My palm connected with his cheek before my thoughts could catch up.
The sound echoed sharply in the empty lobby.
"How. Dare. You?" I gritted out, as fury and shock collided within me, which then turned into something stronger.
"How dare you touch me like that?" I raised my voice, not able to contain my anger. I pushed him hard, making him step back. His feet faltered, as if he didn't expect this action from me, because the next second, the color drained from his face.
"Wait..." he tried to speak, but then he collapsed forward.
I barely managed to catch him. My arms burned as his weight slumped against me. This time, there was no mistaking it. His body felt unnaturally hot. His fastened and shallow breathing hit against my shoulder, sending chills down my spine.
Something was wrong. Very wrong with this guy.
"You need to leave. Now." He gritted out, pushing weakly against my shoulder. His fingers trembled as he tried to steady himself, but failed miserably. This time it didn't feel like an act, but real.
That was all it took to wash the reality over my fury. My anger cracked, replaced by instinct alarm.
"You can't even stand. How can I leave you like this?" I snapped in a low voice, tightening my hold to keep him upright.
His jaw clenched, sweat beading along his temple. He inhaled a long breath before whispering in my ear, "You shouldn't be here…"
"I won't be if you tell me one thing. Where to put this giant body of yours?" I cut in, tightening my voice, clearly indicating that I was hell serious.
For a moment, everything stopped as if he were deciding whether to trust me.
Well, he had better do it, because if he didn't, then the thought of leaving his body on the floor felt more enticing than helping.
After a few seconds, his head dipped slightly, resting against my shoulder, and he whispered out directions in his broken and barely audible voice.
I concentrated, trying to understand his gibberish, and moved in that direction.
Supporting his weight with every step, I guided him through dim hallways until we reached a massive door at the end of a corridor. I would not now underestimate myself, at least not in the matter of great strength.
It took all my strength to push it open while keeping him from collapsing entirely. Inside, the room was large, far too grand for someone unimportant. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes to recognize him by his features, but it was way too dark to even figure out my hand, let alone this huge beast.
I took him toward the bed, practically dragging him the last few steps before guiding him down. His body gave in the moment he met the mattress, breath shuddering as he went still.
I straightened slowly, heart pounding, staring down at him under the low lamplight. Only then did I realize my hands were shaking.
The moment I let him down, my foot caught the edge of the rug.
"Ah!"
I lost my balance and fell forward, my hands landing on the mattress beside his shoulders. The impact jolted him slightly, and for a second, we both froze.
Before I could push myself up, his hand lifted slowly and brushed across my cheek. My eyes widened as my head snapped in his direction.
His fingers slid clumsily over my skin before hooking into a strand of hair, nudging it back behind my ear as if even that small obstruction bothered him. The touch startled me enough to jolt me back to my senses.
I immediately straightened, pulling away and sitting upright on the edge of the bed. "Don't," I muttered, more breathless than I liked. His hand dropped back onto the sheets as I sighed in relief.
"You… need help. Do I call someone? A physician? Your aide?" I asked firmly, forcing my voice to steady as I looked down at him.
His brows furrowed as if even listening was exhausting. He shook his head faintly.
"Table," he whispered, pointing towards the bedside cupboard.
"Glass bottle," was all he could say before he slumped again, taking deep breaths.
I turned, scanning the side table. Opening every drawer until I spotted a small, clear glass in the last drawer. It was no bigger than my thumb. I picked it up and returned to his side.
"This?" I asked for his confirmation.
He nodded slowly.
I helped him sit just enough to take it. He swallowed a single pill dry, grimacing faintly before sinking back into the mattress. Within moments, his breathing began to slow, the rigid tension in his body easing as exhaustion claimed him.
His eyes fluttered shut, probably from exhaustion or something else that he could only tell.
I stayed where I was, watching him carefully, making sure his breathing stayed even and soundless. Only when I was certain he was asleep did I rise quietly to my feet.
And when I thought nothing would happen after this, he moved. His hand closed around my wrist.
Not hard, just enough to stop me.
With a weak tug, he pulled me back toward the bed, shifting slightly as if he was finding a comfortable position in sleep. He didn't wake, only curled faintly toward the warmth beside him, gripping my sleeve like a child afraid of falling.
I stiffened, as my heart pounded like anything.
"…Seriously?" I whispered to myself, already frustrated with all the things that had just happened.
For a moment, I stayed where I was, caught between leaving and making sure he didn't collapse again the moment I stepped away. His breathing remained slow and steady, his grip loosened a bit unconsciously.
This was my chance to slip my hand from his grip and get out of here, but something changed. I could not pinpoint exactly, but now my heart wouldn't allow me to get away.
Instead, it strongly suggested to sit beside him and provide the presence and warmth he craved even in his sleep.
Damn, Kayla! What kind of mess did I get myself into?