Chapter Nineteen
Warren
I’ve never felt more my age than trying to get out of a hospital bed.
It’s not the first time I’ve had bruised ribs, probably won’t be the last, but it’s the first time a horse kicked me in the chest and knocked me on my ass.
My ego might be a little bruised too.
After I got a neurological exam, the doctor had me stay overnight to monitor my blood pressure and the trauma to my head. Luckily, no concussion, but I woke up in the middle of the night with it pounding, so they gave me some meds for it.
“Mom, I’m fine,” I insist for the hundredth time.
“You might be, but I’m not. You scared me to death, so I’m seein’ that my oldest son has everythin’ he needs.”
She hasn’t left the hospital and insists on fussing over me. Meanwhile, I’m dying to go home so I can be alone with Maisie since we haven’t had any alone time to talk. Mom and Aunt JoJo hogged me most of the evening, but we’ve been texting.
I was equally shocked and relieved to hear Maisie’s voice next to me.
Even more surprised she still wants the last two dates I owe her after our fight and signing those papers.
But after she blamed herself, I made sure she knew this wasn’t on her.
It’s mine for not taking my own advice about not being in the kick zone.
After she kept yawning, I told her to go home and sleep since the room they put me in only had a small couch. They would’ve brought in a cot, but she wouldn’t have been able to sleep well with the nurses constantly coming in and my mother asking me if I needed anything every five minutes.
“I need my own bed and a six-pack.”
And my wife next to me.
She tsks. “You can’t drink if you’re takin’ meds.”
I’d hardly consider Tylenol to be a big concern, but she’s probably right. I slept with ice packs on my ribs most of the night, so that’s helped with the pain, but I’m stiff and sore as shit. Hospital beds weren’t designed with larger men in mind.
I’m waiting for the nurse to return with my discharge papers and then I’m getting the hell out of here. The staff has been great, but I’m uncomfortable. I need a hot shower and clean clothes.
I’m also anxious about Lilith.
My memory’s still a little foggy on the events because it happened so fast, but it’s obvious she was in distress and scared, so I don’t fault her.
She shouldn’t have been allowed to go out on the trails. She needed more desensitization and training, so this is on me, and it’s now something we’re going to be assessing on a monthly basis. Thank goodness none of the guests got hurt or we’d be looking at an even bigger issue.
Colt finally found her, but she’s in rough shape.
Dr. Warner worked on her leg wound, but he’s concerned about infection and it getting into her bloodstream.
For now, it’s a waiting game to see how she responds to the meds and if they can keep her stable and comfortable so she doesn’t bear weight on it.
“Hey, son.” Dad enters, handing Mom a bag. “How ya doin’?”
“Fine. Ready to go home.”
He wraps an arm around me, patting my shoulder. “Aunt JoJo’s at your house now, gettin’ it ready.”
Great .
“Doin’ what exactly?”
“She put on clean sheets and stocked your fridge with food from the restaurant. A couple lasagnas and some chicken cordon bleu.”
Well, shit, that sounds fucking delicious after only eating pudding cups and apple sauce.
“What about my chickens? Did she?—”
“Bodie did. He said he got everythin’ taken care of,” Dad replies, but there’s a hint of amusement in the way he says it.
That means the little shit stole my eggs.
Posey and Bellamy walk in giggling and looking suspicious.
“Where’d y’all go?” Dad asks.
“Sorry, we got distracted by all the cute doctors in the hallway.” Posey smirks, waggling her brows. “I think they’re doing rounds, but they should be doing me instead.”
“Wouldn’t be surprised if you got knocked up from the way one of ’em was starin’ at your ass.” Bellamy snorts.
“Girls…” Mom scolds.
“So glad we could have this little family reunion in my hospital room while I’m already sufferin’,” I deadpan, wishing I were already home.
“Oh, lighten up…you’re alive and have all four limbs.” Posey pokes my arm.
“Too bad he didn’t lose his dull personality,” Bellamy taunts.
I groan, leaning back against the pillow. “Why’re you here again?”
“Dad made me.”
Figures .
Finally, the nurse returns with my discharge papers, and I’ve never signed anything faster. Of course they don’t let me walk out. I have to be wheeled out.
“I’ll get the truck and meet y’all at the front doors,” Dad says, giving Mom a quick kiss.
“Shotgun!” Posey calls out, following behind him.
“No way! Your choice in music sucks,” Bellamy calls, chasing after her.
“They’re not allowed in my house,” I mutter to my mom. “So please drop ’em off somewhere. Preferably the town over.”
She sits in the chair next to me. “Don’t let ’em fool ya. They were very worried about you.”
“Mhm.”
They were probably fighting over who’d get to move into my house if I died.
If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on Posey.
She’s little and petite, but she fights dirty.
With us only being two years apart, we’d wrestle as kids and while I’d be careful not to hurt her, she’d bite my arm and shove her knee in my gut once I was distracted by the pain.
“So while we have a minute, tell me what’s goin’ on with Maisie and you.”
“Later, Mom.” I groan, not at all wanting to talk about it. At least not until I get to discuss things with her. After I signed the papers and left, I was fully prepared to never hear from her again. I understood her points and didn’t want to stand in the way.
But when I heard her voice and felt her touch, I’ve never been more relieved. She cared enough to be here and even if we only get a few more days together, I’m taking them to spend every minute with her. I’d rather end things on a positive note than the way we did yesterday morning.
Warren
I’m about to leave the hospital. Can you meet me at my house?
Maisie
Sure! Your family won’t mind if I’m there?
Warren
You being there is the only way my mom will leave.
Maisie
So you need me as a buffer?
Warren
No, I just need you.
I’ve never been more grateful to be in my own home again.
Maisie was already inside waiting for me, which I appreciated.
It gave my mom the hint to go home and hopefully rest since she was up most of the night too.
She reassured my mother she’d make sure I took it easy and rested, but by the look my mom gave me, you’d think Maisie told her we were going to fuck all night long.
“Whaddya wanna do first? Eat? Sleep?” she asks, following me into my bedroom.
“Shower,” I say, already unbuttoning my jeans and walking toward the bathroom. “Then eat and lie in bed.”
“Okay. I can put one of JoJo’s dinners in the oven.”
She goes to leave, but I stop her.
“You’re not gonna help me?”
“With what?”
I smirk, lowering my zipper. “Takin’ a shower.”
She crosses her arms, holding back a grin. “You can’t bathe yourself?”
“I won’t be able to stretch my arms to scrub my back…” I mimic trying to but wince when the stretch makes my ribs ache. “Not sure I can even pull off my shirt.”
“You’re pathetic.” She laughs, coming closer to help lift my shirt over my head.
Her wide smile drops when she looks at my chest. I assume she’s looking at the massive bruise forming, but then she touches my chain.
“Your wedding band?”
Glancing down to where she’s holding it between her fingers, I nod. The inscription inside is our wedding date and initials.
“Too dangerous to wear it at work, so I always kept it on a chain. I’d usually put it back on my finger once I got home, so you probably never realized.”
“I thought you took it off in your truck and put it back on after work. I didn’t know you wore it like this.”
“I wanted it close to my heart. ”
“And you’ve been wearin’ it around your neck this whole time?”
I tilt her chin, meeting her teary-eyed gaze. “I rarely ever let it outta my sight. It means as much to me today as it did the day you gave it to me.”
The evening we went swimming, I took it off so it didn’t freak her out with it only being our second date.
I also didn’t want to risk losing it in the water.
The staff removed it at the hospital for my CT scan, but once I was allowed to change out of the gown and into my clothes this morning, I put it right back on.
“Warren,” she says softly, swallowing hard. “I’m gonna need you to gimme permission to kiss you.”
I lick my bottom lip, tilting my head at the unexpected question. “You never need permission for that, Maze.”
The corner of her mouth curves up deviously. “Too bad you’re injured.”
Grabbing her waist, I pull her to my chest and dip down until my lips are half an inch from hers. “Don’t play with me.”
Her breath hitches, but she’s braver than before. Fingers slide into my waistband and she brushes her fingers against my bare skin, making me the breathless one.
“Get in the bath so I can scrub your body.”
My brow arches, contemplating her suggestion. “Are you joinin’ me?”
She smirks, tracing her finger over my exposed hip. “I will if you’re a good boy.”
My eyes go impossibly wide.
She’s never said those words to me before.
My dick takes notice and jerks in response .
“Fuck, Maze.” I cup her cheek, tempted to lean in and claim her mouth. “I’ll give you anythin’ you want.”
Taking my hand, she leads me into the bathroom and turns on the bath water.
Realization dawns on me the tub’s finally getting used for what it was originally intended for and a part of me is nervous as fuck.
I’m not sure what’s going through her head and don’t want to overstep her boundaries.
All I know is she wants the dates I owe her, which might not happen until I get some rest, but regardless, I’m elated as hell that she’s here.
“Do you need help gettin’ ’em off the rest of the way?” she asks.
“I can probably manage, but I’d much rather you do it for me.”
She pushes off the vanity, desperate to touch me or perhaps taking pity on me. I move my hands out of the way so she can slide my jeans down my legs and then step out of them. She looks up at me between her lashes and I signal with a nod for her to keep going.
My cock’s imprint is more than obvious, but she doesn’t flinch when she reaches up and pulls my boxer briefs down. I try desperately to tame my boner, but the vision of her kneeling in front of me is confusing my brain.
This wasn’t supposed to be sexual, but fuck, I want her lips wrapped around me more than I’ve ever wanted anything.
“That’s a very interestin’ piercin’. Did it hurt?”
“Fuck yeah, it did. Silas dared me. We took a few shots first to take off the edge.”
“ We ? He’s pierced too?” she asks, standing to her full height. Without her heels, she’s a head shorter than me.
“Yep. Except he got a different one.”
She arches a brow. “How very manly of you two. ”
“You seem very curious about it.”
Her shoulder lifts, feigning disinterest. “Get in the tub. I’ll grab your soap.”
“Yes, ma’am.” My lips quirk up when a hint of a blush hits her cheeks.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve been in here, but I clean it regularly when I do the rest of the bathroom. I’m glad it’s finally getting used.
“Any preference on which one?” She holds up two options.
“You pick.”
She sets one down on the ledge and then moves to grab some more supplies. A washcloth and my two-in-one bottle for my hair.
“How’s the water feel?” she asks, turning it off before it gets too full.
“Really nice.”
Would feel even better if she were pressed up against me.
Sitting on the ledge, she dips the washcloth into the water and adds a generous amount of soap to it.
“Be honest, how bad is the pain?” she asks, softly rubbing over my arm.
“On a scale of one to ten, probably a five.”
She nods, intently focusing on washing across my chest and other arm.
“My ribs are tender and my muscles are stiff, but nothin’ a good night’s rest can’t cure.”
“Any news on Lilith?”
I tell her the latest update and she frowns.
“I hope she makes it.”
“She will,” I say confidently, resting an arm on the other ledge. “She’s strong and spunky, like you. ”
“Not sure if that’s a compliment or not.”
“It is.” My eyes track her every movement and when her hand lowers down my stomach, underneath the water, I inhale a sharp breath.
She pauses. “That hurt?”
“No.” She hasn’t touched me like this in so long, my heart’s threatening to explode at how desperate I am for more of it. “You can keep goin’.”
She continues washing me, adding more soap as she does. Shifting closer, she reaches around me to get my neck and shoulders.
“Mm…” I unintentionally moan as she digs into my muscles. “Fuck, that feels good.”
My eyes fall closed as every inch of my body melts into her touch.
“If you wanna move forward a little, I can get your lower back,” she says softly.
I bend my knees and slide away from her to give her better access. The cool air hitting my skin causes me to shiver.
“One second…” Her voice is distant, so I assume she’s grabbing something else from the shower, but then the water ripples and bare legs come into view around my waist.
Is she…
“Finally decided to join me, huh?” Looking over my shoulder, she’s plastered to my back.
“No peekin’…” The washcloth finds my skin again as she continues scrubbing.
“You seriously expect me to sit here while you’re naked behind me and not look?”
“Yes…you’re supposed to be takin’ it easy.”
“That’s…impossible.” My hands grab her calves on each side of me and I playfully squeeze. If she’s touching me, I need to be touching her.
“You’re the one who said your mobility was limited, so don’t be gettin’ any ideas.”
Her taunting voice has my dick growing hard.
“I’m long past that, darlin’. Your nipples are etched into my skin at this point.”
She pushes them harder into me, and I cough out a laugh. Now I know she’s torturing me on purpose.
I slide one of my hands up her leg, bending my arm back until I can reach farther up her thigh.
“Uh-uh, what did I say?” She swats it away.
“I’ve been a very good boy…so you should reward me for my restraint.”
“Not while you’re on bed rest.”
“Who said anything about that?” I pout. “Half of me is still very functional.”
She snorts, reaching over my hips and toward my abs. “I have a sneakin’ suspicion which half.”
Glancing over my shoulder so I can see part of her face, I smirk. “Keep goin’ and you’ll find out for certain.”