When I woke up from my little coma, it took me a few minutes to figure out where the hell I was, and what happened. As I stretched out on the couch, feeling the pain in my actual ass, I quickly remembered, and pulled the blanket that was covering me up over my head in embarrassment. As I poked my face out, just barely enough to show my eyes, I peered around the room to see if Flynn was still there. When I didn’t see him, I dropped the blanket dramatically, and recalled the events of the past twenty-four hours, shaking an angry fist at the sky. My luck was simply incredible.

I got up and started to wander to the front door, which was open, allowing a cool breeze in. As I poked my head out, there he was… and he was swinging on my porch swing! He’d fixed it! A little jolt in my chest softened me up, and I walked over to him. Without a word, he held out his arm, and I snuggled in beside him as he held me. We ended up sitting on that porch swing for over an hour, just talking and swinging. It was so peaceful; comforting, in fact. As the sun began to set, I wasn’t sure what his plan would be, but I was certain he didn’t intend to stay and look after me. Or so I thought.

“We need some dinner, and we need to pick up your prescriptions. Are you up for a drive?” he asked, scanning my face with his light brown eyes. The color reminded me of how I like my coffee, with just a touch of cream.

“You don’t have to babysit me, Flynn,” I said softly, though I had a feeling it was not up for debate.

“I already told you how this is going. Do we have to argue about it, because I will. But I would rather buy you some dinner and get your drugs. Besides, I already know what you feed yourself when left to your own devices. We’re getting some actual food in you before you get stoned again,” he laughed.

“Ok, ok. You win. You can take care of me tonight,” I giggled. He was protective but gentle, and his sense of humor was spot on. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something about him felt like home. I knew that was ridiculous, and maybe it was the aftereffects of my injury or the pain pills, but I was relaxing around this guy and it wasn’t even freaking me out.

My pain was around a six out of ten, so way better than this morning, but not amazing. I told him I wanted to change, since I was still in the clothes I threw on when he showed up after the shower incident, and had subsequently slept in. I felt like a slob.

“Do you need help?” he asked with a sly smile.

“No sir, I do not need your help changing my clothes.” I pretended to be slightly offended at the advance. I mean, we did sleep together the night before, so it wasn’t a particularly outrageous question, but no.

“Well, I mean, I have seen it before,” he teased.

Rolling my eyes and limping off, I muttered, “That was a one time thing… maybe.”

“What was that?” he asked.

“Nothing! I’m good. I’ll be five minutes.”

What a shit show it was, trying to change my clothes. Not that his help would have made it easier. I was just a mess. I examined my bruise in the mirror of the bathroom - not the flooded one I hadn’t cleaned up yet, of course. It covered almost my entire butt cheek. It was dark purple already, and only a day old. I put my hair into some kind of a messy bun that I hoped looked cuter than I felt, and some stretchy jeans because really, I wanted to look good for him. I’m pretty sure that ship had kind of sailed already. After putting on just a little makeup, so I didn’t have that ‘just woke up from a coma’ look, I found him waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.

“You look adorable.” His grin was full, showing me adoration, and it made me blush. I knew I didn’t look that great, and he made me feel like I did.

“Thank you.” He held his hand out to me as I approached the bottom stair, and didn’t let go until we reached his truck outside. “You know I’m not breakable. You don’t have to coddle me, Flynn.” While I enjoyed it, I didn’t want to be babied either.

“Well, I think you might actually be breakable, after the events of today. So, how about you just let me look after you, for my own peace of mind. Sound good?”

Letting a little giggle escape, I conceded. “Ok.”

After we ran our errands, like picking up my prescription, and getting some food to cook, he turned down a road that wasn’t on the way back to my grandmother’s.

“You look concerned,” he smirked.

“Well, this isn’t the way back home?”

“No, it’s not. Are you ok with dogs?” he asked me.

I loved dogs, but what a strange question. “Yes, I like dogs. Why do you ask?”

“Well, because I have a dog, and we’re going to my place. You don’t have anything in that kitchen, and after the shower incident, I’d really prefer to check the electric and gas myself before you burn the place down… no offense.” He chuckled, which I couldn’t help but echo.

“That’s fair. I’d rather stay out of the hospital. But I don’t want to be an inconvenience, Flynn. I mean, you have honestly done enough, and I don’t want to be a bigger inconvenience than I already have been.” I liked this guy more with every passing moment, but this was crazy.

We pulled into a driveway, and before us was one of the most beautiful houses I’d ever seen. It was a cross between modern and Victorian, and seemed huge for one single guy. He took my hand in his, lifting it to his lips, and planted a kiss. “I want to take care of you, Jacinda. I want to know you. Not just like last night, but for real.”

Heat rushed to my face, and I felt myself grin. He was a charmer, and I was picking up what he was putting down. “I’d like that.”

“Well then, let me cook you some food, and you can take your crazy pill and sleep in an actual bed. Not a sofa, and not a shitty air mattress.”

“You want me to stay here?” I didn’t even consider that.

“Would you rather go back to the house that attacked you, and toss and turn on that couch?” Not waiting for an answer, he continued, “I didn’t think so. You’re going to stay with me until I’ve had a chance to make sure it’s not dangerous. Besides, I feel like you need someone to look after you, for a change.” And with that, he flashed me that handsome smile, hopped out of the truck, and ran around the passenger side to help me out.

He had no idea how right he was.