“It’s not the pain that’s keeping me awake.”
“Talk to me. What is it?” she said, adjusting how she was sitting to face me, her knee hitting mine.
“You’ve been taking care of me.”
“I know.”
“Taking time off work.”
“Sort of. Remember, my father has assigned me to you only now.”
“I’ve been all those things I swore I’d never be.”
“And I am still here. Are you noticing a pattern?”
“Yeah, I’m starting too.”
Bianca let out a breath and placed her hand on my knee. “I like your vulnerability. It doesn’t scare me. It never has.”
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back, taking a deep breath. “But my dad?—”
“We’ve gone over this with your counselor. You aren’t your father. Needing help after surgery, letting someone who loves you take care of you is trusting, Evan.”
“What about your father? What is he going to think?” I questioned.
Bianca shrugged. “I don’t care. I meant what I said to you before the surgery. I love you and I’m choosing you. Not some silly version of you in your head. If my father doesn’t like it, that is too bad for him.”
Bianca shifted herself so she was beside me, leaning against the headboard. She leaned over and placed a kiss on my cheek.
“I want your lips on mine,” I murmured.
Carefully, she got up and straddled my lap, resting her hands on my chest, careful of my shoulder. I wrapped my one good arm around her waist and leaned forward, kissing her softly.
She kissed me a little harder, her fingers curled into my shirt, tugging me closer. Her lips trembled against mine. I slid my good hand under the hem of my T-shirt, finding her warm, bare skin. I could feel myself growing harder as she shifted on my lap, grinding against me.
“We should…” She moaned. “You are still recovering.”
“I know,” I whispered, allowing my fingers to trace the lace band of her panties as she rested her forehead against mine, her eyes closed.
“You need your rest. Timing matters.”
“I know, but right now, I need you more.”
I watched her as she climbed off me, adjusting the covers before doing anything else.
“Lie down,” she whispered.
Carefully, I slid down, allowing her to adjust the pillows behind me. Then she threw the covers over me, lay down beside me, and rested her head against my chest. I closed my eyes as she drew circles on my chest while my good arm wrapped around her.
A MonthLater
“I don’t think I have ever been this nervous walking into the Lair before,” I said to Bianca as she pulled the door open for me.
“Not even for the playoffs?” she questioned.
“Nope, not playoffs or games. Never. And before you ask, not even when your father called me into his office after I’d done something wrong.”
Bianca let out a little giggle as she pressed the call button for the elevator.
