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But her words offered him little solace; especially because he could see the wince she was holding back as well as the small, egg-like swelling on the left side of her forehead.
“Don’t swing your leg.” He stood from his seat across from the bed she was seated on. Placing his hand on her thigh just a few inches above where the bandage stopped. “It will hurt more.”
“I’m fine. Really.” Smiling, Chess traced his brow with her index finger as if to erase the worry furrows that creased his forehead. “You don’t have to be so worried.”
But Tazeem couldn’t stop worrying or thinking of how much danger she’d been in today.
It had taken him eight years to find her, and today he’d almost lost her again. And this time it would’ve been for good. If Chess hadn’t had the good sense to keep him on the call before she went into that motel room… If he hadn’t heard the scramble between her and Evie… If Evie had been just a little bit smarter… If Kendall hadn’t fainted thus delayed Evie’s dastardly plan… If the cops had just been five minutes later…
All it would’ve taken was one variable and Chess would be no more.
She’d be dead.
The thought of Chess being dead, of him having to live on without her by his side, had terrified him more than he could put into words. Even though she was safe now, that fright remained alive in his system.
With a sigh, he moved to stand between her thighs and wrapped his arms around her. She melted into his embrace and her arms came around his neck. Her warmth was like a balm to the ache in his heart. It reminded him that she was here, that he hadn’t lost her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t do more,” he whispered into her neck even while fighting the tears that threatened to spill.
“You did the best you could.” She stroked his head and back. “If you hadn’t called the cops, I probably wouldn’t be here. You kept me safe.”
The reminder of what could’ve happened had him tightening his hold around her.
This whole incident had made him realize just how important Chess was to him and that without her, he was completely lost. Apart from their son, she was the only person on earth that he would gladly trade places with in a life-or-death situation. And it was all because he loved her.
“I love you,” he murmured as he hugged her tighter. “I love you.”
His confession was enough to make her stiffen in his arms. She pushed him backward until they were face-to-face and her wide eyes met his. Breathlessly, she asked, “You love me?”
“I do,” he admitted. Then once he realized just how much pressure that would put on her, he quickly added, “But you don’t have to say it back. I just thought I should let you know.”
“Well, there’s something you should know too.” Her expression was so grave that his heart bumped in alarm. However, her next words soothed him. “I love you too.”
And then she smiled.
The joy that filled him was so overwhelming that it felt like his heart would jump out of his chest. Still, he had to make sure that he hadn’t imagined her words. So, he asked, “Are you sure?”
“As sure as I’ll ever be.” She drew him back to her. “I love you, Tazeem Khan.”
“I love you too, Chelsea Winters.” Grinning, he lowered his head and met her lips.
The kiss was incredibly sweet and tender. Her lush lips played with his in a slow, sensuous dance that caused emotion to swell within him. He wanted to hold her and never let her go. He wanted to absorb her into himself so he could keep and protect her. He ached to make her one with him just so he could share in all her pain and happiness.
Slowly but surely, the kiss became more desperate. Soon, they were both clinging tightly to each other while they feverishly kissed. The kiss might’ve turned into more if the door hadn’t flown open just then.
The tall, lanky, white, male doctor who walked into the room immediately clocked what was going on. His eyebrows shot up and amusement lit his eyes as he observed the embracing couple. “Sorry, did I interrupt something?”
Of course you did. Tazeem shot the man an irritated look.
But before Tazeem could say anything, Chess shoved him away and gave the doctor a sheepish smile. “No, no, Dr. Hill. You didn’t interrupt anything. Please come in.”
The doctor’s mouth quirked in a smile as he teased, “If you want me to give you some space, I can just-” He pointed in the direction of the door.
“No, we’re good.” Chess shooed Tazeem further away from her with her eyes.
“Okay then.” Dr. Hill slipped back into business mode. Handing her a white, bulky packet, he said, “I took the liberty of getting you the painkillers you’ll need. As for the cut, you’ll need to clean the wound every day and…”
The doctor went on to describe all the steps and precautions that Chess would need to take to get her knee back in working order and to reduce the swelling on her forehead. Afterward, he let them know that Kendall was conscious now and they could see her if they wanted. Once Chess had changed from her hospital gown to her normal clothes, Tazeem grabbed a wheelchair then pushed her to her friend’s private room.
