“Thank you.” Stepping back to close the door, she grips my hand. “I love you.”
“I love you, baby. More than I can ever put into words.” Closing the door, I walk around the car, sliding into the driver’s seat.
The drive home is quiet. She dozes off after a few minutes. While she’s asleep, I drop off her prescriptions to be filled in the pharmacy drive thru. The woman tells me it will only take a few minutes since they’re not busy. I decide to wait so I won’t have to leave Brooke at home alone later.
When her medication is ready, I drive to my house.
Ourhouse.
We haven’t talked about it yet, but I want her to move in with me. She can sell her place or rent it. Honestly, if she wants us to live in her house, I’dsell mine in a heartbeat. I don’t give a shit where we live as long as we’re together.
Pulling into the driveway, I park close to the house, shutting off the car. Slipping out quietly, I make my way to her side. Opening the door, I take the chance of carrying her without waking her up. If she’s sleeping, hopefully she won’t feel the pain.
I scoop her up gently and with some maneuvering, I get her inside the house without waking her. Carrying her into the bedroom, I lay her on the bed and tuck her in. She snuggles deeply into the comforter, murmuring something I can’t understand.
Once she’s settled, I go outside, unloading her things from the car. I set her medication on the nightstand with a bottle of water. Emptying her clothes into the hamper, I add mine, heading to the bathroom for a shower.
I turn the water on, and stare at myself in the mirror as steam fills the room. My mind wants to dwell on the fact I almost lost my whole world. That is all I did while she was in the hospital. I have to get my shit together.
She needs me.
She’s home and safe.
It’s over.
Stepping into the shower, the spray beats down on my aching muscles. The little bit of sleep I got in the hospital was uncomfortable. Last night I didn’t move much for fear of waking her.
The shower door opens, and a naked andbruised goddess stands in front of me. She’s a fucking warrior, and her battle wounds prove it.
She’s alive, here with me, while both of them are in the ground.
“I don’t want to be in the bed like this. I feel gross and need a shower. I’ll need some help.” She’s struggling right now, and I’ll do anything to ease her pain.
Holding out my hand, she takes it, stepping inside the shower on unsteady feet. “You just stand there, baby. I’ll take care of you.”
She wraps her arms around my waist, laying her head on my chest. “Hug me, Gabe. I don’t give a damn if it hurts.”
Holding my breath, I wrap my arms around her, careful not to squeeze. She doesn’t wince, and I think she’s okay. This is what I live for. What I crave. Just having my arms around her calms my thoughts and puts my body at ease.
She leans back a little, gazing at me with tears in her eyes. “I know I’m hideous right now, but I really want you to kiss me.”
Irritation trickles through me, but I reel it in as much as I can. “Don’t ever talk about yourself that way again. You’re fucking beautiful. These bruises show you fought back. You’re the strongest person I know, and I’m so damn proud of you. You’ll always be my gorgeous angel. The only reason I haven’t acted on my own selfish desire to kiss you is because I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I caught a glimpse of myself inthe mirror at the hospital, and I didn’t realize my face looked like this.” She hangs her head, and I feel fucking helpless.
Lifting her chin with my fingers, I lean down until our lips touch. She gasps softly and I groan, restraining myself from deepening the kiss.
This is fucking torture.
We want each other, but we can’t do anything about it.
I almost lost her, and all I want to do is live inside her body for days. Keep her locked against me where I know she’s safe and alive. Hold her in my arms, where she can’t be taken from me again.
My cock hardens, trapped between our bodies. She licks the seam of my lips, and I open willingly. Her delicate tongue sweeps inside my mouth, and she tastes like mint and her own unique flavor. I lose myself as we devour each other until she whimpers, and I pull away.
“I’m okay. There’s just a limit on how wide I can open my mouth right now.” She raises her fingers to her lips, checking for blood.
There isn’t any but her pain sobers me, and my libido nosedives.
