrassment.


    Jarrod narrowed his eyes, a hint of a smile ying on his lips. "You really think I want a shower right now?"


    "Weren''t you the one who asked?"


    He ran his tongue along his teeth, still lounging back against the pillow as if he owned the ce. "You really think I''m that much of a brute? I''d make you, fresh out of the hospital, help me shower? I just wanted to remind you to take it easy. You''re barely recovered, Elodie. Don''t run yourself ragged with work."


    He said it so matter-of-factly, Elodie couldn''t help but ept that he meant it, at least in part.


    She nced at the clock, then tipped her chin at Jarrod. "Well, if you''re done, maybe you should get some rest back in your own room."


    Jarrod put his book aside andy back, making himselffortable. "I know you mean well, but there''s no need. I''ll just rough it here with you."


    ...Honestly, the nerve.


    Elodie looked at him-clearly, he wasn''t going anywhere. She knew full well that wherever she settled tonight, he''d just follow.


    She''d never realized how stubborn he could be.


    Truth be told, she was already exhausted. But now, with him here, there was a strange, awkward tension in the air.


    She was still lost in thought when, suddenly, Jarrod grabbed her wrist with a quick, deft movement.


    She tumbled right onto the bed.


    She tried to twist away, desperate not tond on his injured side, but she wasn''t fast enough. She ended up putting some weight on his shoulder.


    "Jarrod! Are you even a little aware that you''re the patient here?" she snapped, pushing herself up with both hands.


    Jarrod winced-she''d caught his injured back, and his lips thinned in pain, a quiet hiss escaping him. But he recovered quickly, wrapping an arm around Elodie''s waist and pulling her firmly against his chest. He looked down, meeting her re with azy, infuriating calm.


    "Feisty tonight, aren''t you, Ms. Thorne?"


    He didn''t give her a chance to answer. Closing his eyes, he cut ber off with slow, deliberate ease. "If you move again, I swear my ribs are going to snap. Please, M Thorne-have mercy."


    Elodie was at a loss for words.


    He held her tightly; she honestly had no idea how he still had so much strength in him, injuries and all.


    Was he faking it?


    Even if she suspected as much, she didn''t dare move-worried she might actually hurt his back or ribs.


    So she stayed there, caught in a position that was neitherfortable nor awkward-just strange.


    "Jarrod?"


    "I''m not used to this," she said finally,


    voice quiet. After all, they''d been living apart for so long. During the worst two years, they''d barely touched, except for asional obligatory "marital duty." Thinking back, it had been ages since they''d held each other like this.Content


    Jarrod didn''t open his eyes. "Is that so? Because I''m perfectlyfortable."


    She scowled at his profile.


    Was he serious?


    Maybe he felt her stare, because his lips curved into a smirk, even with his eyes closed. He patted her back lightly Get some sleep. Tomorrow, show you a picture of your daughter."


    That caught Elodiepletely off guard.


    Her eyes lit up, heart thudding wildly.


    She felt a surge of energy, all because of him.


    He really did know how to handle her.


    "I want to see it tonight," she insisted.


    "No."


    "Why not?"


    "Because I have to keep you in check somehow."


    ...So that''s what he was ying at. Using this to make sure she stayed put.


    Elodie felt like a cat wing at her insides, but she knew she wouldn''t win tonight. She''d have to give in-for now.


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