Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31543 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 158(@200wpm)___ 126(@250wpm)___ 105(@300wpm)
“Shhh, I’ve got you. It’s all over.” I pull her against my body and kiss her head as the medical team comes over to where we are.
The dispatcher comes over and asks a ton of questions, but I just ignore him as I rock Berkley against me. “Mr. Warsaw, we’re going to need you to let her go.”
“Never,” I mumble, closing my eyes and holding her tighter against me. “Never.”
Chapter Fourteen
Berkley
“I’m fine,” I tell Vaughn for the millionth time.
I fight a small smile because I know he doesn't find any of this funny. I’m not smiling because I do, but because of how much he’s taking care of me. He hasn't told me he loves me but I can see it in his actions. His whole face changed on that bridge when he saw me and there was no sign of laidback Vaughn. The man who’s quick to make everyone laugh walked through hell to get to me.
He didn't care that he could’ve lost his own life and it’s clear I’m the only thing that matters. He was willing to hand over everything he had for me, including his life, to make sure I was okay.
“I just want the test results back to be sure. Head injuries are serious.” He walks over and cups my face, then inspects the small cut on my forehead. I’m not sure when I got it because I was tossed around so much. I’m not feeling anything after whatever the doctors put in my IV. I’m on cloud nine and not just because of the meds but because Vaughn is here. I was so scared I’d never see him again.
“I love you,” I say, resting my hand on his.
I wasn’t sure if he’d heard me on the phone or if it even went through. But with all that’s happened, I want him to know that I do love him. I don’t want to take the chance of something happening again and him not knowing. I put up a hard front when we first met but I’m not playing that game anymore. Life’s too short and precious for that. Before today I didn't know how serious Vaughn was about us. I didn’t know if we’d go back to the island and play house for a while then both move on. Or if I’d leave the island once we knew everything was safe to start whatever the next phase of my life would be. I know now by Vaughn’s actions that wasn’t the case. He might not have said I love you but his actions say it all.
“I love you, too, sweet thing.” He leans down and kisses the sore spot on my forehead. His mouth lingers there and I know he’s thinking about how wrong today could have gone.
“I’m okay,” I say again. “I’m okay and we’re going home.”
“Home.” He repeats the word with a contented hum. “You know I never thought of the island as home until you got there. Then I could really see the vision Kade had so clearly.” I tilt my head back to look at him.
“I never thought home was a place,” I admit. “To me it was always just Collins. She was home for so long, but now I get it too. It’s not one person, it’s a whole family and that island is where we’re all going to be together.” I smile thinking about it. All of this has been so crazy and Collins and I came so close to dying. This could have gone so differently, but we’re lucky we have these Warsaw men to look after us.
“I’m never letting you out of my sight again,” Vaughn informs me.
I laugh but he doesn't. I wonder how long it’s going to take to get him to get back to his normal self. It’s weird having to be the teasing one of the two of us, but I guess that’s how it works being in a relationship. I’ll try to be the lighthearted one for now but my jokes will never be as good as his.
“Give me a kiss,” I demand.
“Not happening.” He shakes his head but makes no move to step back from me. “We both know what happens when we start kissing.”
“We start humping.” I wiggle around in the hospital bed, liking that idea. I’m sitting up with my legs over the side and Vaughn in between them. “I can’t feel much but I think I could feel you.” I try to wink at him but I think I do it with both eyes. Finally, I get a laugh from him and I sigh as more of the meds flow through my system.
“Are you the jealous type?” I place my hands on Vaughn’s chest, wanting to touch him.
“As of two weeks ago it would seem so.”
My eyes widen. “What happened two weeks ago?” He gives me another one of those chuckles that warms all my insides.