Toni

Toni watched the doctor's fingers as he moved them in front of her face, following his instructions to only move her eyes. She was feeling achy from being hit in the head and a part of her just wanted to lay down and go to sleep. The other part of her wanted to call for her driver to come and pick her up and take her home.

The man who claimed to be her boyfriend, Nico, watched her like a hawk, growling at anyone who got too close to her. He was so intense; she wasn't sure if she liked his attention or if she was frightened by the way he guarded her. Toni wasn't sure if she believed his story, but something about him felt familiar and safe. Nothing was adding up though and she worried her father was out there, looking for her, but why hadn't they found her? Her father certainly had the money and resources to find her. She needed to call her dad, to let him know she was safe and would be home soon.

"Where is my bag?" she questioned. "I have to have my bag with my phone in it and all of my belongings. I'd like to call for my driver." She noticed the surprise on Nico's handsome face, quickly followed by his pity. He pushed back his overly long brown hair, and she noticed his dark eyes were as stormy as his mood and she could see his concern for her. Toni believed she meant something to this man, but how or what exactly, she had no clue. As far as she was concerned, she had never met him before.

"I'm sorry, Toni." Nico seemed to stumble over her name, as if he still wanted to call her Jenn and she almost felt bad for him. He seemed to be just as confused by the day's events as she was. "You don't have a bag. A year ago, when we found you, there was nothing but you and a life jacket." Nico crossed to sit next to her on the bed, and she felt the urge to lean into his solid body. He said he was a scientist, but he didn't look like any scientist she'd ever seen before. His body looked like he worked out regularly, and when he held her, she felt every one of his muscles through his perfectly ironed button-down. A part of her wondered what he would look like out of his starched shirt, and she flexed her fingers into the bed quilt to keep from touching him.

"So, Doc, what's the verdict?" Nico asked. The doctor shot them both a worried look and Nico took her hand into his, as if needing the contact.

"It looks like Jenn—um, sorry, Toni's head injury has reversed her amnesia from a year ago. But instead of picking up with what happened yesterday, and adding on all her old memories, she's wiped out the past year as if it never happened." The doctor busied himself with putting his things back into his medical bag and Toni felt desperate for more answers.

"I think you should be seen at the hospital soon, just to let them run a few extra tests," the doctor said. "For now, take it easy, and if she sleeps, wake her every hour." He nodded at Nico and showed himself down the stairs.

"Wait," Toni barked, but it was too late. The doctor was already down the stairs and gone. "I have questions," she whispered. Nico pulled her against his body, and she let him comfort her, needing the contact. As far as her mind knew, he was a stranger; but her body seemed to remember him, even crave his touch.

"I'm sorry, baby. How about we get some rest, it's almost nightfall." Nico seemed so earnest. She hated to laugh, but she couldn't help it. The thought of spending the night with a virtual stranger was out of the question. Why wasn't her father looking for her and why the hell had Zac not come to find her?

"You say I've been here for over a year now?" Toni questioned. Nico nodded his head and a strand of his brown hair fell into his eyes. She instinctively pushed it back and he smiled down at her.

"You always do that and then chide me for needing a haircut," he whispered. He pulled her hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. Toni gasped at how familiar the whole scene felt, but still pulled her hand from his.

"If I've been here for that long, why hasn't anyone come looking for me?" she questioned. Toni knew she wasn't on the best of terms with her father. He was pushing for her to marry Zachary Bierman, and the sooner the better. Their families had been tied up together for years in business, and her dad wanted to make sure things stayed that way. Toni liked Zac, they grew up together and she counted him as one of her closest friends. He was handsome and driven toward success, but she wanted more. She wanted a man who would look at her much like Nico was watching her now—like he'd live and die for her like she was his whole world. She wanted love.

"When I found you last year, you didn't have any identification on you. The authorities put out a Jane Doe alert, but no one came for you. It seemed as if you had just fallen from the sky, or at least that's what I liked to say. I called you my—"

"Angel," she finished for him. Nico smiled and nodded, brushing his knuckles gently over her cheekbone.

"Yes," he whispered. "You were—still are, my angel, baby." Toni couldn't help herself, she leaned into Nico's touch, needing more. She shivered and he pulled the quilt tighter around her body. Toni realized she was almost naked, in just a bikini, and looked around the room for something she could put on.

"Do I have any clothing?" she asked. Nico laughed and stood from the bed, crossing the small room to the only closet.

"Yep," he said, pulling the doors open. "A whole closet full." Toni stood up quickly and instantly regretted it. She must have looked a little wobbly because Nico was by her side within seconds, wrapping her in his arms, and making sure she stayed on her feet.

"How about I help you into some pajamas and then we can get you into bed?" he asked. Toni wanted to protest, but the thought of climbing into a soft, warm bed and closing her eyes sounded like heaven.

"Please," she said. Nico found what he assumed was her pajamas and helped to pull them over her head while removing her swimsuit. She felt shy and wanted to cover herself, but the way he looked at her, so familiar and loving, helped to calm her frayed nerves.

"Thank you," she stuttered as Nico helped her into bed and covered her with the quilt.

"You're welcome, honey. I have a few things to do in my lab, but I'll be back up to check on you within the hour," he promised. Toni wasn't sure if Nico said anything else before she drifted off, letting her exhaustion consume her.