Second Dive (Kings of the Water #3) - Jasmin Miller Page 0,92

thin, flexible tube so they can see the veins and arteries on an X-ray. Sounds pretty grueling to me. I’m glad Chloe only has to do this once a year.

On the other side, I can’t help but be grateful for all of these procedures, medications, and tests—no matter how uncomfortable they sound—because they allow her to be here. Where I can touch her, see her, where I can be with her.

“Thankfully, I don’t feel it because of the local anesthesia. It’s just a long day. Having to lie flat on my back for four to six hours at the hospital so the groin entry side can heal is more annoying than anything, but a necessary evil. Usually, I just read a book while I wait.”

“I can come and keep you company once you’re done if you’d like?”

She looks up from where she was staring at our hands. “Why would you want to do that?”

I blow out a breath. This isn’t really going according to plan. “We can do this another time. You need to get some sleep.”

“I’m fine.” She disentangles my hand and stands up, her nervous energy cascading around her like an invisible force. “Don’t get me wrong, I love that you’re here, that you dropped by today, but I need to know what this is—what we are—or I’ll go crazy. I’ve had enough sleepless nights as it is.”

Shit.

“I’m here because I don’t want to miss another moment with you.”

Her little gasp urges me on to continue. “I can’t pretend the whole kids thing wasn’t a total kick to the balls because it was. It still is. It hurts, and I’m sure it’ll hurt for a long time, if not forever. But missing out on you—on us—would hurt even more. I don’t know if I would survive that.”

Unshed tears shimmer in her eyes as she hangs on my every word.

I stand up and step in front of her. Close enough to feel her breath on my skin, to be able to cup her face in my hands and stare into her eyes. “When I imagine my future, all I can see is you. It’s always been you, little bird. Always.”

The first tear rolls down her cheek, and I wipe it away.

But I’m not done yet. “I want to wake up next to you, and I want to fall asleep with you in my arms.”

She nods, her lips pressed into a pout. “I want that too . . . so much.”

The pads of my thumbs are wet from her tears as I lean down to touch her forehead with mine. “You and me, baby.”

Her head moves against mine in a nod before her body catches up with us again and she yawns.

“Okay, bedtime. Now.”

She wipes at her eyes and smiles at me. “Will you stay?”

“Of course.” I lean in to kiss her gently. “I meant it when I said I don’t want to waste another second with you.”

“I feel the same way.”

“Thank fuck.” This time, our kiss is deeper, and I indulge in it. In the feel of her soft lips on mine, the minty flavor of her toothpaste still on her tongue. Her hands as they dig into my waist. The way she pushes her body against mine.

And that’s when I pull the brakes. Begrudgingly.

I could fill buckets with the frustration I’m feeling over not having my way with her right now when all I want to do is strip her naked and bury myself deep within her. So deep that she can still feel me next week. Right after I’d taste every inch of her magnificent body that I’ve missed so much. Lick her. Nibble on her.

But her health is more important. To get rid of those dark circles under her eyes higher on my priority list than my raging hard-on. Even though he’d like to disagree with that.

After one more lengthy kiss, I finally pull back and allow the words to flow out of my mouth. “I love you.”

Her hands bite into my sides. “I love you.”

Another gentle kiss before I pull her into my arms and hold her tight. Ready to fight for this woman, to fight alongside her. Because her struggles are mine, and I’ll try my damnedest to bring her as much happiness as I can. She deserves every single bit of it.

I lead her to the bed and pull the covers back. “Hop in, I’ll be right back.”

After a quick bathroom break and shedding most of my clothes except for my boxers, I