Rhapsody (The Bellator Saga Book 5) by Cecilia London Read Free Book Online

unclenched her fists. “Can I stay in here for a few minutes to make sure you’re all right?”
    “Okay,” she whispered.
    “Is the pain fading a little?”
    “A little. How did you learn how to do that?”
    “My mother had migraines when I was growing up. Sometimes a massage like that helped alleviate the symptoms.”
    “Oh,” Caroline said. “I never knew that.”
    “I never told you much about my parents.”
    “Sounds like you were a good son.”
    “I hope so.”
    She turned around on the bed so she was facing him. “Thank you.”
    He squeezed her arm. “It was nothing.”
    He was being so kind. She tried to smile at him. “Was this you trying to be nice to me?”
    “No,” he said. “This was me taking care of my beloved wife.”
    So kind. Too kind. He was being far, far too kind. Caroline closed her eyes and bit her lip, turning away from him again. She lay there silently and felt Jack sit up on the bed.
    “I don’t know how I’m supposed to act around you,” he said. “I’m doing the best I can.”
    I know you are. But I can’t do the same without hurting you. “I’m really tired,” she said. “Maybe you should-”
    “Go,” Jack interrupted dully. “Yeah, I know the drill.” He slid off the bed and knelt down next to her, bringing a hand to her hair and smoothing it back. “You’re still flushed. I’ll get a cool washcloth.”
    “I’m fine.”
    “You’re not,” he snapped. “And you don’t get to argue tonight. You can yell at me tomorrow.”
    Caroline closed her eyes and heard the sound of water running. He was back before she knew it, wiping her face off. She tried to bat his hand away. “I’m fine .”
    “Fine or not, I’m taking care of you. I’m here, whether you need me or not.”
    “I don’t need anyone.”
    “You keep playing that record on repeat, Caroline. It’s getting a little old.”
    “I’ll be fine.” She wrapped the sheet around herself, even though it was warm in the room. Jack sighed, which probably meant he knew she wasn’t going to change her mind.
    “Whatever you say,” he said. “Come get me if you need anything.”
    But she was sure he knew that was the last thing she would do.
     
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    The sun shone brightly as they walked over to the infirmary. Caroline doubted that was a metaphor for anything. The pleasant weather didn’t make her feel particularly jolly.
    “This shouldn’t take long,” Jack said.
    He hadn’t said much that morning. He probably assumed an obvious statement would clear the chill from the air. “I know,” she said.
    “I want you to tell Natalie about what happened last night.”
    Caroline glanced over at him. “You mean the headache or our nice little chat?”
    A snarky remark meant to elicit an equally snarky response, but he smiled blandly. “Both, if you want. I’ll stay outside while you talk to her.”
    He must have noticed she wanted her space. “Thanks.”
    Jack sighed. “It’s a beautiful day, Caroline. Please lighten up a little.”
    “I will if you’ll stop bugging me.”
    “I make no promises.” He reached for her before pulling his hand back.
    That was strange. “Did you want something?” she asked.
    “I just…may I hold your hand?”
    “Have you noticed you always ask permission after you’ve already done something?”
    “I stopped before I actually did it,” he said.
    “Why?”
    “I’m trying to respect your boundaries.”
    It was a short walk. Acquiescing was easier than arguing. Caroline extended her hand and he intertwined his fingers with hers.
    Jack grinned. “My polite requests make it a lot harder for you to say no, don’t they?”
    That was one way to phrase it. The question had been more of a demand. “You were never one for subtlety. Taking what you want, any time you want it.”
    He squeezed her hand. “No,” he said quietly. “Just trying to push past the boundaries you’re willing to concede. I’m not going to force you to do anything.