Page 59 of Crow's Haven
I pause, squeezing my eyes shut as the memories rush back. They’re vivid, overwhelming, and painful. Crow crawls closer and gently squeezes my hand, grounding me enough to keep going.
“I did everything I could to save him. I called for help, started CPR, and did every single thing I was trained to do. The whole team showed up within seconds, including the doctor. We worked tirelessly, but we lost him anyway.”
My voice breaks as tears spill down my cheeks. “The hospital immediately put me on administrative leave pending an official investigation. I knew I’d acted according to protocol. Before they suspended my computer privileges, I checked the hospital system, and someone had scanned my name against some treatments. I was on my break then so it couldn’t have been me. It didn’t take them long to fire me and turn over whatever information they had to the police. I got notice of the warrant through a co-worker and then I heard nothing for almost a month. I was too scared to turn myself in, even though I knew it was the right thing to do. Something bad happened, and it looked like someone was trying to get me blamed for it.”
Crow draws his hand back, looking at me intently. “We were confused why they did nothing for a month. Rigs thinks it might be because they were waiting for an autopsy, or it took them that long to find incriminating evidence.”
I glance up, meeting Crow’s steady gaze. “I was terrified. My professional reputation and everything I’d worked for was destroyed. They had evidence, it was my ID scanned in against the treatments. I was the last person to see him before he crashed. Except I don’t think I was.”
“So, you decided to stay on the run?”
“What else could I do? I had to change my name, stay off the grid, and keep moving to make it more difficult for them to find me. I thought I was willing to do whatever it took not to end up behind bars for something I didn’t do. Or at least lay low until the real culprit was found. But then I met you and your boys. It was tempting to just stay with you forever, but I worried about blowing up your lives if they caught me at your place. They might think you knew I harbored a fugitive.”
For the first time, Crow smiles. Though it’s a tired smile, like he hasn’t slept in a week. “I wish you’d come clean about your legal troubles when we first met. I’d have helped you, but maybe I just would have handled things with my boys a little differently.”
“I was afraid to trust anyone, especially you, because by that time everyone in my life but my cousin had turned against me. I fell in love with you and your boys, and I was terrified that if you knew the truth, you’d turn me into the police.”
My shoulders slump as I finally say the words I’ve been holding back. “I’m so sorry, Crow. Sorry that I hid things you had a right to know. After you took me in and made me feel like family, I was just so scared of losing you that I put off telling you until you found out on your own.”
The silence stretches painfully, but his strong hand remains gently wrapped around mine. I wait for his response.
Crow has been listening, taking in every word. When he finally speaks, his voice is filled with conviction, “I get it now, Ladybug. I understand why you ran, why you hid who you really were. You did what you thought you had to.”
“I missed you,” I tell him tearfully. “I loved you and didn’t think you’d ever give me a chance to explain what happened.”
He comes closer, picks me up and sits on the sofa with me in his lap. Rubbing my back, he tucks my head under his chin. “I fucking love you to the moon and back, darlin’.”
I ask, “Really?”
“Yeah, of course I do,” he whispers. “It didn’t take me very long to realize you weren’t the kind of woman who could do what they accused you of. You’re too kindhearted and sweet. By the time I got my head screwed on straight, you were gone. I felt like shit for scaring you off.”
I pull back just enough to look into his eyes. My pulse flutters as his fingers lace through my hair. The warmth of his gaze takes me by surprise, and I feel my breath catch as all the old feelings of attraction come flooding back. He tilts his head, and his thumb tenderly brushes my cheek.
I see him swallow hard, his Adam’s apple moving up and down. “I want to kiss you one more time. If you don’t want it, tell me to fuck off.”
I press my hand against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his pulse beneath my palm. “I want it,” I reassure him.
No sooner do I get the words out than Crow’s hand slides around to cradle the back of my neck, pulling me closer until there’s no space left between us. My arousal soars as he leans in. I brace my arms around his shoulders. His breath mingles withmine for a brief moment, and then his mouth covers mine in a kiss so charged with relief and desire that I can’t think about anything except Crow.
I don’t know how long we kiss, but before he pulls back, my body is awash with arousal. Just the scent of him is enough to make my clit throb like it has a heartbeat of its own. But the touching and kissing put me over the top.
“It has been too fucking long since I held you close,” he murmurs, voice husky. “I’ve dreamt about having you in my arms again.”
I slide my arms up and around his neck, pulling him down for another long, lazy kiss.
His hands roam my back, fingertips pressing through my shirt as if mapping every curve he’s missed. A shiver runs up my spine.
“Let me show you how much I missed you, baby,” he says, voice thick with need. His lips trail down my neck. He’s gentle at first, then more insistent, trailing kisses down the valley between my breasts, pulling my shirt open as he goes. I turn in his lap until I’m facing him with my legs wrapping around his thighs, and he steadies me, one powerful arm under my ass, the other cradling my back. He pulls me closer, kissing me again, as he unbuttons my shirt.
I slip my shirt back off my shoulders and shove it away. He watches, his eyes dark with hunger. One hand slides up my back and I feel my bra go loose as he unhooks it with that hand. He tugs it away.
Then he leans back, takes a slow breath, and murmurs, “Damn, you’re beautiful.” His hands skim beneath the curve of my jeans, his palms warm against my skin.
I fight back a warm blush as I pull his jeans open. Sliding my hand inside, I feel the press of his thick cock against my palm. I trace the outline with my fingers. The thickness eagerly swells up to meet me.
“Glad to have you back,” he rasps.
“I’m grateful to be back where I belong,” I murmur.
