Page 115 of Silent Threat
She felt the smile taking over her face.
“Say, do you know what that deer blind needs?” he asked. And when she didn’t respond, he told her. “A good mattress.”
He shifted over in the bed and opened his good arm. “Climb in.”
When she didn’t move, he added quietly, “I need to hold you, Annie.”
Annie climbed onto the bed and lay on her side next to him, putting her head on his shoulder as his left arm came around her. She gave silent thanks for having each other to hold. They could have died tonight in the woods, in the storm.
Heat rolled off his large body. She relaxed against that warmth, tilting her head to his so he could read her lips. “I feel like I’m snuggled against a grizzly bear,” she said. “Minus the fur.”
He wasn’t wearing anything on top except for the bandages over his right shoulder, so she had a lovely view.
“You have a chest-hair fetish?”
She didn’t think she could laugh today, but she did. “Not really.”
“Good. Because what you see is all you’re going to get.”
Was she? Was she really going to get him?
She tucked in her chin and snuggled deeper into the crook of his arm.
He pressed a kiss on the top of her head. “We are both too smart to let go of what we have between us, aren’t we?”
Since he couldn’t see her mouth, she simply nodded.
She stayed with him all day while he slept.
He woke as the sun was going down outside.
When a nurse came in to check his vitals and bring him food, Annie went to use the bathroom, then left to find her own meal in the cafeteria. While she was eating her soup, Kelly called to let Annie know that she was feeding the animals. She was coming to the hospital later and bringing clean clothes for both of them.
Annie thanked her, then went back upstairs. She climbed right back into bed with Cole.
“You haven’t said it yet,” he whispered against her lips.
“What?”
“That you love me.”
“I thought snipers were patient.”
“I’m a former sniper. Also, Navy SEALs want what they want, and they always get it. Very stubborn.”
“I haven’t noticed.”
His dark gaze held her captive. “The words, Annie.”
“I love you, Cole Makani Hunter.”
His kiss was as thorough as a military campaign.
Saturday
When Annie woke, the hospital outside the door was buzzing with morning activity. The sun was shining through the window. The storm had moved on.
Cole was awake already. When he realized that her eyes were open, he pulled her closer and brushed a kiss over her lips.
