He ignored her and came in, closing the door behind him. “Have you taken anything?” he asked her as he tipped her chin up to look at her.
“Several things as a matter of fact.” She stepped back from him. “Look, I am sure you have heard that I am no longer at Communications Link. I have nothing to say to you.”
She gasped as he swung her up into his arms and carried her into the bedroom where he placed her onto the bed.
“What about some water?” he suggested as he took off his jacket and made himself at home.
“I can take care of myself.” She struggled to get on her elbows.
“I am sure you can.” His blue eyes twinkled in amusement. “The bug hit me and I was down for two weeks, that’s why it took me so long to get back here.” He disappeared in the direction of the bathroom and then came back with some tap water in the cup she kept there. He sat on the side of the bed and putting his arms around her he held her up. “Drink,” he commanded. She opened her mouth and did so automatically. He made sure she finished the water before putting her back against the pillows. He felt her brow satisfied that she was not running a temperature before taking off his shoes. He came alongside her and pulled her into his arms.
She fought him weakly. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
“Shh. Go to sleep,” he murmured as he stroked her back. felt the intense pull of attraction even though her body was weak from the virus.
“This is not-”
“We will talk later,” he murmured as he kissed the top of her head. “Go to sleep.”
Within minutes the medication she had taken kicked in and she drifted off to sleep, unconsciously curling her fingers into his green cashmere sweater.
Jason settled back against the pillows with her head on his chest and his arms around her listening to her even breathing. That one small encounter with her had been it for him! He had not been able to think of anyone else but her ever since it happened and he was tired of fighting it. He had felt the world drop from beneath him when he had come home and find that she was gone and had almost driven himself crazy when he did not know where she was! He had not dealt with Bart yet but he intended to deal with him as soon as he sorted out things between him and . She stirred against him and murmured a little and he rubbed her back until she drifted off again. Even now in her state and his weakened one as he had not gotten to being himself yet, he could feel the desire stirring for her! He had told her that they would talk and he meant it. He was not going to disappear and leave her again!
*****
woke up sometime in the night, disoriented and groggy, her limbs heavy. She felt the arms around her and for a moment wondered who it was until the memory came flooding back through the fog! Jason Collins was in her apartment and he was in her bed! She eased away a little and lifted her head to look at him. He was asleep, his long dark lashes making shadows on his cheeks. He had not shaved and his jaw was rough with dark stubble. His lips were slightly parted and she shivered as she remembered feeling them against hers. His arms were wrapped so tightly around her body that she could not move without waking him. What did this mean? What was he doing here? He stirred against her and she slowly put her head back onto his broad chest. She went limp as he ran his hand over her back and then settled back to sleep. Whatever it was, she was going to savor this moment with him. And deal with the questions in the morning! With a sigh, she snuggled back into his arms and drifted back to sleep.