Page 99 of Stolen Kisses

My heart cracks at his words—the confidence behindthem is strongand clear. He’s lost so much and for him to be here with me through something so similar to his past experiences, means so very much to me. Twisting in my seat, I turn my body toward him. “Thank you.”

He gives me a quick smile, before turning back to the road. “No problem.”

“No. I mean, thankyou. You’ve been amazing throughout this entire process and I know it’s had to be especially difficult for you.” I swallow the excess saliva my nerves are producing for what I’m about to say. “I can’t imagine how hard it’s been to support me throughout this process. I’m surprised you stayed, to be honest.”

He looks at me, huffing out a breath. His shoulders drop. “If we’re being honest, there was a moment of doubt in the hospital when I first learnedwhyyou had surgery.” He glances across to me, then back to the road. I guess I shouldn’t feel hurt, but I do. “But I decided that even if I could only have one more day with you, I wanted it more than I wanted to preserve my heart.”

What can I say?He stayed. Even though he knew this would be painful; could possibly even have a tragic ending.He stayed. That means more to me than he could ever possibly imagine. I want to jump all over him right now. “Thank you. For everything.”

He squeezes my thigh in acknowledgment as he pulls into the hospital parking lot. Isuckin a deep lungful of air, hold, then release it. I watch Theo jump out of his truck and walk around the front to my side. Opening my door, he holds my hips to help me down. Pulling me in close, he presses his warm lips against mine. Swiping his tongue across the seam, I sigh as I open for him. I can’t see myself ever denying this man. He’s been incredibly steadfast during a time where I’ve really had nothing to offer him. He hasn’t pushed, he’s been patient, giving, and honorable. I think I’ve seen the real Theo these last few weeks. The manwho’slet go of his fear and is ready to commit to making the future he wants. Sliding our tongues against each other in a dance we’ve practiced many times in the last several weeks, our breaths combine as our hearts beat in sync. Pressing my body against his at every available point, I feel his cock harden behind his zipper. I’m reminded of my impending surgery as the hard expanders press into my ribs. Pulling away, Theo presses his forehead against mine, our eyes locked. The blue of his as bright as the sky today.

“You don’t need to thank me for anything. I love you, Emma.” Even though my heart’s already racing from our kiss, it picks up more speed as Isuckin a startled breath. “You don’t have to say it back. I just … I … wanted you to know before you went into surgery. I’m alwaysgonnabe here for you. I want to be the best man I can be for you, your boys, and Kennedy. I want you to know that you can rely on me. For always.” He gives me a half-smile, grabs my overnight bag, and my hand before guiding me toward the building. “Come on. You don’t want to be late.”

I walk alongside him in a daze at his confession. As soon as we enter the hospital, it’s almost as though I’m on a conveyor belt. Signing forms, getting prepped, talking with the plastic surgeon, before being taken through to surgery—Theo with me every single step of the way. He kisses my hand one last time as the orderly prepares to roll me away from him. Looking up at the orderly, I ask, “Can I have a couple of seconds, please?”

“Sure.” He steps away, allowing Theo to move in closer.

I grasp his hand, pulling him down toward me. Kissing his lips gently, I whisper, “I love you, too, Theo.” His eyes widen and his lipstilt upwardas he shakes his head slightly.

“You love me?” It’s sweet how confused he is at my confession.

“Yeah. I love you, Mr. Drivas.” I kiss him quickly as the orderly returns.

“I’m sorry, we really must head up to the theater.” I nod.

Theo presses one last kiss to my forehead before I’m wheeled away.

–theo–

She fuckinglovesme.

I don’t know what I did to deserve it, but I’vegottabe the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I plan on doing everything I can to keep her loving me for the rest of our lives. The first thing I need to do is contact the realtor. I’ve got shit to organize.

After making plans, I make myself as comfortable as I can in the waiting room. It feels as though it wasn’t all that longagoI was sitting here with Emma’s parents, not knowing why she was in surgery, just knowing Ihadto be here.

I’m making my third lap of the waiting room when Sally and John step through the doors, coffees resting in a cardboard tray along with a paper bag. “Hi, Theo. We hope you don’t mind that we wanted to come by too.”

“Of course not. She’s your daughter. I can’t imagine how difficult it’s been for the both of you since youlearned abouther diagnosis.” I step forward to shake John’s hand as Sally’s shoulders drop into a more relaxed position.

She offers me a smile. “Oh, I’m so glad you understand. We didn’t want to intrude, you know?” She leans forward, giving me a one-armed hug. “We brought supplies.” She raises the coffees she’s balancing to make her point.

Thinking over everything I’ve said to them over the past few weeks, I’m worried I’ve given them the impression that I didn’t want them around. I grab the coffee handed to me and take a welcome sip. “I’m sorry if I’ve ever given the impression that you were unwelcome or intruding when I spoke to you afterEm’sfirst surgery.” Their eyes widen. “I just meant that I wanted to be part of her support network, not that you couldn’t be.”

“Oh, no. We knew what you meant. We were more than happy to allow you to support and care for Em in her recovery.” I breathe a sigh of relief. I really need to watch what I say and how it comes across. My stupid mouth is always getting me into trouble.

We settle in, drinking our coffees and snacking on the blueberry muffins theStanfield’sbrought with them. Sally keeps the conversation going and I’m doing my best to converse with her. Until I started living with Kenny, I pretty much lived in silence; only talking with clients and a couple of guys I met on different jobs over the years. I’m not sure I’d be able to cope with Sally’s chatter if I hadn’t spent these last months with the littlefirecrackerI’ve started to call my daughter.

This surgery is so much shorter than her first one, but it seems like it’s taking an age.I feel as though I’m going to come out of my skin while I wait to see my girl again. I only hope everything goes as smoothly as it has so far. We both know she’s been incredibly lucky with her first procedure.

I’m staring up at the ceiling when Dr. Corrigan enters through the double doors with a wide smile on her face. She comes straight toward me. “Theo. Emma’s done really well insurgery,she’s being taken to recovery for ashort whilebefore she’s settled in a room.”

My body sags with overwhelming relief. Exhaustion from these lastweekssettles over me. “Thanks, Doctor. These are Emma’s parents.” I gesture toward my companions. “Sally and John.”

They shake hands. “Great to meet you. You should be able to go through to see Emma shortly.”

“Thank you so much.Em’sspoken very highly of you over the past few weeks.”

Dr. Corrigan smiles at Sally. “Oh, that’s lovely to hear. Thank you.”

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