<b>Chapter </b><b>126 </b>
Reba’s POV
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The hospital room was bathed in the soft glow of dawn when I opened my eyes. The pain medication had worn off during the night, leaving my ribs aching with each shallow breath. The steady beep of the heart monitor created a rhythmic backdrop to the quiet room.
Sophia was curled up on the small folding bed beside me, her normally perfect hair disheveled, dark circles under her eyes. She’d insisted on staying with me all night, despite my protests. Now, watching her sleep–her makeup smudged and designer clothes wrinkled–I felt a rush of gratitude for her friendship.
The door squeaked open, and a nurse entered with quiet efficiency. She smiled when she saw I was awake.
“Good morning, Ms. Brown. Just need to check your vitals.”
Her gentle movements as she wrapped the blood pressure cuff around my arm roused Sophia, who sat up with a start, blinking rapidly.
“What time is it?” Sophia asked, fumbling for her phone.
“Just after five,” the nurse replied.
“Shit!” Sophia jumped up, running her fingers through her tangled hair. “I have an editorial meeting at seven. The summer issue goes to print tomorrow.”
“Go,” I urged. “I’m fine.”
She hesitated, gathering her things. “Are you sure? I can call in-”
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is the issue you’ve been working on for months.”
Sophia bit her lip, then leaned down to kiss my cheek. “I’lle back as soon as I can. Text me if you need anything. She paused at the door, turning back. “Oh, and don’t worry about the guard outside. Dominic removed him after the Collins family left Silver Moon territoryst night.”
After she left, I stared at the ceiling, trying to ignore the throbbing in my head. The events of the past few days yed through my mind in fragmented pieces–Elizabeth’s rage–filled face, the sensation of falling, Dominic’s voice through the fog of semiconsciousness. The thought of him publicly exposing Elizabeth still seemed surreal. No one had ever defended me like that before.
The door opened again, and my heart rate quickened. Dominic stepped in, his armsden with arge package. Despite his impable appearance–tailored charcoal suit without a single wrinkle–I could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the slight tension in his jaw that told me he hadn’t slept well.
“You’re awake,” he said, his voice softer than usual. He set the package on the chair Sophia had vacated and
approached my bed.
“How are you feeling?”
:D
“Like I fell down a flight of stairs, I attempted humor, but winced as pain shot through my ribs.
His expression darkened momentarily. “The doctor says your concussion is mild. Your ribs are bruised, not broken. You were lucky.”
“Lucky would have been avoiding stairs altogether,” I murmured.
Dominic’s lips quirked up slightly before he turned to unpack the items he’d brought. I watched in surprise as he produced myvender shampoo and conditioner, the soft cotton pajamas I preferred to sleep in, and most
unexpectedly, two of my sketchbooks and a small case of drawing pencils.
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“How did you know I wanted these?” I asked, genuinely surprised as he ced the sketchbook on my bedside table.
Dominic’s eyes met mine, intense and knowing. “Little doe, I know everything about you.”
There was something in his tone–possessive yet tender–that made my stomach flutter. It was bothforting and unsettling to be known so thoroughly, to be cared for sopletely. I wasn’t used to someone anticipating my needs
before I voiced them.
“The doctors said you might be discharged tomorrow,” he continued, “but I want them to run additional tests first. The neurologist I brought in will be here this afternoon.”
“You brought in a specialist? Dominic, that’s-”
“Necessary,” he interrupted firmly. “I want to be certain there’s nosting damage.”
I sighed, knowing better than to argue. His protective instincts had been in overdrive since the incident with Elizabeth. Besides, the way he was looking at me–like I might shatter if he looked away–made it hard to be irritated by his controlling tendencies.
I attempted to sit up, intending to use the bathroom, but a wave of dizziness hit me. The room tilted, and I gasped as pain shot through my side.
Dominic was at my side instantly, strong hands steadying me. “What are you doing?” His voice held a sharp edge of
concern.
“I need to use the bathroom,” <b>I </b><b>said</b>, embarrassed by my weakness. “And I feel disgusting. I want to wash my face at
least.”
His expression softened. “Let me help you.”
“I’m not an invalid,” I protested, though my trembling arms betrayed me. “Seriously, Dominic, I feel fine. The room just spun for a second.”
“Yes, because you have a concussion,” he said dryly. “Stubbornness won’t elerate healing.”
“Says the man who’s even more stubborn than me,” I retorted.
<b>41 </b>
Dominic chuckled, his eyes lighting with appreciation. “Your stubbornness and sincerity–that’s why my wolf” He stopped abruptly, something flickering in his eyes before he carefully masked it.
Without further discussion, he helped me stand, his arm firm around my waist as we made our way to the small bathroom. The mirror revealed what I’d feared–my hair was a tangled mess, my face pale except for the ugly bruise blooming along my jawline.
“I look like I lost a fight with a truck,” I muttered.
“You look beautiful,” Dominic countered, his reflection meeting mine in the mirror.
I rolled my eyes. “Now I know the concussion is affecting my hearing.”
His lips twitched. “Would you like to wash your hair? It might make you feel better.”
The thought of clean hair was tempting, but the logistics seemed impossible with my limited mobility. Before I could respond, Dominic had already dampened a washcloth and was gently wiping my face. His touch was unexpectedly tender, a stark contrast to the powerful CEO whomanded boardrooms and intimidated business rivals.
“Lean over the sink,” he instructed softly. “I’ll wash your hair.”
“You don’t have to-”
“Reba.” My name was both amand and a plea.
I relented, closing my eyes as he guided my head forward. The sensation of his strong fingers massaging my scalp sent shivers down my spine. He worked the shampoo into ather with surprising skill, his movements gentle yet thorough.
“Where did you learn to do this?” I asked, my voice embarrassingly breathy.
“I have many hidden talents,” he murmured, a smile in his voice.
As he rinsed my hair, I kept my eyes closed, surrendering to his care. It was easier this way–not seeing his face, not confronting the emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. Because with every gentle touch, every careful ministration, the walls I’d built against him crumbled a little more.
After he’d finished with my hair, I felt considerably more human. Dominic wrapped a towel around my damp locks and lifted me into his arms without warning.
“I can walk,” I protested weakly.
:
“Indulge me,” he said, carrying me back to the bed with effortless strength.
As he set me down, something in his expression changed–his eyes darkened, his gaze trailing over my body with unmistakable heat. My pulse quickened in response.
“Dominic,” I whispered, my throat suddenly dry. “The nurse coulde in any minute.”
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He straightened, walking to the door with purposeful strides. I heard the soft click of the lock, and when he turned back to face me, he was already removing his suit jacket, loosening his tie with deliberate slowness.
“No one will disturb the future Alpha,” he said, his voice dropping to that low, dangerous register that sent heat pooling in my core.
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