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Anticipation rode him hard as he fell in line behind the nurse, trying his best to look inconspicuous. No one paid him any mind and luckily enough, Gracie’s room was one of the first in the unit.
“This is her room.” Naomi stopped in front of the second door on the left side of the corridor. “She’s probably resting, so try and be quiet. Don’t get her too excited—she only just woke up.”
He nodded gravely. “I understand.”
“I’m on rounds here tonight, but I’ll be going off shift in a few hours. You’ll need to leave before then.”
“That should be enough time.” Not really, but what choice did he have? He couldn’t sneak her out tonight. He just needed to make sure he could see her again tomorrow. Before her crazy grandma did something rash.
“Good.” She slowly pushed open the partially closed door. “You can go on inside.” She started to leave, but he called her name and she stopped to look at him.
“Thanks for doing this. It means a lot,” he said sincerely.
She smiled. “I can’t resist true love.”
He watched her go, then slipped inside Gracie’s room. His heart raced as he slowly made his way inside. The first bed was empty, and he was thankful for that. He wanted her all to himself. Gracie lay in the bed closest to the window, a monitor hooked up to her as well as an IV. She looked so small, so fragile lying in the large hospital bed.
As he drew closer, he sucked in a harsh breath. Gauze wrapped around her head, her hair sticking out of it in a haphazard mess. Her face bore scratches and bruises, and her left wrist was in a cast. She was asleep, her dry lips parted, her skin so pale it was almost translucent.
She looked terrible. Beautiful. He’d never been so relieved to see her in his life.
Quietly, he pulled a nearby chair closer to the bed and sat down, staring at Gracie in wonder. Her chest rose and fell in an even rhythm, and he swore she snored a little. The faint sound made him smile, and tears pricked the corner of his eyes.
He was so damn happy to see her, he could hardly contain himself.
Taking her right hand, he cradled it in his, the warmth of her skin warming his heart. He stroked his thumb back and forth over the top of her hand, the gesture soothing, calming his tormented soul.
The thought that he’d almost lost her devastated him. The myriad of emotions he’d been holding in all bubbled forth, and he sniffed and closed his eyes, bringing her hand to his lips so that he could kiss her gently.
“I was so worried,” he whispered against her skin. “I thought I lost you.”
He threaded his fingers through hers, clasping her hand. “I can’t imagine my life without you anymore, Gracie. I need you. I need you more than my last breath.”
She lay unmoving, her eyes still closed, lips still parted. His own little battered Sleeping Beauty. He’d never seen such a prettier sight.
Hunter released his hold on her and dragged the chair as close as he could get it to the bed. He reached out and touched her once more, his hand on top of the blanket, and rested his forehead against the edge of the bed, close to her legs. Closing his eyes, he breathed deep, wishing he could catch a whiff of her fragrant scent, but all he could smell was the antiseptic hospital.
“I can’t lose you now,” he murmured. “Not after what we created, Gracie. You’re mine. And I’m not about to let you go.”
Tentative fingers touched his hair, startling him, and he lifted his head. Found a pair of pretty green eyes filled with such longing and surprise watching him. “Hunter,” she breathed. “How did you get in here?”
“Sshh. I’ll explain everything later. Just rest.” He didn’t want to overexert her, didn’t want the surprise of seeing him shock her system since he had no idea what sort of condition she was still in. She looked in a delicate enough state already, and he didn’t want to make it worse.
She smiled at him, her lips trembling, her eyes filling with tears. “I tried to call you earlier, but you didn’t answer.”
“How long ago?”
“I don’t know. An hour, maybe two hours ago? It’s hard for me to keep track of time in here.” She sounded sluggish, most likely an effect from the medication she was on and general exhaustion.
“I’ve been here for the last few hours. I kept my phone turned off. Following the rules of the hospital and all, you know.”
She smiled. “You’re not a rule follower, you’re a rule breaker.”
He chuckled and grabbed hold of her good hand. Brought it to his lips once again so he could kiss her there. “I missed you so much, Gracie.”
“I—I missed you, too.”
How he hated her hesitancy. He’d have to work on that. Make her feel secure. “How do you feel?”
