He grins, not disagreeing. He reaches up again and pecks another kiss on my lips, but this time, I follow him back down, talking against his mouth. “I need time, Keegan. And space.”
He rolls his eyes while continually tracing his tongue over my lip until he’s answering me with a cheeky grin. “You’ve always needed that. Nothing changes. You can have your own place, and I only want to see you, say”—he pretends he’s thinking—“twenty-two hours of every day. Answer my question. I mean, you are the one who sent the text saying the only thing you want me to be is yours.”
The door swings open, and Tynan strolls through, barely giving us a glance. “Keegan, let her go. Her bath is ready and she needs her meds.”
Keegan doesn’t let me go. He rolls us again until he’s caged me under him, and then he kisses me like I haven’t been to hell and back. His eyes are open the whole time, mine are too, way too much emotion being shared. But life is short.
Instead of walking off, Keegan carries me into the bathroom. He lets my feet find the floor, and for a second, I think he’s going to help me undress, but he leans down and looks me dead in the eye, his eyebrow curled up impatiently.
I glower at him before shrugging, trying for nonchalant. “Fine, then. I meant what I said.”
He laughs, winking at me. “I knew that. Just wanted you to say it out loud. Get your arse in there and soak your leg because we’re going home tomorrow. Tonight, we’re getting drunk.”
“No way.”
He walks off, whistling, like he won the lotto.
“You know he won’t, don’t you?”
I squeal and jump sky high. I’d been so overwhelmed by Keegan and his antics, I’d forgotten I wasn’t alone. Spinning toward Tynan, I find him leaning against the vanity only a few feet from me. And then I remember why I forgot, because it’s not really that. It’s just so natural and effortless being with Tynan.
I shake off the jitters before waiting for Ty to explain. “He wouldn’t risk anything. Keegan’s planned everything nearly down to the last minute. He won’t let his guard down.”
“Because I tricked him before?”
“Don’t start that. We promised each other we wouldn’t lie to each other. That still stands in my book.”
Tynan is coming in strong. His gaze purposely goes to the full and steaming bath. “I’ll help you in, then you call out when you’re done.”
“I don’t need you to do that.”
He shrugs. “I get that. I’d still like us to do it my way. If you slip in the bath, which is one of the most common places for a slip, you’d set back your hard work.”
“I haven’t yet had issue.”
“I know. And I’m really amazed by how far you’ve come. You’ve been working hard, and I can see that. Honestly, firecracker, no one but you would have recovered that quick. But as your PT, and rehab adviser, you’reMo shíorghra, too, we’re doing things my way now.”
“When did you get so bossy?”
He smiles, and it’s like watching the sun rise. It’s so big and warming, and it honestly makes me smile too.
“You got no idea how bossy I’m about to get. I’ve got your training schedule sorted. When you hop out of your bath, I’ll run through our nutrition and meal plan.”
“Tynan, you can’t expect miracles. The medical reports…”
“And”—he pulls a face and holds his hand up, stopping my argument from forming—“I’m going to cut you off there. I can expect miracles because I’m standing in front of one. Eighty-eightdays ago now, I never thought I would get this chance. You are my miracle. Hop into the bath. We’re going home tomorrow, and I want you ready to travel.”
He turns around, his message obvious—undress and get in the bath.
I’m stunned but also dumbfounded when I actually start pulling off my clothes. I keep my bra and panties on, and Tynan doesn’t mention it at all. He doesn’t look beyond my face when he holds my hand, like the physical therapist does when I go visit him.
Once I’m in a sea of bubbles—not the awful mineral salts I’ve been using. Nope, these bath oils and foam smells glorious, and I feel like I’m floating in warm silk. It makes no sense I’m crying. I heard everything he said, and surprise, surprise, his comment about us being soulmates resonates most.
I sob like a baby, with my entire body soaking in the best bath I’ve had ever. When I call out for Tynan, he’s there instantly. He doesn’t say a thing about my red eyes.
“Can I rub your leg before you get changed? The remedial lotion works best immediately after either a shower or bath.”
God, the tender railroading isn’t stopping anytime soon. But I also don’t open my mouth to say no.
