His eyes meet mine, and his lips turn down. My heart is in my throat. Everyone can see it, can hear it pounding. It’s clear from the monitor pinging loudly next to me.
“Hello, kitten. Glad you’re awake.” His voice is hoarse as well. Most likely from smoke inhalation.
My breathing saws in and out of me as he’s wheeled up next to me, and his bandaged hand reaches out and gently touches mine.
“You saved me.”
“I told you to stay near me and you ran into the flames. I had no other choice.”
“Luca.” It’s a gasp, a wheeze.
“I walked through fire for you, baby.”
“Oh my god,” I whisper as tears leak down my face.
“You should have listened to me, but you didn’t. Never again.”
“I know, but you’re not the boss of me.”
“I literally am.” His mouth is set in a frown and his fingers reach out, the bandages rubbing against the tears streaking down my cheeks.
“Not always.”
Luca arches an eyebrow at me, and I melt as his gaze meets mine. “I’m going to have to punish you when we’re better. For disobeying.”
I huff a small laugh and then cough. “Yeah, alright. I’ll accept it.”
“Good. Now I’m going to kiss you, kitten. Soft and gentle because you’re hurt, but when things improve, I’m going to make you bleed.”
“Do it. Please,” I whisper, needing his lips on mine.
He leans up from his chair and our mouths meet in a sweet, soft kiss before he falls back.
“Oh, the first kiss as husbands!” Bane cries and then slaps a hand over his mouth.
“Why the fuck does he keep saying that?” I ask Luca.
“Oh! Me! I know! He put a gun to a priest’s head and made him marry you!” Bane blurts again and then slaps another hand over his mouth, his eyes wide, dancing with laughter.
“What the fuck, Luca!”
“What?” He doesn’t move his eyes from me, unashamed and unrepentant.
“You married me? You didn’t even get my consent, you asshole. You can’t just go around doing that shit.”
“Why would I get your consent when I knew what you’d say?”
“Luca,” I say with a growl. “That’s not a thing. Plus, it’s against the law.”
“You would have said fucking yes. Why bother asking? And we break the law all the time. It’s our job.”
“You are such a shit.” I look down at my hand and meet his eyes once more. “And where the hell is my ring? Hm? You married me and didn’t deliver.”
“On order,” he replies. “Rush delivery. Don’t worry, kitten. I have all bases covered.”
“Well, I’m not saying yes. I’ll think on it.”
Luca arches an eyebrow. “You know you’re fucking ecstatic and you’re going to wear that fucking ring until we die. You’d say yes in a heartbeat if you weren’t such a stubborn little shit.”