“You’re serious?”
“Yes!”
He blows out a breath. “Wow.”
I caress his cheek. “You’re going to be fine.”
He swallows roughly. “You know, I really thought I’d get better on my own.”
“I know you did. Now you can get treatment, and my family will make sure you get the very best.”
“I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
I laugh nervously. “You’re not. I’m doing this because I love you.”
A sparkle lights his eyes, and his smile curves. “I love you too.”
I lower myself to press a gentle kiss on his lips. He doesn’t have the strength to kiss me back, but the fact he’s present is all I need.
“I’ll also make sure you’re on a healthy diet. I’m going to help you through this no matter what.”
“The cigarette I used to free you was the last I’ll ever smoke. I swear.”
I tear up, nodding.
He gasps and jolts his head up, forcing me to recoil in alarm. His eyes widen, and he searches for my arm.
“Your wrist. You got burned. Is it okay?” he asks in panic.
I place a hand on his chest, feeling the drumming of his heart. I shush him gently, smiling as I lift my bandaged wrist.
“I’m okay. Remember what the doctor said, no stress. You can lie down.”
His head falls back onto the pillow out of necessity.
I run a finger over the bandage that encases the burn mark. “It still stings, but it’ll heal.”
“I hate that I burned you.”
“Baby, you saved me.”
“But I ruined your precious skin.”
I grin. “I don’t know. Maybe you marked me for the better.”
He tilts his head; the sparkle enlivening his eyes. “There’s something deliciously bad in you, Vanessa Ashworth.”
I run a finger under his bottom lip. “That’s Sassy to you.”
Epilogue
7 Weeks Later...
FromwhatI’mtold,the gala for St. Mark’s Hospital was a roaring success. Of course, my mother wanted me there, front and center, but no one was prying me from Dax’s side. How could I possibly schmooze benefactors when the guy I’m in love with was still in recovery?
I wrote a speech for the event and my mother read it on my behalf. Let’s be real, this is how it always should’ve gone down. My mother loves the spotlight and taking in the adulation. But when I told her I was quitting the society events committee, her vicious side came out to play.
It didn’t matter how she tried to deal with me, I wasn’t backing down. Besides, she promised our family that she isn’t leaving town again. She’s here to lead the committee, and she loves doing it. Somewhere down the line, we can re-evaluate my involvement, but right now, I’m done with that world.
