Chapter 72

Kathie wasn't delirious-just feverish. In her weakened state, she was simply expressing her most genuine feelings. She knew exactly what she was saying.

She then couldn't help but smile. "I said I can't live without you."

Jonathan beamed. "The kids all heard that. You can't take it back now."

Kathie closed her eyes weakly and whispered, "What difference does it make if I can't take it back?"

Jonathan was speechless. Eileen quickly chimed in, "If you can't take it back, then you should be together! You're going to get married anyway."

Kyle nodded. "That's right. People who love each other should get married.

Zachary took his mom's hand. "We can be the flower children!"

Kathie coughed twice to interrupt them. At this rate, she'd be marrying Jonathan by tomorrow. She wasn't that feverish-she understood the gulf between them all too well.

Taking a deep breath to gather her strength, she said, "I have a fever and I'm contagious. You shouldn't be near me. Go backto your rooms and rest."

Kyle's face was full of concern. "But we want to stay and take care of you,Mom."

"I want to stay too," added Eileen, who was always reluctant to leave Kathie's side.

Kathie smiled gratefully. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I'd feel terrible if you caught this. You have school tomorrow. Seven can look after me just fine. Kyle, be a goodI boy and take your brother and sister to bed."

Jonathan chimed in. "I'll take care of her. Go back to your rooms and get some sleep. Don't worry your mom. I promise she'll be her lively self by morning."

Kathie gazed tenderly at the children. Kyle, seeing that his mother was worried about them even while sick, didn't want to add to her concerns.

He took his siblings' hands. "We'll do as Mom says and go to bed now.Mom,please get better soon."

Zachary nodded. "We'll be good and go to sleep. Don't worry about us,Mom."

Though Eileen was reluctant to leave Kathie, she knew staying wouldn't help and had to obey. "I'll listen to my brother. Rest well, Mom."

Kathie felt a warmth in her heart. Her three treasures always,gave her endless strength, no matter the circumstances:

Jonathan escorted the children back to their rooms, then brought her a glass of water.

"You said earlier that you need to drink plenty of fluids when you have a fever. How are you feeling now?"he asked.

Kathie's breath was scorching hot. She hadn't expected to come down with a fever. Since Jonathan had entered her life, she seemed to fall ill more often.She wondered if he was bringing her bad luck.

"What are you thinking about? Drink up," he urged.

Kathie snapped back to reality, took the glass and drank it all. "I'm still a bit dizzy, but much better. I feel sticky all over though. I'd like to take a bath."

"Can you bathe while you have a fever?"

Kathie replied weakly, "Bathing helps reduce temperature,but I'm too weak to stand up."

Jonathan smiled. "That's easy. Leave it to me."

He went to run the bath. A few minutes later, he returned to find Kathie flushed pink, shifting uncomortably. Sometimes she'd tilt her head back to breathe,sometimes arch her chest, her elegant neck forming an enticing curve.

Seated in his wheelchair, his eyes were drawn to the soft contours of her figure, the gentle curve of her chest catching his attention. A flicker of desire stirred within him, unbidden but impossible to ignore. He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry, and cautiously moved closer,his emotions a mix of longing and restraint.

"Can you walk? If not, I can carry you," Jonathan asked.

Kathie,eyes half-closed and lips slightly parted, struggled to sit up.

"You're injured. I should manage on my own," she replied.

She carefully got out of bed, but as soon as her feet touched the floor,her body went limp. Just as she was about to fall, Jonathan quickly caught her in his arms.

Kathie looked surprised. "I didn't realize you were so strong."

Jonathan settled her on his lap and maneuvered his wheelchair, smiling confidently. "There's a lot you don't know about me."

Logically, an injured man shouldn't provide much security,yet Kathie felt completely safe in his care.

At the bathtub, Jonathan began to undress her. Kathie startled and clutched at her clothes.

"What are you doing? Taking advantage of me?"

Jonathan couldn't help but laugh. "Dr. Cavendish, surely you weren't planning to bathe in your clothes? You'll soak them."

Kathie's face reddened further. "Help me down and I can undress myself.You should leave."

Jonathan disagreed. "Why the formality now? When I passed out before,you were the one who changed my clothes. You've seen everything and I didn't mind."

"That was different-it was an emergency," Kathie protested,wondering how they'd gotten onto this topic.

"How is this different? I promised the kids I'd take care of you. What if I leave and you fall again? Let me help you undress."

"I said I don't need help."

Wherever his hands lingered, her skin burned with heat, and soon her entire body felt like it was on fire.

Jonathan quickly said, "Then I'll go wake up the children and have them help you."

He helped Kathie to the edge of the bathtub and turned as if to leave.

Kathie reluctantly called him back. "Fine, but close your eyes. No peeking."

Jonathan,his scheme successful, smiled. "Don't worry, I promise not to peek."

He extended his hands with his eyes closed, but touched something soft..Kathie slapped his hand away. "Keep your hands to yourself!"

Jonathan wasn't offended. "I can't see with my eyes closed. I don't know

what I'm touching."

Kathie took a deep breath. "Just support me,and I'll undress myself."

Jonathan nodded. "All right."

Kathie placed his hands on her waist for support, afraid she might get dizzy again when standing.

Touching her burning skin, Jonathan felt his own body heat rising. He heard her removing her clothes, felt her bending to take off her pants.Because she was weak, her waist twisted softly under his hands.

She reminded him of the woman he'd made passionate love to that night-her waist so flexible, accommodating any position.

Why did Kathie evoke these feelings? That familiar scent enveloped him,and he couldn't help but squint. Just then, Kathie bent to remove her underwear,her perfect breasts just inches away. He felt he could almost taste them with just a flick of his tongue.

The birthmark on her chest looked strikingly familiar-it was the only mark he'd noticed in the dim light that night. Why were they so similar?

Kathie exhaled with exhaustion, nearly breaking Jonathan's composure.

It took remarkable self-control to remain calm when the beast within was threatening to break free.

"Don't open your eyes. Now help me into the tub."

"Don't worry,I won't peek."

His hands trembled slightly. As Kathie moved, his handsinstinctively slid lower, touching her full, shapely thighs. He felt her body tense,knowing she too was pretending to be calm.

With some effort. he finally lowered her into the bathrub. The sweat on Jonathan's brow rivaled her own.

Kathie took a deep breath, finally free from Jonathan's large hands.If he had kept touching her, she felt like her body would have been consumed by heat.