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I nodded. “I know.”
She kissed my jawline. “What’s got you so distracted?”
I sighed, lowering my voice to a whisper. “I thought I was going to die, Rae.”
She moved away from my side and I reached out for her. I didn’t want her to move. Hell, I didn’t even want to bring up the conversation. I didn’t want to lie to her, though, either. I shot up like lightning, swallowing back a small groan. While the pain in my ribcage was mostly gone, it had its moments. Just like my physical therapist said it would. Rae held the blanket against her body as she covered her beauty from me. I reached out for her, pulling her back into me as I re-situated us. My back was against the couch while we sat on the floor, facing a blank television screen. One that should have been playing a movie, had we taken the time to actually indulge that whim.
Her cheek leaned against my shoulder. “You almost did.”
I nodded. “You know, when I was bleeding out at the bottom of that hill, the only thing that kept me going was your voice.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I think, even before I heard your voice, my body knew you were there. My heart did. And had it not been for you, that river would’ve dragged me off and I would’ve been done for.”
She pressed deeply into me. “I wasn’t going to let that happen. Not by a fucking long shot.”
“I know. I wouldn't have pulled through had you not been there, Rae. Looking back on it now, I knew it was Mike calling out for you. I heard him. I heard him telling you to stop. And had you listened, I wouldn’t be here.”
“Michael was just trying t—”
I shook my head. “I’m not blaming him for anything. He was worried about you. And rightfully so. Just—thank you. For coming after me anyway.”
“You’re more than welcome, Clint.”
“And thank you for coming to visit me, despite the dickhead my father can be. I’m glad that didn’t keep you away, because I’m not sure I could’ve pulled through in that place had it not been for you.”
She kissed my cheek. “Sure you would have. You’re a fighter.”
“Is it possible for a fighter to be tired of fighting, though?”
She cupped my cheek, turning my face toward hers. “Of course it’s possible. But that doesn’t mean a fighter loses his passion. It simply means he rests. This is your resting time, Clint. It’s time for you to lean on those you can trust. But it doesn’t mean you stop fighting. Not until you reach the top of wherever you want to be. And I’ll be right there, fighting along with you. Every step of the way. Until you have everything you want out of your life.”
I paused. “How the hell did I luck up with someone like you?”
She grinned. “You’re good at sex.”
I snickered before my lips found hers again. She giggled against my mouth as my tongue parted her lips. I cupped the nape of her neck. I held her to me as she moved against my body. I felt her straddle my lap, climbing against my body until she pressed against me once more. I slid my fingers through her hair, holding her tightly to me. And as her hands slid down my chest, they settled against my heart.
My rapidly-beating heart.
“Rae?”
“Yes, Clint?”
“There’s something I need to tell you.”
She pulled back, our eyes meeting while she studied me. My thumb stroked over her cheek as her fingertips danced along the outlines of my chest. The words were on the tip of my tongue. Sitting right there, percolating just for her. All I had to do was find the courage to say them. And I figured after almost dying, it’d be an easy thing to do.
But, it wasn’t.
“Clint? What’s wrong?”
I shook my head. “Nothing. I just—”
A flash of lights streamed through the living room windows and I’d never moved so fast in all my life. Rae rushed around, gathering her clothes as I stayed on the floor. I reached for my boxers, pulling them up so quickly I got my damn balls caught up in them. I moved my clothes to a corner, watching as Rae rushed into the kitchen. Never in my life had I gotten dressed so quickly. I didn’t know I had that kind of speed built into me. I pulled my shirt over my head as the light faded down the road, not bothering to pull into the driveway.
And as Rae threw the front door open, she giggled breathlessly.
