Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 101335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101335 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“Once he wakes, he can make his own decisions. For now, this protects him.” Dr. Knox smiled and inclined his head in Colt’s direction.
“I also brought you a change of clothes. You need to go shower and find something solid to eat. Now go, everything will be okay.” Mitch reached out and hugged him, giving him a couple of pats on the back. “I’ll watch things in—” Mitch was cut off.
“He’s mine. And as soo…” A gruff voice hissed in a breath. Surprised, they all turned toward Colt. He was staring at them, his eyes were open, not much more than slits, but they were open. “Fuck! Soon as I get my body moving, I’m kickin’ your ass.” Colt finally managed to get the words out between labored breaths. His voice was hoarse and weak. Also about the sexiest thing Jace had ever heard, and he was the first one to Colt’s bedside.
“You’re awake,” Jace said, a smile broke across his face as he moved closer to the bed, grinning down at Colt.
“I can’t move to kick his ass,” Colt muttered, his eyes on Jace. “Help me get up.”
“You have to stop moving and lay still. You’ve been in an accident. You’re hurt,” Jace warned. Colt didn’t listen and kept struggling, so he carefully placed his hand on Colt’s chest to keep him still.
“Colton, stop moving, son,” Dr. Knox scolded, his deep voice held authority. That caught Colt’s attention, and he stopped fighting, turning his head toward the doctor.
“Where am I?” Colt’s voice cracked, along with his lips, and he tried to swipe his tongue across them, but it was too dry to do much.
“You’re in a hospital in Hawaii. You had an automobile accident,” Dr. Knox said. Jace grabbed the cup with a straw. Colt took a couple of solid pulls from the straw and gave another loud groan.
“That explains why my head hurts so fuckin’ bad,” Colt said and took another sip when Jace put the straw back in his mouth.
Colt’s eyes landed on Mitch. He pushed the straw out of his mouth and narrowed his brow. Okay, maybe he didn’t narrow his brow. It was hard to tell with the condition of his face.
“I’m kickin’ your ass.”
“I welcome the opportunity,” Mitch grinned at Colt and remained standing at the foot of the bed.
“Colt, this is my son, Mitch. He’s a Deputy US Marshal over the investigation of your accident.”
“Shit,” Colt began but didn’t finish. His eyes closed and he was back asleep in a matter of seconds. As they all registered he’d truly fallen asleep, Colt woke suddenly again, his eyes connecting with Jace’s before he closed them again to sleep. The strain of the last few days lifted. Jace gently took Colt’s hand, being careful to keep his arm still, just like he’d done so many times over the last few days. The exhaustion of moments ago already faded as he looked down at his battered, bruised Colt. The injuries just seemed so much better with Colt responding.
“I’ll get the nurse,” Mitch said, leaving them. Jace looked over at the doctor. He seemed visibly relieved too. Thank you, God!
Chapter 31
Colt lay in the hospital bed, his eyes glued to Jace. He’d been moved from ICU to his own private room, and from what he’d been told, he had a really nice view of the ocean. Not that it did Colt any good. On the positive side, at least his visitors didn’t have to stare at boring white walls. He based that on his new glass half full attitude he’d taken on since he realized he couldn’t even scratch his own ass without help. Not good. Accept on the positive side, Jace planned to scratch Colt’s ass for him, and really now, could that be considered a bad thing?
Besides his obvious problems, Colt only had limited options available to keep his mind occupied. Another half full deal, Jace provided enough entertainment to occupy him for hours. Currently, Jace prattled on about something, who knew what, like he’d done pretty much since Colt first woke. After a minute more of pretending to listen, Colt put his lips together and blew, trying to make a helicopter sound. Score! He totally caught Jace off guard. He glanced up, confused.
“What?” Jace stopped, tucking the sheet around Colt’s newly casted legs and looked up at him.
“You’re hovering,” Colt said, lifting an eyebrow. It was a challenge. One he hoped might get Jace back to the top of the bed, kissing him, and telling him how worried he’d been.
“I’m not hovering. I’m taking care of you. Big difference.” Jace huffed and went back to his task of making sure Colt was all tucked in and wasn’t too cold. Then would come the task of making sure Colt wasn’t thirsty, then hungry, and then back to being too cold.
“I don’t need taking care of,” Colt retorted, laughing at the look Jace gave him. He did have to admit he needed some tender, loving, care, but what he needed and wanted were two different things. Jace still hadn’t moved closer to kiss Colt, and damn he’d become a girl, but he wanted all those whispered sweet love words said to him while he was awake. Not just sleeping, like Jace seemed to do.
“I could use a kiss,” Colt suggested and puckered his wet lips.
“You’re trying to divert me,” Jace said, picking up the small cup of ice water, anchoring the straw in just the right position against his lips. Colt took a sip and pushed the straw out of his mouth before he pursed his lips again. The corners of Jace’s mouth curled into a smile. He relented and leaned across Colt, giving him a quick kiss. Jace looked deeply in his eyes, gave a small smile, and ran the pad of his thumb down Colt’s cheek in a soft caress. Colt loved that move the most. His heart stirred. No wondered he’d turned into such a love-sick girl, his prince was just too perfect.
“We need to figure out what Mitch needs to do to reverse the marriage certificate. You can make your own decisions now,” Jace said absently, carefully sitting on the side of the bed, a bowl of broth balanced in his hand. He lifted a spoonful to Colt’s mouth. He had no choice but to open for the cold chicken soup.