He exhaled. “Then it doesn’t make sense.”
“I know.”
“Unless…” He stopped, his jaw tightening.
“No.” I cut him off before he could finish. “There’s no way Nana knew she was selling mushrooms. She wouldn’t do that, especially not to kids.”
He tugged me closer, pulling me against his chest. I landed on his good side, my cheek against his shoulder, his arm strong around me. For a second, everything inside me settled.
“We’ll figure it out,” he murmured.
“I hope so.” My voice came out softer than I meant. “How are you feeling, anyway?”
“Fine.” His thumb brushed my arm in slow circles. “Not sure what happened earlier. Could’ve been the concussion. Maybe leftover crap from the explosion. They’ve run every test known to man. No internal bleeding, no fractures. I can go home anytime.”
He didn’t move though. Rain streamed down the window now, streaking the glass. The wind had picked up, rattling the panes in a steady rhythm. I tucked myself closer, letting his body heat chase off the chill. For a minute, the world could spin without me. I had this.
“Nonna’s going to check on you tomorrow,” I said.
He groaned. “I know.”
A grin slipped out before I could stop it. “It won’t kill you to stay one night in the hospital.”
“I’m bored,” he muttered, his voice rougher now. His hand slid to my hip and tightened.
“Hey,” I whispered.
He tugged me on top of him. Somehow. “Yeah.”
His palm flattened against my back, the heat of it soaking through my shirt. He drew me closer until my legs bracketed his hips. The IV line tugged slightly as his other hand, the one hooked to the saline bag, slid into my hair and guided me down toward his mouth.
“No,” I said just as his lips brushed mine.
Then he kissed me, hot and full, tasting of chocolate and brownies.
Oh God, he tasted good.
I forgot the room, the case, the faint beeping of the monitor. My mind cleared until there was only him. The kiss deepened, his hand sliding down to cup my butt, firm and sure, a shock of touch that pulled a startled sound from my throat.
“Aiden,” I breathed, lifting enough to meet his gaze. “We’re in a hospital.”
“I don’t care.”
The door was wide open. “I do.” I shifted to his side, trying to catch a breath. He didn’t stop. The edge of my hair brushed his arm as his hand slipped lower, tracing my ribs, then the curve of my waist before unsnapping my jeans.
“Hey,” I protested.
“Put your leg over me,” he rumbled.
I shook my head.
He hooked my knee and tugged my leg over him. Then he lowered my zipper.
Excitement ripped through me along with alarm. I looked over at the open doorway and could hear nurses down the hall.
His fingers slid smoothly beneath my panties.
“Stop,” I gurgled, grabbing his wrist.
