Page 172 of The Blame Game

“Stunning?”

“Stunning,” Shea said firmly. “Absolutely stunning.”

“Guess I’ll have to smile more for you.” Dom yawned, clearly still sleepy, but definitely getting more coherent.

“Guess you will. Maybe I’ll have to make you smile more.”

Dom smiled at that. And while it wasn’t the big, laughing smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, it was soft and fond and it made Shea’s heart clench just the same.

“How are you feeling, baby? Do you need anything?” he asked.

“I’m okay. Just tired,” Dom admitted.

“That’s fine.” Shea smoothed his hair. “You get all the rest you need. I’ll be here.”

“Hey,” Dom rasped and Shea glanced up from his phone, looking a little startled. “What are you doing here? What’s wrong?”

Fuck. Why did he feel so groggy? Had he gone out drinking or something? Oh no, what if he’d mixed up his meds again?

He tried to sit upright but Shea settled a warm hand on his chest. “Hey, lie still. You just got out of surgery a few hours ago and you need to remain flat on your back for a little while longer.”

Dom sighed. Right. His aneurysm. It all came flooding back.

“How’d it go?” he asked.

“The procedure went perfectly,” a woman said and Dom blinked, turning his head to look at her. She was an older woman, dressed in scrubs. “I’m Gloria, and I’m your nurse. How are you feeling?”

“A little out of it,” he admitted. “But okay.”

“That’s to be expected. Your vitals look great though.”

“Glad to hear it.” Dom coughed, throat a little raspy.

“Do you need some ice chips?” Shea asked and Dom nodded gratefully.

His mouth was dry and his throat was sore. He was used to it after the surgeries he’d had on his wrists and his foot but it was a horrible feeling.

“Please.”

“I’ll go get you some,” Gloria offered with smile. “I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you.”

When she was gone, Dom looked over at Shea. “How bored are you right now?”

Shea frowned. “Bored? Why would I be bored?”

“Because it can’t be very exciting sitting here waiting for me to wake up.”

“Oh, this isn’t the first time you’ve woken up.” Shea chuckled. “Maybe the third or fourth? I’m losing track. But you were very talkative. I definitely wasn’t bored.”

“Oh God.” Dom groaned. “Please tell me I didn’t say anything I shouldn’t have.”

“Nothing like that,” Shea said and Dom assumed he meant the escort business. “However, you did keep telling me I was beautiful and you called me an angel at one point.”

Dom threw his right arm over his eyes. “I am so sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? It was adorable.” Shea’s voice was warm.

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