He released her and sat in the nearest chair. "You sound better."
"I feel better."
The doorbell rung. "That would be breakfast," he figured and rushed off.
Before returning, it looked as if he'd gotten washed up and changed into another shirt. He smelled nice and he hadn't button the shirt up at all. She tried not to notice the well defined muscles on the bare darkly tanned skin, with the rippled stomach muscles. This time there wasn't an extra plate of food on the tray for him and he watched her eat quietly staring at her.
She was famished and quickly downed the grits and eggs with toast on the side. There was another bowl of left over soup from last night and some orange juice. When she was done, he again brought the toothbrush and bowl. It was too kind of him and she was feeling rather spoiled.
"I think I should leave soon." She said when he returned after disposing of the dishes.
"Where will you go? Back home to Marvin?"
"Back home to Nanna."
"I could help you get her out of there."
"And do what? Take her to a hospital. She wants to stay at home."
"Even when they could kill her?"
"I'm not going to argue with you." She pushed the covers off her legs and sat up with her feet on the floor. "I would like my clothes to leave."
"I threw them away. They were filthy."
"Then I can borrow some from Cleo."
"I have some more for you, but you'll rest. A couple of more days won't kill you to rest. The rest was much needed and you don't need to be out in that whether after that horrible infection in your throat."
"You don't have any right keeping me here."
"I will and you'll like it."
Angrily at his stubbornness, she said, "You're no better than Marvin."
He came over to the bed in two strides. "Then maybe I ought to rape you like he did," he seethed over her.
Her breath caught in her throat at his cruelness but she fought the tears that wanted to come at the painful memories. When he reached out to comfort her, she snatched away and moved from him. "Get out!" she ordered.
Ethan huffed and left slamming the door behind him. Damn woman drove him to lose his calm. She thought nothing of herself or her safety. If she wasn't the most unselfish person he had ever met.