Second Chance-In the mist Book 1 novel Chapter 22

The pain was too much to bear, and somehow, I was squeezing Dominic's hand tightly. 

"Relax, Miss Holland! I only raised your leg an inch. I realize it might be painful. 

"I'm trying, doctor, but it hurts so bad." 

I could feel the doctor trying to make everything as comfortable as possible and with as little pain as he could. 

He wanted to help me, and I didn't make it easy for him. However, he didn't let my crying affect him and the bending continued for about half an hour, with brief breaks every ten minutes. By the end of the session, I was exhausted. 

"I'm done for the day. It would be good to see you every day. At first there will be half-hour sessions, then we will intensify them and by the end of these two weeks, I hope you will be able to walk again." 

"Thank you, doctor Rogers," I heard Dominic's jovial voice, then he helped me off the table. With the same gentle movements, he sat me back down in my wheelchair.

"Just doing my job to help a friend. And thank me when this is all over"

As soon as we said goodbye and got to the car, Dominic spoke to me again. 

"How are you feeling, Rebecca?"

"Tired..." I mumbled, leaning my head back. 

"I understand. Maybe after we get home, you can take a shower and get some sleep. That way, you'll get your strength back." 

"That doesn't sound bad at all..." 

And it really was a good idea. In those few minutes back home, I had really closed my eyes, but when the car engine stopped, I knew we had arrived. Just as skillfully, Dominic got me out of the car and back in the wheelchair we went into the house. 

He left me in the middle of the living room, looking a little dazed. 

"Now you had me wondering" I sensed he was actually smiling.

"Okay, here's the thing... Can I... touch your face? I want to... get to know you a little better... I mean, I know what Dominic Stone looks like... I just..."

"Ok!" His willingness to do this surprised me. He really had nothing to hide. I wasn't an expert in such facial recognition as real blind people would have, but somehow, I felt the need to be familiar with his features. 

Suddenly he came closer, knelt in front of my wheelchair and took my hands in his, placing them on his face. His fragrance shocked and engulfed me. Again, that delicious amber scent that had haunted me from the moment he first approached. Only this time, it was different. The closeness between us was warmer now, more inviting, and the sensation of touching his cheeks left me gasping for air. Without flinching, I lowered my shy fingers to his mouth. He responded with a smile as I felt the corners of his lips curl. His facial hair left sweet sensations in my palms, wanting to explore more. I could forget my morality and kiss him right now. But I didn't even know how he felt about me. Although I could hear his heart pounding faster than usual, that didn't mean he felt attracted to me. I was a blind and incapacitated woman. Because that's what I was. 

Horror and fear suddenly swept over me, making my hands shake and tears fall. Would I ever be a whole woman?

I cared so much for this man, but he would just see me as the one who had rescued. Because he found me there, almost dead, he had a moral duty to me. Or at least that was how I imagined he felt.

Sensing my unease, he stopped my wandering hands on his face. He must have been watching me, because everything was silent and I could feel his eyes staring. They were warming my core, trying to ease my fears. It was working. I calmed down.