Chapter 35
Dakota
Opening my eyes, I found myself staring up at the ceiling of a dark room with no concept of time, feeling as if I’d been thoroughly trampled by a pissed-off bull or run over by a freight train at full speed.
If it weren’t for the familiar decorative rafters overhead, I wouldn’t have known that I was home in our bedroom, safe and sound.
Out of habit, I rolled over, reaching for my phone on the nightstand to check the time, and as I did, a stinging sensation shot up my arm, ripping a loud hiss from the back of my throat.
Fuck… that still hurts like hell…
In a second attempt at trying to figure out what time of day it was, I turned my head toward the opposite side of the room, across Rhylan’s empty pillow, where I could see a thin sliver of light shining through the blackout curtains that had been drawn shut.
Morning, or at least something close to it.
I returned my gaze to the ceiling, breathing through every wave of pain that radiated from my head all the way down to my arm, which was now draped across my stomach… my belly, the baby—
“Rhy!” I shot up in bed, cringing at the abrupt movement. “Rhylan.” My voice was a rasp from the dryness in my throat, sounding rougher than sandpaper.
Expecting nothing less, my overly protective husband barged into the bedroom, the door nearly flying off its hinges as he rushed to the bedside with a look of panic on his face.
“I’m here, darlin’, what’s wrong?” With frantic yet gentle hands, he inspected the bandage wrapped around my arm, and when he didn’t find anything of immediate concern, he cupped my face in his warm palms. “Everything alright?” Rhylan’s voice calmed as his eyes dipped to the blankets that were bundled around my waist. Of course he knew...
I’d almost forgotten what happened after Tiffany dragged me out of that suite, trying to hold on for as long as I could before crashing from the mix of pain and anxiety.
I wasn’t upset that she told him; he needed to know before he reached the hospital, and I was already too out of it to say anything myself.
“I could ask you that same question…” Taking one of his hands, I lightly placed it against my belly, searching his eyes for reassurance that everything was okay; that we were still okay, and he wasn’t upset with the choices I’d made not to tell him.
“More than alright, Wildcat. You both passed. Everything… is perfect.” Rhylan’s gaze brightened at the delicate touch to my stomach, and the look alone was all the confirmation I needed.
Compassion from a love that ran deeper than ocean trenches.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before the test. I didn’t want you to worry with so much already at stake…” I’d been overwhelmed with guilt since revealing the news to Tiffany, but I’m glad I did. Because when shit hit the fan, she stepped in to save me instead of hesitating.
“You think I didn’t already know?” Rhylan’s light-hearted chuckle gave me a slight sense of relief. “C’mon, darlin’. I know you better than I know myself. Constantly paying attention.”
“You really aren’t mad… or upset?” I was a broken record, repeating the same question over and over again. And he was still here, sitting on the edge of the mattress, caressing my face and belly with care.
Actions spoke louder than words, and yet I still couldn’t help but feel like I’d betrayed his trust, the same way I once betrayed my sister.
“I could never be mad or upset with you for that, Dakota. That’s just not the kind of man I am.
” Rhylan leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to my lips; his soft and plush against mine as he spoke.
He then grazed the tip of his nose along the bridge of mine, forcing a smile from me that stretched ear to ear.
“Now quit overthinking… I know that every decision you made was with good intentions, and that’s all that matters. ”
I lost myself in his hazel eyes, staring up as I fell into something that almost mirrored a state of daydreaming; my mind beginning to wander, lost but at home…
That was the kind of power this man held over me.
From the very first moment, I knew he was beyond comparison.
But because of everything I’d been through, there was always that single shred of doubt that I was falling, yet again, for a facade—a cowboy Casanova.
An illusion of love that would dissolve over time.
Rhylan’s consistency with patience never wavered. No matter what, he could handle me and my unstable emotions.
If this were any other man, I’d be terrified to know that I was carrying his child. But because he was him…
My husband.
My cowboy…
“Talk to me, Wildcat…” His rough yet soothing voice brought me back from my sudden drift in thought. To a reality that I didn’t feel the need to escape from anymore. “What’s goin’ through that pretty head of yours?”
“What happens now?”
We were married, pregnant… and still owned competing dance studios…
Married or not, I sure as fuck wasn’t about to let his studio take down mine.
I love Rhylan with my heart and soul combined, but some things I will not budge on, and this was one of them.
He chuckled with a smug smile as he climbed into bed behind me, being extra cautious with my arm.
“Rhylan fucking Ross…” I shot him a death glare as he snuggled against me—buttering me up. Oh, he definitely knew what I was referring to when I asked the question.
“Are you seriously tryin’ to use my full name on me, darlin’? What could you possibly think that I’m about to suggest?” His bold feign of innocence couldn’t fool me. There was no way in hell that he’d give up his high-class studio that easily. I sure as hell wouldn’t.
“You better not be suggesting anything right now. You’re in no position.
” He ground his hips against my ass, attempting to dissolve the tension that had taken over the uninjured half of my body.
I could feel him hardening between us, his full length growing against the curve of my lower back. Well, fuck me. “Okay… maybe you are…”
“And unfortunately, my girl’s in no condition for sex,” Rhylan murmured against the shell of my ear, and I almost completely forgot about the pain still radiating from the wound. “But I do have a surprise for you.”
“I’m listening… barely.” My eyes rolled to the back of my head as dirty thoughts took over my mind. But he was right… But oh, how I wished he was wrong.
“There was a lot going on when I opened up to you about the stalking and my history surrounding you.” He held me tighter to his chest, arms wrapped securely around my waist as he nestled his face into the crook of my neck.
“I never opened Vortex with the intention of pissing you off, or for attention. While it did get you to notice me, it was never the purpose.”
“What other reason was there?” It did seem odd that his studio was normally empty, aside from the occasional client here or there, but all new businesses start off that way.
“It was for you.” Rhylan’s hand crept up the center of my chest, his palm caressing the column of my neck as he continued to speak, melting me like a popsicle on the Fourth of July.
“And while I love and have a passion for dance, the dream was sharing a studio with you, my wife. So, I created the space that you always imagined owning. One with state-of-the-art everything.”
“But—” Hard to argue with a gesture like that. But could I accept a gift so extravagant when I’ve already worked so damn hard to get to where I was now?
“I’ve already had the paperwork drafted to transfer ownership, and we can work on merging the studios as soon as you’re ready.
“Rhy…” He left me speechless, as always.
“I love you, Wildcat, and I want to give you everything that beautiful heart desires.” The truth was, he already had.
Rhylan had shown me that I was valuable from day one; worthy of worship, not abuse. His obsessive form of love healed my soul, and if a cowboy like him could give me the entire world while expecting absolutely nothing in return, I could do the same.
And I will.