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B rave little subbie.

Jameson couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride in her. Which was ridiculous. She wasn’t his sub.

Ian had been about to tell Maggie that Jameson was afraid of commitment.

Which wasn’t entirely true. He just didn’t want to make another bloody mistake like the one he had before.

She was pale as they wheeled her down to the other room, her shoulders hunched as though to protect herself.

He didn’t like it.

A wave of protectiveness filled him.

“Finally,” Doctor Evans blustered. “You’re keeping everyone waiting, young lady.”

“Do not talk to her that way.” What the hell did Frank think he was doing? Did he speak to all of his female patients this way?

Frank reared back slightly. “You asked me to do this as a favor, and she’s been nothing but a problem. She’s kept us waiting. I do have other patients to see.”

Ian took a step forward and Jameson knew he was about to blow. But this was Jameson’s fault. He had asked Frank to take Maggie on. Now he was seeing what a mistake that was.

“And now you’re dismissed. You might want to pay attention to how you address female patients. Maggie is not a bother, nor is she wasting our time.”

Frank just glared at him, then at Maggie, before storming away. Jameson glanced down at Maggie.

She shouldn’t be made to feel bad by one asshole.

“Maggie, eyes on me.” He crouched in front of her.

She sighed. “You’re very big on seeing my eyes.”

“I am. It helps me understand where you’re at. Come on, sweetheart. Look at me.”

She raised her gaze to his.

“You’re being so brave. Don’t let one asshole bring you down, all right? I’m going to have a word about him with the head of the department.”

“Don’t do that. I’m really not worth the bother.”

“Stop that,” Ian grumbled. “You’re not a bother. And you’re worth everything.”

She huffed out a breath. “Fine. Fine. I’m worth all the bothers. Let’s just . . . get this done with. Please?”

“Good girl,” he told her. “If you’re brave, I might have something for you after the MRI.”

Her eyes lit up as excitement filled her face. “For me?”

Jameson couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness and pride at putting that look on her face. Although he hoped she wasn’t disappointed by what he had planned. “Yep.”

“Get her out,” Ian barked, pacing up and down the small room that he, Ian, and the technician were crowded into while Maggie was in the MRI machine.

“We can’t get her out, she’s halfway through.” Amy, the technician, rolled her eyes at Jameson. “What’s up with the big brute?”

“I’m her bodyguard,” Ian said. “And she’s clearly scared.”

She was. They could all hear her through the speaker, but only Jameson could speak to her.

“Maggie? How are you doing, sweetheart?” Jameson asked.

“A-all right. I guess. Is it almost done?”

The wobble in her voice nearly undid him.

“Let me speak to her,” Ian demanded, looking like he would wrestle control of the audio system away from him if necessary.

Jameson shot him a look. “No.”

Ian clenched his jaw.

“Don’t diminish the strength she’s already shown. She’s come this far. She’s being so courageous. If you pull her out now, it will undo all of that, and you know it.”

“Yikes, Doc. It’s getting steamy in here,” Amy said, fanning herself. She grinned when he glared at her.

Amy was born in the US but had moved here several years ago with her now-husband.

“Just didn’t know you could be so commanding.” Amy winked at Jameson.

“J-Jameson?”

Fuck. “I’m here, sweetheart. I’m sorry, I just had to talk Ian off a ledge.”

“What?” she asked, sounding shocked.

“He’s just being bossy, as usual. I’ve been looking into therapists for him.”

Ian shot him the bird.

“That’s good. He really needs it. And w-while you’re doing that. Tell the t-therapist that he thinks his hand has a-a brain.”

“He thinks his hand has a brain?” He glanced back at Ian, who rolled his eyes.

“It keeps wanting to . . . you know,” she said.

“No, please elaborate. What does Ian’s hand keep wanting to do?”

Amy let out a giggle as Ian gave him an exasperated look.

“Spank me.”

“Oh. Somehow I thought you might be going to say something else.”

Ian was muttering under his breath at this stage.

“Like what?”

Oh, his innocent little subbie. He had to rein in his response.

Damn, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had this much fun.

Careful . . . you’re not part of their relationship anymore. And she isn’t your sub.

He cleared his throat. “How are you doing on a scale of one to five, Maggie?”

Time to bring things back to where they should be.

“I . . . I’m all right.”

“That wasn’t what I was asking. Scale of one to five? You’re doing so well, sweetheart.”

“I . . . I guess I’m a three.”

“Let’s see if we can get that down to a two. What’s your favorite thing to do?” Jameson asked.

“Oh, um. I don’t know. I don’t really have any hobbies. Well, I guess I like to read.”

“That’s right. Medical romances.”

“Sometimes,” she said shyly. “I like other romances too.”

“But I’m sure medical is the best.”

Amy cleared her throat.

Right. He had an audience.

Once the scan was done, it felt like a huge weight was off his shoulders. He jumped up to go help her get down, ignoring Amy’s amusement.

Jameson lifted her into the wheelchair.

“I can get in myself,” she whispered.

“But I like helping you.” More like he enjoyed touching her.

He tucked the blanket back around her legs and then took hold of her hands. Ian was still in the other room talking to Amy, so they had a minute to themselves.

“I’m so proud of you, Shortcake. You were so brave and did such a good job.”

“Really? The technician didn’t think it weird that I had Ziggy with me?” She tucked the zebra under the blanket.

“Hey, no.” He risked cupping her cheek with his hand. She had the softest skin.

This wasn’t right. She wasn’t his. And Ian was just in the next room.

“No one here cares whether you need a toy with you. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“Ready to get out of the hospital gown?” Ian walked into the room and Jameson stood, feeling awkward.

Ian wheeled her away to get dressed while Jameson looked over the scan. He also had her other results sent to him.

Fifteen minutes later, he met Ian and Maggie in his office. She was still in the wheelchair and frowning up at Ian as he pushed her into the room.

“I really don’t think the wheelchair is necessary. I can walk. My hip is good. Nothing came up, did it?”

“The good news is that there are no signs of tissue tearing or fractures. The X-ray showed us where the old breaks were. It looks like it was a bad injury.”

“Yes. But I’m all good now. So, no more wheelchair?”

“I’d like you to take it easy for the next week. Rest when it hurts. And no carrying anything heavy or long walks for the next few days, at least.”

“You got it, Doc.” She saluted him.

Little brat.

“You’re going to take it easy, Little Misfit,” Ian told her firmly.

She huffed out a sigh but nodded.

“We’ve got the photo shoot rescheduled in three days’ time. Is that enough for her to rest?”

“Should be fine. As long as the swelling and pain have gone down.”

“Goody. That’s done. No more wheelchair or stupid tests.” Then she turned to Jameson. “You said there was going to be a treat?”

Something like unease filled him. Would she not want what he was offering? Was she expecting more?

“I thought I’d take you to the cafeteria for lunch. My treat.” Actually, now he thought about it, that sounded lame. “I mean . . . it sounds like it’s not very nice, but there are actually two chefs and a vast array?—”

“Does it have pizza?” she interrupted.

“Uh, it might.” He didn’t know. He’d never noticed.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s food and I’m fading away here.”

“Why didn’t you say you were hungry?” Ian asked. “This is because you barely ate breakfast. I packed snacks.”

She wrinkled her nose. “You tried to feed me oatmeal. Oatmeal! And the snacks you packed are fiber bars and apples.”

“What?” Ian said defensively. “There’s nothing wrong with those as snacks.”

“No, but pizza sounds way more interesting.”

“Hey! He’s the one who said we had to feed you better.” Ian pointed at Jameson.

“But this is a treat,” she said. “Bars that keep me regular are not treats. Now, let’s go. I can’t wait to get out of this place. No offense.”

“None taken,” Jameson said dryly, holding out his hands to help her up.

Ian hovered as they walked slowly to the lift. She grew tense as they got closer.

Fuck. A lift after she’d just been in the MRI machine seemed like too much to ask. Plus, she’d already had to take the elevator up here once today.

Suddenly, Ian moved around in front and picked her up, cradling her against his chest.

“Ian? What are you doing?” she asked.

“Carrying you.” He headed away from the lift.

“But why? I can walk. And where are we going?”

“Down the stairs.”

Jameson moved ahead of them and opened the door to the stairwell.

“You can’t carry me all the way down,” she protested without much heat.

“Watch me.”

She buried her face in the spot where his neck and shoulder met and let out a small sigh. “Thank you.”

“Welcome, Little girl.”

Jameson cursed himself for not offering to help her.

She’s not yours.

Bollocks. This was becoming a problem.

Ian set her down once they got to the ground floor, although Jameson could see the reluctance on the other man’s face as he let her go. Jameson held out his arm to her, needing to touch her.

It was a craving that he was finding increasingly hard to ignore.

Turns out that the cafeteria did have pizza. He turned to her as he grabbed her tray from her hand. “Why don’t you go find us a table, Maggie?”

“Okie-dokie.”

“Ian, what do you want?” he asked.

“I’m on bodyguard duty. I’ll have something later. Give you two a chance to chat.”

Once he’d gotten their food, he walked over, sliding into the seat across from her.

“Yummy! Thank you!” She picked up the piece of pizza and took a big bite.

“Careful! You didn’t even test that to make sure it wasn’t hot.”

Shit. He was totally going all Daddy on her.

Her eyes watered as she swallowed hastily then fanned her mouth as if that would help. “Update: it is.”

“Shortcake, you’re going to burn the roof of your mouth,” he scolded as he undid the bottle of water he’d bought for her and held it out to her.

“Might be too late,” she said after she gulped some down.

“You need a minder.”

“I’ve got one. Have you not met Ian? And what is he doing standing over there? The way he keeps glaring, he’s going to put people off their lunch.”

“He’s being your bodyguard.”

“No one is interested in me. So silly. I think it’s a waste of resources to have him or Jack always following me around. Do you know they don’t have a name like the other security teams? I’m thinking of calling them the Dommy Duo.”

Jameson gaped at her, then shook his head with a smile.

He wanted to scold her, tell her that of course she needed watching. She’d just burned her mouth eating pizza for God’s sake. Then there was her run-in with the Purity Party the other day.

Yes, she definitely needed watching.

But Dommy Duo? That was pretty funny.

“Are you all right, Jameson?”

“Sure, why wouldn’t I be?” he asked.

“You look tired. Are you getting enough sleep?”

He blinked at her. He wasn’t used to people asking him if he was all right.

“Pretty sure those are the questions I’m supposed to ask you, young lady.”

“I’m just worried about you. Who looks after you while you’re looking after everyone else?”

Hell. She was so sweet that he wanted to gather her into his lap and hug her tight. He wanted to kiss her. To claim her.

But she’s not yours.

Perhaps she could be, though. If you just took a chance. If you asked Ian and Jack if they’d take you back.

Fuck. Was that what he wanted?

“That’s really kind, sweetheart. But you shouldn’t worry about me. I see you got some new boots.”

Yeah, he was trying to deflect the conversation away from him.

“Huh? Oh yeah. Ian and Jack got them for me.”

“They did?” They’d been buying her a lot of things lately.

“I tried to tell them that they should take them back. That they shouldn’t be spending their money on me.”

“You tried to give them back?” he asked, surprised. Elizabeth had always expected him to pay for everything. And she’d never try to give a gift back unless she didn’t like it. “You don’t like them?”

“What? No! I love them. They’re wonderful. But I know they were expensive. Still, they said either I accepted them or they would give them to you for your birthday.” She giggled.

He shook his head. “Of course they did.”

“They’re very stubborn,” she said.

He cleared his throat. He needed to talk to her about her uncle while he had her alone.

“How long have you worked for your uncle?”

“A few years.” She was nibbling at her pizza and he felt the urge to pick it up and feed it to her. Hadn’t she said she was hungry? She’d taken a bite so quickly that she’d burned herself. So why was she only nibbling now?

“You’ve always been interested in photography?” he asked.

“No, not at all. Uncle Willy gave me this job because he felt sorry for me.”

Jameson frowned. “What? Why would he feel sorry for you?”

“I was jobless and living with my parents. I cut a pretty pathetic figure. But Uncle Willy has always taken care of me.”

Why couldn’t she get a job?

“I think I should be getting home. Uncle Willy will be worried about me.” She frowned slightly.

“Maggie, we need to talk some more about your uncle. Have you been thinking about his future care? When I asked if you had family help before you didn’t reply. This is a lot to take on alone.”

And he was worried about her.

Despite having rested most of yesterday, she still looked tired. Frazzled. As though the weight of the world was on her shoulders.

“Oh. Is this why you wanted to eat together? You wanted to talk to me about my uncle’s care and condition.” She glanced away but not before he saw the betrayal on her face. And the way she was blinking rapidly.

Fuck. This wasn’t the way this talk was supposed to go.

“I want to go now,” she whispered.

“Maggie, no. That’s not why I wanted to eat lunch with you. I mean, I did want to talk to you . . .”

Stop rambling, Jameson. A St. Bede always shows confidence.

Great, now his mother was lecturing him in his head.

“You need to face these questions at some stage. Hiding from them won’t make them go away.”

She flinched, and this time, he saw how glassy her eyes were.

Bloody hell.

He sucked in a breath, needing to say something to soothe her. He was usually more thoughtful than this. Before he could think of what to say, though, she’d gathered herself, straightening her shoulders.

“You’re quite right. I need to start thinking about these things. Thank you for lunch and the tests. I’m sorry it was all a waste of time.”

“What’s going on here?” Ian snapped, suddenly at the table. “Maggie, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong, but I would like to go home,” Maggie said quietly. “Can we leave?”

Ian looked at him and then down to her uneaten pizza.

“You haven’t eaten your pizza,” he said.

“I’m not hungry anymore.”

“Why isn’t she hungry anymore?” Ian turned to him. “And why does she look like she wants to cry?”

“Ian, I’m all right.” Reaching out, she placed her hand on his. “I-I just need the bathroom before we go.”

Fuck. Jameson watched them walk off and knew that he’d messed up. He’d promised her a treat and all he’d done was upset her.

Asshole.

Maggie stepped into the bathroom. She felt hot and upset. Her skin was itchy, her stomach nauseous.

Hiding from them won’t make them go away.

Monkeyballs.

Her head was thumping and her hip ached. At least she hadn’t truly hurt it.

“Are you all right?”

She jumped.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

She glanced over at the older woman standing there. She was dressed in a linen jumpsuit, with long, straight dark hair.

“I didn’t realize anyone else was in here. Sorry,” she muttered.

“It’s all right, dear. You look upset. Is something wrong? Do you need help?”

“Oh no. It’s just I was told some truths that I didn’t want to hear.” She gave the woman a mediocre smile.

“Ahh, I’m so very sorry to hear that. Can I get someone for you? Did I see you with one of the doctors here?”

“He was the one talking to me about . . . options. I don’t know him that well.”

But you’d like to.

“That’s too bad. You’re here alone, then?”

“Uh, no.” She had a funny feeling about all these questions. But it was probably because back home no one would care if they saw her upset in a bathroom. Here, people seemed friendlier. “I have a . . . well, I guess he’s my friend.”

She didn’t really want to explain who Ian was. Saying he was a bodyguard would just garner too many questions.

“A friend. I see.” The woman winked at her. “Would you like me to get him?”

“I’m ready to go now. Thanks.”

“Anytime, dear. I know Escana can seem like a magical place, but sometimes it’s not that way for everyone.”

Strange thing to say. But maybe she was referring to the fact that Maggie had been upset when she’d walked into the bathroom.

“I’m mostly loving it here.”

“Are you staying for the royal wedding?” the older woman asked.

“Um, yes. We are.”

“Never thought I’d see the day the princes marry a foreigner. No offense, dear.”

Maggie wasn’t sure what to say. Suddenly, this lady didn’t seem all that nice.

“I suppose it must seem disgusting to you . . . four men with one woman.”

“Not at all!” she protested.

Oh no, maybe this lady thought that Maggie was looking down on them or something. Or disapproving. “I think it’s lovely. The princes seem to really care for Pippa.”

Shoot.

She shouldn’t have called Pippa by her first name.

“You know Princess Pippa? Are you a friend of hers?” There was something strange in the other woman’s face.

“You know what . . . gotta go! Bye!”

She practically ran out of the bathroom.

“No running!”

The sound of Mr. Grumpy-Knickers barking at her had her legs go weak with relief.

“Sorry,” she said breathlessly. In truth, she couldn’t even feel her hip. There were too many emotions racing through her. “I just want to get out of here.”

Ian grasped hold of her arm, holding her steady. “Maggie? Can I talk to you for a moment?”

Urgh. Great. Turning, she tried not to grimace as she stared up at Jameson as he approached them. What she wanted to say was no. But when she looked at Ian, he gave her an encouraging nod.

“All right.”

Relief filled Jameson’s face. “Thank you. I know I upset you and I still haven’t given you a treat for being so brave.” He started walking, his hand briefly touching the small of her back as he guided her.

Monkeyballs.

His touch always made her feel a tad light-headed and hot. She glanced up at him, wondering if he knew how he affected her. He was so damned gorgeous that sometimes it hurt to even look at him.

“Where are we going?” she asked as Ian trailed them. He was far enough back that she knew he likely couldn’t hear them.

“To the gift store.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“Sweetheart, about what I said?—”

“It’s okay,” she interrupted him. “I know I need to think about this stuff, but it’s really hard.”

“Well, I’m sorry about upsetting you just now.”

“It’s all right, you’re forgiven.”

Jameson knew he could just leave that where it was. But he felt like he owed her more.

“I have a bad habit,” he confessed.

“What is it?”

“When something makes me uncomfortable, I don’t always react well.”

“Because you like to be in control. And it’s hard for you when things are out of your control.”

“You’re very perceptive.”

She shrugged. “Not usually. But with you . . . I like to watch you. Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I, uh, like the way you watch me.”

She studied him for a long moment. Then she broke into a smile filled with sunshine.

And Lord help him, he’d love to bask in that sunshine. To let it melt the coldness inside him.

Then she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him. Holding on tight.

“You’re forgiven, Doc,” she whispered. “I know you have a good heart. And it’s not like the things you said aren’t true. It’s just . . . it’s hard, you know? Sometimes I feel all alone and like I’m failing at everything. It’s tough to be strong.”

God, this Little subbie.

Did she have any idea what she was doing to his heart?

They stopped in front of the gift store and she sucked in a breath. “They have one of those stores where you can create your own stuffed toy?”

“Yep. We’ve found that it’s a good way to cheer our patients up.”

“That is so cool! And look at all the outfits.” She clapped her hands together before she realized what she was doing. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so enthusiastic.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he said. “Would you like to make one?”

“Me?” She gaped up at him. She would love to make one. She’d always wanted to. But she couldn’t afford it. “Oh, thank you for bringing me here but I couldn’t.”

He had taken a step into the store as though it was a given that she’d say yes. Suddenly, he stopped and turned to her. “What?”

“Thank you, but I can’t.”

She stepped back, away from temptation.

“Everything all right?” Ian asked, coming up beside her.

“Yes, everything is fine.” She smiled up at him. “I think I better get back to Uncle Willy, though.”

“You don’t want to make a toy?” Ian asked.

“It looks like so much fun and maybe one day I’ll be able to afford it, but not today.”

Ian opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, Jameson spoke up. “You’re not paying, though. I am.” Shit. He should have made that clear. “This is your treat for doing so well during your tests.”

He was happy with himself for thinking of it. Pizza was a crappy treat.

“But you bought me lunch. That was plenty! I couldn’t let you do this too. Thank you for everything. I couldn’t have done today without you.”

She suddenly hugged him again before letting go and moving away.

What was happening?

Was she really leaving? She didn’t want him to pay for the toy for her? He glanced at Ian, who shrugged.

“She let you buy her boots,” Jameson pointed out.

Ian snorted. “And we had to fight hard to get her to keep them. And the other things. Thanks for your help.” He rushed off after her, leaving Jameson feeling strangely sad.

“Little one, you shouldn’t just rush off like that. I’m your guard, remember?”

“No one is trying to hurt me.”

“Not the point. You leave like that again, and you’re in trouble.”

She rolled her eyes at him.

“Don’t get sassy with me,” Ian grumbled. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just tired and I want to go home and see Uncle Willy, can we?”

“Yeah, Little one. Let’s get you home. We’ll stop for some pizza on the way.”

She gave him a small smile. “My hero. You always know just what I need.”

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

As they moved down the corridor, she felt like someone was watching her. But when she turned, there was no one there.

First, she thought someone was watching her while she slept and now she kept getting that feeling when she was out and about.

She was definitely losing her mind.