28|Bound

~Rory~

“What do you mean?”

Elijah pulled his lower lip between his teeth, contemplating on whether to answer me truthfully. I watched him collect and pile the utensils I used in the middle of the tray warily. Then he stood and set the silver tray on the desk before walking back to the bed, sitting closer to me this time.

With conscious movement, he unscrewed the cap of the pain reliever from the bedside table, took out two, and handed them to me with open palms. I downed both with water. Elijah handed over the ice pack; the cool packet instantly eased the discomfort on my left ribs as I pressed it there, holding it with one hand.

“Are you warm enough?” He reached for the duvet, draped it over my crossed legs, fixed the pillows behind me so I&rsquo