We’ve had to play it week by week. One day at a time. Each day his strength returns more. Stubborn man, thinks he can do more than he should. It’s a wonder he’s not had a setback. It’s been six long weeks since that day. He’s a looming threat thatI won’t be able to resist much longer. His body is now healing faster than my ability to run interference.
He’ll win, and I’ll lose. (Is it losing if I’m struggling not to jump him, too?)
His mother tests every ounce of my patience. Everything I do is wrong. She’s hell-bent on running me off. Stops by almost daily so she can criticize me in front of him. Continues to rave over that fucking nurse Darius fired, keeps threatening to hire her back against her son’s objections. I want to say, bring it on, bitch. See what happens. Instead, I bite my tongue and watch as she digs her own grave.
Darius has threatened to ban her from his home if she oversteps her welcome and keeps upsetting me. All that did was make her sneakier about it. Now she saves her poison for when he’s not in the room. She’s this close to getting throat-punched. Lenny taught me that move before I left for university, said every girl should know how to defend herself. And I’m about to test my skills on her, so she’d better back off.
Watching her meddle makes me understand Darius’s solitude in ways I never did before. It’s a stifling presence that drives people away with its suffocating intensity. He ran from relationships to avoid putting anyone through this circus.
But he’s worth it. Worth every petty word spoken out of her mouth. Every fake smile she pastes on when he’s around. I’ll endure, take it like a champ and not fail. I’ll put up with her because I love him.
He’s the man I never knew I needed. The one who came crashing into my life and refused to leave. I hated him at first—the way his charm, like a persistent magnetic force, drew me into his orbit. His daily antics still get under my skin, but now… now I’ve learned to love it. To see the truth, on why that is. With him, there is only me. The real me. No mask. No pretending. Just me. And that’s something I never thought I’d get.
After his team meeting, Darius comes into the kitchen and stands behind me at the stove where I’m attempting to make dinner. His hands land on my hips as he peeks over my shoulder.
I know what he’s thinking.
Cooking isn’t my strong suit. I’m trying to learn, but most of the time what I make isn’t edible, and we end up tossing it. For once, I think I’ve gotten it right.
“What smells so delicious? Did you do this all by yourself?” Reaching over, he plucked a glistening apple and onion, still warm from the pan. The caramelized duo is layered on top of golden-brown pork chops. “Damn, that is really good.”
A grin spreads across my face as I peek up at him. “I know. I’m kind of surprised myself. We have dirty mashed potatoes and rolls George made before he left.”
George is the chef Darius hired to cook for us while we’re here. He’s taken me under his wing, teaching me not just how to cook but how to actually read a recipe without panicking. This dish is probably the most daring one I’ve tried, although it only sounds complicated. Truth is, it’s shockingly simple—far easier than it looks.
Grabbing a few plates, silverware, and glasses, Darius carries them to the table. “I knew you could do it. When you set your mind to something, you never stop until you make it happen.”
I bring in the last of the dishes while he pours us some water. Wine would be nice, but he’s still on pain meds, so no wine yet. I take my first bite and immediately have to close my eyes. Holy hell. So damn good. Might become my trademark dish. The one I pull out for special occasions.
“You are so getting laid tonight,” Darius announces between bites. “Maybe even on this very table as soon as I’m done.”
I pause my fork mid-bite. “You have a few more weeks before you can do that. Let’s not push our luck.”
He scoops up the last of his potatoes, dragging his pork chop through the glaze until the plate gleams clean. “Wanna bet?”
“Our wedding is only a few months away,” I say, steady but not steady enough. The nervous crack in my voice gives me away. “Better if we just wait until then.”
His eyes sharpen as he shoves the empty plate aside. “Is that your idea… or something my mother whispered in your ear? Or is it you’re afraid of something?”
“Afraid? No, that’s crazy. What’s there to be afraid of?” I stand, picking up my plate as I do. “I just think it would be better if we did.”
“Better?” His footsteps follow me, the weight of his stare prickling my back. “You didn’t seem to think so before I got shot. Why now?”
“Well, for one, you’re still healing.” I rinse off the plate and go to hand it to him, then nearly drop it when I realize he’s ripped off his shirt and tossed it aside. “W-what are you doing?”
He grins as his pants hit the ground, leaving him in nothing but his black briefs. “Demonstrating. Exhibit A: My wounds have healed. Exhibit B: And functioning.”
“Showing off your hot bodwillnot make me change my mind.” I swallow as my eyes leisurely track down his body. “How are you still so perfectly fit? I stopped working out and in two weeks gained ten pounds. You haven’t gained an ounce, and if I’m not mistaken, have tightened up some. Damn.”
Striding my way, he takes advantage of the fact I’m distracted. “What, you think I’ve been lying around doing nothing? These last couple of weeks, I’ve been sneaking in sit-ups, pushups, lunges… even burpees and jumping jacks. All when no one was watching.”
“What? Are you crazy? You could have?—”
He knows what I’m about to say and shuts me up with his mouth. We’ve kissed a lot while he’s been healing, but I alwaysbreak away after a few, afraid of what they’ll lead to. Guess he should’ve stripped down sooner, short-circuiting my defenses. My hands skate over the hard planes of his body, greedily. Fuck, he feels so hot against my palms.
He scoops me up without breaking the kiss, and heads for the stairs. My fingers tangle in his hair, holding on tight, not daring to let go. I should protest, but dammit, I’ve waited long enough.
He has us upstairs without incident or growing winded. Proving he’s stronger and those late-night workouts while I slept, seem to have paid off.
