“I’m not. I’m glad I could be here for you.” I was going to be here as much as I could for her until it was time to tell her the truth. That I had failed her.

And then she would leave me.

But right now, she needed me. I would not fail her at this moment.

She pulled back from me a bit. “I know better than to break down like that.”

“Baby, after what you’ve been through, you’re entitled.” I took her hands in mine. “Do you need some help bandaging these up again? We have all kinds of first aid supplies around here. Ranching work causes a lot of injuries.”

She looked down at her hands. “The ones that are stitched are fine. Maybe just Band-Aids for the few that are still open.”

“Stay here. I’ll be right back.” I returned with one of our many first aid kits. “Do you want antibiotic ointment?”

She shook her head. “There’s no need. Antibiotics are severely overused in our country.”

I couldn’t help a small smile. She was still being a doctor, even after all she had been through. I softly pressed Band-Aids over the larger cuts and then kissed each of her hands. “Did you bring anything to change into?”

“I just grabbed some clothes out of my drawers and threw them in a duffel bag. I honestly don’t even know what I brought. I just wanted to get out of there. Quickly.”

“Never you mind about that. I have something that will fit you perfectly.”

I got up, went to my own bedroom, and grabbed the robe she’d worn three days ago. I brought it back to her and placed it around her shoulders, removing the towel. “I think this fits you.”

That got a small smile out of her. Lord, even fatigued, with her wet hair hanging in yellow strings around her face, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

I reached for the mug on the night table and handed it to her. “This is chamomile. I think it’s supposed to relax you.”

She nodded and took the mug, taking a shallow sip. “Thank you.” She set it back down on the table.

“What else can I do for you? Let me take care of you.”

“Just hold me, Jonah. Please, just hold me.”

I lay down on the queen-size bed and gathered her into my arms. She fit so well against my frame, as if we were perfectly formed to fit together like puzzle pieces. Just having her in my arms like this made my cock burn. It hardened against the denim of my jeans.

Making love wasn’t what she needed right now, but when she nuzzled against my neck and started kissing me there, I lost all my resolve. With a groan, I pulled her against me and took her lips with mine.

I had learned to be gentle with Melanie, to bring her into my world slowly, and now, even though I desperately wanted to turn her over and spank her bottom red until she was screaming for more, I suppressed my urges and was determined to go gently.

She opened her mouth for me instantly, but instead of forcing my tongue inside like I normally did, I went slowly, licking around the edge of her lips, nibbling on them, and then running my tongue along her gum line. Slowly and tenderly I twirled my tongue around hers.

And I was shocked when she pulled away.

“Jonah? What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

“I do want to. What kind of kiss was that? Where’s your normal kiss?”

“My normal kiss?”

“Yes, your forceful, mind-bending kiss. That’s what I want. That’s what I want now. What I need.”

“I was trying to be gentle, after all you’ve been through.”

She smiled, and God she was beautiful.

“You’re sweet to consider my feelings. But I need you right now. I need you. I need to feel alive. What better way to feel alive than to share my body with somebody I care about? Somebody I—” She stopped abruptly.

“What?”

She bit her lip. God, she was sexy.

“Someone I…love, Jonah.”

I jerked my head back, dazed. “You what?”

She sat up, biting her lip again. “Someone I love.”

I started to speak, but she stopped me.

“No, I have to say this. Twenty-four hours ago, I didn’t know if I would live. Let me tell you, looking death in the face makes you rearrange your priorities quickly. All I could think about was that I had fallen in love with you, and I might not ever be able to tell you. I love you, Jonah. You don’t have to say it back. I don’t expect it. But I know I can’t go one more minute without telling you.”

I opened my mouth. The words “I love you too” hovered on the tip of my tongue. Because I did love her. I loved her with all my heart. But once I told her the truth, that I had purposely ignored her phone call, she would no longer want me.

She touched her fingers to my lips. “Don’t say anything now. Please. Just know that I love you. That’s all I need for now, for you to know that. And for you to make love to me.”

I was so unworthy. She was offering her love, and her body, and I was unworthy of both. But I didn’t have the strength to deny her. I would make love to her this last time, and then, I would tell her the truth.

Chapter Fourteen

Melanie

He kissed me then, the kiss I was craving. He forced his tongue between my lips and took, took all I had to give, and I gave it freely. I welcomed it. I wanted to give him all of me, everything that was left of me. If it was not meant to be for the future, I would deal with that eventually. But this was now. This was one moment—one I wanted to cherish.

Our tongues swirled together, both of our voices vibrating with hums of desire.

When we finally broke the kiss to both take much-needed breaths, he trailed his lips over to my ear, biting on my lobe and pushing his tongue inside.

“You’re so beautiful, Melanie. God, I want you so much.”

It wasn’t a confession of love, but desire, and I would take it. It was enough for now. He kissed my neck, and then my shoulders, tiny little nips, and he finally made it down to my nipples.

He sucked them. Hard.

Just the way I liked.

I groaned, my hips moving of their own accord, undulating beneath him. I longed to reach for his hard cock and free it from his jeans, but with my injured hands, I wasn’t sure if that would be a good idea.