“Anna. How are you, darling? Sorry to keep you waiting.”She closed the magazine and rose to her feet with a ready smile. “Michael.”“Your hand? It is still giving you pain?' He drew her towards the far end of the salon and seated her at a basin.“It aches a little.”Michael's personal attention was rare, and Anna, by virtue of being David's wife, appeared tobe one of the favoured few.She wrinkled her nose as he sluiced water over her hair and applied shampoo, rinsed and repeated the process with conditioner, then towelled it dry before leading her to a mirrored cubicle.“Are you able to drive again?”‘The specialist says I can. David would prefer Jacob to continue in the role of chauffeur. Although he has compromised and bought me another car.'“He is being protective, hmm?”“You could say that,” she agreed with suitable dryness.Michael picked up his scissors and comb and went to work. “Don't knock it, darling,” he cautioned wryly.“Men are not usually protective unless they care.

She rose to her feet and gathered the cutlery and glasses, then carried them through to thekitchen.David followed, and she heard him locking the outer doors and setting the security alarm.It was a simple task to load the dishwasher, and she had just finished when he entered the room.He looked over all the powerful masculine: dark trousers, light tan skin, dark hair, in stark contrast to the white shirt. Tall, he almost seemed overpowering, and, while she craved his touch, there was a part of her that cried out against any sexual defeat.She watched as he dispatched food down the waste disposal unit, then dropped emptycontainers into the pedal bin before washing and drying his hands. In silence, he turned andcaught hold of her hand, leading her through to the lounge, and then he selected a slow song.Soft music emanated from the speakers and Anna looked at him speechlessly as he drew her intohis arms.Crazy, she thought, as he pulled her close against him and began to drift slow

Anna woke up in the hospital the next day. Last night, she had a c-section because of the preterm labor. David was sitting near her. “Is the baby, okay?” She asked weakly. “The baby is in intensive care,” David said calmly. “Oh my God, is she going to be, okay?” concern was evident on her face. “All her vital signs are okay; however, she is in the incubator.” David cupped her face gently. “No need to worry, Anna, her pediatric doctor is a known specialist.” David reached for Anna and hugged her. At this very moment, she wanted to feel his warmth because she couldn't control her anxiety. Then the Doctor came to visit. “Good morning, Mrs. Miller.” She was an older woman with kind eyes. “I’m Doctor Avery Samuel, nice to meet you,” she said. “Nice to meet you too Doctor,” Anna replied. “Can I see my baby?” “Yes, but We had to wait for your OB-GYN, Doctor Ethan's recommendation.” “When it’s safe to move you, then you can visit your baby, but you have to understand that you cannot