Longing for You, стр. 24

“The doctor said it will return to normal soon, amongst otherthings. Sit down, please.” Katie pointed to the chair by the bed.

Alexis looked at it warily, then pulled it closer and sat downawkwardly. Alexis looked nervous. She didn’t think she’d ever seen a nervousDuca, but then recently she’d seen another first from Alexis. When they’dnearly devoured each other in her bedroom, Katie had seen lust, directed ather.

Alexis crossed and uncrossed her legs and shifted around the seat.Her nervousness almost made her sweet.

“Thanks for coming, Alexis. I wanted to thank you for saving me.”

“I didn’t save you, Bhal did,” Alexis said firmly.

“Of course you did. If you hadn’t come to me, then I would havebeen too far gone for Bhal to save me.”

“Any vampire would have done the same.”

Grumpy, awkward Alexis was back, and it was bloody annoying. “Look,I’ve offered you my thanks—would you just accept it graciously?”

“Don’t get all upset. Save your strength,” Alexis said.

“Well don’t be so bloody-minded then, and accept my thanks.”

“I’m sorry. Of course I accept your thanks.”

Katie started to cough and pointed to her bottle of water by thebedside. Alexis got it quickly and helped her take a sip.

“Thanks,” Katie said.

Alexis put the bottle down and returned to her seat. She watchedKatie pull the covers around her tightly. She didn’t look at all well. Katie’sskin was so white apart from the dark circles under her eyes.

To Alexis, Katie looked so small and helpless lying there. She hadan urge to wrap her arms around her and hold her till she felt better. “How areyou?”

Katie looked her in the eyes, then stared back down at the patternof her covers. “I’m okay. Be back to normal in no time.”

Somehow Alexis didn’t quite believe that answer. What was Katiehiding? There was an awkward silence while Alexis tried to pluck up the courageto tell Katie about what really happened last night. “Katie, I…” Alexis hesitated.

“What is it?” Katie asked.

Alexis couldn’t spit the words out. She was too frightened andfearful of the hurt and disgust she was sure Katie would show her. So Alexischickened out.

“Is there anything I can get you?”

Katie gave her the smallest of smiles. “No, it’s okay. How did youknow I needed help last night? Did you hear me screaming?”

“Not at first. I felt something was wrong, and then I heard youscream.”

“You felt it? Have you had intuitions like that before?” Katieasked.

Alexis couldn’t bring herself to lie about a second thing. Shelooked into Katie’s beautiful eyes and said, “No, I never have. I just felt youneeded me.”

Katie looked back at her, clearly surprised, but something elsewas passing between them in that moment, something deeper.

“Wow—I mean, that’s great. By the way, I wanted to apologize toyou,” Katie said.

Alexis was surprised. “What do you have to be sorry for?”

“I caused all this mess, Alexis. You told me it wasn’t safe for ahuman, and I was stubborn and wouldn’t listen.”

Alexis sighed. “I’ve realized now that I can’t lock you up andprotect you twenty-four hours a day, as much as I’d like to.”

“You’d like to protect me?”

Alexis nodded and whispered, “Of course I would. You’re veryimportant to m—the clan.”

Katie reached out her hand, and Alexis looked at it for a fewseconds before taking it. Touching Katie made her heart thud hard. The feel ofKatie’s skin also showed her how cold Katie was.

“You’re cold.”

“Yeah, I can’t seem to get warm,” Katie said.

Without thinking Alexis moved her chair closer and said, “Give meyour other hand.”

Katie moved to the edge of the bed and gave Alexis her other hand.Alexis put her hands over Katie’s clasped hands and started to rub themvigorously.

Katie smiled, “That’s nice.”

“My mama used to do it for me when I was a little girl,” Alexissaid and then kicked herself. Why had she said that? She never talked about herhurt and her family.

“I haven’t heard you talk about your mother before—mind you, Ihaven’t ever heard you talk about anything apart from giving me trouble.” Katiesmiled when Alexis stopped her rubbing motion and looked a bit flustered. “I’mjust joking, Duca. How about we call a ceasefire on all our squabbles from beforelast night.”

Alexis returned her smile but didn’t let go of Katie’s hands. Itfelt nice to be touching her, after she thought she’d lost her last night. Shestroked her thumb across the back of Katie’s hand.

“I’d like that.”

Katie’s smile at that comment shattered any remaining hardness aroundAlexis’s heart. In that moment Alexis promised that she would help Katie backto health and guard her to make sure no harm would ever touch her again.

“I’m sorry Josie got past my guards. They have been reprimanded.She managed to sneak out when the guards were changing shift, then made off.”

“It’s not your fault. You can’t be everywhere.” Katie hesitated.“But Josie is still out there.”

“I don’t want you to worry about her. I will keep you safe.”Alexis was getting lost in Katie’s eyes and her touch.

“You know,” Katie said, “when I was unconscious last night, Idreamed about you.”

Alexis’s heart thudded even harder, and she tried hard not to showhow much Katie’s touch was affecting her. But goosebumps had broken out up anddown her arm. “Oh?”

“I was looking for you, shouting your name, but I couldn’t findyou.”

That was a bit too close to the dream she’d had. She had beenscreaming Katie’s name, desperately trying to find her. She pulled her handaway and stood up quickly.

“I’d better get back to my duties.”

Katie’s face fell. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from your work.”

Alexis knew she was being gruff and dismissive, but it was her wayof coping with this emotional situation. She turned and walked to the doorurging herself to not look back, but she couldn’t stop herself. Alexis had somuch to make up for. She would have to beg for Katie’s forgiveness once Katiefound out what she’d done.

Alexis turned back around and said, “I do have to go now, but mayI visit you this evening?”

Katie’s smile was back and it made Alexis feel good.

* * *

Victorija had to get out of her room. The walls felt like theywere closing in on her,