“He can’t hurt you, baby.”

“Oh, God!” I turn my face into Ty’s chest and cry, trembling and afraid. “He pushed me over the balcony.”

Ty glides his hands soothingly up and down my back, kisses my head, and comforts me. “He’s not here. He’ll never be here again.”

I lie in Ty’s arms for long minutes, relishing his strength. My heart and breathing calm until finally we’re just lying together, comforting each other.

“You scared the fuck out of me,” he murmurs against my hair. “Are you okay?”

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

“I’m sorry you had the nightmare.” His voice is hard and I pull back to search his face.

“What is it?”

“I’d very much like to kill him right now.”

“That won’t solve anything.” I lay my cheek back on his chest. “You already beat the shit out of him. He’s not worth it, Ty.” I’ll never forget that day in the hospital when Ty, Zack, and Josh returned from being gone, and Ty’s hand was swollen, his knuckles bloody from beating Jack.

I groan a bit as I shift my position. My ribs are screaming again. The ibuprofen doesn’t last as long as the other pain medicines.

“Sore?”

“Always,” I mumble grumpily.

“Why don’t you just take the stronger medication at night? It’ll help you sleep, and then you can stick to the ibuprofen during the day.”

I consider his suggestion, then nod reluctantly. “Maybe that should be the plan for a few more days.”

Ty slips from the bed and brings back some water and a small pill, which I accept gratefully.

“I love you for all of this,” I murmur as he takes the water and sets it aside, then comes back to bed.

“Just for this?” he asks with a crooked smile.

“Well, you’re hot too, so that helps.”

“So you love me for the nursing skills and my body. I see how you are.”

“I might also love your culinary skills and how bossy you are sometimes.”

“Good to know.”

I grin and press a kiss to his chest. “I miss making love with you.”

His body stills before he sighs deeply and his heartbeat picks up beneath my cheek. “I miss you too, sweetness.”

His fingers glide lazily up and down my back, soothing me from the pain in my ribs and my head. From the pain of the nightmare.

He is my solace.

He is my home.

Chapter Twenty

“I can’t believe it’s been a month since the incident.” Jill navigates carefully through the snow, driving me to my doctor’s office.

“I can,” I reply grumpily. “I’m fine. I don’t know why you had to drive me today.”

“Because until he releases you today, you’re not supposed to be driving.” She grins over at me. “I’m so happy you’re feeling better.”

“Me too.” I nod. “I’m horny as hell and Ty won’t touch me until the doctor says it’s okay. If he doesn’t say it’s okay today, I’ll maim him.”

Jill laughs as she pulls into a parking space. “That sounds like Ty, always living by the rules.”

“He’s driving me crazy. I’ve felt good enough for sex for weeks.”

“Just think of all the hot fun you can have tonight.” Jill wiggles her eyebrows at me, then grimaces. “Wait. That’s my brother. Ew.”

I lead her into the office building with a laugh and sign in, then take a seat and wait to be called back.

“You should do something special,” Jill whispers to me as she thumbs through an old People magazine.

“That’s what I was thinking.” I purse my lips in thought.

“Lauren,” the nurse calls with a smile.

“You think about it, and I’ll think about it, and then we’ll chat when I’m done.” I stand and remove my coat, leaving it on the seat beside Jill before joining the nurse to be led back to a room.

“How are you feeling?”

“Much better.”

“Good.” She smiles kindly and takes my temperature, my blood pressure, and weight and makes notes in a computer. “Go ahead and change into this very stylish paper gown, and Dr. Greene will be in shortly.”

With that, she leaves.

I’ve lost weight in the past month. Too much weight. I hope I can gain it back when I’m able to get back in the pool. I’ve lost a lot of muscle tone and stamina from not swimming, and I’m eager to get it back.

I’m eager to get my fucking life back.

“Good afternoon, Lauren.” Dr. Greene smiles as he bustles into the room and signs in to the computer.

“Hello.”

“How have you been feeling?”

“Much better.”

“How are your ribs?” He motions for me to lie back so he can raise the paper gown and examine my ribs. “The bruises are pretty much gone.”

“They haven’t been sore in about a week or so.”

“Good.” He nods and motions for me to sit up so he can look at the back of my head. “And your head?”

“I get headaches when I’m really tired, but for the most part it’s nothing that a couple ibuprofen won’t cure.”

He nods as he shines a light in my eyes, looks into my nose and ears.

“Do you tire easily?”

“It’s getting better.” I shrug. “My boyfriend makes me nap a lot, so it’s not so bad.”

“Ty’s a good guy. I figured he’d be here with you.”

“He had court today, so I had his sister drive me. Please tell me I can get back to living my normal life again.”

Dr. Greene sits on the rolling stool by the desk and looks up at me. “I’m going to release you to normal activity.”

I do a happy dance in my seat, but he interrupts me with “Under a few conditions.”

“As long as I can drive, swim, and have sex, I’ll do whatever you want.”

He laughs and turns to the computer. “You can do those things. I want you to rest when you get tired. If the headaches persist, or worsen, I want you to come see me immediately. But it looks like your ribs have healed, and I’m happy with your progress.”

“Thank God,” I mutter. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He grins, stands, and shakes my hand. “We’re finished. I’ll want to see you again in a month, and then I’ll just see you yearly for your normal physicals.”