Page 48 of Wicked Cowboy
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease caused acid reflux and could mimic a heart attack to one unfamiliar with it. Carter came behind me and desire washed through me still when he said, “Pop, you need to watch your diet.”
At least he didn’t touch me. Maybe in time, I’d learn to let this all go. For now, he backed up and let me step away from the bed but asked, “So he’ll be okay, Ridley?”
“GERD can be related to diet and we both know you’re not following the rules.” I patted Hudson’s arm. “You should be fine if you eat like your doctor recommends.”
Carter’s voice was low and sure. “That would be easier if you were sticking around.”
Damn. I was drowning.
Chelsea hugged me. “Of course she is. She and Carter are getting married today.”
It was after midnight and we hadn’t told her. She’d been in her room. My mind raced almost as fast as my own heart at the moment. I swallowed and hoped the words came. “I-"
“Ridley, can we talk?” Carter cut off what I’d say with his question and then his gaze narrowed. “Alone?”
Why? My heart throbbed, and I rubbed the back of my neck. If he told me to leave when Chelsea called me here, I’d probably seek out the next hospital bed in a mental ward. But I met his gaze. “Sure.”
We both slipped out the door, neither saying a word. I led our small trek down the hall, past the nurse's station, and to the family waiting room. It was still empty, and I pointed Carter in.
He waited until the door closed and then tried to take my hand. I didn’t let him, but he said, “I was a fool earlier with you.”
Now he regretted it, because of his father’s visit. Tears stung my cheeks, but I shook my head and asked, “Calling off the wedding, you mean?”
He lowered his head and I swear I saw a tear out of the corner of his eyes too. “I shouldn’t have done that.”
I hugged myself and swallowed. The truth was enough. “You don’t want to marry me. I get it. I’m not a prize-”
“You are.” He interrupted me and then patted my shoulders like he was my coach. “I’ve never met someone as wonderful as you are.”
Yeah right. I couldn’t change my face. Well, technically, it was possible, but this was how I was made and I never liked how anyone looked with plastic surgery.
But Carter would never understand this me no matter what I did. He was tall, dark, handsome, and had a slight broody personality. I pivoted to look out the small window in the room and ignore how even now my body heated near him. “No, you’ll be with someone beautiful who’ll make you look good and I’ll never be that.”
His voice was low. “Ridley?”
Goosebumps still grew on me. I let go of my waist and swung toward the door to leave. “Look, I’ll just make sure everyone’s fine.”
“Wait.”
His voice sent a thrill of desire in me. I glanced over my shoulder at him. “Why?”
He placed his hand on his heart. “Because you deserve better than me.” I faced him and he came closer. “You’re sexy, and capable, and have the biggest heart I’ve ever known.”
His words were like heat that found my cold spots inside my chest cavity. I asked, “I’m sexy?”
“Absolutely,” He laughed. “My cock is hard for you, even now, when I know you hate me for what I said.”
I gazed down and ignored the impulse in my body to reach out and touch his manhood. My lips curled up and I met his gaze, “I don’t hate you. I get why you called off our wedding. You did nothing wrong.”
He shook his head. “I did everything wrong with you. I was scared.”
I raised my eyebrow. I hadn’t expected him to admit that. He was a Navy SEAL billionaire who lived on a ranch. He seemed invincible.
“Scared? Yeah, right.”
He reached out for my hand and squeezed my palm. “I was. I… was dead inside before you showed up in my life.”
Virility pulsated out of him. From our simple touch, I was already more alive. He was like a spark that was too powerful to ever be hidden. “That’s not true.”
