Chapter Twenty-One
Bennett
June
I slipped into Felix’s hospital room and pressed the door shut behind me. With one glance at the man I loved, lying there in that hospital bed, I knew I was making the right decision.
Carissa froze, looking over her shoulder at me from her position next to his IV stand.
“Have you stopped the weaning process already?” I asked.
She shook her head, her face drawn like she didn’t want to be here. “I’m in here to do that now. The longer we wait, the harder the reversal will be on his body.”
“Can I have ten minutes with him please? Alone?” I asked, pleading with wide eyes. I ran a hand through my hair. “Just ten minutes.”
She took a deep breath, her bright blue eyes sympathetic. “I forgot to take my break. Human Resources is a real stickler about us taking all our breaks. Apparently, it’s a federal compliance issue. Thanks for reminding me.”
I swallowed thickly and waited as she walked toward me.
She put a hand on my shoulder. “My break is fifteen minutes long and then I’ll need to pick up where I left off.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, stepping out of her way.
She opened the door and left, closing it gently behind her.
I rushed to the bed and ran my hand over Felix’s cheek as I leaned over him and grabbed one hand, squeezing it tight.
“I know you can hear me, Felix. I know you’re in there,” I cried, tears falling onto his skin. “I really hope you’ve heard everything, even that stupid story Ally told you about being caught with my dick out, because then you’ll know the position I’m in right now.”
I pressed my forehead to his and took a shaky breath.
“I love you so much. I love you for a million reasons: Because you’re funny and caring, because you’re confident while still needing me to remind you how worthy of love you are, and, handsome, because you are so fucking worthy of love.
” I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.
“I knew the first time I saw you that you were made for me. It was the most surreal experience of my life, walking into Ally’s bar and seeing you there, like a missing piece of my soul came to life in front of me.
I hadn’t even known that I was incomplete before you showed up. ”
I wiped my nose and kissed him, his skin moist with my tears.
“What I felt for you in that moment is impossible to explain, but what I grew to feel over the last three months with you is undoubtedly the most amazing kind of love, only strengthened by the connection of fate that we share. You’re mine and I’ve known it from the beginning, but I’ve never wanted to force this on you. I wanted you to be ready.”
I choked on a sob, words straining as emotion clogged my throat.
“I really need you to be ready, Felix. I’m going to do this.
I promised I’d always be there for you, and I know this is what you need.
This isn’t about my ego; you need me to help you heal.
I’m just not sure I can get through what has to happen without a sign that you want this too.
Because as much as I’m convinced that I know you want this, the part of me that hasn’t heard you say it yet would rather die than force this on you.
I don’t know how else to keep him away from you right now, and I know, I know with everything I am that you want me here.
I know I’m yours and you’re mine and if there’s a chance that you know that too, then, please, I’m begging you. I really need you to tell me.”
I dropped my head on his shoulder and shook with sobs. I was pushing my luck on the fifteen minutes Carissa had given me. I could only hope Oak and Reid would stall her if they had to.
I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand as I lifted my head, ready to face my decision when pressure against my palm made me gasp.
I looked down at Felix’s hand in mine and marveled at his fingers as they flexed again, squeezing my hand in a weak grip.
A fraction of the heaviness in my chest released, as I squeezed him back.
I scent marked him and whispered in his ear, “Thank you, handsome.”
I nuzzled my nose against him, scenting him over and over again before moving to the other side of his neck, the one with his bonding mark.
I had no idea how overriding a bond worked.
I’d never known anyone to do it before, but the thought of biting him there to try and erase Ryder didn’t sit right with me.
I scented him before returning to his left side.
“I love you, Felix. I’ll always love you,” I said, dropping my canines as I lowered my mouth to his neck.
I took one last breath, holding it as I sank my teeth into the soft flesh of Felix’s neck.
His body arched off the bed and I softened my jaw, keeping us locked together as I felt the bond forming and solidifying between us.
His heart beat in time with mine, his confusion filled my mind, and his love flowed through, filling my heart to bursting.
The bond snapped into place, a living, breathing thing between us that was better than I ever imagined it would be.
I couldn’t just sense his feelings; I could feel them.
Inside my own body, as if they were nearly my own.
There was a slight distance, just enough for me to know that the new sense of calm I felt was his.
You’re okay.
I gently licked the bite mark as blood pooled at the surface, licking his wound clean.
He whimpered next to me and a shot of pain coursed through my veins. “It’s okay, handsome. I’m here. You’re okay. I’ve got you.”
A loud roar ripped through the air, startling me as the sound of a wounded animal bellowed through the hospital wing.
The door to Felix’s room opened and Reid poked his head in. “I take it you did it?”
I nodded, staring in shock as he pushed the door open, revealing Ryder on his knees on the linoleum in front of him, pulling at his chest and writhing in pain as he ripped his shirt off.
What the fuck did I do?