I don’t realise how late it’s got until Noah’s phone chimes. “Oh, that’s Saint checking in.”
“You’d better go. Thank you, Noah. For everything you’ve done today. You’ve really cheered me up.”
“No worries. Are you okay getting to bed and everything. I can help you with a shower, if you want.”
I debate saying yes, but if Saint is waiting for his boy, I should send him back. “No, it’s okay, I’ll manage.”
“Don’t be daft. C’mon, it will only take ten minutes. It’s not like we haven’t seen each other’s junk before. Are you okay getting your hair wet, with the stitches and all?”
I bust up a laugh, then groan because my ribs hurt so much. “Okay, thanks. Yes, to getting my hair wet but no scrubbing near the stitches.”
Ten minutes and a few more tears over the bruises on my body, I’m clean and in a fresh pair of sweats and a T-shirt. Noah gives me a gentle hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow, and call if you need anything and I mean anything.”
I press call and wait for him to answer. Noah has been a godsend and definitely my new bestie, but I want Royal. Over the last four days, my bruises have faded to an ugly mismatch ofyellows and greens. The brace on my knee isn’t as awkward now that I can manage the pain, and I’ve got some physio next week.
I smile when his warm voice answers. “Hey, love. How’s it going?” It’s a genuine question, no ulterior motive or desperate need to fix something.
“It’s good. I’m going stir crazy, and I’m hungry.” I smile when I hear him blow out a low breath. It’s not the first time we’ve spoken, but it is me wanting to leave and be with him.
“I’m on my way.” I can hear the smile in his voice, and I match it with my own.
I shoot a WhatsApp to Noah, telling him what I’ve done. He comes back with a GIF of a lady swooning. He’s such an idiot, but I send back a laughing emoji.
Is it too much to be waiting by the door for a whole ten minutes before I hear him coming up the stairs? Tough shit. I’m so eager to see him, I almost hobble down the stairs to greet him.
He stops when he sees me, his gaze warming my skin. It’s not a look to see if I’m okay. It’s hot, his eyes blazing with desire. My stomach tightens as my heart pounds in my chest. Without saying a word, he’s pressed against me, his mouth on mine in a scorching kiss. It feels like forever since he last kissed me this way: His tongue stroking languidly over my own, dipping in and out of my mouth, making me chase it into his mouth. I don’t know how long we stand there, but it’s long enough to make my knee hurt. But his erection pressing against my stomach has me gripping him tighter, holding him closer. I don’t want this to end. But oxygen, or lack of it, becomes an issue, making us break apart.
“I’ve missed you,” I tell him as I drink him in. I follow his tongue as it sweeps slowly over his bottom lip.
“Yeah? I’ve missed you too. You spent a lot of time with Noah, didn’t you?” There’s no hint of snooping or prying, just a genuine enquiry.
“Yeah, he’s awesome. I have a new best friend.” I chuckle, but it catches when I think of Finn and the fact that he isn’t answering any of my calls and texts.
Royal laughs, then leads me back into the flat. “You’re looking so much better, do you feel it?”
“I do.” I hold back on telling him about the nightmares. That in my head, I’m trying to fight Simon off, but he just keeps getting bigger and stronger. Overpowering me with fists until I wake up gasping for breath.
“There’s a but there, something you’re not saying. You’re not sleeping, are you?” His thumb strokes under my eyes.
I’m not going to lie to him, not after all we’ve been through, together and apart. “No, not much.”
“We can work on that together. What do you want to do?”
“Are we too late for brunch at your dads’?”
A smile sweeps slowly over his lips, broadening into a wide, happy smile. “I don’t think they’d care if it was midnight. Everyone is looking forward to seeing you.” He looks around the room. “Have you got everything you need?”
I nod. I’m grateful that it’s summer, with the brace on my knee, wearing jeans is too difficult. With the warm weather, I can get away with shorts. I’m using the crutches the hospital gave me too.
Royal kisses me again when him pulls the seatbelt around me, making me laugh. “I can do this myself, y’know.”
“Indulge me. I haven’t seen you for nearly a week. I want to touch you any chance I can.”
We talk about what we’ve done this week, obviously mine was kind of boring since I was stuck in the flat, but having Noah come and see me after he’d finished work made it bearable.
Royal tells me all about the summer camp they run every year at the gym. It’s been registration week, so it’s been hectic forhim and Knox. Kip is helping, too, and I’d like to go along and see it.
We get to the house, and the drive is full of cars, even Drake’s. “Drake’s been around a lot lately, hasn’t he.”
