“It’s okay,” he soothed. “Don’t try too hard. Just know that I’m with you and you’re going to be all right.”
But still, she wanted to see him. Wanted to make sure her imagination wasn’t playing nasty tricks on her. So she braced herself against the pain and tried harder. A small sliver of light seared her eyeballs and she promptly shut her eyes again. She lay there, nearly panting with exertion and the agony such a small movement had caused. Then she tried again, this time prepared for the light.
At first all she saw was a blurry haze. And then he moved into her line of vision.
“Hey, gorgeous,” he said softly.
She tried to smile, but that hurt too, so she just lay there slowly blinking to bring him into sharper focus.
“Hi,” she returned just as quietly.
To her utter shock, his eyes were glossy with moisture and he looked like hell. He hadn’t shaved, his hair was rumpled and his clothes looked like he’d slept in them.
She licked her lips and moaned softly. “W-what happened to me?”
Ash frowned, his eyes going dark. “You don’t remember?”
She concentrated hard but it was all a blur. “How long?”
He touched her hair, his expression worried. “How long what, love?”
“Have I been here.”
“Two days,” he said.
Her eyes widened in surprise despite the discomfort it caused her. “Two days?”
“Yes, baby. You’ve been in ICU for two days. Gave us quite a scare.”
“Am I going to be okay?”
It was a question she was afraid to ask but she had to know. She wouldn’t hurt this much if it wasn’t bad.
His face softened, his eyes going warm and loving. “You’re going to be fine. I won’t allow any other possibility.”
“Sorry,” she said with a sigh.
His head came back in surprise. “What the hell are you sorry for?”
“I overreacted,” she said. “I shouldn’t have done it. I’m sorry. I was going to call you but then . . .”
And it was then she remembered everything that had happened. She sucked in her breath at the impact the memories had. Her terror, her pain, the worry that she was going to die. Tears welled, burning her eyes.
“Oh, baby,” he said in an aching voice. “Don’t cry. And don’t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing at all.”
“Who were they?” she whispered. “Why did they do this? Why do they hate you and Gabe and Jace?”
He closed his eyes and then leaned down, touching his forehead to hers. “Let’s not talk about this right now, darling. I don’t want to upset you. I’d rather talk about how much I love you and what I’m going to do to pamper you and spoil you while you recover.”
She had to ask another question, had to know where they stood and if she’d screwed up any chance of them being together.
“Are we back together?”
He smiled. So sweet and tender it warmed her to her toes and took away some of the overwhelming pain. Relief shone in his eyes.
“Bet your ass we are.”
Her own shoulders sagged in relief. “I’m glad,” she said softly.
“God, baby, it’s torture being so close to you and unable to hold you and kiss you the way I want.”
“I’m just glad you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
She closed her eyes as fatigue and the pain grew stronger. It was becoming overwhelming and she had so many questions. She needed answers. She needed to know exactly how serious her injuries were. For that matter she didn’t even know exactly what they were.
“The nurse is here, darling. Bear with me a few more seconds and the pain will be gone.”
“Talk to me,” she begged. “I just want to hear your voice. Stay here and tell me what happened and how bad it is. I need to know.”
He wiped a hand over her forehead as the nurse injected pain medication into her IV. She felt the slight burn travel up her arm and then, right on its heels, blessed relief. A feeling of euphoria enveloped her. She felt light and floaty like she was on a cloud. The ceiling suddenly seemed right on top of her and she gasped.
“Okay?” Ash asked in concern.