Elodie was caught off guard as Jarrod pulled her into his arms.

Pressed tightly against his chest, she could feel the heat radiating from his body- and the steady thump of his heartbeat, gradually calming.

"Are you awake?" she asked, trying to sit up. But Jarrod refused to let go; if anything, his arms tightened around her as soon as she spoke.

He murmured next to her cheek, voice rough and low, "Not until you got here. That's when I woke up."

Hearing his voice, so hoarse and strained, Elodie could imagine how awful he must be feeling. His skin was burning hot beneath her touch.

"Cara said you were in bad shape. Sit up and have some soup, then take your medicine and get some rest." Trapped in his embrace, Elodie found it impossible to move, especially since she was practically lying on top of him-so close it was almost disconcerting.

Jarrod stayed silent.

He still wouldn't let her go.

"Jarrod?" she called softly.

No reply.

Elodie pushed against his chest, trying to wriggle free. "Jarrod, come on-don't play dead."

Only then did he nuzzle her neck, almost imperceptibly, and answer in a lazy drawl, "I'm just pretending to be asleep. That way, in my dream, we're still in love."

Elodie was momentarily speechless.

Was this his way of cheating the moment?

indulge him. Sick

no choice but to reluctantly loosen his hold. He sat up a little, glancing at the bowl of soup on the bedside table. "So Cara called in the

the bowl before handing it to him. "Did

the

eaten since yesterday. I can barely lift my

"So?"

his mouth tilting up. "I'm afraid I'll need

behind his

seem to be recovering just fine. Weak

his head on the

effort to reassure her than anything else

eight.

a spoon. "Take care of

the spoon

looked at her

a moment, it

as memories threatened to surface, and he blinked hard before swallowing the mouthful

another spoonful, Jarrod

really

or

just thought... you're not well either. You shouldn't have to worry

bowl down and stood up, ready

"You're already here. Do you really expect

always knew how to twist words to

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