Chapter 31 #2
“Never in the history of life has someone stayed calm after being told to stay calm, Lucy!”
The back of Elliot’s hand meets my chest. “Don’t speak to her like that.”
Not being able to wait any longer, I walk to the door and push it open. I try to calm my movements, not wanting to rush into the room like the maniac I feel, but my entire body vibrates as I stand on the threshold.
All eyes in the room flick to me. All the eyes. But my gaze is stuck on the most perfect—captivating pair of them all. Nina is lying back in the bed, her head turned to the side as she looks towards me in the doorway.
She smiles.
She fucking smiles, and it’s just about all my heart can take.
“Hey, Bossman,” she whispers, her lips barely moving.
Raising my hand, I rub across the ache that threatens to crack my chest in two.
She’s okay. My shoulders drop, relief pouring out of me with every step I take towards her.
I crouch at her bedside, my forehead dropping to hers.
Tears fall from her eyes, but still, she smiles.
It might not be the big dimple popping smile I crave on the daily, but to think no more than twelve hours ago she was sprawled on her apartment floor dying and now she is here, eyes open and fucking smiling at me.
“Jesus Christ, Angel.”
Nina
Mason’s hand is clutched in mine, his eyes locked tight. I search his face, not being able to take my eyes off him. “Mase,” I whisper, a tear sliding into the line of my mouth. I roll my lips, sniffling as he takes a sharp breath in. “Mase, look at me.”
I remember when I first met my Mase. Leant against the top of his flashy car, staring up through that low brow at me—cocky smirk in place.
His eyes were so clear and sure. A man who knew exactly what he wanted.
Smoothing my finger over his dark, looming brow, I glide it down to skim his cheek and swipe a tear away from his jaw.
His eyes aren’t clear, nor sure. His eyes are sad, scared, and broken, and I want nothing more than for him to say something filthy and give me that cocky smile that I so desperately love.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m okay,” I promise him.
His mouth opens, another tear sliding down his face as he looks at me helplessly. It’s as if he’s afraid to speak in the fear that he will break. I can see him breaking.
“Can we have a minute?” I croak out, looking down at the nurse who is speaking with a doctor at the end of my bed. I wince when I get a stabbing pain in my side.
“You need to rest now, Nina. Just a few more minutes and then we are going to need you to leave, Mr Lowell. I’m sorry.”
Mason’s eyes are wild as he looks up at the doctor. Knelt at my bedside. He looks rabid and teetering on the edge of losing all control.
“He isn’t going anywhere.” I clench my teeth, the pain getting stronger by the second.
“I don’t want to be alone, and if you won’t allow it, then I’m sure I can be taken somewhere that will take the both of us.
” I look at Mason, and he nods with a deep frown, confirming that it’s possible.
I sigh as I relax back down onto my pillow.
“I’m in pain. Please, will you help me?” I roll my lips, tears leaking from the corners of my eyes. Mason is here. I’m okay.
“I can get you something for the pain,” the doctor tells me softly. “You are going to be in a lot of pain over the next couple days, Nina, and you will need to make sure you’re getting adequate rest. If you have any questions or concerns you should let the nurses or doctors know, okay?”
I nod, watching as the nurse comes closer and fiddles with the cannula in my hand.
“What happens now? You told me earlier that the next forty-eight hours are important,” Mason asks, rising to his feet. He seems to have found his voice, slipping back into the unruffled man I know. “Will she need more surgery?”
The doctor finishes writing on the clipboard, then slides it into the slot at the end of my bed.
“No. No more surgery. However, I’m very serious about the next forty-eight hours being critical.
I will not hesitate to have you removed if I feel like Nina’s recovery will be compromised with your presence.
I understand emotions run high in situations like this, but while Nina is under my care her health becomes my responsibility and priority.
” He bows his head a little, trying to show that he means well with what he’s saying.
I see that. But I know the man at my side—who would tear down skyscrapers, and the cities that house them, to keep me safe—is all but ready to clear the bed that separates them.
“Thank you,” I rasp out, lacing my fingers through Mason’s and pulling his hand to my side. He leans in and kisses my forehead.
It’s not enough, though.
It will never be enough.
The nurse finishes then says, “This is a morphine drip. If you find you’re in pain, you can press this button and it will top you up.
It won’t allow you to overdo it so you can press it as and when needed.
It’s very normal to rely on it in the early days of your recovery, so don’t be afraid to use it.
It will make you sleepy, but that’s very normal.
” She looks up and over to Mason, her cheeks fanning red as she smiles sheepishly. “I’ll fetch you a recliner.”
“Thank you,” Mason tells her, dipping his head.
And then finally, we’re alone. Mason rests himself on the edge of the bed, staring down at me deep in thought. “I thought I was going to die.” I smile awkwardly, trying to stop my lip from trembling.
“Baby—”
“Did she come back? Did Mum come back?”
He shakes his head no as his eyes drift closed, and for a moment the pain in my side is gone, my heart instead exposed to the repercussions of my mother’s actions once again.
“You sent her to rehab?” I ask, my eyes feeling heavier than they did a few moments ago.
“I only ever wanted you to have a family, Nina. Your mum. Jasmine. I thought if I could fix the things that led us here, then maybe we’d be okay. If I knew she’d—” His head bows, his voice cracking, and I screw my own face up in pain. “I’m so sorry.”
His head drops to my chest, and I cradle him there. “Mason, this isn’t your fault.” I exhale a long breath, my arms getting heavy. “It’s nobody’s fault.”
“I should’ve been there.” His tear-smothered voice wavers as he gently smooths a hand over my side. I can feel myself starting to drift to sleep, but I try to fight it. “Scarlet. Is she okay?”
He nods.
“Ellis. Where’s Ellis?” I lazily open my eyes.
“He’s with Maggie and John.”
I smile, starting to give in to the darkness. “And Joey?”
When he doesn’t answer and I don’t feel his head move against me, I frown, but I can’t open my eyes.
“Mase?” I try to say.
My body is weightless, the pain gone.
“Mason?”
My body tells me to wake up, but my eyes are unmoving. I can smell pancakes, I’m sure of it.
“It’s syrup. Gotta be.” I frown, Elliot’s voice drifting into my semi-state of consciousness.
Open your eyes, Nina.
“Yeah, if you want your teeth to fall out! You need to try my pancakes. Game changer.” Warmth spreads through me at the sound of Lucy’s voice. It’s the best feeling.
“You wanna feed me pancakes, princess?”
Everything goes quiet. Then there’s the sound of creaking leather. Then silence. I frown, wondering what’s going on.
“Tastes good, doesn’t it?” Elliot’s voice is full of want, the throaty sound making my own stomach flip.
Slowly, my eyelids start to flutter. The room is a blur as it comes into focus, and I’m surprised when I realise I am partially sat up. I squint, trying to clear my vision. Lucy is standing in the corner, her back rested against the window. Elliot is standing in front of her.
I feel like a third wheel. “Hi,” I croak out, and my throat burns as I swallow.
Lucy flinches, rushing out from behind Elliot. “Nina! Oh my god, finally!” She drops her head to my shoulder, hugging me gently. “How are you feeling?”
For a minute I consider lying, but I know she’ll see right through it. “Crappy.”
Elliot hands me a cup of water. “Here.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, giving him a small smile.
“I’m going to get Mase,” he tells us, quickly leaving the room.
The hour that follows turns out to be more manic than I expect, and I’m surprised when I manage to stay awake for it.
Lucy and Elliot left and then Megan and Charlie slipped in.
Then George arrived with flowers from himself, his boyfriend, Liam, and Jasmine.
As the time passes on, I can see Mason getting more and more agitated, and see him watching me, his face hardening at my every wince.
It’s as the room clears and he turns to me, ready to have some alone time together when my eyes fall heavy.
“Mase.”
“Shh,” he tells me, climbing onto the bed and resting my head on his chest. “Sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up, Angel.”
Mase
Three days later…
Something soft tickles my brow.
I frown, then open my eyes and am instantly captured in beautiful brown ones.
“Hey, Bossman,” she whispers softly.
Nina is lying on her good side, her body mirroring mine in the small bed. She has one hand curled under her head, while the other smooths over my forehead. I waste no time, leaning in and taking her lips in a deep kiss.
“Are you in pain?” I ask.
She gazes at me, looking content. “A bit.” She sighs. “I just want a little longer before I fall asleep again.”
I press the button that lies between us to give her more morphine.
“I have no idea what time it is.” I stretch over her to pick up my phone on the hospital tray. “Are you hungry?”
“I want to get married.” My brows pop in surprise and I drop back an inch to look at her. “The minute I’m allowed to leave and it’s safe for me to do it. I want you to be my husband.” Her eyes are wide and glossy, focused, as if she has been thinking about it for hours.
“There’s nothing I want more, Angel.” I kiss her, careful not to be too rough with her.
“You can plan it, else it will be small and crappy.” She smiles. “The girls will help you.”
I rest back on the pillow, bringing us nose to nose. “Why the rush?”
She shakes her head as if it’s obvious. “I’m not wasting another second, Mase.
If this year has taught me anything, it’s that you have to live.
I don’t want to look back with regrets because I waited for things to be right.
What we have is far from perfect, but it’s completely perfect for me. Please.”
I take her face in my hands, gliding my thumbs over her cheekbones as I gaze into her eyes. “Baby, you don’t need to beg me for this.”
“No?” She frowns up at me, and I see a hint of a smile trace the corner of her mouth. “You don’t like it?” She gently palms my growing, insanely inappropriate erection through my sweats. I squeeze my eyes shut.
“Nina.”
“What? Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
“Not now.”
“When then?” She smiles, her dimple popping.
“Don’t give me that smile,” I snap, shaking my head no.
“When, Bossman?”
“When you’re home.”
She slips her hand inside, her warm palm wrapping around my now hard length. “It’s only been four days, but I’d give anything to taste you right now.”
Shit.
Block her out.
She works me up and down, her hand pumping me in a perfect rhythm.
I should stop her. She shouldn’t be doing this in her condition.
She continues to lazily pump me. One, two, three. “God, that’s good,” I huff out.
My balls start to draw up. Her warm breath fans my face. I push my hips up, needing her to grasp me tighter. “Nina,” I groan.
My cock slaps me in the stomach, and I look down to find her eyes closed.
I still then gently nudge her shoulder. “Nina?”
Nothing.
“Fuck. Off.” I groan again.
She’s asleep?
Fucking shitting morphine!