“Are you always so stubborn?” Jag asked before he gave the command for medical. “Or am I the only one who gets to enjoy that part of you?”
“Yes, I am and no, you are not… the only one who gets to enjoy it. But, if you don’t get me to Hunter as soon as physically possible, I’m going to show you just how stubborn I can be,” Jesse snapped back.
Jag’s eyebrow rose this time. “Still threatening the commanding officer, I see,” he grunted. “You’ll be with Hunter in less than one minute. I have to warn you, the healer is keeping him under sedation until he has more time to heal. His wounds were much worse than they first suspected.”
“What do you mean? Much worse,” Jesse asked.
“He received a blow to his back that was already damaged. It caused bone fragments to pierce his spinal column. The fragments have been removed but there is some concern that it may have caused some damage to his lower extremities.”
Jesse paled and swayed but remained calm. They would deal with whatever happened. All she cared about was that he was alive.
“When will they know?” She asked.
Jag stepped out of the lift when the doors opened. He waited for Jesse. Staring down at her, he continued to be impressed by her quiet resolve.
“In a few days, hopefully. I’ll have the healer discuss it thoroughly with you,” Jag responded quietly.
“Thank you.”
“He is a good warrior,” Jag said with a shrug.
“He is more than that,” Jessed replied, tilting her head up to stare at the huge male. “He is my Amate.”
Chapter 24
Hunter woke in stages. He knew he was on board the Star Raider. He recognized Carp's deep voice speaking to someone before he faded out again. The next time he woke he could have sworn he could feel Jesse’s sweet hands caressing him. He wanted to reach out and grasp her but the darkness took him again. When he woke again, he could sense Carp bending over him.
“Don’t,” he whispered hoarsely. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” Carp’s deep voice asked.
“Don’t… sleep,” Hunter forced out. “Don’t put sleep.”
Carp’s low chuckle echoed in the dim room. “No more sleep for you, my friend. We need you to wake up so we can see what kind of damage you’ve done,” he responded.
Hunter’s eyes opened and he blinked. “Jesse,” he murmured.
“I’m here,” Jesse responded.
He slowly turned his head toward her voice. He blinked several times before she became clearer. He drank in her beautiful face.
“Love you,” he forced out.
Jesse’s face softened and a sweet smile curved her lips. She raised her hand to brush his hair back along his brow before tracing her fingers along the hard lines of his face. She continued caressing him with her thumb as she leaned over and brushed a kiss along his lips before rubbing her nose along his.
“I love you too, Hunter,” she said softly.
“Tired,” Hunter murmured as his eyes began to close again. “Don’t… go.”
“I’ll be right here,” Jesse whispered tenderly. “I’ll always be here for you.”
Jesse glanced up at Carp with concerned eyes. She watched as he lowered the blanket around Hunter’s feet. The grim look in his eyes caused her to worriedly bite her lip before her eyes moved back to Hunter’s peaceful face.
..*
A week later, Jesse was ready to kill Hunter. If she heard him growl at the poor physical therapist working with him one more time, she was going to stuff a sock in his mouth. He had been a bear with a sore tooth since Carp informed him that he would need more time to heal.
“I don’t give a damn. I don’t need your fucking holding on to me like a babe,” Hunter snarled.
“Sir, you’ve had extensive damage to your spine,” the therapist was saying. “It takes time for the implants to learn what you are telling them.”
“I said…” Hunter began when Jesse finally stepped forward.
“Why don’t you take a break?” Jesse suggested. “I’d like to spend some time with my Amate.”
The therapist looked like he wanted to argue but decided a break would probably be better when he glanced back at Hunter’s dark face. He nodded and slid the mobile chair behind Hunter. With a quick bow, he turned and left them alone.
Jesse watched as Hunter grimaced as he lowered himself back into the chair with a look of distaste. He pressed the control on the side of the chair and moved it to the large windows that looked out over dark space. She knew he was trying to block her out. He had been doing it ever since he woke fully only to discover that he had limited feeling in his legs.
“You can’t ignore me forever,” she said softly. “I won’t let you.”
“You need to leave,” Hunter replied harshly. “I don’t want you here.”
“Bull shit!” Jesse ground out. “You need me now more than ever.”
..*