Page 63 of Wanted

I wanted to comfort him but I had nowords, slowly recovering myself each day.

~41~

Sara

Another week had passed since Alek had officially woken up, and Iwas on cloud nine. He was talking more each day, the sound of his voice likemusic to my ears.

Friends visited but they were careful not to stay for too long,realizing his recovery was in the beginning stages. I was acutely awarewhenever Alek’s eyes were following me, even in a room full of people.

Sitting by his bedside for the past couple of weeks, I realizedhis need to protect me would never go away. It was ingrained in him, evenstronger than his own need for survival. Once, he’d woken in a panic, his eyesdarting all over the room trying to search for me. His heart rate accelerated andhis hand clenched mine in fear.I wasable to quickly calm him down, a look of peace restored on his face before hefell back asleep.

I wondered who plagued his nightmares. Was it Samuel or hisderanged sister?

Megan was no longer a threat. Kael had informed me after she’dbeen hauled away, she killed herself a week later while waiting to meet withher lawyer. Somehow, she’d gotten ahold of a small razor blade and ended herlife before she rotted away in some prison cell.

No more looking over my shoulder, wondering if the whole tragedywith Samuel was going to continue in some way. Megan was the last of his familywho would exact revenge for him.

It was done.

Finally.

“What are you so happy about today?” Alek asked, bringing me backfrom my thoughts. I hadn’t even known he’d woken up.

“Isn’t it obvious?” I leaned forward and gently kissed him hello.His tongue parted his mouth and ran along my bottom lip. It appeared he wasfeeling better.

“Are you happy because you have the pleasure of eating this yummyhospital food?” he teased.

“Nope.”

“Are you happy because you’re driving my car while I’m laid up inhere?”

“I haven’t left the hospital at all, so no,” I answered.

“So, what is it? Tell me, my love,” he urged, a delicious smirkplaying on his lips.

“I’m happy the man I love has come back to me. I can’t wait untilthings are back to normal, including your crazy ways.”

“What crazy ways?” he feigned innocence.

“You know exactly what I’m talking about. But never fear. I’mlooking forward to the amazing make-up sex we’ll have once we’re done arguing.”I gripped his hand and leaned in. “I can’t wait until I have the opportunity toshow you how much I’ve missed you.”

His eyes sprung open like that was the last thing he expected meto say.Well, I’m only human.I wouldbe a liar if I didn’t admit Alek still did things to me, invading my brain withthe naughtiest of thoughts, especially when he ran his tongue over his lips tomoisten them before he spoke.

“The second we’re home, I’m taking you to bed and we’re not leavingfor two weeks. That’s the amount of time I’ve lost with you, so it’s how much timeI need to make this right.”

I knew our separation killed him as much as it did me, but it wasno one’s fault. Okay…well, it was kind of his fault for lunging at Megan whileshe was holding a knife. But then again, I’d done the same thing when I’d beenshot. Each of us was trying to protect the other, essentially protecting ourown hearts.

We’d sure been through a lot during the course of ourrelationship, but I wouldn’t change a thing if it meant we would always findour way back to each other.

I didn’t want to burst his bubble, but I didn’t want him gettingahead of himself either. “Alek, the doctor said it would be another week beforeyou were able to go home, and once there, you have to take it easy until you’refully recovered. So, as much as I would love to spend weeks in bed with you, itwon’t be happening until I say you’re able to do so. Got it?”

He looked annoyed but gave in. “Got it,” he said, a wave of painripping through him and reminding him it was going to take some time to fullyheal.

Even pouting, he was gorgeous.

~42~

Alek

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