Ivy shook her head. “No. Never.”
“Your vitals are strong, pulse is steady, eyes are clear—speech and hearing don’t appear impaired. You seem okay, but I want to make sure you don’t have a concussion.”
Ivy forced herself to sit up fully now. “I seem okay because I am okay.”
But Cullen’s expression showed that he wasn’t sold on her improvement. “What were you doing right before you passed out?”
She shook her head, nervous from these questions. His words were gentle, but probing acutely, just like his fingers had probed and found the sore lump on her head.
Ivy didn’t want him to find the other sore spot—the one in her conscience.
“I don’t really remember what I was doing when I fainted,” she lied. “It’s a bit fuzzy. I think I was checking my phone or something.” She hated continuing the charade, but he’d backed her into a corner with his questions.
“Unfortunately, your phone didn’t take the fall as well as your head did.” He grinned slightly, as he gestured to the pieces of plastic nearby on the floor.
“I always knew Mom was right to call me hard-headed.” She smiled back at him, thinking how kind and sensitive he could look one moment, and then how drastically his expression could shift when he became withdrawn or angry.
“We’ll get you a new phone,” he said, as if not wanting her to have anything to be worried about. Suddenly, his head tilted to the side. “Shit,” he said, sniffing the air.
“What?”
“I left the eggs on the burner. They’re probably burnt.” He got up. “You wait here,” he told her, pointing at her for emphasis. “Don’t move a muscle, I’m just going to run to the kitchen.” Cullen walked quickly from the room and Ivy sighed, putting a hand to her forehead.
What are you doing? This has gone too far. He’s being so good to you and this is how you repay his kindness?
She was so confused. Nothing in life had ever prepared her for a situation like this, and she had nobody to turn to for help.
Cullen could help you if you’d let him.
But no.
If she told him, she would jeopardize everything, including her freedom. And he’d probably end up hating her for it anyway.
Ivy slowly climbed to her feet, and then she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her again. She saw spots, and then the world began to swim before her eyes.
She stumbled as Cullen came back into the room and saw her.
“Ivy!” he called out. “What are you doing?”
She tripped and stumbled even worse, sprawling towards the floor again—this time face-first.
Luckily, Cullen reacted quickly, jumping to grab her before she could fall hard. He caught her in his strong arms and lifted her back to her feet. “I told you not to get up,” he said.
“I know, but…” she tried to stand on her own.
Cullen held her. “No buts. You need to listen better.” He looked into her eyes as he kept his arms around her. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I just got dizzy again for a second. But I’m better now. I swear.”
He stroked her hair. “You need to take care.” His voice was actually soft. His eyes were still liquid, not ice. His entire demeanor was so different and it melted her heart to know that he cared so much.
“I’m sorry.”
“Less apologizing and more listening,” he said. “As usual.” His lips twitched into another smile.
“I’ll do better,” she told him, and then burst into tears. Her shoulders shook as he held her tightly.
“Tell me what’s wrong.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to disappoint you.”
He stroked her hair and held her, whispering in her ear. “You don’t disappoint me, Ivy. Far from it.”
After a bit, he let her go, watching her with his blue eyes as she stood there, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
He sighed. “The bad news is, breakfast got burned.”
“I don’t care. I’m not that hungry. Besides, I can get something at the office.”
“The office?” Cullen said, frowning.
“It’s almost time to leave for work. I can’t be late again. Emma will have my head on the chopping block.”
“You’re not fit to work today.” He shook his head and placed his hands on his hips.
“I just had a little spell.” She waved his concern off. “I’m going into work.”
“I don’t think so,” he replied, shaking his head firmly from side to side. “I need to keep an eye on you.”
“You can’t watch over me forever,” she laughed, rolling her eyes as her cheeks flushed from receiving so much of his attention.
“I can watch over you today, and the rest of the weekend.”
Her mouth dropped open. “The weekend?”
“Pack your bags,” Cullen said. “You’re coming with me.”
Cullen made a few business calls on the drive. Ivy couldn’t make heads or tails of most of it, and didn’t really try to.
Just the sound of his voice, so calm and sure and deep—it was comforting.