He was stranded.
Claire didn’t get the feeling he was a man who was ever embarrassed about his body when he was with a woman. Because honestly, why would he be? But this moment wasn’t on his terms. He wasn’t seducing her, and he’d probably intended to be dressed before she came back in. This was a sort of weakness, which he wouldn’t take well.
Claire cleared her throat, determined to treat him the same as usual in hopes it would lighten his mood. She walked forward and put the drinks on the dresser. “If this is a ploy to get me in bed with you, I have to admit it’s tempting. But I’ll have to ask for a rain check.”
He cocked a brow and held up his hands, fingers splayed, slowly rotating them while he examined them. She marveled at his ability to shift from awkward to charming in mere seconds as he looked back at her with heat in his eyes.
Jeez, what was he doing to her? Stay focused. “Yes, I see your hands are in perfect working order. But when we go there, I’m gonna want a whole lot more than that.”
He stilled and blinked a few times and she congratulated herself for shocking him.
“I assume you were trying to change?”
He nodded, and she wished he’d pick up his phone and communicate with her that way. She didn’t want to have to keep looking at him, all undressed and stuff. Seriously, wow. She grabbed a shirt and pair of shorts from the top of the pile, then paused at the idea of rifling through drawers for underwear. “Were, um… Did you already change your…？”
She peeked behind her and he gave her a thumbs-up, his expression unreadable.
Thank God. She crossed the room and handed him the clothes, then propped his crutches on the bed. “In that case, I can just give you these. Or I can help if you need me to.”
He pointed to the door.
She shrugged and left, retreating to the kitchen to make her own breakfast. Her phone buzzed.
“Oh, now he wants my help,” she muttered. “That didn’t take long.”
But Graham hadn’t texted her and her hackles fell back into place.
Mia: How’s he doing today? Noah wants the real answer because Graham just says he’s fine.
Claire: He’s not enjoying this. But otherwise, he’s doing as well as can be expected. I slept in his room last night just in case he needed anything.
Mia: That was nice of you.
Claire wished she could see Mia’s face or at the very least, hear her tone. As it was, she pretended it was a simple acknowledgment with no underlying questions.
Claire: Today’s the first full day at home with just him and me. Check back in a few hours to see if we’ve killed each other yet. Last one standing: Graham, me, or Gertrude.
Mia: My money’s on Gertrude. Hang in there and let us know if you need anything.
Claire ate a bowl of instant oatmeal and, after texting to make sure he was decent, went back to Graham’s room to dole out his medications. He messaged her while she refilled his water.
Graham: I can handle my meds myself, you know. I’ll remind you that I’m an adult and, again, that I’m an EMT.
She waited to respond until she was back in his room. She handed him the water and propped one hand on her hip. “Several of these cause drowsiness. You were out cold after the dose of hydrocodone last night, and the antibiotics and muscle relaxers need to stay on schedule. You’ll be on your own soon when I have to go back to work, and I figured it would be best if I did as much as I could while I was here.”
He tossed back the pills, keeping his gaze on her as he took a long drink. He picked up his phone again.
Graham: Fine. Can I make a request, though?
“Sure.”
Could you always wear that?
She looked down, not even sure what she was wearing. It was a simple spaghetti strap tank top and shorts pajama combo she’d picked up on clearance at Nordstrom Rack. She hadn’t thought anything of it when she popped in last night. But here in the daylight, she realized just how revealing it was. The shorts were almost to her ass, and the top left little to the imagination.
She turned on her heel. “You’re an asshole.”
Her phone buzzed in her hand, and she looked at it as she stepped into her own room to change.
And you’re fine as hell.
Two hours later, Claire had made a grocery store run and, after checking on Graham, settled into the living room to watch Schitt’s Creek.
Fifteen minutes in she realized how weird it was, sitting out here while he was alone in his room, probably doing the same thing.
Should she leave him be? She didn’t want to come off as overbearing.