Page 10 of Chasing Temptation
Chapter Four
Beeping is the first thing I notice before the ache that starts somewhere in the middle of my body and radiates out to the very tips of my fingers and toes. What the fuck is—shit.
I can hear movement in the distance, but as I try to figure out what it all means, darkness claims me once again.
I’ve no idea how much time passes before my senses come back to me once again, but when they do, a few memories hit me.
Quinn.
Before I manage to even attempt to drag my eyes open, I’m out cold again.
The next time I come to, I hear a vaguely familiar male voice.
“I hate leaving you like this, but I’ve got to get back.”
“It’s fine, I get it. I’m fine.” Quinn. My heart aches at hearing her voice, and I want more than anything to be able to look at her, but my eyes won’t cooperate.
“I know you are, and so is he.” My skin heats, knowing they’re looking at me.
“I-I know.” Quinn sniffles, and it breaks my heart that she’s hurting.
“You heard the doctor. He was lucky and will be back to his usual self soon. Plus those two dodgy coppers have somehow managed to ensure there’s no investigation so he’s in the clear.” I’m not sure if Eddie is happy about that or not, but as long as Quinn is, that’s all that matters.
“I know.” Her quiet sobs fill the room, but the darkness starts to claim me once again.
The next time I come to it’s quiet, aside from the fucking beep, and I panic.
Quinn.
My need to know if she’s okay has me trying to move.
“Argh,” I cry as I try to sit up, my eyes flying open for the first time. The electric lights above me burn, making me squint as I attempt to curl myself into a ball in the hope that the pain stops.
“It’s okay, just relax.” The sound of her soft voice calms me down instantly, and the warmth of her hand landing on my cheek makes every tense muscle in my body relax.
“Quinn?” My throat is so dry that her name is barely audible. My eyes crack open and her blurry face fills them.
“Shhh. I’m here.”
Her other hand squeezes mine, and it’s enough for me to relax and drift back off to sleep.
I have no idea where I am or how I got here, but she’s beside me. That’s all that matters.
The next time I come to, the pain has subsided slightly, but the most obvious difference is that there are two female voices softly speaking, both of which I recognise.
“I can’t believe he turned up like that expecting just to walk out with me.”
“I can. He’s pretty hard headed. Once he gets an idea he doesn’t generally stop until he gets what he wants.”
“Damn fucking straight.” My voice is rough and my throat burns as I say the words, but I can’t lie here listening to them talk about me.
Silence falls around us, but I’m yet to open my eyes, seeing as my eyelids feel like lead weights, but I know they’re there, and I know they’re both staring at me.
Both of my hands are grasped.
“Don’t you ever do that to me again, you hear me?” Lauren chastises, squeezing my hand tighter.
Mustering up as much strength as I can find, I drag my eyes open to look at her.
