Exposure - Kelly Moran Page 0,112

dedication. "You can have the whole week off. Hell, take the month. And a raise."

Before Max could protest, Noah strode back into Raven's room, pulled a chair over to the bed, and sat. Taking her hand in his, he slipped the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. Tightness pulled at his chest seeing it in place. Tears burned again.

"You have to wake up so I can ask you properly, baby. I'm not living a day without you, so open your eyes. Please."

The thick, black lashes fanning her cheeks didn't flutter, but he talked to her for another hour before exhaustion claimed him. Setting his head down on the mattress, he kept her hand in his and reveled in the beautiful sound of her breathing.

"No!"

He jerked awake and lifted his head.

Raven tried to pull her hand from his. Her eyes were pinched closed, her heart monitor going crazy. "No. Get away from me!"

Rising, he leaned over the bed and cupped her uninjured cheek. "Shh, baby. It's Noah. You're safe." When she relaxed a margin, he continued. "You're in the hospital, but you're okay. You're safe."

"Noah?" Her breathy whimper nearly brought him to his knees.

"Yes, baby. I'm here."

A nurse strode in and narrowed her eyes. Glancing at the monitor, she frowned. "Sir, you're upsetting her. Please--"

He glanced over his shoulder. "Back the hell off for a minute, would you?"

"Noah?"

When he turned back, Raven's eyes were open. The swelling in her face was gone, leaving only purple and blue bruises in its place. "You're okay, baby."

Her wide, confused gaze found his. "Wh-what happened?"

"Sir, you need to leave the room--"

He stroked Raven's cheek with his thumb and ignored the nurse. "You were hurt. You're in the hospital, but you're fine. You almost died, so please, just calm down."

She nodded frantically and winced. Recognition dawned in her eyes. "Soreno--"

"Is dead," he assured. "He can't hurt you anymore. Take a deep breath, baby. Calm down."

She did as he instructed and winced again, but her monitors ceased the frenzy. "He took me from the storage room."

"That's right." He didn't want her upset again and didn't want her reliving this now, so he changed the subject. "Hoan's show sold out."

A waning smile tilted the corners of her mouth and she drifted back to sleep.

The nurse huffed and stormed out, only to come back moments later with a doctor. Not the same one who'd given Noah the update last night. This one was a younger woman in her thirties with blonde hair tied back in a tight bun.

"I heard she woke up." The doctor leaned over and lifted Raven's eyelids to shine a light in each one.

Raven grimaced and swatted her hand away.

Good girl. "Yes. She was lucid."

The doctor straightened. "That's excellent. Her vitals look great, too. If she keeps this up, we can move her out of ICU." She set a hand on Raven's shoulder. "Raven, can you open your eyes for me?"

Her lashes fluttered and lifted.

After a series of questions, to which Raven responded, the doctor left.

"How are you feeling, baby?"

She seemed to take stock. "A little sore, but I'm okay." She rubbed her eyes and drew her hand back to stare unblinking at the ring. Not one muscle so much as twitched.

"I love you."

Her gaze darted to his and softened. "I love you, too." Her lower lip trembled and her eyes filled with tears. "I didn't think I'd get a chance to tell you."

Scooting closer, he took her hand and kissed her knuckles over the ring. "You're safe." He swiped her tears with his thumb. "Scared me half to death." He looked in her eyes, heart pounding. He wanted to pull her into his arms and squeeze, but they had time for that, after she healed. "I wouldn't mind hearing it again, though."

"I love you, Noah." She didn't hesitate, not even a second.

The band around his heart loosened and he had to clear his throat twice before responding. "Then marry me."

***

Raven closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun, basking in the glow of summer that was too short-lived for Alaska. Brine and cut grass blended with the lingering scent of rain to remind her how much life was around her. Letting the warmth consume her, she tugged Aubrey closer to her side and fought the small wave of insecurity that sometimes still rose.

It had been four months since she'd almost died, but she'd come a long way. The nightmares from her kidnapping had become infrequent. Noah was always there