Page 121 of Lessons in Heartbreak

I could hardly see him through the tears, but I surged up to kiss him, and he groaned into my mouth, his tongue teasing mine just before I pulled back to rest my forehead against his.

“I love you,” I said against his mouth. “I love you, and I’m in love with you, and nothing can change that, Griffin King. No more missing anything,” I promised.

He exhaled shakily, stealing another deep kiss while his arm curved around my waist, hitching me tighter against his body. I sighed into this perfect, sweet kiss, until the beep of the heart monitor had me pulling away.

I laughed. “I think someone’s getting too excited.”

He stared into my face, the adoration in his eyes making my world expand at every seam. “Your fault.”

A nurse popped her head into the room, frowning when she saw us on the bed. “Oh, come on now, have some sympathy for those of us who have to walk in here.”

“Sorry,” he said with an unrepentant grin.

“Mm-hmm.” She winked at me while she checked his vitals and the IV bag on the hook. My face flamed hot, and I pressed my cheek into his chest while she maneuvered around me. “Need anything for the pain, Griffin? Doctor should be in shortly to talk to you about surgery on your arm.”

He frowned. “Will I be able to play at the beginning of the season?”

She gave him an incredulous look. “You fractured your humerus and you think you’ll be playing next month?”

“Maybe? Can’t I just ... play in a cast?”

I rolled my eyes.

She shook her head. “Bless you, honey. I admire your optimism. He always like this?” she asked me.

“Yes.”

“What about sex?” he asked. “Can I resume normal activities soon?”

I slammed my eyes shut while the nurse laughed. “We get you cleared of that concussion, and yes. No funny business with the arm, but as long as your rib can handle it, you two can do ... whatever you want.” She patted my arm. “Good luck with him, by the way. I think you’ll have your hands full.”

Griffin patted my backside. “Oh, she loves it. That’s why she’s my consensual monogamous-sex-and-cuddle partner.”

The nurse’s eyebrows popped up, and she lifted both hands in the air. “On that note, I’ll come back when the doctor’s done.”

When I pinched him in the side with a hissed warning, he laughed.

“I can’t believe you said that.” I eased up onto my hip, shaking my head as I looked down at him. My fingers whispered over the butterfly bandages, and he sighed, catching my hand and pressing my fingertips to his mouth.

“I’ve had a head injury. Go easy on me.”

I hummed, leaning down to kiss him again. Griffin tried to tilt his head and deepen the kiss, but the oxygen tube got in the way. He ripped it off his head and nudged me closer, teasing my tongue with his.

“You’re going to be the worst patient in the world, aren’t you?” I whispered against his lips.

“Oooh, can you wear one of those nurse outfits and spank me if I’m bad?”

I tipped my head back and laughed. “We’ll see,” I said. “We’ve got time to figure it out.”

Griffin’s eyes warmed. “Yeah, we fucking do.”

Chapter ThirtyGriffin

Seven weeks later

“Nope. No clothes allowed on Tuesdays.”

It was like I hadn’t even spoken. Ruby shot me a dry look, pulling one of my T-shirts over her head, the sleek line of her naked body disappearing underneath clothing that was far too big for her. I frowned as she walked away.

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