Chapter 10

"Zoe!!!!"
"Are you ok?"
"Matt told us everything! He feels terrible!" Abby and Lexie talked over each other. They were waiting in the hospital room when they brought her back from her last round of x-rays. The pain killers made it so Zoe had no idea how long she had been at the hospital but she knew was ready to go home.

"I'm fine, they said that once they get the x-ray results for my ankle I should be able to go home. I am so glad to see you two." As the nurse left the room Abby and Lexie pulled chairs up next to Zoe.

"You look like shit." Abby stated.
"Jesus Abby, be nice." Lexie smacked Abby's arm.
"Did David Moore really carry you out of the club? We know he brought you here but Matt said he was the one to carry you out! David Moore?!" Abby whispered.

Zoe was relieved when the doctor entered before she had to try and answer the question.

"Well Zoe, it looks like the ankle is just sprained, you will need to ice it and stay off it for a couple days but you should be fine. All in all, your injuries look a lot worse than they actually are. With a couple days rest you are going to be ok. You just need to stay home, rest, and be sure to have someone with you to keep an eye on you. The concussion seems to be mild but with head injuries it is essential to monitor those first few days." Dr. Reddy gave a sweet smile to Zoe and the girls as she put the chart down. "If you don't have any further questions we will get you checked out of here."

"Thank you, Doctor." Zoe said "That would be great."

The Doctor smiled and nodded then left the room. Zoe sighed and looked at the girls who were both on their phones texting.
 "Kelli says she hopes you feel better and she'll be by to visit once she is back in town." Lexie said without looking up from her phone.
"Matt says he hopes your okay and said to text him if..." Abby looked up in shock at the door way and Zoe looked to see what could possible stop Abby mid sentence.

David stood in the doorway in a fresh suit, Zoe realized it was morning as her breath caught in her throat. She wanted to be in his arms again. He looked only at her, his stone face showing no emotion but his eyes looking brighter than they had as his face had faded from her vision the night before. He had looked so concerned last night and that made her ache for his touch even more. Maybe he was more complicated than she had believed, maybe he wanted her for more than...what did he want her for?

"Matt is so hot Zoe, you really need to pursue that option ASAP, especially while he's still feeling awful for the whole dance floor incident." Lexie continued talking, eyes glued to her phone, oblivious to the new person in the room. Abby smacked her arm and Lexie's jaw dropped as she watched David walk over to Zoe's bedside.

"Good morning Zoe, how are you feeling?" It was as if Abby and Lexie did not exist, his eyes stayed on nothing but Zoe.

"Better, much better. Thank you so much for everything and I am so so-"
"You have nothing to apologize for." He cut her off.
"Zoe, we'll be right out here if you need us." Abby was dragging Lexie from the room as she said it. Zoe was thankful that David did not seem to notice what fools they were making of themselves, he didn't even glance at them.

As Zoe sat in her hospital bed she realized how awful she must look compared to this chiseled god like man standing next to her. Her long red hair was wild and dirty, she was sure her makeup was smeared if not completely gone, and she wore nothing but a thin hospital gown. She could feel a light throbbing from her forehead where she was sure there was a bump and probably some bruises from where she hit her head. She felt ridiculous as the same ache for him grew inside her as it had before, she knew that with how she must look it could only be her that felt the pull of him, the wanting for him.

He lifted a hand and gently ran his fingers along her hair line, moving some wild stray hairs back behind her ear. Her breath hitched at his touch.

"Did that hurt? I am so sorry. I just..." He sat on the edge of the bed, as if it were exactly where he belonged. He stared deep into her eyes and she was lost to him. He had to know the power he had over her.

"No, it's fine. I'm ok." She could barely hear herself as she whispered the words. She felt a longing deep within her.

"I just wanted to check on you, see if you were doing better. It sounds as though they will be sending you home soon?" His eyes searched her face for an answer.

"Yeah, they are just getting the paperwork in order. I'll be very glad to go home."
"I've told them to contact you employer with your off work notice and all bills will be sent to V. I will take care of everything so if they try and contact you let me know." The fantasy playing out in Zoe's head ended, he was here for business. She had been injured at opening night at his club and he was here to cover his tracks, not to profess some fondness for her. As much as she ached for him the reality of what they were was purely a physical escapade that he could easily pass by. "I also wanted to give you my personal cell number, if there is anything you need while recovering please let me know. I take it you live alone?"

"Yes, but I think Abby and Lexie are going to take turns watching me. You really don't need to do any of this, it's really all too much - "
"No. It's not. You shouldn't be alone the next few days, if they can't be there I expect you to call me. Understand?" His voice was all business as his eyes stayed locked on hers.
"Yes. Thank you." She nodded with reluctance. She could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes as the exhausted amplified her embarrassment at misreading the situation. Yet again she mistook his intentions as possibly being something more than what they were and she only had herself to blame.

He nodded and looked her over slowly, starting at her feet and working up to her eyes again. He ran his fingers along her jawbone, lightly raising her chin towards him. Chills went down her spine as he gently held her face in his hand. He moved in close, bringing his lips to her ear. She felt his lips brush her skin as he spoke n the softest whisper. A whisper that melted her very core.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again."