Page 125 of Security and Submission
She should talk to Cassidy. Cassidy had been stalked by her ex, who had followed her all the way from D.C. to Pittsburgh, and he’d been killed while he was attacking her. If anyone knew how Yasmine felt right now, it would be Cassidy.
Yasmine yawned. The pain in her shoulder was already receding, she realized, which left her feeling tired again. Dr. Grande smiled, putting her chart back into its place.
“Get some sleep, Yasmine,” he advised. “You’re in good hands.” He glanced at Zeus. “And if you do want someone to stay with you overnight, I can pull some strings.”
As much as she wanted to say yes, she’d seen how Zeus was sleeping on that chair.
“Thank you, but I don’t think there’s anywhere for someone to sleep,” she said, and yawned again.
Dr. Grande chuckled. “I can pull some strings about that, too.”
He and the nurse both headed out of the room, leaving Zeus and Yasmine alone. Zeus was still watching the door until it closed behind them. When he looked down at Yasmine, his expression was a little guilty.
“I know I should be rooting for Jensen and Jennifer, since he’s my teammate, but I have to admit, I like the doctor a lot.”
“Me, too,” Yasmine admitted, yawning halfway through the words. She was starting to have trouble keeping her eyes open. Every blink felt heavier than the one before. “He’s nice. And hot.”
“He’s what?” Zeus’ question sounded like it came from very far away.
“Nice and hot.” Mmm. She was mumbling. It was too hard to make her lips and tongue move together the way they were supposed to.
Sighing, Yasmine turned her head into the pillow. She could feel Zeus letting go of her hand, his fingers moving up her arm to tuck her into bed, which was nice. The dark was coming up, cozy and comfortable and full of relief because the worst was over.
Zeus was here. She was safe.
Lips brushed over her forehead.
A soft murmur of words followed her down into the darkness… or maybe she just imagined that he said, ‘I love you.’ Because only in her dreams.
Chapter 44
Yasmine
The hospital room was full of flowers. Not just from her friends and from the team, but a huge bouquet and card from her students, more from women at the shelter whom she’d taught or worked with. The most meaningful bouquet was also the smallest – eight pink carnations from Pete James’ wife, who was now safe from him forever. The card just said “I’m so sorry.”
So was Yasmine, but at the same time, she didn’t have any regrets and she was glad the woman was free of him. Yasmine hoped she lived a safe and happy life.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come home with us?” Maman asked, clearly fretting at the idea of not being able to watch over Yasmine personally. Which Yasmine did feel bad about.
“I’m sure, Maman,” she replied gently. “You and Papa can visit me at Zeus’ any time.”
As much as Yasmine wanted to give her mother peace of mind, the truth was no, she did not want to go to her parents to be fussed over. She was very excited about getting out of the strict confines of the hospital. Going to her parents would be even worse. Plus, she wasn’t sure how it would be to have Zeus visit her there.
Once she was awake and fully present, it had quickly become clear to her how much her parents already adored Zeus, but…
“I do like that boy, very much.” Her mother tilted her head, consideringly. “He would make a very good husband.”
That right there was why. Her mother had been dropping hints nonstop about Yasmine and Zeus getting married from the moment Yasmine had woken up. Yasmine could only hope her mother hadn’t done it too much before that.
“Mom, I don’t know if we’re getting married. It is too soon to say,” Yasmine said firmly. This wasn’t the first time she’d said that, so this time, she added a little more. She didn’t want to get her mother’s expectations—or hopes—up. “I don’t even know if he ever wants to get married. That’s not why we’re together.” After all, he’d been willing to have a friends-with-benefits relationship.
They’d moved beyond that, but not very far. They hadn’t really discussed how they saw their future together. Which was something Yasmine would want to talk about eventually, but she wasn’t going to try to rush it. She wasn’t going to try to predict or arrange the future, not like she’d done in the past.
Maman frowned.
“Then why are you together? What is the point of a relationship that does not have a goal?” Maman put her hands on her hips, demanding an answer as much as she was asking for one.
“The goal is to enjoy each other’s company. Maybe we’ll get married in the future, if that’s what we both want.” The look of disappointment on her mother’s face made Yasmine’s chest hurt. Her shoulder still hurt, too, but it was two different kinds of pain. She hated disappointing her mother.
