Page 181 of Love Me

“Not you. Never you.”

“Should I remind you of all the times we fought?” he asks, carefully leaning on his side next to me.

“Foreplay.”

“Let’s settle for traditional foreplay from now on.”

“I wouldn’t mind following some traditions.”

“I’m all for that. You, a home, good friends, and a quaint life.”

“But no one wears the pants in our relationship.”

“No, I like us naked. Easy access.”

I slap him playfully on his shoulder, biting back a wince.

“That’s what happens when you hit me. It’s karma.”

“I’ll show you karma when I get better.”

He exhales deeply, kissing the tip of my nose. “I’ll miss you.”

I look at him confused. “Baby, I’m not going anywhere.”

“Tell that to your parents.”

The child in me who has cried night after night, missing my parents, who has suffered through excruciating longing for them, needs the time with them. “And I’ll come back. You’re my home. You’re my future.”

His face radiates with the brightest smile. We kiss gently until we fall asleep.

When I wake up, my heart warms. Kaden is still asleep. His hand is on my stomach, his body heat enveloping me. A clearing throat snaps me out of my reverie.

“Someone ought to tell him he shouldn’t be here,” my father grumbles.

A peal of laughter escapes my mouth and Kaden stirs awake.

He brushes his nose against mine, kissing me. “Morning, Sky.”

“Aww, aren’t they sweet?” my mom says.

Kaden’s eyes widen, realizing we’re not alone.

“Son, do you need an invitation to get up?”

With a groan, he gets out of bed, but doesn’t leave my side.

The doctor and a nurse enter the room to check on me. The nurse changes my bandage, and the doctor says, “You were lucky. The bullet went straight through, and didn’t cause any major damage.”

“Can I leave the hospital now?”

Three versions of “No!” ring out around me.

“We need to keep you for a few more days.”

I sigh but give in.

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