Dragan's Redemption Book One of the Manor at Echo Lake Trilogy by Kelly Ilebode Page B

was shocked to see his face redden.
    “Dr. Reynolds, are you blushing?”
    “Of course not , I am a doctor.”
    “I think I can.  If you could just bring me to the bedroom.”
    Dragan set her down gently near the bed.  “Where are your night clothes, Amira?”
    Amira nodded her head towards the dresser along the far wall as she pulled the wet clothes off her body . Her legs felt shaky , and she wasn’t sure how much longer she would be able to stand.   Pulling out the first nightgown he found , he turned just as she was slipping off her underwear .  Quickly looking away, he tossed the dry clothes on the bed.
    “Dr. Reynolds, I cannot believe that you are that uncomfortable with a naked body.”
    Dragan walked out the door to the kitchen.  “And I cannot believe that you have so little modesty in front of a stranger.”
    Amira smiled to herself realizing he was not as unaffected about her as he wanted her to believe.
    Dragan was not unaffected.  Seeing a person’s body undressed was not something new to him.  Nevertheless, she was the first one that he desired to the point of it being all-consuming .  The rush that went through him at seeing her naked breasts, curved body , and the gentle swells , narrowing down to the soft v ee between her legs was too much , and h is own body tightened in response to her nakedness.  Even now, reliving that moment caused his blood to push strong through him.  He need ed to control himself.  Sorting through t he box that his Chef had prepared , he p our ed some of the soup into a large mug before placing it onto a tray with some crackers, water and ibuprofen he brought from the manor.
    Walking back into her bedroom, he was relieved to see that she was completely dressed and laying back on the bed.  Setting the tray on the nightstand , he sat down next to her touching her forehead .
    “You still have a very high temperature .  I need to get this medicine into you so that we can bring it down.  If it doesn’t work, I am going to bring you to the hospital.”
    “You most certainly will not.  Look, I appreciate all of this, I really do.  However, I am letting you know right now that I am fine.  If I feel worse, I will call my doctor.”
    Lifting up the mug and spoon , he motioned for her to sit up before moving the spoon next her lips.  Automatically she opened her mouth, allowing him to feed her. She felt very tired again and after several spoonfuls , she held up her hand.  “ No more, thank you.  I just want to rest.”
    Watching her as she slid down on the bed , he started to stand when he felt her hand on his thigh.  “Please don’t leave right now , Dragan .”  She sounded afraid .
    Covering her hand with one of his own, he reached across to brush her hair away from her now closed eyes.   She was asleep before she could hear his whispered words.
    “I will stay for as long as you need me , Amira.”

CHAPTER 11
    Dragan woke with a start attempting to figure out what it was that disturbed him.  Looking over at Amira , he watched as she tossed and turned in her sleep.   The fever was still raging within her.  Jumping out of bed , he ran into the bathroom grabbing a wet cloth again.  Sitting next to her, his hands gentle on her face , he smoothed the cloth along her skin.  Feeling the cool touch, she woke lookin g up at his face.  Her eyes glazed once again.  He was worried.
    Her voice dry and cracked, she started to struggle under his administrations .  “Please, I don’t want to die.   Please Father, pray for me.”
    Realizing that she did not recognize him , his hand stilled at her words .  “You are not going to die , Amira.”
    “Oh, Father , b ut you know I am.  Please, I am begging you!  Please pray for me.”
    Unsure, Dragan placed the c ool cloth on her head.  Willing to do anything to ease her agitation, he started to speak softly , pray ing .  “Our Father, which art in heaven….”
    “Hallowed by thy name.”   Amira’s