Page 58 of With You Forever

He grins. “Everyone came. Waitin’ on word.”

Lacey’s eyes widen. Her lower lip trembles. Hot moisture at the backs of her eyes at the thought of her friends being there to support Seth. “Oh. Oh wow.”

Seth smiles, his eyes damp. “You did good, princess. The doc said everything went great with your surgery.” His voice trembles with emotion and a shaky exhale rumbles out of him. “Christ. You’ve been so fuckin’ brave. So strong.” His hand palms the crown of her head. “I’m so goddamn proud of you.”

Lacey lets out a long sigh. The warmth of his words, his love inked on her heart.

Seth leans down, brushing a kiss to her mouth. She grips his arm, a slow heat wave in her belly. All she wants to do is get out of this hospital, away from the beeps of the machines and be with Seth.

“Lay with me,” she says.

His face softening, he gives a nod of assent, and then he’s carefully swinging himself up beside her, boots and all, his long, lean body cradling hers protectively.

They lie together in the bed, a sync of hearts, of breaths. Seth traces his fingers up her arm and she fights a shiver. Fights the urge to climb on top of him. She already knows Seth would put a very unfair stop to that.

So she settles for snuggling into him, inhaling his heady scent. Then, taking in the crystal blue of his eyes, Lacey says, “Remember that time I thought this year would be all about my career and wedding? Wow, was I off. Like way, way off.”

Seth laughs and lays his mouth against her ear. “Now it ain’t that bad.”

“Oh, it isn’t?”

“You still got a handsome husband to call your own.”

She hums consideringly.

“When can I get out of here?” she asks.

He groans. “You ain’t gonna give me a minute to relax, are you?”

She smiles. “Never.”

His grin fades into a serious expression. “Soon. The doctor will be back to talk to you, you’ll rest here for a few hours, then I take you home.”

She closes her eyes.Home.

She can’t wait.

“Just know,” Seth says, and she opens her eyes. His mouth is twitching, humor in his gaze, “I’m ready. Ready to change bandages. Ready to boss you around.”

She scoffs, puts a hand to her forehead. “A honeymoon in bed. How very unglamorous.”

Seth gives her a stern look. “Put the pout away, princess. You’re stayin’ in that bed until I personally discharge you. Two weeks. Out of commission.”

She groans. “You’re a sadist.”

“Hell, you ain’t gonna be alone.”

She arches a brow. “Oh no?”

“Hell no.” Seth captures her mouth in one long, sweet kiss. “It’s gonna be the best kind of honeymoon. Horror movies. Pizza. A gorgeous green-eyed blond listening to her handsome husband’s wise words of wisdom while she heals.”

Lacey laughs.

Seth tugs her close. “You hear that, princess? We’re stayin’ in bed all day.”

She smiles. “Could be a good thing.”

Seth kisses her as he tightens his arms around her. “Could be a great thing.”

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