Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
Korrie
H e was pacing, everyone getting out of his way. He looked angry, moving back and forth, running his hands over his short dark hair.
He pulled his cell away and frowned down at it, his mouth moving in what was a clear curse. He started typing a text out, cursed again, then brought the phone to his ear. I knew he was calling me again, but with no reception, he was probably getting my voice mail right away.
He turned to face me, his eyes locked on the ground as he continued to pace. He pulled his phone away, shoved it in his jacket pocket, and started striding forward, his focus on the reception desk. I knew he planned on trying to push it again about going up to the ICU to see my father. I could see that determination on his face, etched into the very scowl he carried in his expression.
And then he started looking around the room, his eyes moving back and forth before settling on me. His entire body stopped, and I could see how tight his muscles became. We didn’t move for long moments, just stared at each other. The people started parting, as if they knew Bishop and I would want a clear path.
I didn't know what to do. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts running rampant in my head. And all the while, I just wanted to run into Bishop’s arms and let him hold me. But I stayed where I was, staring into the amber-colored eyes—even from this distance—of the man I had fallen in love with.
The man I am in love with.
And I was. God, I was so in love with him.
And then he was striding toward me, his expression clearly speaking one thing. Nothing will keep me from you.
I couldn't move.
In my mind I saw the next few moments play out. I saw Bishop stopping a few feet from me, both of us staring at each other yet neither saying anything. We’d stutter through words before I broke down and told him why I left and how worried I was about my father.
But when he was a foot from me, he didn’t just stand there. We didn’t just look at each other. Bishop had me in his arms, holding the back of my head, my face turned to the side as I rested my cheek against his racing heart.
“Korrie,” he said in a relieved voice, his muscles so tight against my softer curves.
“I’m sorry I left,” I said again, feeling like a bitch for not trusting and accepting him enough to be honest and let him be there for me. And I know he would have been there for me. I know that so, so hard.
“Shhh,” he whispered, moving his hand down to cup my nape, keeping me close, not letting me go. “I just want to hold you. I want you to know I’m here for you. That’s why I came.”
I closed my eyes and smiled even though he couldn’t see me. “But how did you know I was here?” It didn’t matter, not really, not now that he held me and I realized this was what I needed, that I hadn’t felt right or good or even stable until this moment.
“I went to your house to talk to you, to be that possessive asshole who’d tell you that you’re mine and I won’t let you go.” He exhaled, still not letting up on holding me. And that was fine by me. “And before you ask, I knew your apartment number because of the last name on the buzzer. And someone was leaving, so I easily got in.” He growled the last part out. “Which I don’t like, Korrie. That’s not safe, and knowing any bastard could walk right in…” He trailed off, his body tensing even more before I could practically feel him trying to rein in his control. “I’m getting off topic here.” I smiled again. “Anyway, there was a woman leaving her apartment, your neighbor. She said her name was Sharon and got a real protective attitude toward me when I started asking about you—which I appreciated.”
“That’s Sharon for ya. She’s like the floor mother.”
He smoothed his other hand up and down my back. “I think she took pity on me, because when I started saying I was your boss and a bunch of other ramblings she probably didn’t care about, I told her I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I asked that if she wouldn't tell me where you were or how to contact you, then could she get ahold of you and let you know I’d been trying to reach you.” He kissed the top of my head. “I probably looked like a maniac, all panicked and worried as fuck. She wouldn’t tell me anything but that I should go to St. Anthony’s.” He pulled back and cupped my face, staring into my eyes. “So here I am. Went to the reception desk, praying when I said your name that you wouldn’t have been admitted. Never felt such fucking relief when they said there wasn’t a patient with that name.” He closed his eyes for a second and swallowed, his throat working. “Then I remembered you said your father was sick, but I didn't know his name, so here I am.” He gave me a small, tight-lipped smile. “Freaking you out yet?”
I felt my lips curl as I shook my head slowly. “No,” I whispered. “Not at all.”
It’s what I want to hear from you.
“Korrie,” he said low, his eyes briefly closing before snapping open and having this intense look of determination in them. “I love you.”
My own eyes widened at his words.
“I know it’s fast and probably fucking insane, but I love you, and I can’t let you go. And I know you can’t possibly feel for me what I feel for you, but that’s okay.” He smoothed his thumbs over my cheeks. “Because I have my entire life to make you fall in love with me. And when it comes to you, I’ll do anything to make you mine.”