Page 116 of Ruthless

She swallowed a soft snort. “Only you could think sexy thoughts with a bullet hole in your side.”

“Just a by-product of having you next to me in bed.”

“Seriously? A hospital bed?”

“Hey, don’t judge. Do you know how long I’ve waited to have you in bed? Any bed?”

She snorted softly. “We’re not even in the same bed.”

“We can fix that easily enough. Come here.”

“Sorry, my darling, you’re going to have to wait a little longer now.”

His heart kicked up a beat, and since he was still attached to a monitor, she could easily hear it. He didn’t care if she knew what she did to him. “Say that again.”

“My darling.”

“Music to my ears.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Like a tank ran over me and then backed up and had another go.”

She reached for his hand, all humor disappearing from her face. “You scared me, Gideon. Don’t do that again.”

“I’ll do my best. Heard you fought like the warrior you are.”

“Had no choice. You weren’t going to die on my watch.”

“I taught you well.”

“Typical. Taking credit for a win that happened while you were unconscious.”

“Hey, I’ve got an ego to protect.”

She sat up, put her feet on the floor, and stood. “I need coffee to keep up with you.”

Since he knew they’d been avoiding the inevitable, he put it on the table first. “Then I guess we need to have a serious talk.”

“Yeah,” she said softly, “we do.”

They locked eyes, and Gideon saw every emotion in hers that he was feeling himself. Love. Uncertainty. And the overwhelming need to believe that they could weather any storm as long as they were together. Even if that storm included her wearing a crown.

* * *

Before heading out in search of coffee, Eve stepped into the bathroom. On the way to the toilet, she glanced in the mirror and almost screamed. Going almost two days without sleep or food, on top of the dozen or so healing cuts on her face, had done nothing for her complexion.

Since she would soon be having the most important discussion of her life, she had no choice but to take a few moments and do something about her appearance. It wouldn’t change Gideon’s mind, one way or the other, but she would at least look pretty when she cried.

Ten minutes later, her hair braided, her face lightly made up to minimize the cuts and dark shadows beneath her eyes, and her teeth brushed, she felt like a new woman. Opening the door to Gideon’s room, she stopped when she saw the doctor standing beside his bed.

She stayed silent and listened, knowing that if she didn’t, Gideon would likely give his own interpretation of the doctor’s prognosis. From past experience, she knew Gideon had a tendency to take medical advice as gentle suggestions instead of instructions.

Hearing his recommendation that Gideon should remain in the hospital for at least another week and then would require at least three months’ recovery time revealed once again just how serious his injury was.

Once the doctor finished his exam, Gideon thanked him for saving his life, and Eve added her own thanks. If a less skilled professional had treated him, he might not have been so lucky.

After the doctor left, she said, “I’ll go round us up some coffee.”