There seems to be an odd truce between my parents and Rip. Other than an awkward hello or a head nod, they don’t speak to each other. I haven’t voiced it, but I’m relieved by their truce and hope that it continues after I leave here.
He walks me back to my private room, helps me into the bed, and kisses my forehead.
“Do you want this one?” He hands me one of the erotic novels that Selene left for me. “I really like chapter seven.” He wiggles his brows. He admitted yesterday that when I’m asleep, he will read my books.
I pat the spot next to me, and he sits. He takes my hand and kisses it.
“You can go home and sleep.” There’s a part of me that feels guilty that he’s been spending all his time in a hospital.
“Not without you,” he says.
I nod and won’t push it. If the situation were reversed, I wouldn’t leave him either.
“You look tired. Go to sleep.”
“Give me a good night kiss.” My voice comes out low and husky
His head snaps up, and his eyes land on my lips. He hesitates, but I know he wants to. He gives in and leans toward me. I hold the back of his head and kiss him hot enough to set this hospital room on fire.
He tries to move away, but I hold him in place and moan in his mouth. I deepen the kiss and reach for the waistband of his pants. He knocks my hand away, breaks the kiss, and jumps off the bed, but I can see the outline of his desire.
“Five minutes,” I say, breathless. “Hot, fast, and dirty. I’ll bend over the bed.” I lift the hospital gown, but he pushes it back down. I pout.
“The doctor said nothing strenuous, including sex,” he warns.
“That was two days ago, and I’ll just lie there and let you do all the work.” Then I think about my words. “Well, I might grind a little.” I reach for him again, but he moves out of the way. “What?”
“No.” He takes a deep breath and runs his hands through his hair.
I cross my arms and drop myself on my pillows.
“Okay. Please put it in my mouth. I’ll suck the tip.”
He looks down at my lips. I inch closer and slowly go for his pants, but he wraps his hand around my wrist.
“No,” he repeats.
“I hate this. I want to go home.” I flop down on the bed, and I hear his footsteps, followed by a dipping of the bed. A large hand rests on my thigh.
“I want that, too, but I’m not going to compromise your health.”
“Whatever.” I huff like a petulant teenager.
He goes quiet until he says, “We need to talk.” I sit up and wait. He stands, paces around the room, and sits on the chair next to my bed. He takes my hand in his and presses it to his face. “It’s about your accident.”
“I already told you, I don’t remember any of it.”
The mention of the incident that landed me in the hospital makes my heart race, and I’m grateful not to remember. I was told that the other person fled the scene, and the police were unable to find him. He left the car behind, but it was reported stolen two days before my accident.
“I have to say this, Eden, so please let me. I debated telling you because there’s a chance you might walk away from us, but I couldn’t keep this from you. I love and respect you too much.”
“Please just say it.”
“It wasn’t an accident,” Rip blurts out. “Someone I know did this to you.”
The room goes deathly quiet.
“Lexi?” I ask. “Did that bitch try to kill me so she can have you back?”
