A Helping Hand
ZAIA. My heart skips a beat as I look down at him. His gorgeous piercing eyes are burning into mine and as much as I wanted to be near him… with him awake… I’m not so sure I can, but I know once we go there, we are going to have to pretend to be together…
“Excuse me? I don’t think that would be proper, Mr King.” I reply, trying to mask my emotions. “I don’t think the other night was proper either, Ms Toussaint, yet I remember you moaning in pure satisfaction.” He counters cockily, placing his other arm under his head.
I roll my eyes, trying not to admire his s3xy body. “Oh please, I was drunk.” I retort. He’s in pain, I can see that, but his arrogance and cockiness far exceed that. How stubborn!
“So then why were you on my bed whilst I was unconscious, were you planning to assault me in my sleep?” He asks mockingly, making me frown.
“You need a smack.” I frown, not knowing what else to say! He yanks me towards him, and I stumble, falling back onto the bed.
He grunts from the force he just used on himself, but doesn’t let the pain phase him as he looks me over shamelessly.
“As much as I want to fuck you all over again, I’m in far too much pain… stay… I could use the company.” He says quietly.
I hesitate, almost agreeing when he opens that mouth again. “Besides, I might need help to undress or pull my pants down. I can barely I move and as you’ve told everyone that we’re together again, then it’s only fair you help me.” He adds with a smirk.
Idiot! “You wish!” I growl, tugging free. “Then at least send a nurse or someone to assist me, I need to go to the bathroom and freshen up a little,” he says as he sits up, flinching in pain. I clench my jaw, knowing exactly what he’s trying to do…
“Fine, I’ll send one,” I say, turning and sauntering to the door. He doesn’t respond, but I can feel his gaze on me; I reach the door, unlock it and I’m about to step out when he speaks.
“Zaia.” I look over my shoulder at him, and he smirks. “Now what are you smirking about?” I frown.
“Nothing, just wondering why you made yourself so comfortable…” his gaze dips to my discarded heels. “The locked door…”
My cheeks flush as he lies there, completely relaxed with that smirk plastered across his smug face,that makes me want to smack and kiss him at the same time. “You are such an ass, Sebastian.”
“Sure, if it makes you feel better,” he taunts.
“Sebastian!” I growl. “Goodnight, Foxie, make sure you aren’t thinking of me as you try to sleep, but if you do, and you need some help to finish off, I’m right here.”
“Urgh, you ass!” I growl. I pull the door open and storm out, shutting it behind me. But I don’t move for a moment, he probably does need assistance…
I stand there silently, hearing a low groan and a thud. My heart skips a beat and I’m about to turn back when I pause. He wanted a nurse, then I’ll call one!
How annoying he is!
I know I’m feeling jealous, and I shouldn’t! I knock on the door beside Valerie’s room where the nursing staff are staying whilst they tend to her.
“Hello Ma’am, is all ok?” One of the women says. My heart sinks as I realise she’s one of the younger ones. “Yes… Valerie doing ok?” I ask. She nods. “Yes, it’s incredible news that Doctor Scott is on the mend, it is nothing short of a miracle.”
“Thank you… I’m happy too. Mr King needs some assistance as he walks. Is there anyone available who may help him?” I ask.
Her eyes light up in a way I’m not too fond of, and she nods. “I’m on duty, I will go.” She replies, sounding a little too happy.
I nod slowly; I know I’m testing him or trying to show myself something. I really have no idea anymore. She hurries off, and I give her a few moments, now wishing I had just helped Sebastian. I know I’m being silly, but when it comes to him, I am irrational at times…
I turn when I hear footsteps and see the nurse walking back towards me, visibly upset. “I’m sorry, Ma’am, but Mr King said he didn’t need any assistance and to leave.” She mumbles.
My stomach does a flip. “Oh… I see…. thank you.” I say, feeling guilty I had sent her, yet a part of me feels happy.
That annoying Alpha…
“He is in pain, ma’am, and I think he’s overexerting himself. Maybe he will allow you to help him, or perhaps Mr O’Dell.”
“Thank you, I’ll handle it and I’m sorry for his behaviour,” I say before I walk past her and head back towards Sebastian’s room.
Taking a steadying breath, I knock on the door. “I said I don’t need assistance!” he snarls, making my heart thud. He sounds so cold….
“Mind if I come in?” I ask.
There’s silence and I take it as a yes. I open the door to see him standing there, in just those sweatpants he was on, but seeing him standing up showed the sheer level of his injuries. So many parts of his body are bandaged up.
The faint smell of blood hits me, and I walk towards him. Has he opened a wound? “What do you want?” he asks, making me look up at him sharply.
“You refused assistance from the nurse,” I say. He looks like he might topple over at any moment. He tilts his head and cocks a brow.” And did that make you feel sympathy for me?” He asks.
“No,” I say. He’s upset, but he’s trying to control his emotions. “You’re angry. Is it because of the pain or because I said no to helping you?”
He looks at me before looking away and glancing at the bathroom door. ” Neither.” He takes a step, his body tense, his jaw taut as he tries to act like he can handle it.
“Then…” I say, blocking his path, and taking hold of his arm. His heart is thudding erratically, and I can tell he’s about to fall. Stepping closer, I wrap my arm around his waist, placing his arm around my shoulders.
He looks down at me, his eyes holding emotions that make my stomach feel all fluttery. “You know exactly why,” he murmurs before turning away. Because I sent a woman to help him…
“You yourself said you wanted a nurse,” I state, as I help him towards the bathroom. “Hmph, didn’t it bother you?” He asks.
Yes, it did….
But instead of admitting that, I cock a brow. “Not as much as it bothered you. If you can’t handle it, don’t threaten me with it.” I scold.
He looks away. “I know it’s my fault. I pushed you away… I don’t have any right to get angry.” He is speaking quietly and I don’t reply.
There’s still healing needed… for us both… I feel guilty for making him feel like that but I stay silent. We reach the bathroom, and he leans against the door frame.
“You ok from here?” I ask. “Yes, unless you want to help me with my pants?” Any trace of guilt I had vanishes and I narrow my eyes. “No, thank you!” I say, gently pushing him into the bathroom, and closing the door with a snap.
I wait in his room for him to come out or call me. After five minutes, I knock lightly on the door. “Sebastian? Are you alright?” I ask, hearing running water. “Sebastian?” Worry fills me and I open the door.
He’s sitting on the edge of the bathtub beside the sink where the tap is running, his elbow resting on the counter and his eyes closed.
His face and the front of his hair are soaking wet. The toothpaste sits on the counter with a toothbrush, the smell of mint reaching my nose.
“Bastian!” I rush to his side, crouching down and cup his face. His heart is beating steadily. “Bastien?” I whisper, tenderly brushing his wet black locks back.
His eyes flutter open for a moment, and it takes him a moment to realise where he is as he scans the room around us. ” Shit… sorry, I guess I still lack a lot of strength.”
“You think?” I sigh, standing up, I turn the tap off and grab hold of his arm, Come on, you need to get back to bed.”
He doesn’t respond and I manage to get him back into the bedroom, once he drops onto the bed, he this.” He mutters. groans. “I hate “You never did like being bedridden, but you need rest,” I say, fixing his blanket around him.
He doesn’t reply, his face now becoming serious. “You really won’t stay?”
I pause, my heart skipping a beat before I slowly look at him. He tilts his head slightly. “I can’t do anything, what are you afraid of?” He asks, “I mean, I might need your assistance again.” I frown, what if he ends up falling…
“Fine, I’ll stay but you better keep to your side of the bed,” I state.
He smirks. “Sure.” I dim the light and walk to the bathroom to wash my makeup off. Once I return, I climb into the bed from the other side, staying right on the edge. His eyes are closed but I know he’s awake. “Are you up to seeing the kids tomorrow?” I ask softly.
Life is terrifyingly short, and I can’t keep them apart any longer. He turns his head sharply towards me before groaning slightly.
“Damn…” he curses.
I smile faintly before our eyes meet. ” I’d love that.” “What will we tell them? I mean… how do we explain why we aren’t together?” I ask softly.
“Leave that to me.”
I search his eyes, I might call his brain rice-sized, and he can be an idiot, but I also know he can be smart, whatever he chooses to tell them, I’m sure I will approve of it and so I nod.
This is what I needed, someone I can lean on. Having him beside me, his scent clouding my senses, the heat of his body against mine… and I soon feel the exhaustion of the day overcome me.
“Night…” I murmur.
“Good night, Foxie.” He murmurs as I “Night…” I murmur. “Good night, Foxie.” He murmurs as I close my eyes. With him by my side, I’ll overcome everything….
