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“I’m really okay. It’s over now.”
“Yes, but bear with me if I don’t let you out of my sight for a fuck of a long time.”
She smiles, her eyes brightening as she lets out a small laugh and cuddles into my chest, laying her cheek over my heart. “Where is everyone?”
“Waiting down the hall for me to call and tell them you’re awake.”
“So, in actuality, they’re probably all crowded around the door ready to pounce?”
“Probably, along with a few officers who want to talk to you and an armed police guard.”
She stiffens, her fingers gripping at my shirt. “Dare I ask about Carlos?”
“I have no idea what’s happening with him.”
There’s a long silence, and I wonder if she’s fallen back asleep when she talks softly. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Of course, but I can wait.”
She scoots back, lifting her head, and slides her hand to where her cheek was lying. “You’re heart is racing.”
“Not surprising.”
Her mouth comes to mine in a soft kiss that ends way too soon. “I was scared at first, then things changed. I’m not sure if I can explain how I felt, but the fear was a different kind.”
I fight to control the rage simmering with her admission. “We’ll get you help, the best therapist available to deal with kidnapped victims.”
“You misunderstand. I was scared for you. When I woke up, I had no idea what was happening, but then the purpose became clear when I saw Carlos and heard his story. Things were tense, and the first night I didn’t sleep. It seemed unfathomable he’d take me for the sole purpose of caring for his brother. So many thoughts crossed my mind of his plans for me.”
Every muscle and nerve in my body strains tight thinking of him touching her. Knowing he didn’t doesn’t calm the wrath brewing inside thinking of her alone in a room waiting for the unthinkable to happen. Possession and protection become one in my mind as I grip her tighter until she whimpers, bringing my mind back to her.
“Mathis, sweetie, you need to listen. Look at me and listen,” she urges, now caressing the back of my scalp.
I do as she asks, instantly mesmerized by her glistening blue eyes. “He never gave me a reason to be frightened. My room was safe. I had a purpose. Twelve hours a day, I spent with Carlos, following a routine you outlined and knowing he was receiving a care plan from the best doctor in the world. When he was awake, we played games, joked around, and talked about his life. Stefan joined us for short stints, making sure we were taken care of and offering whatever needed to make Carlos comfortable. He never ever touched me inappropriately or spoke to me harshly after the first day. When we met for Carlos’ lab results, he valued my opinion and followed my advice. He took every night shift, allowing me time to decompress, and stocked my room with books, magazines, and privacy. I cried myself to sleep at night, thinking of you, my parents, and everyone else… chanting over and over I was okay and hoping you could feel it.”
“Jesus Christ, baby. I felt it. The terror was never far from my mind, but I felt it every time I laid down in the bed, took a shower, or looked around our condo. In my bones, you were with me every second of the day.” I lay
my forehead against hers, pressing her close.
“The minute I saw you, the guilt set in and crippled me. That may be why I passed out.”
I shoot back, one hand moving to thread through her hair, the other splaying on her back to keep her close. “Why the fuck do you feel guilty?”
“B-b-because I was fine,” she stammers and tears puddle in her eyes. “A-a-and I can understand why he did what he did.”
My jaw clenches, teeth grinding. Hearing her sympathize with the man who put me through the worst hell in the world is almost too much to take. The wrath and rage explode, and before I can stop myself, I lose the little control I was holding on to. “He took you from me and all the people you love. The image of you being tossed into a van unconscious will forever plague me. For hours, we waited for a call for ransom until we linked into his motives. Even then, I was forced to keep my mouth shut and not reveal everything to the press to try to find you. I was helpless. We all were helpless!” I shout a little too loud, her body jerking.
We stare at each other for long seconds, both of us trembling for different reasons. Tears continue to fall while her eyes swim with worry and then clear to the most brilliant blue. Then she does the only thing possible in this world to soothe me and ease a touch of the tension at the same time.
“I love you, Dr. Delicious. You’ve never been helpless. I know this is hard for you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to erase that memory. I’m yours, and we’re going to get married, and this is going to be a blip of our pasts that we move past. Together.”
At the mention of marriage, I release her back and yank the chain from my neck. “Give me your hand, baby.”
She senses my intentions and eagerly does as I ask. The ring’s radiance seems to shine brighter once it’s settled on her finger. I blow out a deep breath, more tension easing.
“Is it time for you to finally kiss me?”
My mouth crashes to hers, tongue sliding between her parted lips and curling around hers eagerly. I growl at the first taste of her in a week. Without breaking contact, I gently roll her to her back and cover her body partially with my own, threading my fingers through her hair and tugging the hair tie from the ponytail. She hums, tossing her thigh over mine and locking her ankle behind my knee. I’m hard instantly with the slightest contact of her hips rocking with mine. Need ignites in my bloodstream, but it’s not driven by sexual energy. This is the primal instinct of having her back in my arms safe.
