Page 142 of Beneath the Blue Moon

“Thanks, Clara.”

“No problem, dear.”

Ethan helps me up and takes the tray from Clara’s hands.Thearomas of chicken noodle soup and beef stew waft into my nose and my stomachgrowls in anticipation.After he removes the tube from my wrist, he picks upthe spoon and looks over at me expectantly.

“Open.”

“Um…” I look down at my legs, and he chuckles.

“Your mouth, Casey.”

“Um….”

“You and your dirty mind.I’m going to feed you.Open.”

“Yes, sir!”

With every bite, I feel my strength returning.As a matterof fact, I feel good… really good.I’m almost bouncing on the bed by the time Ihave the last bite.I also feel different.It’s like my body got an upgrade.I’mhearing better; everything looks like I’m seeing in HD, and I can even pick outdifferent scents.I feel strong, not like I just woke up after beingunconscious with a fever for days.

“Sit still,” Ethan says.

“How long was I out?”

“Four days.”

“Ugh!Then I’ve been sittin’ still long enough.I’m gonnatake a shower.I must look a mess.”

“You’re beautiful.”

“Aww, you’re such a great liar.”

I hop off the bed as he chuckles, shaking his head.

“Call me if you need anything.”

“Yep.”

The moment the water touches my skin, the urge to singblazes through me.For the life of me, the only song coming to mind is DuranDuran’s “Hungry Like The Wolf.”Oh, well.

“Do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do….”

What’s gotten into me?I swear Clara must be like somemagician or something with her food and teas.I shower, wash my hair, shave, andbrush my teeth in record time, singing and dancing away.As I stand before themirror brushing my wet hair, my brush becomes a microphone.I do feel hungry… butnot for food.

“Ethan!”

He sticks his head in the door a few seconds later.

“Need something?”

I turn to him, biting my lip, my eyes roving his body.Hisposture changes and he stands straight, regarding me with the same hunger.Idrop my towel and move toward him.

“Yeah.You.”

He steps back, giving me a look of uncertainty.Every step Itake toward him, he takes one back.

“Casey, are you sure about this?”

The backs of his knees hit the bed, and I push at his chestso he falls back.I climb on top of him, pushing his shirt up over his chest.