Dangerous Love by Teresa Ashby Page B

to bark. The other dogs came to see what all the fuss was about, but still there was no answer from the bathroom.
    “I’m coming in,” he called and he pushed the door open, covering his eyes with his hand while he waited for her outraged scream. But no sound came and as he took his hand down, he realised she’d fallen asleep again, head back, hair trailing. Her modesty was intact as she was hidden by bubbles and the wine glass was on its side on the floor, some of the contents spilled.
    “Regan,” he shook her shoulder. She felt cold. He couldn’t leave her there. “Oh, hell.”
    He shook her shoulder harder.
    “Wake up, Regan,” he said loudly and she jerked awake. “There’s a warm towel there. You’re not going to want your dinner are you, love?” he said.
    “I can’t stay awake,” she said. “Sorry, Bram.”
    “It’s okay. You can have my bed. I’ll take the sofa. Give me a shout when you’re decent and I’ll come and sort out your cuts. I’ll put some pyjamas out for you.”

    By the time he’d fetched his first aid box, she was on top of the bed, asleep and looking tiny in his T shirt and shorts pyjamas. He gently dabbed antiseptic cream on her grazes and put plasters over two deeper cuts. There was nothing that needed stitches, thank goodness, but she was going to be sore in the morning.
    She even had blisters on her feet. One of them had burst. She must have been in a lot of pain with all this, but she hadn’t complained once.
    He was gently dabbing fresh blood away from her leg when he felt her eyes on him. His breath caught when he looked up and saw her watching him, her eyes soft and sleepy.
    “Bram?” she murmured.
    “Sh, it’s okay,” he said and pulled the covers over her. “I’m not looking, I promise. Get some sleep.”
    He leaned over and kissed her forehead. He was almost tempted by her parted lips, but he fought with himself and won.
    He didn’t trust himself at all where Regan was concerned. None of his old feelings for her had diminished. If anything they were stronger than ever.
    But this time he wasn’t going to leave. This time he’d see it through and if she insisted on it, he’d give up the RNLI and live the quiet life of a small town vet. They were both older and wiser now and if she’d missed him half as much as he’d missed her, then there had to be a chance for them.
    “Go back to sleep,” he murmured and his resolve crumbled when she reached up and put her arms round his neck pulling him close. “Regan, no,” he whispered. He wasn’t sure he could fight her as well as himself. “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
    He felt her breath warm against his neck and it took every ounce of willpower he possessed to push her back against the pillows. Her eyes were closed.
    “Goodnight, sweetheart,” he murmured. “Sleep tight.” And as he walked away and closed the door, he didn’t know whether to kick himself or pat himself on the back.

    Regan was running across the sand and all she could hear was the pounding of her feet and her own ragged breaths.
    “Georgie,” she cried. “Georgie!”
    There was a bundle of clothes at the water’s edge and she could see one little foot poking out and the little foot wore a red shoe. Georgie had begged for the red shoes and in the end, Regan had given in. She can wear red shoes every day forever, just make her safe, she sobbed.
    Georgie’s long dark hair was tangled with seaweed and Regan brushed it off her face. Her little girl stared up at her with Bram’s eyes, but they were lifeless. She was dead.
    “Georgie! No!” she screamed. “No!”
    And then Bram was there, pulling her away, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. She struggled to get away from him. She had to save her daughter.
    “Regan, it’s okay,” he said. “It’s all right.”
    “Georgie,” she sobbed and reached out, but her hands found only fur and a wet nose and when she opened her eyes she realised she was in bed