Page 143 of Need You Now

Lacey’s bedroom is dim and warm. A space heater kicks out hot air in a corner of the room. As Seth crosses the floor, his entire focus is on the small ball curled up in the middle of the bed.

His chest tightens when he sees Lacey close up. She’s cocooned in blankets. A silky heap of blond hair spilled across the pillows. Her lashes dark against the white pallor of her skin. Her breathing steady and even. Alive. So goddamn alive and infinitely precious to him.

He should have protected her from Beau, and he didn’t.

He had his chance, and he fucked up.

Like so many times before.

Not touching that cocaine, the first time around.

Stepping away from that redneck before Luke became collateral damage.

Staying with Sal at the hospital when she needed him.

Catching Lacey’s fever before it even started.

Seth exhales, fighting his demons.

He wouldn’t blame her for blaming him. For calling it quits.

Not like it matters anymore. The only thing he wants is for her to be okay. Then to tell her he’s so damn sorry. That he’ll love her every single day for the rest of his life if she’ll still let him.

Seth crawls onto the bed beside Lacey, needing to feel her against him. Needing the contact after being kept apart from her. She’s radiating warmth, warmth she desperately needs. He scoots beneath the covers, pulling more blankets around them to keep the heat in. His hands tremble as he reaches out to touch her. He places a palm against her cold cheek, smoothing a finger across the arc of her cheekbone. The bluish tinge to her lips scares him. A reminder of how close she came.

How close he came to losing his entire world.

Tears burn his eyelids and he squeezes his eyes shut tight. He can’t fall apart now. Not when Lacey needs him.

She’s been so goddamn strong. Fierce as hell. Cracking jokes trying to make him feel better when she was the one who damn near died.

Lacey moans, a soft whimper that has his heart caving in. Then, like she can see him in her sleep, her hands flutter restlessly, reaching out to clutch his shirt. Her slender form curls into him. Her voice a breathless whisper. “Seth.”

His name on her lips threatens to break him. Has Seth closing his eyes to the wave of emotion billowing over him.

“I’m here, Lace,” he chokes out, instinctively pulling her closer. Into his warmth, his strength. “I’m here and I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” He scoops up her slack hand and presses a kiss to her knuckles.

Christ. She’s cold. Still so damn cold.

Again, she moans, her brow crinkling in pain.

Seth tucks her against him, carefully taking her hand to warm her cold and clammy fingers in his. Lacey stirs slightly and Seth rests his forehead against hers. He listens to her breathe, in and out, steady and strong, and then he’s palming her cheek, hot tears are filling his eyes and he’s the one who can’t breathe.

“I love you,” he whispers. “I love you so much, Lacey.”

He hopes she can hear him.

But most of all, he hopes she forgives him.

Lacey opens her eyes, and the first thing she feels is warmth. Warmth from the sun, shining bright through the windows. Warmth from the twenty tons of blankets she’s been covered with, stacked so heavy she can barely move. And most important—warmth from the body pressed close to hers, cleaving her close and tender.

Seth.

He holds her tight against him. One arm draped protectively over the curve of her hip, the other up and on top, his broad hand palming the crown of her blond head.

She smiles, content to take in Seth as he sleeps. He looks exhausted, still dressed in his clothes. His hair mussed, his eyes red-rimmed and raw.

And that’s when she remembers.

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