Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,352

then, Miss Hagan, let’s get you fixed up. We can’t have our star quarterback worrying about his girl; he needs to focus on the big game,” he says, grinning at Allison.

“Um, he’s—” Allison tries to speak, but I interrupt her. I really like the sound of someone else calling her my girl.

“He’s right, baby. Let’s get you taken care of, so we can get you home,” I tell her.

She looks a little confused, but she smiles at me and nods her head.

After examining Allison, Dr. Lansing states he thinks it is just a bad bruise. He doesn’t even ask how it happened. He talks football with me the entire time, except for a few ‘does this hurt’ questions to Allison. I’m relieved though, because all we need is the media to get wind of this. Dr. Lansing sends Allison for x-rays of her hand, just to be safe. I, of course, refuse to let her go to radiology without me. After about thirty minutes, Dr. Lansing informs us his prediction is correct and the hand is just bruised and swollen. He advises Allison to take Advil as needed for pain and leave the ice pack the nurse gave her on for another thirty minutes.

I help Allison out to the Pathfinder and get her buckled in. She immediately begins to grumble about how she was right and I ‘wasted my time’ taking her to the emergency room.

I smile. “Thank you, for humoring me. I’ll sleep better tonight knowing you really are okay.”

“Hmph,” is her only reply. She’s even sexy when she’s mad.

I shoot Aiden and Hales a quick text letting them know she’s okay and we’re on our way after a quick errand. Looking over to find Allison asleep, I decide to stop at the all-night pharmacy and pick up more Advil. While I’m there, I go ahead and buy a new ice pack and a few other snacks I know she likes. When I return to my Pathfinder, she’s still asleep. I find myself constantly sneaking glances at her as I drive us back to my apartment. She’s so beautiful. She pulls me in, like a moth to a flame. Smiling at my earlier admission, I’m going to try. I want all of her, and I have never been happier. Convincing her I’m ready might take me a while, but I’m determined, and I never give up on what I want.

I pull up to the apartment and shut the truck off. I lean over and kiss her on the forehead. I hate to wake her up, she looks so peaceful. I grab the bag from the pharmacy and quietly get out of the car. I send Aiden a text telling him to open the door. I make my way to the passenger side, unbuckle her seat belt, and scoop her up in my arms.

“Liam?”

“It’s me. We’re back at my apartment. Let’s get you into bed.” Allison mumbles something I can’t really make out, but it sounds like ‘safe’. I cradle her tight against my chest. Fuck, this girl has weaved a spell over me.

“You’re safe, baby, I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

When I reach the door, Aiden’s already there, holding it open.

“How is she?” he asks as his eyes take in Allison cradled against my chest.

“She’s good. Just bruised and swollen. I stopped at the pharmacy.” I motion my head toward the bag I’m holding in my hand for him to take.

“Damn, what all did you get?”

I shrug. “I picked up more Advil, plus an Ace wrap, and an ice pack. I also picked up a few snacks I know she likes.” I’ve done nothing but watch her since we met.

Aiden looks at me and smiles. “You’re hooked, aren’t you?”

“More than you know, my man, more than you know.” I continue down the hall and stop at my bedroom door.

“Liam, Hales is already in there asleep. After we got your text she was wiped out, so I convinced her to go on to bed. I had to promise if anything changed, I would wake her up.”

Fuck! I want Allison in my bed. I want to take care of her. I turn and headed back toward the living room; she can sleep on the couch, and I’ll take the chair.

“Um, Liam, Blitzen is here, remember?” Aiden smirks. He knows this is killing me, and he’s enjoying the hell out of it.

“Fine,” I mumble as I walk into his bedroom. I lay Allison down on the bed. As I do, she reaches