“It’s fine,” he mutters. “I didn’t want to see the doctor. I only agreed to make you happy.”
“That’s not entirely true. I know it.”
Dax shrugs. “Sure, I got scared yesterday, but I’m fine now. I can take care of myself.”
“Iknow you can, but you don’t have to. I’m here.”
“I’m not your project.”
I release his arm. “I just care about you. I want your life to be easier.”
He traces my jaw and whispers, “It is. Just being with you is enough.”
“I can do more,” I insist. “It doesn’t have to be medical. I’ll do anything, and I promise to see it through this time.”
“Sassy, it’s fine. You don’t have to…”
“I know I don’t,” I blurt. “But I want to. I was serious about my father’s private investigator. No one would know he’s on your mother’s trail.”
Dax’s complexion dulls, and fear amplifies the gray in his eyes. “Don’t do that.”
“Are you sure? He’s the best in the business.”
“I said no!”
I sit back, arching my shoulders high as my heart thumps to break free.
Dax runs a hand over his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. I just don’t want to risk Lance finding her.”
I sit up as the dread rolls off my back. “It’s okay, I won’t do anything. I don’t want you to be mad at me.”
“I’m not. You just need to cool it.”
I lower myself beside him. “Easier said than done.”
His arms sweep around me, and he pulls me on top of him. I melt into him, worried I’ll inflame his bruises, but he keeps a hold of me. He mumbles a soft moan in our kiss, and the friction between us deepens. I plant my hands on his chest, my fingers playing with the pendant on his chain.
I move my kisses down to his chin, his neck, and along his collarbone. As my hands move across his chest, they slip under the low collar of his tank. I smile as my fingers trace the Roman numerals tattooed on his skin. MMLXXXV.
I mumble a laugh. “When you’re eighty, huh?”
He smiles and sinks into the pillow. “It’s funny. Being alone with you is the closest to freedom I could ever imagine.”
I lower my lips to his and comb my hands through his hair, taking in his earthy scent. His hands press into my back and wander down my spine. As everything blurs around us, his heart pulsates toward mine, and its rhythm lulls me into nirvana.
His hands rise along my back, one camping between my shoulder blades, the other tucking hair behind my ear. As we kiss, I catch his hand and clutch it hard as I seize the burning cravings inside me.
Our spell breaks as a muffled banging sounds in the living room.
Dax’s lips slide away from mine, and his head turns toward the wall. “What was that?”
I slide my hand onto his cheek, turning him back to me. “It’s a staff member dropping off food. I already organized it with Murphy.”
My lips devour his again, enjoying the taste as if it’s the first time.
“Well, this is interesting,” my mother’s voice interrupts from the doorway.
I slide off Dax and choke as I stare at my mother.
