Page 66 of Her Noble Protector

“I know you do,” he whispered back.

“But you don’t know everything. There’s a lot about my life, and the things that I haven’t done—too scared to do—that you don’t know about me. I really am nothing more than a terrified child.”

“The woman I know isn’t that. She’s kick-ass.”

“I’ve lived my life with my head in the sand, too afraid to live.” Again, her eyes were searching, trying to tell him something. All Raiden knew was that she needed his reassurance, and he would always give her that. Always.

“Lisa, you’ve lived a great life. The life you’ve lead has made you into the woman you are today. You’re amazing. If you think you need to make some changes, then do it.” His voice lowered. “What’s more, I would be honored if I could be beside you when you make those changes.”

“Okay, the drugs must be making me wonky, because this conversation is all kinds of too deep for me.” Even though she said that she still kept her head resting in his palm.

“Then let’s get you into bed. Everything will be better tomorrow.” He smiled.

She nodded and he helped her out of her chair and walked to her to the door of the master bedroom.

“Are you good from here?” he asked.

She nodded.

“I need words, honey.”

“I’m good. Good night, Raiden.”

“Good night, Lisa.”

Her golden-brown eyes stayed on his until the door closed between them. As soon as she was behind her door, he went into the living room and pulled out his phone. He texted his mom. They were going to need to talk first thing in the morning, well before the time that Lisa woke up.

18

She smelled coffee as soon as she opened her eyes, then she rolled over and winced. Lisa stretched her right arm over her head and looked at her finger in the splint and grinned. It might be broken, but it sure as hell had felt good jabbing it at Mel. Pushing back the covers she headed toward her bathroom—her clean bathroom—then reached into her shower and turned on the water. She glanced over and smiled when she saw only pear body wash in the rack.

Lisa stripped down fast, unwrapping the bindings around her ribs, and then looked at herself in the mirror.

I look like shit.

She leaned in over the sink and probed at her black eye. When she stepped back she could totally see the outline of Mel’s boot in the side of her chest.

Fabulous.

Steam was coming out of her shower, so she stepped in and hissed. The water felt good and bad, but she was hoping if she stayed in long enough the good would outweigh the bad. She had to wash her hair one-handed, but it was worth the trouble. By the time she finally got out of the shower, she was ready to go out into the living room stark naked to get her pain meds. She wrapped her ribs as quick as she could, left her hair in a towel, then put on jeans and a slouchy sweatshirt since she couldn’t manage a bra.

“Do you need medicine?” Raiden asked before her foot was over the bedroom threshold.

“God yes.”

By the time she hit the kitchen, he had a glass of water and tablets waiting for her on the kitchen counter. “You’re going to need some food with that. Would you like pancakes, oatmeal, eggs and bacon, or a combination of all of the above?” he asked.

“Pancakes,” she muttered as she sank down on one of the kitchen chairs.

“Milk or orange juice?” he asked.

“Milk,” she mumbled into the tabletop.

A minute later a glass of milk landed in front of her. She thankfully grabbed it and downed half of it. She kept her head down and waited for the pills to work for the pain, and the milk to make sure she didn’t end up with a nauseous stomach.

She heard the sizzle of batter hitting a pan, then a gentle touch on her back. “You doing okay, honey?”

She looked up at Raiden. “Getting there. Just physical crap this morning, not mental.”