Page 57 of Playboy

Gabby cocked her head. “Tanner, what are you doing?”

“What does it look like? I’m going to sleep with you,” he replied, a small smile dangling from his lips.

She looked over the small bed. “I don’t think there is enough room for the both of us.”

“Sure there is,” he said, scooting over, then taking her hand and pulling her gently down. She found herself half laying on top of him.

“Nurse Kim is on duty tonight, and she isn’t going to approve of this,” she told him laughingly.

“Well, Nurse Kim will just have to get over it. I’ve waited a long time to lay like this with you, and some old crotchety nurse isn’t going to stop me. Now close your eyes and go to sleep. I promise I’ll protect you.”

Feeling the large lump in her throat brought on by her emotions, she placed her hand against his cheek. She loved the way his scruff felt beneath her fingertips. She inhaled, breathing in his masculine scent.

“I seriously don’t know what I did to deserve someone like you. You’ve been by my side through all of this, even when I couldn’t stand to look at myself. You always know what to say to make me feel like I’m more than this,” she paused, her voice catching. “When I was at my lowest, you didn’t give me space like everyone else. You held me, even when I tried to push you away. You’ve been nothing but patient, reminding me that it’s okay to hurt but also to heal. You make me believe I can do this, and I don’t think I could without you.”

He covered her hand that was against his cheek with his large hand, and looked into her eyes.

“As I’ve said a hundred times, I’ll always be here for you. And I will always be real with you, Gabby. What you see is what you get.”

She smiled. “I like what I see.”

He chuckled, then leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

“The feeling is mutual, babe. Now, lay your head down and close your eyes,” he told her, placing his hand on the back of her head and gently guided it down so her cheek was resting against his chest.

The sound of his strong heart drumming beneath her ear was calming, making her relax. She took a deep breath and let her eyelids close as she was pulled under by the melody of Playboy’s big heart.

Thump-thump…thump-thump…thump-thump…

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Gabby woke to the sun filtering in through the window of her hospital room. When she opened her eyes, she had no real perception of how long she had been asleep. However, she knew it was early morning because that was the only time the sun’s soft golden rays would directly hit her bed.

As she lay there feeling content, she slowly became aware of the warmth enveloping her and the rhythmic rise and fall of the muscled chest beneath her cheek.

For a moment, confusion clouded her mind. But then the memories from the day before slowly returned, bringing a small smile to her lips.

The fresh scent of Playboy’s cologne and the weight of his arms wrapped around her made her feel content and protected. She found herself snuggling closer to his warm body.

As she closed her eyes, a big yawn slipped out of her, and she felt Playboy’s chest vibrate before she heard a whispered laugh from him.

Tilting her head back to look up at him, she met his honey-colored eyes.

“Sleep well?” He asked, a small, sexy smile playing on his lips.

She smiled back.Damn.She would love to kiss those lips, but before that happened, she needed to brush her teeth. That meant she would have to get up, and she didn’t want to do that because she was content and had no intention of moving.

Instead, she hummed, agreeing with him, and closed her eyes, willing herself to fall back asleep in the safety of her man’s arms.

???

Later that afternoon, Playboy sat in the chair beside Gabby’s bed, watching her sleep. He couldn’t stop smiling as he listened to her soft snores. She was out cold. It was obvious she was catching up on her sleep, having had barely any since she had woken up from her coma.

The sound of the door handle being twisted drew his attention toward the doorway. When Wendy’s head popped in, he couldn’t hold back his smile, seeing her shocked expression when she saw her daughter asleep.

Her eyes traveled from Gabby to him.

“Can I come in?” She whispered, knowing that Gabby was asleep.

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