“Jules—”
“I can’t imagine living without you.”
Pat lifted my hand. Kissed it. Kissed my ring. He leaned forward again and kissed a tear off my cheek, awkwardly trying to navigate around the bed rails.
“Know what? Screw this.” He lifted the blanket and slipped into the bed next to me. “I need better access.”
I giggled.
He settled in, scooting closer. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’ll be fine.”
His warm body was flush against mine. Having him close was medicine for my soul. It was the healing touch on the wounds in my heart. I lifted my gaze to meet his. Pat’s eyes were so serious and full of so much love, I wondered if I’d ever breathe normally again. His face was mere inches from my own. I touched his jaw, fingering his facial hair.
He gently cupped my face, running his thumb along my eyebrow and around the top of my cheekbone. His voice scraped with desire, “Those eyes. I missed them more than I ever thought I could.” He kissed my eyelids then whispered against my forehead, “Never want to go a day without seeing your special shade of blue, baby girl.”
The butterflies in my stomach erupted; the sensation was similar to falling. I felt my fists involuntarily clutch at his shirt for stability, and my head tipped back onto the pillow. Had we been standing, Pat would’ve had to hold me upright.
I didn’t want to go a day without him either. Not ever again.
His gaze dropped to the neckline of the hospital gown. It was gaping open to one side, revealing my neck and part of my shoulder. He propped up on his elbow and hooked his finger around collar, tugging until the rest of my shoulder was exposed. He leaned down and gently pressed his warm lips to my neck.
I forgot how to breathe.
He’d kissed me a dozen times on my neck and shoulder before I found my voice. “Pat—”
“Shh.” He kissed my lips, drawing out the last bit of my reservations. My wall had crumbled, and my heart was open to him. I let Pat sweep me away into his love. Into his heart. Into his family.
He broke the kiss just enough to murmur, “My goodness, maybe tomorrow isn’t a bad idea.”
I giggled again then he came back for more.
Home had never felt better.
I palmed his face and pulled him closer. He had just nudged past my lips when the door creaked. Gina and Blake stood there. Blake was nodding his head with a “good job dude” look on his face, and Gina was smirking.
She put her hands on her hips. “Please tell me this means you are going to marry the man!”
I lifted my hand to show off the ring. She screamed. Blake shook hands with Pat.
The chicken biscuits and hashbrowns were divvied out.
The four of us ate, talked, laughed, and relived the craziness of the past twenty-four hours. I apologized for all the stupid stuff I’d done. They asked Pat a lot of questions about his past, and he opened up his heart. Just like he always did.
I curled into Pat’s side, his warmth supplying my own. My heart was beating wildly, and I could hear his beating too.
FIFTY-SIX
Julia
“You ready?”
“No.”
“I know.” Pat offered me his hand and helped me down from the truck. My boot clacked against the pavement, and I clung to his arm for support. He pressed a kiss to my forehead.
My insides twisted. I had to do this.
