The Reunion After Seven Years

"Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Nicole shivered helplessly inside Kerr's arms. Kerr held her tightly and leaned his cheek on top of her head.

He reached for a dry towel and started drying her long hair. He then reached for her shirt to unbutton it. Nicole suddenly stirred and stopped him.

"Please don't. There are people outside," Nicole murmured.

She held Kerr's hand, blushing.

It was still windy and raining outside, but the inside of the car was warm and comforting.

She instinctively remembered the crazy night she spent with Kerr in the car the other day. There were some people outside their car now. Nicole was worried they would be seen by the others. She did not want that.

"What do you think I'm doing? I just want to get you off your wet clothes. You just got out of surgery. It may be a little injury, but you should still take care of yourself. If you get sick here, there's nothing I can do."

Kerr looked at Nicole tenderly, but there was a touch of mischief in his eyes.

"Why? What did you think I was going to do?" he whispered in her ear.

Nicole blushed furiously and wished she had just bitten her tongue. She lowered her head and avoided eye contact with Kerr.

"Nothing."

She was not about to fall into Kerr's trap. At least not right now. She would not admit what just went on inside her head.

Nicole sat up and backed away from Kerr, but Kerr would not let her go easily.

Kerr pulled Nicole into his lap and cupped her blushing face.

"I won't let you down if you ask for it."

There was no trace of mischief in Kerr's tone. His warm palm slid from Nicole's cheek to her neck. Kerr slowly leaned in.

not asking for

but it was too late. Kerr's

of Kerr's hand, stretched out her arms, and wrapped

one's coming in

was tense against his. He found that little nervous behavior adorable, and it stimulated his

special feeling that Nicole brought

"Kerr... I'm... so tired..."

slowly growing heavy, and then she fell

up with his

will let this go so

did not so much as flutter her eyelids. Kerr then realized what was wrong

the seat next to him and felt

"Nicole! Damn it!"

to realize that Nicole had a fever. He had

gently took her out of her wet clothes and wrapped her in a clean bath towel. He

you back to the hospital

not delay their return now. He had made up

"Jared!"

rolled down his window and called out to Jared who was

"What's wrong, Mr. Gu?"

them, opened the door,

not well. I need to get her to the

been working with him for many years. He was

the orders, he covered Nicole with a blanket. He let

still in his wet clothes. Holding Nicole would

may not be

to dissuade Kerr, but there

least let me