“Goodness, Arianna, will you just think ofyoufor once? Say what you need to say. Do what you need to do. If you want someone to listen to you, I’m here.”
“I know, but—”
“No buts, okay?” he says, raising his brows at me and taking my hand gently between both of his. “It makes me want to break bones and torture him to hear you say things like that, but I want you to be able to talk to me…about anything.”
“Thank you for listening”
“No need to thank me.”
“Okay, then thank you for being so lovely to me.”
“Stunner …”
“Look, I know I come with a lot of baggage and a ton of crazy. You didn’t have to—”
“I’m gonna stop you right there,” he says, standing and placing his hands gently on either side of my face, the look in his eyes so gentle and sincere. “It is what it is,” he says simply before placing a gentle lingering kiss on my parched lips. The fact that my skin is so dry really makes me aware of just how soft and perfect his mouth feels. I close my eyes, and his kiss travels through the whole of my body. When he pulls away, I keep my eyes closed, mesmerized by the warm sensations firing off in all directions.
I’ve probably only been awake for a maximum of ten minutes and already I feel like I’ve been up for endless days. I know I need more rest and regardless of the fact that I don’t want to be here in this hospital, I’m here with Denham and that makes everything feel okay.
“Please rest, Ari,” Denham says quietly, noticing my weariness.
“I’ll rest if you will…”
“Fine, you first.”
“No.”
“Arianna…” he warns with an arched brow.
“I want you in my bed.” I hold up a finger quickly before he interrupts. “Just climb on and cuddle with me, please?”
He looks at me half confused, half exasperated.
“I won’t try anything, I promise,” I insist, holding up my hands in surrender. “I just want you close. I’ll rest better with you next to me”
“You’re impossible,” he grumbles, but I know he’s not grumpy about it.
I shrug. “I know.”
He shakes his head at me, all the while trying to suppress a grin. He pulls back the cotton sheet that’s covering me and it’s the first time that I’ve noticed that I’m wearing only a pair of boy shorts and one of Denham’s tees. I really wish I could remember what happened but perhaps it’ll all come back to me with time.
Denham lowers the backrest down and lies on his side. He cradles my head in the crook of his arm and strokes my hair gently with the tips of his fingers.
“Rest, Ari,” he whispers against my hair. I let my heavy eyes close and feel content at the familiar smell of his aftershave and the sound of his steady heartbeat.
I do sleep. Denham sleeps, too. I don’t know how long for but we are both woken with a jump at the sound of his phone echoing around the room. He fumbles to reach it on the nightstand and pulls it to his ear.
“King,” he announces before listening to the person on the end of the line. I can hear someone talking but can’t make out who it is and what they are saying. “Yes, I call you back. Give me five.” He hangs up abruptly.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“Yes, just something I need to sort out. I’m sorry it woke you.” He looks down at me with furrowed brows. “How do you feel?”
“I actually feel pretty good … considering.”
“Can I get you anything?”
“I really need to pee…”
