“I am,” he said softly.
I shifted on the bed, trying to sit up slightly. Knox immediately reached out to help, adjusting pillows behind my back and making sure I was comfortable before settling back into his chair.
“Noah told me what happened,” he continued. “I’m so sorry about Mika, baby. She’s still asleep, but the doctors say she’s doing well. Stable. Just needs time to recover.”
“And the others?”
“Vivi went home after a long debate with Noah about it. He practically had to carry her to the car. She didn’t want to leave, but she was falling asleep on her feet and Noah convinced her that Mika would need her more when she woke up than while she was unconscious.” He paused. “Sarah is down the hall, chatting with the nurses. Keeping herself entertained. I think she’s already befriended half the hospital staff.”
That sounded like Sarah. The woman could make friends anywhere.
Knox’s expression shifted, guilt creeping into his features. “I’m sorry I couldn’t drive you here,” he said quietly. “I was being a dumbass and had one glass of whisky and Noah was right to stop me from getting behind the wheel, but I should have been there. I should have been the one bringing you here, not sitting at home feeling sorry for myself while you dealt with all of this.”
I sighed, the sound coming out more tired than angry. “It’s okay. Noah was there. He took care of me.”
“He said you were incredible. You always are.” He squeezed my hand. “But whenever you feel like you’re tired, I’ll be strong for both of us.”
“That helps,” I whispered.
We sat in silence for a moment, the beeping of machines from somewhere down the hall the only sound. I stared at our joined hands, his large fingers wrapped around mine, and tried to sort through the mess of emotions tangled in my chest.
“I want us to be like we were, Knox,” I finally whispered. “I want to be able to fully, blindly trust you. The way I did before. The way I should be able to trust my mate.”
One tear slipped from my eye before I could stop it. Knox reached up and brushed it away with his thumb, his touch impossibly gentle.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to prove I’m worthy of that trust, Lina,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “Ask me anything. Anything you want to know. I’ll answer honestly, no matter what. I’ll even tell you the most embarrassing things aboutmyself that I absolutely do not want you to know, just to prove I’m willing to tell you everything.”
I could feel his desperation through the bond. His genuine desire to make this right. His fear that he’d broken something between us that couldn’t be fixed.
A flicker of amusement cut through my sadness. “And what are those embarrassing things you don’t want to tell me?”
Knox’s face went red. This was going to be good.
He cleared his throat. “Well. There’s the fact that I carry pieces of your clothing in my pockets everywhere I go. So I’m never without your scent. Even when you’re not with me.”
I blinked. “That’s why my clothes kept going missing! I thought I was losing my mind. I’d put a shirt in the laundry and it would just vanish.”
“I may have... liberated a few items over the past year.”
“A few?”
“Several.”
“Knox!”
“I’m not done.” He swallowed hard, clearly struggling to continue. “There’s also the fact that when you argue with me and win, which is often, I get so turned on I have to excuse myself to take a shower. But it’s not really a shower. It’s just an excuse so I can...”
He trailed off, but I knew exactly what he meant. And I couldn’t help it. A full smile spread across my face.
“I know,” I said.
His eyes went wide. “What?”
“I know about your showers. I’ve heard you.”
“You’ve... heard me?”
“The bathroom isn’t soundproof, Knox. And you’re not exactly quiet.” I tilted my head, enjoying the way his face went even redder. “You thought I liked to argue with you just because I’m difficult?”
