Page 88 of Raven's Curse
She nodded, closed her eyes. She could worry about how everything had turned out later. When she remembered all the details — what questions to ask. Until then, Chase’s hand in hers was enough.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“You’re insane. Certifiably crazy.”
Greer sighed as Chase paced the small room, shaking his head as he glanced at the machines behind the bed then her. Eyes narrowed, brow furrowed, he looked more than a bit pissed.
She reached for him, smiling when he instantly took her hand. No hesitation. No questions. “Chase. I’m fine.”
“You’re fine?” He leaned in close, and it took all her strength not to tug him the last few inches, taste his mouth. “You nearly died on me. No, scratch that. You did die on me. A few times. I was just lucky enough to get you back.”
“It wasn’t luck. And that was a week, ago.”
“You weren’t supposed to be awake for a week, let alone wanting to go home.”
Greer held his hand when he began to turn away. “I know, I scared you. Scared myself. But it’s not like I’m asking to go back to work or even my old apartment. And it just so happens my new place has this kickass medic living there, full time.”
That got her a roll of his eyes and a smile. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, but?—”
“No buts. And before you start, I can list all the times you’ve discharged yourself early.”
Chase placed his other hand over his heart. “Direct hit.” He relaxed a bit and rested his hip against the edge of the bed. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“Which will be a whole lot easier if we’re sharing the same space.” She urged him a bit closer. “The same bed without twenty possible,” she made air quotes, “tangos walking through the door every day, who you practically tackle to the floor.” She pinned him with a hard look. “The staff’s talking, and they’re not being kind.”
“Don’t really care whether they like me or not. I’m not apologizing for ensuring your safety. Not after almost losing you. When Royce called…” He swallowed, paled. “I’m not letting you down, again.”
“You never let me down. I should have trusted your paranoia wasn’t wrought out of fear. Though, you’re gonna end up in traction if you keep switching between holding me on the bed until I pass out, then moving to that chair.”
“First, I didn’t have any proof to back up my worries, and second, I can handle some uncomfortable nights, I wasn’t shot.”
“No, you just got stabbed with a thousand pieces of trestle bridge.”
Chase stared at her, then laughed. “Damn, I love you.”
“Then, show me.”
He shook his head as he closed the scant distance, slanting his lips over hers. The kiss was soft, gentle, and it touched her down to her toes.
Chase palmed her cheek. “You don’t fight fair.”
“I need you holding me all night. Not having these machines buzzing in my ears.” She smiled. “I just need you.”
He rested his forehead on hers. “You’ll follow whatever the doctor says, right? No bitching or moaning.”
“Oh, there’ll be moaning…”
A throat cleared off to the left, boots scuffing the floor before stopping.
Chase eased back, shook his head, then peered over his shoulder. “Nick.”
Nick Colter leaned against the doorframe, hands shoved into his pockets, a bemused smile curving his lips. “Don’t you two have any restraint?”
Greer leaned against the pillows. “Trust me, that was us being restrained.”
“Then, I agree with Greer. Get her home so the rest of us don’t have to watch.”
Chase narrowed his eyes. “Have you been standing in the hallway, listening?”
