“Mr. Ruelle, you can come in now.” Nodding, I follow behind her, the sounds of monitors and our steps the only sounds. “She’s stable. We can’t find any physical injuries, so we believe the blood was from one of the other victims.”
“Taylor. She’s dead.” The nurse nods in understanding and explains that it’s a matter of waiting for Stella to wake up. “I can stay?” I ask.
“Yes. I’ve placed a call to her mother. She’s on her way now.”
I thank her, and she leaves me alone to stare down at Stella in her hospital gown—pale, fragile, weak. But she’s not weak; I know she’s not. Stella is so fucking strong, and she’ll come out of this, and I’ll be by her side every step of the way.
Dragging over a stool, I sit next to her bed and grip her hand, bringing it to my lips and gently kissing each knuckle. “Come on, sugar, wake up for Daddy.” The title slips out with ease, and the rightness constricts my chest. My lips roam around her hand, kissing the tips of each finger, the inside of her wrist, her palm. Holding her to my face, my eyes close, and our lives flash before my eyes.
Love, laughter, family, and as many kids as I can put in her. None of that will happen, though, if she doesn’t wake up. She will. That inner voice rears its head.
I’m not the kind of man who entertains doubt, who feels fear. Not ordinarily. But Stella calls to a different side of myself, and I don’t know if I like it very much. It’s too vulnerable. Too exposing.
“You.” Her soft voice stuns me until my eyes slowly lift to catch her beautiful, icy stare watching me.
“Sugar.” I rise to my feet, leaning over her bed and dropping a light kiss on her lips. My first taste, and it’s fucking magnificent.
“What are you doing here?” Her puzzlement isn’t surprising; we don’t know each other. Not really.
“I found you. It nearly killed me to see you covered in so much blood. I don’t think I’ll ever get that image out of my head.”
Tears pool in her eyes, and a sorrowful sob breaks from her body. Without hesitation, I lie on the bed with her and hold her tight in my arms as she breaks down while the scene replays through her mind.
“You don’t even know me,” she hiccups into my chest, her warm breath heating me up in all the ways I shouldn’t be right now.
“I know plenty about you, sugar, and once you’re released, Daddy is taking you home and caring for you.”
Her head pops up to stare at my face as she processes what I’ve said. Sagging into me again, she nods and begins breathing easier.
“Have to tell you something, Stella,” I say when I spot her mom with a nurse, coming down the hallway towards us.
“What?” Our lips brush as she looks up and I look down. Savoring the touch I’m quickly becoming addicted to.
“I told them I was your fiancé.” A bubble of laughter puffs from between her lips.
“You’re serious.” I give her a sharp nod. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Vito Ruelle. I’m thirty-eight years old, born and raised in Florida. I live on Woodlawn Beach, and I’ve been coming to that diner for so damn long because I’ve wanted your attention.”
Her eyes widen slightly before she rests her head on my chest once again. “Hold me tighter…Daddy.” It’s just a flit of air, barely a sound, but my body ignites, and my dick pounds beneath the fly of my jeans.
“Oh! Miss Jade, you’re awake. How wonderful. Your mother is here too. I’ll fetch the doctor.” The nurse is too perky for my liking, but she’s gone in a flash.
“Stella, sweetheart.” Her mom breaks down in tears at seeing her only child in such a situation.
Slipping from the bed, I make room for Claudia to hug her daughter as they whisper to each other. After a couple of minutes, they pull apart, and her mom stares me up and down. Sizing up my worth, and I don’t blame her a damn bit.
“So, you’re him, are you?” Claudia crosses her arms and stands between us, her action protective.
“I am.” Uncertain if Stella has spoken about me, or just explained what I told her, my girl keeps quiet.
“You think you can handle my daughter? Her hopes and dreams?” The woman’s chin raises in challenge.
“If she’ll let me, yeah. I know I can.” Christ, this is not what I was expecting.
“Good. Because I did a crappy job, and she deserves the world.” Her strained tone is palpable as she admonishes herself.
“Mom, don’t say that.” Stella’s delicate hand rests on the older woman’s elbow.
