“You know when you point, you have three or four fingers pointing back at you.” I grumble. If I focused on anything else outside of how badly I needed to see Patrick, I would feel overwhelmed with the love my siblings were showing me. They’ve been the very best to take care of me, keeping my company in the hospital and making sure I’m settled at home. Even Lola volunteered to go over and check on my Intruder.
God, I hope he’s still my Intruder.
“Hey bubs.” My head whips to my door, Lola stepping in, shutting the door behind her. “How are you feeling?” I don’t want to answer, I want to demand to know how Patrick is. Demand to know where Patrick is but I’m sure she’s also worried about me and I owe her at least a few minutes of chit chat before I get to the important bits. “I’m hurting.” Not a lie. I just don’t elaborate that my heart is hurting more than any other part of me. It still hasn’t really registered that I have a sprain. It’s become more noticeable as the night has continued but Mabel gave me some painkillers while I was eating.
“I’m sure. I know it’s getting late but Patrick’s outside. Do you want to see him?” Lola’s question comes out tentatively and my jaw drops. How could she question that? “Yes! Yes, of course I want to fucking see him! Why didn’t you lead with that?” Mabel laughs at my outburst, throwing the door open and yelling for Patrick to get his ass in here.
I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest, life has slowed down and if I don’t see him coming through the door, I’m going to run until I can find him. Ankle be fucking damned. He’s here. Standing in my doorway, red faced and chest heaving.
He so fucking perfect.
“Patrick.” His name comes out as a whimper. I’m so happy to see him and so scared that he hates me. I need to get to him. I swing my leg off the pillows and start to stand before his booming voice stops me in my tracks. “Elle, stop.” His voice is strong but I can’t get a feel of his emotions. “Sweetheart, don’t get up.” Patrick’s long legs eat the distance between us, once he’s as close he could get without sitting in my lap, he drops to his knees.
I’ve stopped breathing. He’s here, kneeling in front of me. His hands—big and warm—cradle my calf and foot, rearranging me so my foot is back on the pillows. My opposite leg is stillresting on the floor, leaving me open to him. I ache to have him between my legs again.
“Are you okay?”
I’m too overwhelmed having him here. There’s a lump in my throat and I can’t force any words out, so I nod. Having him here, everything is fine. I lift my hand, it’s shaking in fear, and slowly—giving him the chance to pull away—rest my hand on his cheek. His usually smooth face is slightly stubbled and the hair prickles my skin.
He leans into my touch and I know we're going to be okay. My heart starts beating again as I lean into Patrick and press my lips against his. Being around him feels like coming home. Everything is correct with his mouth on mine.
A throat clears and Patrick pulls away from me. I try to follow but my legs are positioned so awkwardly, I can’t get very far. I glare at my sisters, both of them with wide smiles on their faces. “We’re just going to go.” Mabel can’t keep the chuckle out of her voice. Lola nods her head and sticks her thumb out, gesturing towards my front door.
“Thank you. I can’t thank either of you enough. Paul too. I love you guys.” They echo my sentiment, telling me to call if I need anything. Mabel wiggles her eyebrows at me before closing the door with a quietsnick.
Chapter Sixty-Four
PATRICK
She wanted to see me.
She tried to stand on her injured ankle to get to me.
She kissed me.
I love her.
My grumpy goddess. She is my everything. I can’t take my eyes off her, Mabel and Lola give their good-byes and I don’t even bother to wave. Instead, I take in every part of her I can see. She is breathtaking. Her rounded cheeks are red from our kiss, her lips so pillowy I could take a nap, those beautiful brown eyes. Utter perfection.
“I love you.” Elle’s eyes widen at my words, her jaw dropping in surprise, the flush on her cheeks blooming and traveling down her chest. Her hand raises and I prepare myself to rest my cheek against her soft hands again.
“Ow!” I jump back, Elle is slapping my arms and chest. “I can’t believe you!” I’m so confused. “I wanted to say it first! You asshole!” She slaps me with each word. It takes a moment for her words to sink into my brain as I try to defend myself. I pounce at her, she lets out a small squeak of surprise, and wrap my arms around her.
I nuzzle into her neck, kissing her pulse point. I want to mark her skin for everyone to see. She loves me too, even if I stole her thunder. “I’m sorry sweetheart. Will you forgive me?” I speak into her neck. I’d rather die than let her go.
Elle grumbles but her arms snake across my back. “I guess. It would be really fucking inconvenient to hold a grudge against the man I love.” I hold her tighter and chuckle. “I would never want you to feel inconvenienced, sweetheart.” Elle’s hands travel up my back, nails scraping my neck before threading through my hair. She pulls on my curls, the slight sting of pain a welcome reminder that she owns every part of me.
“Are you really okay, Elle?’ I want—no,need—to know she isn’t seriously hurt. I pepper kisses against her neck as I wait for her answer. She lets go of my hair, her hands dropping to my face and she pulls me away from her. I hate it. I want to be wrapped around her, wrapped inside of her and she’s taking her warmth away from me.
“I’m really okay. If you’re not angry with me, I’ve never been more fucking okay.” I could never be angry at her. My grumpy goddess. “I could never be mad at you, baby. Can I prove it to you? Can I show you how absolutely not mad I am right now?” The blush is back and she bites her lip.
That lip.
I drag my finger against her lip and pull it from between her teeth. “Please.” Warm breath spills over my thumb and all the blood in my body rushes to my cock. I take a deep breath to avoid passing out before leaning in and claiming her mouth.
God, I’ve missed the taste of her. She opens her mouth to me and I don’t waste any time, diving in and using my tongue to give her a preview of how well I’m going to worship the rest of her body.
Elle moans into my mouth, fisting my shirt, trying to pull it off of me but I’m reluctant to separate from her for even amoment. My girl growls and I can’t help the smile as I relent and pull back from her, but only for the moment it takes to whip my shirt off and across the room. She’s back in my arms and her hard nipples—she wasn’t wearing a bra?---rub against my chest.
