Page 204 of Into These Eyes
Swaying, the pull of sleep oozes into my bones and brain. Careful not to wake him, I silently lower the bed’s safety rail.
Not silently enough. When I glance at his face, his sleepy, hooded eyes stare at me. Without a word, I toe off my shoes and, as I slip into the tiny space beside him, his arm makes way for me. I feel the railing latch into place at my back, then his arm circles around my shoulders. Secure in the bed with him, I carefully rest my bent leg across his thighs and drape an arm over his chest.
Only then do I tilt my head up so I can look at him. He’s still staring at me, and I can’t be sure if he’s really seeing me, or if he thinks he’s dreaming. It doesn’t matter. I’m too tired to do anything but lie my head on his chest and close my eyes.
As I listen to the steady beat of his heart, his fingers gently trace up and down my back, and before I know it, I’m drifting.
Chapter 48
Gavin
Something warm presses against my side. Keeping my eyes closed, I remember the vivid dream of Jamie climbing onto the bed with me, filling me with such relief I think I slept like the dead.
A twitch against my chest pops my eyes open.
Not a dream.
I stare down at her limbs, perfectly placed to avoid my injuries. Her face is tucked into my neck, her dark, tangled hair fanningover her arm and my chest. The hand resting over my heart twitches again. I can’t see her eyes, but I’m sure if I could, I’d see them dancing beneath her lids as she dreams. Her breaths come long and measured, indicating she’s deep in the depths of what I’m certain is some much-needed sleep.
Closing my eyes, I lie there, sucking up her warmth, her presence, every tick in her fingers.
She’s here. She’s alive.
The urge to hold her tight, cup her face and kiss it all over, surges through me like a tsunami. But I don’t want to wake her. That’ll come soon enough. Along with the reality of what happened. For now, I enjoy this quiet moment with my arm around her and the gentle beat of her heart against my rib cage.
I drift off again, and the next time I open my eyes, a nurse is standing beside me. Care not to move my shoulder, I press a finger to my lips, and she nods as she continues to check my vitals in silence. When she lifts a cup of water with a straw, I nod and take it from her, quickly emptying the contents. Once she leaves, I know it won’t be long before breakfast comes around. And I’m certain the gorgeous woman by my side will be pretty damn hungry.
Tracing my knuckles over her bare forearm, I take her hand from my heart and bring her fingers to my lips. I pepper them with kisses, then nibble at the inside of her wrist. Her fingers twitch, then fan out over my cheek, lightly stroking, as if she’s testing to see if I’m real.
Placing her hand back on my chest, I touch her chin and tilt her head back.
When her eyes meet mine, when they shine with love, I grin at her like a love-sick puppy.
And she bursts into tears.
“Hey, hey,” I murmur as she buries her face against my neck. She shudders and sobs, her hand on my chest finding its wayinto my hair and fisting the strands like she’s hanging on for dear life. That’s when I realise I’ve already done the same thing to her.
“I thought I lost you,” she cries, “thought I’d never see you again. Never hold you, kiss you, love you …”
“I know, J. I thought the same thing about you.” I hold her as she sobs, and I let my own tears fall as I stoke her hair and relish every bit of her living, trembling body against mine.
After a while, her sobs begin to subside into little sniffles against my neck.
“I think I might have to trade you in,” I tell her.
“What?”
“Well, this drooling Saint Bernard routine’s getting a little too much. I’m thinking maybe a Chihuahua. They don’t slobber, right?”
Her body shudders against mine, a hiccup of a giggle escaping. “I’d punch you, but I’m too scared I’d hurt you.”
Craning my neck, I try to see her face, but she’s keeping it firmly pressed against my neck. “Look at me.”
She shakes her head. “I’m a mess.”
“I love you messy.” Her lips smile against my skin, but she doesn’t move. “Jamie, I need to see you. I need your eyes.”
“Tissues?”
