Unforgettable by Adrianne Byrd Page A

some ice.”
    Before she could stop him, he rushed out. “I need to get out of here,” she said, pulling herself off the bed. “Enough is enough.”
    Marching out of the room, Diana had no intention of waiting for ice.
    At the stairs, she saw her purse and its contentssprawled everywhere. “Just great.” She walked down and started picking up her things.
    Marcel returned and raced up to her. “Hey, I’ll get that for you.”
    Diana crammed what she had into her purse and then sat on the stairs. If she wasn’t so mad, she was sure she would start crying.
    â€œCome here,” he said, sitting next to her.
    She eyed him wearily.
    â€œTrust me.”
    â€œYou’re kidding, right?
    Marcel exhaled. “Please.”
    His soft puppy dog look was extremely effective, she realized as she inched closer.
    â€œThank you.” He rewarded her with a breathtaking smile. “Now tilt your head back.”
    She did as he said and sighed in relief when he pressed a cool compress against the bridge of her nose.
    â€œI take it you like that.” He chuckled.
    â€œOoh, that feels good.” She stretched back on the stairs. “I almost want to forgive you for nearly breaking it in the first place.”
    â€œYou’re too gracious.”
    She smiled and kept her eyes closed. Though she was enjoying the soothing feeling from the ice, Diana was quite aware of the heat generating from him, as well. Lying so close, she relished the way the faint scent of his cologne tickled her nose.
    â€œIs there anything else I can get for you?” he asked, his minty breath drifting across the shell of her ear.
    She swallowed hard and slowly shook her head.“Surely you don’t want to lie on the stairs like this?”
    â€œI’m fine. I’m leaving anyway.”
    â€œI better move you back to the bed.”
    â€œThat won’t be—”
    His arms swooped beneath her body and lifted her.
    Diana’s eyes flew open as she finally removed the compress from her nose. Pretending that she didn’t feel a bolt of electricity throughout her body while cradled in his arms was nearly impossible. “Mr. Taylor—”
    â€œWe’re back to Mr. Taylor again?” he asked, carrying her into the spare bedroom.
    Was that annoyance she heard in his tone? What the hell was he annoyed about? She was the one with the day from hell. “Marcel, if you could please put me down. I don’t need to lie on the bed,” she finished just as he placed her on the cream-and-gold comforter. “Besides, I’m starting to feel much better,” she added.
    Marcel’s expression soured as he reached up and gently tweaked her nose.
    â€œOoww!”
    â€œYeah, much better.” He chuckled.
    â€œMaybe it’s broken,” she said with sudden concern.
    â€œIf you’d let me get a good look at it—”
    â€œNo!”
    He stood up and folded his arms. “Now, Diana, I thought you were many things, but I never would’ve thought you were a coward.”
    â€œFinding me at the bottom of a closet should have been your first hint.”
    He stared at her. “Good point. Do you want to go to the emergency room?”
    She placed the compress back against her nose and wondered if she really thought the thing was broken. “No. I guess not.” She eased back against the bed’s pillows. “I’ll just lie here until it stops throbbing.”
    He rewarded her with another beautiful smile. “Good girl,” he said, ruffling her hair.
    â€œStop that. I’m not a dog, you know.”
    He actually managed to look contrite. “Sorry.”
    Diana smiled. “It’s all right.” Then her eyes grew wide when he walked around to the other side and climbed onto the bed to lie next to her.
    â€œJust in case I didn’t say it earlier, thank you. It was very courageous of you to try to take care of Brandy with