Divine Phoenix by Heather Rainier Read Free Book Online

unteachable, you work for me,” he said with a look of triumph on his face. “Where’s the feisty, spirited Lily who could never back down from a challenge?”
    Well, crap! He had her there. She couldn’t very well turn him down now. The smile that crossed her face felt as unfamiliar to her as the short burst of laughter that followed it. “All right. Do you know when my car will be ready? Will I be able to go home after I get out of here?”
    “Not right away. We can go see your house after you’re released, but you’re not supposed to stay alone while you’re healing. Your situation was pretty dire and you’re going to need some time to recuperate. For that reason, you’ll be staying in my spare bedroom—”
    Lily gaped at him in surprise. “Clay, really! Come on! You’ve already done so much—”
    Clay looked at her with wide, innocent green-gold eyes. “What? You don’t trust me? I’ll be a total gentleman.”
    Is he flirting with me? “That’s not the issue and you know it. Clay, trust me when I tell you that I’ve functioned in far greater pain than this.”
    Clay grew serious and replied, “Is that supposed to make me feel better? You need someone to look after you. It’s no trouble at all. You’ll be sharing the room with my elliptical trainer which doubles as a catchall for my ironing and other odds and ends. This is an easy solution to a difficult problem, Lily. If your house needs repairs, even minor ones, they’ll take time and energy you don’t have right now. Stop worrying about being an inconvenience and just give in. Remember how persistent I am?”
    “Clay…”
    “Come on…”
    “Clay.”
    “Stubborn as ever. Come on. I already put all your boxes and luggage in the room. Fresh sheets are on the bed. I even cleaned the tub and cleared out half of the medicine cabinet for you. Come home with me. We’ll have time to get all caught up. I missed you, Lily.”
    Then Clay unfairly pulled the maneuver that had gotten him whatever he wanted when he was little. She couldn’t help but laugh a little as he pooched out his lower lip and gave her the soulful puppy dog eyes. She could tell by the look in his moss-green-and-gold-tinged eyes that he was sincere in wanting to help. Insisting on doing for herself against medical advice seemed almost rude as he gazed at her.
    “You slay me with those eyes, Clay. All right. But I insist on working to pay for the window that got broken, and the other damage, and the cost of my car repairs.”
    “The window has already been replaced and insurance is covering all of that.”
    “Oh, great. One more thing for JT to gripe about.”
    “Let the insurance companies duke it out.”
    Lily lay back against the pillow on the elevated head of the bed and sighed heavily. “I’m out of his clutches. I really am.” Heat traveled up to her cheeks and tears filled her eyes. She felt like a ninny all over again. It seemed like all she did was cry all over him. “But this lasts only as long as I’m incapacitated. I’m out of your hair as soon as I get the approval of Doctor Guthrie.”
    “You know Emma?” Clay asked with a surprised look on his face.
    “No, Doctor Burns suggested I see her. Why?” It was on the tip of her tongue to ask how he knew Doctor Guthrie on a first name basis, but it wasn’t any of her business.
    “She was the first medical professional on the scene at your accident.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah. I helped her.”
    Lily worried for a moment that Clay might have been there when she was examined. He might have seen the tattoo. But if he had, he would’ve known what JT meant earlier.
    “Then I’m glad he referred me to her. I’m really sorry about damaging your building. All I could think was…” I needed someone safe, someone familiar. I needed you.
    “What, Lily?”
    “I was glad that not everything in Divine had changed completely, that there was still someone here that knew me.”
    Clay’s smile filled her vision as he