Page 227 of Cross & Crown

“I want to go home,” Nick grunted.

Kelly strolled into the room, nodding to placate him.

“Soon. Get a little more blood in you first, huh?”

Nick didn’t say anything. He reached out when Kelly got

close, grabbed a handful of his hair, and pulled him into a

227

ruthless kiss. He left Kelly panting when their lips parted, and Nick closed his eyes, sighing as if he’d been holding his breath until he could get Kelly into his hands.

Kelly took him by both shoulders and forced him to

recline. “Faster you get this over with, faster we’ll go home.

Promise.”

Nick nodded, his eyes staying closed.

Kelly sat on the edge of his bed, reading the medications

labels, trying to just be a worried lover rather than a worried SARC for once. He leaned over Nick and pressed his

forehead to Nick’s, closing his eyes. He didn’t know how long

they stayed that way, but when a PA came in to check Nick’s

stitches and vitals, it was dark outside.

Despite the doctor’s advice, Nick demanded that he be

allowed to go home, claiming Kelly was perfectly capable of

keeping an eye on him overnight. They had no choice but to

let him check himself out, and Kelly knew Nick too well to

argue against it.

Kelly helped him to his feet, and Nick hugged him close,

pressing his face against Kelly’s cheek. “Take me home,” he

whispered.

Kelly nodded jerkily. He wrapped his arm around Nick’s

waist, letting him rest some weight on him as he helped him

over to the wheelchair.

Once Nick was in the passenger seat of the Range Rover,

Kelly hopped behind the wheel. Nick was silent on the drive

home, keeping his eyes shut as Kelly struggled with the GPS.

---