“I pushed the driver to go farther than was safe. I thought I knew better. I thought I could do it alone.”
“You really couldn’t wait for me?” I try to joke, pushing the tease through my constricted throat. Anything to give her some relief.
She gives me a tired smile.
“She eats now.” The healer startles us.
I take the bowl of soup from her, the rich aroma tickling my nose. My stomach growls.
“When was the last time you ate?” Roxy asks.
“Don’t worry about me.” I sit beside her and bring a spoon to her mouth.
For once she doesn’t protest, and lets me take care of her.
“This reminds me of that night at the restaurant.” Her smile is still weak, but it’s there, and so is her wit, which just about creates more space in my lungs.
“Don’t remind me. This is the worst time to get my cock hard.”
She giggles weakly, takes another spoon, and grows serious again. “I’m sorry, Liam.”
“Stop saying that.”
I give her another spoon. She takes it. Good girl.
“I have to. Let me talk.” She turns her head away from another spoonful. “I’m sorry I sent you away. I was protecting my independence, and look where it got me.”
My hands shake as I hold the spoon stubbornly in front of her until she sighs and takes it.
“We don’t have to talk now, Thunder. You’re here. But don’t you fucking disappear on me like that ever again. I almost broke your apartment door.”
“What?” She looks at me wide-eyed. “You were in New York? The whole time? But you’re here now.”
“I was here until the day you actually decided to join me. But I missed you too much. And I realized that the last time I obeyed, I lost?—”
“Noah,” she finishes for me. “You didn’t lose me. I came to find you because I couldn’t wait anymore. I needed to tell you I’m not scared to allow.”
I frown. She’s not making much sense. Jesus, we really need to get her head checked. Maybe the injury is worse than the medicine woman assumed.
She sits up straighter. “No, no, that’s wrong. I’m still terrified, but not allowing is scarier. In fact, not allowing is the worst, the shittiest place to be stuck in.”
Or maybe she is still running a fever. “What are you talking about?”
She takes the bowl from me and drinks the soup before she puts it on the nightstand. At least she is putting her well-being first.
She shifts to face me better and cups my face. Feeling her warm palm on my skin steals my breath.
Relief. Safety. Home.
“You told me love isn’t deserved; it needs to beallowed.” Her gaze caresses me like the first rays of sunshine after rain.
She allows my love. She’s finally taking a step forward. With me.
“Thunder.” My voice cracks.
“I love you, Liam Stone.”
Chapter 34
