Page 182 of The Forbidden Note

She proved she was mine when I kissed her and every time I walked down the hallways and saw her in the distance.

She will always be mine.

But I have a feeling that convincing the world we belong together will be easier than convincing her of that.

CHAPTERFORTY-FOUR

GREY

I’m not sure when I fell asleep but, somehow, I’m bent over the side of Zane’s bed with my head next to his hand. It takes a few blinks to clear my vision and remember why I’m in the hospital.

The moment it all comes back, I jolt up with a startled breath.

I had no intentions of spending the night with Zane. What if someone sees? What if someone took pictures?

Self-preservation demands that I hide.

“Run and I will tear these IV drips out and drag you back,” a deep voice says. The darkness inside me paces, head raised in anticipation.

I narrow my eyes at Zane. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

“A tiger that keeps trying to run away.”

My shoulders stiffen. The way he speaks is so confident, so full of cockiness. I have no idea how he manages to looks intimidating even with all the bandages, bruises and IV drips.

Zane grabs my chair by the handle and slides me closer to his bed. I jolt forward, my elbows spiking on the mattress.

Zane leans toward me until his face is an inch away. He gives me a long, burning look.

“This is a problem,” he breathes.

I blink slowly.

“I like waking up to you in my bed.”

My head starts spinning and I steel myself against his dizzying charisma. “I didn’t know bad flirting was a side effect of a head wound.”

“Morning to you too, sunshine.” He smirks. The curl of his lips does nothing to detract from his intense gaze.

I temporarily forget my annoyance when I see Zane’s battered face. The bruises on his chin are more apparent now than they were under the cover of darkness. There’s a scab on his lip and I’m sure it must hurt to talk, but that doesn’t stop him.

“Did you know you drool?”

I quickly drag my fingers to my lips. “You’re insufferable.”

“Insufferable. I’m assuming that’s not a compliment.”

“You’d assume correctly.”

“Throw the entire dictionary at me, tiger. Come on.”

I roll my eyes and stalk around to the dresser to refill his water. “You have such a big ego.”

“It’s not ego if it’s true.” He looks pleased. “Keep talking smack. See if I don’t steal another one of your panties.”

My eyes widen at the reminder and I drop my gaze to his pants. Zane’s mischievous smile tells me that he still has possession of it.

I’m about to launch at him and take it back by force when the door opens and the medical team enter. I ease out of the way and let the doctor have room. When they’re done, I follow the team into the hallway and listen keenly to the doctor’s assessment. The Kings will want a full detailed report and I don’t want to leave anything out.