Chapter 9 Chapter 9 After the cast was set , Ash returned to the hospital room and took me home , carrying me with the same tenderness hed shown since the night of the engagement party .
In the weeks that followed , worried Id be bored , Ash stayed home with me instead of going to the office .

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He worked remotely , never leaving my side .
Each morning , Id wake to find him already alert , typing away on his laptop beside me in bed .
Hed pause whatever million dollar deal he was working on just to help me adjust my pillows or fetch me water .
At night , hed massage my uninjured foot without my asking , his strong hands gentle as they worked away the days tension .
When it was time to remove the cast , he wanted to have a private doctor come to the house , but I refused .
After being cooped up for over a month , I needed some fresh air and preferred going to the hospital .
Ash frowned but didnt argue hed learned when to yield to my stubborn streak .
Getting out of the car at the hospital , I insisted I could walk , but Ash wouldnt hear of it .
Your ankle just healed , he said in that quiet , firm tone that brooked no argument .
He scooped me up as if I weighed nothing , one arm under my knees , the other supporting my back .
Unable to win that argument , I gave in , but the stares from people around made me self conscious .
I buried my face in his chest , breathing in his familiar cedar scent .
His heart beat steady and strong against my cheek .
Near the hospital entrance , one of Julians friends stood frozen , coffee cup halfway to his lips .
He recognized my profile immediately but the man carrying me was turned away , his broad shoulders and dark hair the only visible features .
The friends phone was already out , thumbs flying across the screen as he watched this mysterious man carry me through the hospital doors with such intimate familiarity .