Page 64 of Hard to Love

“The thing is, when my eyes found yours that first day we met, I knew we’d be together forever. My heart was attached to yours at that moment. Love is so odd. We can hate someone quickly, but we can forgive them just as easily when we love them. Even when we hate what they did or how they made us feel, just because we loved them first.

I do believe I loved you first. No. There’s no argument; I loved you first. Although, you win at loving me best. You do, Hardy. You love me better than anyone on earth. I fell in love with you for all the things you did, something you didn’t realize you were doing. I’ve never had anyone believe in me the way you do. Hell, I even love when you call me ‘hun.’” I chuckle lightly.

“So many times, people laughed at me for wanting to go into the landscaping business. You didn’t blink an eye. I often felt you doubted us because of me. The realization hit that you never had a doubt in me, but that it was your past playing a role in your vision of yourself to which the unbelief grew.”

After that night, my heart grew wary. I know such injuries take time, but we were still there a week later, waiting for a sign. Hardy had very little change. They continued to tell me it was to be expected. This was normal. They began weaning him off the sedation; it had been to keep him under an induced coma. To heal properly.

If his test comes back good later today, they’ll remove the vent. I can’t wait to kiss his lips. They’ll probably be dry when it gets released; I wonder if I have any lip balm in my purse. Oh, hand lotion. I’ve rubbed his hand raw; we need that also.

Now that a few of his bandages are off, I decided to sponge him down. “This is hot, babe. I gotta say, I think we need to make this a regular activity. Sponge bathing is fucking hot. I miss seeing your abs, by the way. Can’t wait until they take this shit off too.”

When I get him close to naked, a nurse walks into the room to check his vitals. Her eyes cut to Hardy more than once before she begins to openly ogle him. Bitch is about to get slapped. His arms lie at his sides, defined by both the muscles and the ink on them. His legs are cut, and the bandages fall just above his pelvis, leaving his pelvis clearly visible. I clear my throat to get her attention.

“Very nice looking man you have here.” She grins at me.

“I know; that’s why he’s mine. We’re engaged.” I flash my ring in her face. She fake smiles at it, leaving just after.

A few hours later, Hardy’s vent comes out. I’m not sure what I expected, but there was no change in him. He just lay there, still. Around one in the morning, overcome with emotion, I begin to cry. I knew it was too much to ask, but I really had hoped that when his vent was removed, he’d come out of this. When he didn’t, that’s when I really became scared. Hours later, I’m frightened beyond words.

Laying my head across him, I rub my cheek on his hand. Once again, crying until the tears run down his fingers onto the sheet. I fear for our future. I’m afraid he’s never coming back to me. The memories of him leaving eat at my resolve.

“You know you’re wrong; I loved you first, hun,” his words startle me, and I rocket from my seat, knocking it over.

“What? What did you say?” I beg to hear his voice again as my eyes fill.

“You just want to hear me say it. I loved you first.” A slight grin plays on his dried lips.

“Loved me first?” I ask as I kiss his face all over.

“I loved you first, hun. By the way, you do know I have lips for that.” His delicious words make me bite my lip.

“Not until I see those beautiful eyes of yours, handsome.” Hovering over him, I try to keep from leaning on his stomach and chest. Slowly, he works his eyes open.

“Now, kiss me before that nurse gets back in here.”

“She can come back all she wants, but she’s not getting you; you’re mine.” Softly, I press my lips to his.

“Such a badass. You may be spending too much time with Lea. We can’t be getting married and having a million kids already.” His smile grows more prominent, making his eyes crinkle in the corners.

“Well, I was thinking, wedding by Christmas, pregnant by Valentine’s Day,” I say, pressing my lips to his once again.

“Are you kidding? I thought you wanted to take this slow?” A perfect V forms between his eyes to mirror the concern in his voice.

“Not at all. As a matter of fact, sir, we could do the wedding and kid all in one night if you’re up to it?” I suggest before I lean in for another sweet kiss. His hand is in my hair, pulling me into those lips of his.

“I loved you first.”

I ring the nurses’ station. Hardy’s room becomes a veritable chaotic scene. Doctor after doctor comes through, nurses moving and changing things. His eyes never leave mine, nor does his hand. He’s poked and prodded, examined, and looked at. We share smiles and winks as everyone around us dissipates.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Us

Never did we think after all we had been through that life would throw us such a curveball. To almost lose the love of your life once should be enough to last a lifetime. But to do it twice should give us extra credit for time served.

Helping Hardy to jog pants and a t-shirt was a highlight for sure. His wicked grin at me on my knees in front of him had me wet. But seeing him bite his lip when my cheek grazed his cock as I pulled his pants up drove me insane.

Standing, I sit him on the edge of his bed. Bad idea, he pulls me against his bare chest. My hands run over his biceps as we stare deeply into one another’s eyes. Pressing our lips together, I moan with satisfaction.