Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34166 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“Want to hear you say it again, Jade. Need to hear the words.” His voice is a toss-up between a groan and a demand. It’s deep, raspy, and sets my soul on fire.
“I love you, Locke. Love you so much I don’t know how I ever lived without you,” I murmur into the quiet room. He’s not hooked up to any ports anymore today because he’s taking all of his medicine in pill form. He also had physical therapy, and if everything goes well today, he’ll likely be released tomorrow. Which means I’ll need to figure out a ride back to his place, change the sheets, and make sure the living room and bedroom are ready for him in the form of pillows. Then I’ll need to get his medications filled. The antibiotics are a definite; the pain pills, we’ll no doubt argue about.
I also found the note on the kitchen counter when I went to his place. It broke me. I cried, no, I wailed right there, dropping to my ass and letting the tears take control. What seemed like hours later, I got my act together, took the quickest and hottest shower of my life, and collapsed in bed with my phone clutched in my hand. You know, just in case.
“I love you, too. I heard you say it when I woke up after surgery, but the meds hit me pretty hard, so I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming it or not. Then you laid it all out for Jace, and fuck yeah, I knew.” I pull back and see his nostrils flare, cheeks turning a shade darker, and his gray eyes turn dark and stormy.
“You didn’t have to say a word to me, either. I knew you loved me. It’s in everything you do for me—cooking me dinner, listening to me rant, and the way you say my name.” I don’t bring up the fact that it’s also in the way he takes care of me sexually.
“Fuckin’ pisses me off to no end that we’re sharing these words in a hospital. I’d much rather this happened in a place where I can take this further. Fuck, thinkin’ if we do much more, I’ll have some explainin’ to do when a nurse pops in.” I look from his eyes to his lap. He ditched the hospital gown while I was gone.
“We’ll be home soon. I’m pretty sure the doctor isn’t going to clear you for any strenuous activity for the time being.” Locke grunts at my response.
“You riding me, me eating you, and you sucking my cock don’t take much work, sugar.” There’s a devilish gleam in his eyes, and I know no matter what the doctor says, holding him back is going to be impossible.
“Locke,” I all but moan while imagining doing all the things he mentioned.
“Fuck, my woman likes that. She likes that a lot.” His hand cups my breast, thumb rasping over my pebbled nipple. The lace bra and cotton shirt do nothing to deter the sensations he’s creating. His mouth goes back to mine when he pinches the tip. I close my legs, trying to create enough friction to get myself off.
“Kinda glad my phone is lost in the pile of shit.”
“I don’t want this to end, but I’m waiting on a call from Ronnie.” His forehead meets mine, his lids are heavy, and his mouth is tempting me to ignore the ringing.
“Take care of what you need to. Probably gonna close my eyes for a few minutes anyway.” He’s recovering better and faster than any other person I know, even with the bruising and scabbing along part of his leg and thigh. Then there are his shoulder and elbow. How he’s not sleeping twenty hours a day is beyond me.
“Rest, honey. You need it.” When I stand up, his hand squeezes mine for a moment, and the minute he lays his head on the pillow, he’s out like a light.
I snag my phone from the rolling table, look at the screen, and see it was Ronnie who called; she followed it up with a text.
Ronnie: Hey, I just got your message. Don’t call me back. I’ve got your shifts covered for the rest of the week. Take care of your man <3
Me: Hi, sorry I missed your call. Are you sure? I know it’s short notice. I can come in this weekend.
Ronnie: Absolutely not. Take care of you, take care of your man, and make sure you tell us if you need anything. I know the group chat is blowing up right now. We’re coming up with a meal train as we speak. Talk soon!
“Wow,” I whisper, sitting back in the chair, closing my eyes, and relaxing. This is the first time in over a day I’ve taken a deep breath and can finally release the tension. My stomach isn’t in knots, either. Yeah, I’ve got a brother who’s pissed to hell, but I’ve also got a man who loves me, family who are happy for us, and friends at my back. I’d say I’m pretty damn lucky, and I get to spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams.