“What’s wrong? Stay with me.”
“Can’t. ’Leepy.” Ben’s face wavered, and she slowly shut her eyes. “Don’t leave me,” she whispered to him. “Need you.”
“I’ll always be here. Always.”
The dark took her away, and from the one person she never wanted to leave.
Chapter 12
The next morning in the doctor’s surgical room, Ben stirred. He rolled his shoulders and eased the crook in his neck from sleeping in the low-backed chair. Saria lay peacefully nestled on her side, one hand tucked under her cheek and her breath whispering softly between her lips. That sweet sound had finally soothed him into slumber himself.
He stretched his legs, stood and traipsed across to the doorway leading into the doctor’s private office. Tyler sat in the leather swivel chair behind Dr. Hika’s chunky desk, his laptop open in front of him. “Where’s the doc, Tyler?”
“He dashed off to his room for a shower and a change of clothes. Said he’ll be back soon to check on the patient before the clinic opens at nine.”
“Anything come in from Gilchrist this morning?”
“Just now. He’s identified Saria’s kidnapper as Boyd Hyena. The man is Kern and Ladd Hyena’s cousin and affiliated with the same Wellington gang as them. Gilchrist has a search warrant and is heading to Hyena’s flat, right after he swings by to pick up Mia Taita.”
“Saria’s evidence is enough?”
“He hopes so, or at least until he can gather further proof.”
“Good. Things are stacking up against Mia Taita.” Although they needed something solid on top of Saria’s word. He folded his arms. “We need to find Hyena before he causes any more trouble.”
“Kupita has doubled the number of teams searching the jungle. This place is crawling with his men.”
“Ben?” Saria, in her loose hospital gown, stood in the doorway with her IV pole in hand. She rubbed her sleepy eyes with her knuckles. “I heard.”
“We’ll catch Boyd Hyena. I promise you that.”
“I know you will.” She held out a hand and he rushed across. “I need to use the bathroom again. Can you come with me? I’m not ready to go in there alone.”
“You don’t even need to ask.” Hell, he hated she was still so scared.
“Wait up.” Tyler snagged a plastic bag from the green couch and passed it to her. “Take these. I called in a favor at reception and they opened the gift shop for me. I picked out some clothes for you that should fit. They’re the same size as what Lydia wears.”
“Then that’ll be perfect.” She kissed his cheek. “Tyler, I swear you’re going to make a fabulous brother-in-law, that’s if you ever get married to my sister.” She rolled her pole toward the bathroom as Ben walked beside her.
“Tell me what you need.” He closed the bathroom door.
“A hand changing.” She pulled the side ties on the gown and eased the loose fabric over her head. “Is there any underwear in that bag? The bikini’s doing a fine job, but I’d love a complete change of clothes.”
If Tyler had brought her underwear, he was in huge trouble. He opened the bag and growled. A pink satin bra and panties sat on top of the other purchases. The man was dead.
Saria peered into the bag and smiled. “Oh, and Tyler has good taste too.”
The man was double-dead. Gruffly, he stood with the bra in hand. “How do I put this on?”
“Take a guess.” She released the back ties of her bikini and her full breasts bobbed free.
He embraced one mound and rubbed his thumb over her rosy nipple. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, and the fabric cups that part.”
“You’re really going to make me dress you?”
“Absolutely.” She grinned. “If you put your mind to it, I’m sure you’ll manage perfectly fine.”
“You’re a cruel woman.” He slid her bra into place then wrapped his arms around her and clipped the back hooks. He stroked the silk cups, relishing the smooth fabric and her nipples as they puckered and rose into his touch.
“Oh, nice,” Saria sighed softly. “Panties next, please.”
He helped her out of her bikini bottoms then knelt and slid her panties into place. He placed a soft kiss on her smooth mound then held the short white summer skirt for her to step into. Done, he stood and tugged it up to her waist. “Okay, the bra was strapless, but how do we get the shirt on with that IV pole in the way?”
“Easy.” She unhooked the bag, threaded it through the armhole of the white and blue striped tank top then passed the bag to him. She eased her shirt down and straightened the hem over her skirt. “Can you comb my hair for me? There’s a brush in that bag as well.
He returned the IV bag to the hook, grabbed the brush and slowly ran it through her locks. The strands curled around his fingers and had him wishing the rest of her body was too.
“Thank you.” She kissed his cheek.
“You missed my mouth by a mile.”
“I wasn’t aiming for your mouth.”