AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jim nodded. “You know, I had a woman I cared deeply about once. She too was tall, blonde, and had a killer smile that made me weak at the knees every time. If you love that woman, then you should make things real and protect her. Think about it, mate.”
I nodded and thanked him again before heading to the side of the road to flag down a cab. The ride back to my hotel suite was a long one. I wanted to relax and spend the next few hours sleeping, but that wasn’t going to happen because I still had to get back to the hospital.
I can’t rest until she’s all right.
Ryan would stay with her until I got there, and I’d stay the night too.
After a long shower, and some time staring at my reflection in the mirror, I got dressed and headed back to the hospital.
Nina was sitting on her bed when I arrived, and Ryan had probably made a joke because there was a wide smile on her cheeks, and she was holding her sides as she laughed gently.
“Ryan, goodness,” she said and tapped his shoulder gently. “Please don’t make me laugh, it hurts a lot.”
I slowed my steps when I walked into the hospital room, and Ryan cleared his throat, then kissed Nina on her right cheek. “I’ll let you two talk.”
When Ryan left the room, I slipped my hands into my pockets and rocked back on my heels before sighing.
“Jack,” she said in a shaky voice as her gaze pierced into mine. Once again, I was reminded of the shivers she made me feel, and how my heart tingled each time I was with her.
“I’m sorry, Nina,” I said, and closed the rest of the space between us. I sat on the edge of the bed and took her hands in my hand. “I’m sorry, and I love you.”
I had words lined up in my head, but in that moment, I couldn’t think of any to say to her. All I could think of was the feelings coursing through me.
“You said that to me,” she answered in the same low tone. “When I was dying, you said …”
“I really do love you, Nina. I’ve always been in love with you—always.”
My gaze held hers, and hers searched mine before she licked her lips and sighed. “You ghosted me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You made me feel … you made me angry, and hurt and miserable.” She shoved against my chest with the little strength she had, but I held her wrists and pressed them close to my chest.
“I’m sorry,” I repeated.
“I blocked your contact and all your socials. I never wanted to see you again.”
Tears slid down her cheeks as she spoke now, and I couldn’t bear to see her cry, so I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tight. “I’m sorry,” I hummed again before I kissed the side of her neck and rocked her into me. “I’m sorry … I’m sorry. I was too scared to lose you or let you get hurt because of my life. I didn’t even realize that I was pushing you away.”
“I love you, Jack,” she finally said, her voice barely audible. “I’m in love with you.”
When I pulled back, I framed her cheeks with my hands and kissed her deeply to silence her sobs and fill my hunger for her. “I love you, and I’m never leaving you or our baby again.”
“You know?”
I nodded my reply, and kissed her cheeks, then dried her tears with my hands. “I know, and we’re going to be a family now. Always and forever.”
“I’d like that very much,” she agreed, and a slow smile budded on her lips before she leaned inches closer to me again for a kiss.
This time, I poured every feeling and emotion into the kiss. I loved Nina … I had made my mistakes, and I planned never to repeat them.
This was a new chapter that I never imagined I would have, and I would get it right this time.
Chapter Twenty-one
Nina
TwoMonthsLater
