“I’m too heavy.”
“Just lean a little, then. I can manage.” She slowly led him back to the bedroom and helped him down on the bed. He groaned when his head touched the pillow, and she frowned as she looked down at him. “I’ll go call your doctor.”
“Good,” he rasped.
She hurried away and made the call after finding his doctor’s private number in the address book by the telephone. Thankfully the doctor seemed to take it in his stride that he was being called out before dawn.
When she came back, Damien had fallen asleep. His cheeks were flushed and he started mumbling. It was obvious he was a little delirious and that worried her. The doctor said he knew the problem and would come straight around, so she hoped he kept to his word. She didn’t like seeing Damien like this.
All at once he started to move restlessly. “Mum?”
Oh, heavens. “Damien?”
“I’m sorry, Mum. Sorry I couldn’t be…” He trailed off to sleep again, making Gabrielle wondered what he’d been about to say.
Just then the doctor arrived. “It’s a food allergy,” the older man said after she let him into the apartment and they went into the bedroom. “Some sort of preservative. It makes him dizzy and gives him a fever. He must have eaten some of it last night.” He put his bag down on the bed and gave Damien a cursory glance. “Do you know what he had for dinner?”
“Our housekeeper cooked lasagna, but I’m sure she must know about the allergy.” Gabrielle couldn’t imagine Damien risking this too often.
The doctor opened his bag and started to prepare an injection. “It’s hard to tell what’s in some foods. He might’ve got a good dose of it by accident.”
Deep concern filled her. “Isn’t there anything you can do about it?”
“There’s some allergy tests, but he won’t have them done. He says he can handle it.” His eyes held a rueful glint.
She found herself smiling back at him, relieved more than anything that he was here. “That sounds like Damien.”
He gave the injection, then looked up at her again. “By the way, I’m Ken. I’ve been Damien’s doctor for a few years now. I believe you’re the new Mrs. Trent.”
Her cheeks warmed. “So word’s out?”
“Definitely. And there are a few very disappointed ladies around the place, let me tell you.”
She pushed aside a sense of jealousy and let her mouth quirk with humor. “I’m sure they’ll get over it.” Not like her. She loved him too much to lose him again.
He gave her a speculative look, then nodded in approval. “You’ll be good for him.”
“I know,” she said, serious now.
Ken left not long after, saying he’d be back before lunch to check on his patient. Reassured that Damien was okay, she made herself a cup of coffee then curled up on the luxurious leather club chair by the window and watched him as he slept. It was a rare opportunity to look at the man she loved, without fear of him catching her.
At that thought she blinked. Good Lord. This is what it had come down to. Her sneaking peeks at Damien to satisfy the longing in her heart. Yet she couldn’t seem to stop herself. Everything about him… every feeling for him…was a precious thing to be cherished and savored.
It was just the way it was.
A few hours later he woke her, trying to get out of bed. “Damien?”
Sitting on the edge of the mattress, he turned his head slowly, his gaze sliding across the room at her. “What are you doing over there?”
“I fell asleep in the chair,” she said, getting to her feet.
He paused while he swallowed. “You should have gone to the spare room.”
“You might have needed me.”
Another pause. “I’m fine,” he said, but he didn’t move.
She walked over to him. “Where are you going, anyway?”
“To the bathroom…then the office.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Really? You can’t even stand up. Besides, it’s Saturday. There’s no need to go anywhere.”
“I work every day.” But he still sat there, like he was trying to get his balance. “Is Ken coming back?”
“Later this morning.” She touched his forehead and frowned at his damp skin. “Perhaps you should see about getting something done about this allergy?”
His mouth set. “No.”
She let that go. “Come on. I’ll take you to the bathroom.”
“I can do it myself.” He pushed himself up, then rocked on his feet.
“You’re one stubborn man,” she declared, pulling his arm around her shoulder. “Come on.”
A few minutes later she had him back in bed. “You were delirious earlier on, you know,” she said, trying to get through his thick skull this was serious and she had been very worried about him.
“I don’t remember,” he said, closing his eyes.
“You were talking to your mother.”
His eyelids shot open, and a hint of the old Damien was back. “Is that so?”
“You were talking about being sorry.” She considered him. “You really shouldn’t keep things inside you, Damien. It’s not good for you.”
“Perhaps I’ll hire a publicist,” he mocked, but it was weak at best.
She hid a smile. “I can see you’re starting to get better.”
“Yes. So stop mothering me.”
She winced inwardly even as she angled her chin. “I’m so glad my services are appreciated.” She turned on her heels and headed for the door. Of all the ungrateful…
“Gabrielle?”
Hurt, she wanted to tell him to drop dead, but the memories of finding him in the shower were still fresh in her mind. She stopped at the door and turned to look at him. “Yes?”
“I’m sorry.” His eyes softened with gratitude. “Thank you for looking after me.”
Oh, she was such a weak woman where he was concerned, she decided, as tender warmth entered her heart. “You’re welcome.”
Eight
A fter that, life went into a holding pattern for a few days. Kia and Danielle took turns phoning, breezily chatting about Gabrielle’s new Porsche that they’d heard Damien had bought for her, but really to see how she was coping with married life. Gabrielle tried to sound upbeat and positive. She thought she did a pretty good job of convincing them she was okay, but there was still a hint of worry in their voices that made her realize she wasn’t really fooling them at all.