Chapter 53
Chapter 53:
Alarm snapped her fully awake. She hurried to his side. “What’s going on p>
“It’s nothing,” Austin said hoarsely, waving away her worry as his breathing slowly evened. His lips curved slightly as he added, “I just need to go to the bathroom p>
Brinley stepped back, flicking a finger toward the bathroom. “Go on your own p>
Austin didn’t move. His eyes stayed fixed on her. “Help me p>
Her brow furrowed as she shot back, “You didn’t lose an arm or a leg p>
“I feel dizzy,” he countered. He even swayed dramatically, as if he were about to collapse…
The urge to scream bubbled in her chest, but Brinley swallowed it down. With no real alternative, she stepped forward and slipped an arm beneath his.
𝖲𝖺v𝗲 𝘺𝗼𝘂𝗋 𝖿𝗮𝘃𝗈𝗋𝗂𝘁𝖾 ոo𝗏еl𝘴 𝘰𝘯
His skin burned with fever, and the frailty in his body made him lean most of his weight against her.
At the bathroom door, just as she tried to pull away, his hand shot out and caught hers. “Help me p>
Her heart lurched, and heat flared across her face. “Austin!” She yanked her hand back as if scalded. “Handle it yourself. If you can’t, I’ll get a male nurse or a doctor p>
His expression soured instantly, his frown making his refusal clear. “No p>
“Why not?” she demanded at once.
“Because I don’t like strangers,” he replied evenly. “I hate being touched by anyone else p>
Brinley froze, startled by his answer. “Then why do you keep leaning on me p>
Austin took in her fiery expression. A faint trace of amusement flickered in his eyes, though his voice held only quiet sincerity. “Because you’re different p>
Her heart skipped, and the words slipped out before she could stop them. “Different how p>
He didn’t answer. He only held her gaze—dark, steady, fathomless.
Unease prickled along her skin. She spun on her heel and stormed toward the door. “Figure it out yourself! Call me only if you’re completely helpless p>
The bathroom door shut hard, a barrier slicing the air between them.
Austin leaned back against the cool wall, a low laugh slipping from his throat.
Minutes later, the door creaked open.
He stepped out slowly, one hand braced against the wall, his complexion ghostly pale.
Brinley rushed forward and caught his arm, her voice sharp with worry. “I told you to call the nurse! But no—you had to be stubborn. And now look at you, suffering and barely able to stand p>
“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” Austin said, his eyes tracing the flush on her face as something quietly steady stirred in him. “With you here, I feel much better p>
Brinley was struck speechless, but she guided him back to the bed and eased him down.
“Stay put and quit moving around,” she ordered, pulling the blanket up around him, her voice sharp even as relief softened her chest.
Austin’s smile widened as he watched her fuss over him.
Her anxious care was exactly what he craved. That raw, unguarded worry made him happy—it was proof that she cared.