Sweet Seduction

Chapter 25

Julie next opened her eyes she had the sensation of having cotton balls stuffed underneath her lids. They positively scratched across her eyes. Her mouth hadn't been spared the cotton ball treatment either.

"Oh, you're awake."

"Serena?" she croaked, turning her head toward her friend's voice.

"Yes, sweetie, it's me. How are you? Oh my God, you had me so worried."

Serena sat in a chair pulled up next to the bed, her hand curled around Julie's arm. Luminous blue eyes shone with concern, and Serena's forehead was creased with worry.

"I'm okay. Promise. Just a little stiff."

"Is there anything I can get for you, Julie?"

Julie turned to see Damon standing to the side, his eyes also mirroring his concern. It was damn nice to have friends. Good friends. People who dropped things at a moments notice when one of their friends were in need.

Damn it, she wasn't going to get all weepy again. Must be the freaking medication.

"I'd love some water," she said around her scratchy throat.

Damon pulled one of the paper cups from a canister by the sink and poured it half full with water. He went around to the opposite side of where Serena sat and carefully slid his free hand underneath Julie.

"Let me help you. Don't try to do too much at once," he murmured.

Grateful for his strength, she leaned forward and sipped hungrily at the water. When she was done, he eased her back down.

"Better?"

"A lot. Thank you so much."

He smiled at her. "No problem, Julie. Serena and I came as soon as Nathan called us."

Her forehead crinkled. "Where is Nathan, anyway?"

"Pop and Connor brought his truck, and he went down to grab something to eat with them."

She frowned. "Have I been out that long?"

Serena smiled and squeezed her hand. "Yep, several hours. Doc was by, said you were doing just fine and you could go home when you came around as long as you were feeling up to it. Scans came back okay."

"Oh, that's nice. Bed." She sighed at the thought of curling up with a soft pillow.

"You're coming home with me and Damon," Serena said firmly.

"I am?"

"You are," Damon said with a smile. "Or so Serena assures me. She's informed me you have no choice in the matter, and truly, we have plenty of room. My staff will fuss over you and spoil you endlessly. Think of it as a holiday."

"I hope you weren't trying to talk me out of it with that speech," Julie said with a tired grin. "Sounds far too marvelous to pass up."

The nurse sailed in, a middle aged doctor on her heels. "Oh good, you're awake. Have a nice nap?"

Julie smiled crookedly. "That was some good shit you gave me. I could have slept through a hurricane."

"You ready to get out of here, Miss Stanford?" the doctor asked in a distracted voice as he scribbled on his clipboard.

"Yes, sir."

"Your tests all came back fine. You'll have some swelling and residual stiffness tomorrow. Bruising too, so don't let that alarm you. I've prescribed muscle relaxers and pain relievers. A few hot baths probably wouldn't hurt, and you can ice the shoulder afterward if it bothers you too much. Follow up with your family doctor in a few days, and if you have any nausea, dizziness or sudden pain, come back to the emergency room immediately."

Julie smiled and reached for the scrips. "Thanks, doc. I appreciate it."

He smiled back and patted her arm. "Take care and stay out of traffic awhile, eh?"

"So that's it?" Julie asked when the doctor stepped out. "I can leave now?"

"Yep," the nurse said. "I need to finish writing your discharge papers. If you want to get dressed, I'll be back in just a minute to give you your copies and you can be on your way."

Julie looked down at her hospital gown. "Oh boy," she murmured.

Serena reached down and picked up a duffel bag from the floor. She held it with one finger and grinned at Julie.

Julie's shoulders sagged in relief. "What would I do without you?"

"Die a fiery death, no doubt," Serena murmured.

Julie shook her head at Damon. "She has such an ego."

Damon grinned. "I'm afraid I'm not very good at tamping down that ego of hers. I encourage it way too much."

"Oooh, Serena!" Julie latched on to her friend's hand and tugged it upward into better light. A huge diamond solitaire sparkled on her ring finger. "It's gorgeous!"

Serena beamed almost as bright as the diamond. "I know. Damon has such wonderful taste."

"Of course he does. He chose you," Julie said loyally.

"You'll get no arguments there," Damon said.

"Not that I don't love you, Damon, but if you don't mind, could you step out so I don't flash you when I crawl out of bed to get dressed?"

Damon grinned. "Not that it wouldn't be worth it to stay, but I'll slide on out and leave you girls to it. Are you sure you don't need any help? I don't want you to fall."

"Serena can help me, and if I fall flat on my face, all I ask is that someone cover my bare ass before you call for the orderlies."

Damon chuckled as he walked to the door. "I'll be sure and do that. I'll be back in a bit. I'll get the car pulled around, and I have a few phone calls to make."

"You sure you're up for this?" Serena asked doubtfully.

"You know you could always spend the night in the hospital just in case."

"They just kicked me out, Serena," Julie said with a laugh. "This isn't like a hotel. You don't get to stay unless they tell you to. Besides, hello? Going to your house. That's better than a resort. All that's missing are the really cute cabana boys. Think Damon could hook me up?"

"Damon's done enough hooking up for a while," Serena said dryly.

Julie's smiled faded. "Oh yeah, Nathan's here. I should wait until he gets back. He was so sweet to me after the accident. I don't want to go while he's eating."

"Of course not. Just take your time getting dressed. Here, let me help you."

With Serena's assistance, she struggled out of bed and when her feet hit the floor, she wobbled and weaved like a drunken bobblehead.

"Damn, either I'm still riding the effects of those drugs or my head got hit harder than I thought."

"Just take it slow. Stand here a minute and take some deep breaths. When you feel steadier we'll get your pants and shirt on."

Julie giggled. "Yeah, screw the underwear. Can you imagine? Me on the floor like an octopus falling out of a tree wrapped up in my panties. They'd be talking about me for a week."

Between the two of them, they managed to get Julie's pants and shirt on minus bra as well. Julie looked down and giggled at her breasts straining against the material.

"Let me guess. One of your shirts?"

Serena flushed. "Yeah, well, it was lucky I had a pair of your jeans at the house. I wasn't so lucky with the shirts."

"Should have gotten me one of Damon's, dork."

"I didn't think. Besides, I wish I looked that good in my own shirts."

The door opened as Julie was buttoning the fly on her jeans. Both women turned around to see Nathan standing in the door.

"Ah, gee sorry, ladies. I should have knocked."

Serena smiled. "No problem, she's decent."

Nathan frowned as he took in the fully dressed Julie. "What the hell are you doing out of bed? Why are you dressed? You should be lying down."

Julie grinned. "I'm getting out of here. Doc just discharged me."

Nathan took a step toward her, his mouth pursed as if he was working up the nerve to say something.

"You shouldn't be going home alone. I—"

"Oh, she's not," Serena piped up. "Damon and I are taking her home with us."

Nathan's face fell. "Oh, I mean, well, that's good. You should have people to look after you," he said gruffly.

Julie took a step toward him and grasped his arm for support. Then she leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you, Nathan," she said softly. "For looking out for me. For staying with me when I was scared out of my mind."

His eyes gleamed and his gaze strayed to her lips. She could feel that small cut there tingling, remembering how it felt when he'd pressed his lips to that tiny wound.

"You're welcome. Take care, okay?"

He brushed the hair from her cheek and leaned in like he was going to kiss her. Instead he rocked back on his heels and took a step back.

"Seems like you guys have it handled, so I'll get on out of here." He looked at Julie once more before turning toward the door. "See you," he said softly.

"Yeah, see you," she echoed.

He walked quietly out the door and let it swing shut behind him.