Page 44 of Forever My Protector

I waved as he left the room and it was just Colt and I.“Now, I was thinking,” I began.“I know I’m in pain, but does anything heal better than physical touch?”I licked my bottom lip and could feel my body flush.

Colt harrumphed.“That’s what you’re thinking about?”

I slapped the sheets on the bed.“Oh, come on, tell me you haven’t missed this?”I leaned over and trailed kisses along his jawline.

Colt brought my hand to his mouth then and kissed me.“You know, when I was putting together a bag of clothes for you before I left, I found something very interesting.”

I rolled my eyes, knowing full well what he was talking about.“Please, you thought that was mine.”

“It’s in your drawer.”

“It’s not mine.”

“Whose is it then?”

“Okay, so it’s mine.Brooke bought it for my last birthday.”

Just then the nurse walked in with her clipboard.“Hello again,” she greeted me.“Mr.Ryder.”She pulled out papers and handed them over.“You can be discharged after you fill out these papers.We scheduled a routine follow-up with your orthopedist in two weeks.Remember to use your crutches so you don’t bear weight on your ankle.At your check-up he’ll tell you how it’s healing.And you’ll need to see your OB-GYN soon and no sex for another two days,” she said, eyeing us closely.

“Absolutely,” I promised.

She nodded.“I’ll leave you to it then.”

I nodded and looked at the love of my life.“And I’ll be updating all my emergency contacts at those appointments.To you,” I clarified when he didn’t seem to understand what I was saying.“Once Brandon died, I had to make someone else my contact and Brooke was the closest thing I had to family, but now that’s you, so it just makes sense.”

He smiled.“You have no idea how much this means to me.That you trust me enough.That you love me enough.”

I tried to lighten the mood.“Colt, it’s just an emergency contact.”

“It’s more than that,” he insisted.“I love you, Scar.”

“I love you, too,” I said.

He helped me out of bed and to the bathroom where I tried getting dressed on my own, failed, and he had to help me the rest of the way.Then he filled out the discharge paperwork and I couldn’t have been happier.“I can’t believe I’m getting the hell out of here finally,” I said.

He replied with a soft kiss on my swollen lips.“Well, believe it because I’m taking you home with me and never leaving your side again.”

“You promise?”I said, melting into his arms.

“I promise.”

Chapter Seventeen

Colton

Before driving Scarlet home, I should’ve thought of her crutches and made proper accommodations.I didn’t even think of the fact that she wouldn’t be able to walk up the stairs to get to the bedroom.The few stairs to the door also didn’t cross my mind.Honestly, I was just so happy to have her home with me.

As she unbuckled her seatbelt, I brought her crutches from the backseat to her side.When I opened the door, I was met by a scowling Scarlet.“I’m not a child, Colt.”

“I know that,” I guaranteed her.“I just want to take care of you, okay?Let me take care of you.”

Scarlet sighed and brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes.“Okay, if that’s what you need to do, then I’m not going to stop you.But, please, I don’t need you fussing over me.Just pretend like it never happened.”

I swallowed hard.That was easier said than done.“That’s not an easy thing to ask me.”

“I know it isn’t.”She tried to reach me, so I met her halfway and she brushed a light kiss on my lips.“Thank you, Colt.”

She struggled getting out of the car and I so badly wanted to rush over and help her, lift her into my arms, but I resisted thanks to her warning.She hoisted herself up and took her crutches from me, tucking them under her arms.Suddenly, it looked like she’d run a marathon.“You’d never think of how much effort it takes to do the simple things.”

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