As the cool liquid hit her veins, she nearly laughed at how unfair life could sometimes be.
After years of wishing the love of her life would come back to her, he was finally here. Still close enough to reach out and touch, even.
God, she’d wanted to. Every night since he walked out on her, Ellena had wanted nothing more than to feel his warm body next to hers.
To hold and comfort him, and to let him know he wasn’t alone in his grief.
More importantly, she’d prayed for the day he’d finally accept the fact that what had happened back then wasn’t his fault.
That day never came.
When the nurse left and they were alone once more, Ellena looked over to find Gabe staring back at her. Try as she might, she still couldn’t read his expression.
“So what’s the plan, sailor?” The naval-inspired endearment she always used to use slipped out before she’d even realized it.
Damn, those drugs work fast.
Gabe leaned a little closer. “The plan is, I stick around until I can figure out who has you in their sights and stop them before they can hurt you anymore than they already have.”
Ellena gave up trying to convince him the wreck was a simple accident…for now. Instead, she asked, “What’re you gonna do…be my personal…bodyguard?” Her lids were getting heavy, and her words were starting to slur.
“Pretty much.”
She closed her eyes then blinked them open again. “I’m too tired…to argue about this…now.” Another long blink. “Call you…tomorrow. We can…argue…then. What hotel…are you…at?”
She could’ve sworn he was fighting a grin. “I’m not staying at a hotel.”
“Where…you…staying?”
“With you.”
Whatever was in her IV must be stronger than she thought, because itsoundedlike Gabe said he was staying with her.
Frowning, Ellena forced her eyes open again. With the most serious glare she could muster, she said, “Did the nurse…give you…drugs…too?” No way was he serious.
It was hard enough being in the sameroomwith him. Ellena considered herself to be a pretty strong woman in most rights, but sleeping under the same roof with Gabriel Dawson again?
That was one challenge she’d lose, hands down.
Hands down…pants down…
Gabe chuckled, the sound both sweet and painful to hear. “Close your eyes, Elle,” he ordered softly. “We can discuss it later.”
Ellena wanted to discuss itnowbut talking was pretty much impossible at this point.Unable to fight it any longer, she did as he said and closed her eyes.
A second later, something warm and a little wet pressed gently against her forehead. It lingered there for a moment, and somewhere in the back of her clouded mind, she recognized the sensation as a soft, sweet kiss.
The last thing Ellena heard before she relinquished herself into the narcotic bliss was Gabe’s whispered voice.
“Sleep tight, sweetheart. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Chapter 4
“Absolutely not.”
Standing in Ellena’s small entryway, Gabe stared back at his beautiful, determined wife. He wasn’t at all surprised by her refusal to accept his idea.
Especially since they’d been having this same argument for the past several hours.
