Page 10

Henry

H eadaches. Sleep disturbances. Dizziness. Fatigue. Problems concentrating and even confusion could be part of Nina's recovery. She will need to rest and limit her screen time.

When I asked the doctor if she could use her e-reader which is gentle on the eyes, he suggested we try to limit it but now that she's out of the initial forty-eight-hour watch, she's free to read as long as it's not making her symptoms worse.

Rest, rest and more rest.

While Trev waits on her hand and foot, maybe I'll get all the snuggles. Days of not holding or touching her is putting me on edge. No matter how much I cling to Kai, I still feel the absence of Nina.

Folding the comforter back at the corner, I step back and appraise my work. I frown and flip the corner back down and smooth the creases. Checking my work, I realize I don't like it that way either.

Grumbling, I reach for the bedding again , only to be stopped by an arm snaking around my waist. My breath hitches and I curl my hand around Kai's forearm instead of fixing the bed.

"It doesn't look right because Nina's not in it." Kai kisses my neck when I drop my head back on his shoulder. "But I like it the way it is now. It's how she would make it."

"You're right." If Nina were to make her bed, which she hardly ever did as a teenager, this is how she would have done it.

Kai hums against my skin. "I'm looking forward to spending more time in here."

"Me too." Twisting around in his arms, I drape my arms over his shoulders. "I feel like we're taking advantage of her injury to get closer to her. And her bedroom."

His nose brushes mine. "So? She needs our help, and what better way to get her used to our love?"

I narrow my gaze and pull back slightly. He doesn't let me get far, but before I reply I let him capture my lips in a quick kiss. "That sounded like exactly what I'm worried about."

"All you need to worry about is helping us make sure Nina recovers. If you happen to get closer to her, then there's nothing wrong with that, baby. We love her. We want to take care of her and that’s a good thing."

Slowly I nod, accepting his point of view on the situation. "Okay..." My word starts strong but finishes on a huffed moan.

With Kai's teeth nibbling on my pulse point, I melt in his arms. "Mmm, we need to get out of here. Her scent and that damn bed behind you..." Kai shakes his head as if to dislodge those thoughts. "Come on. Will called saying they were just about to leave the hospital."

"When?" I grab his hand, tugging him toward Nina's bedroom door.

Chuckling, Kai follows behind me with a smack on my ass. "Twenty minutes ago."

Whirling around at the top of the staircase, I glare at my fiancé. "Damn it, Kai! I can't have a boner while the in-laws are here," I hiss, just as I hear car doors slam in the driveway.

Before I can react, Kai's dragging me toward him by my shirt and dominating my mouth. The kiss is over before I have the opportunity to relax into him. "Love you, baby," he murmurs in my ear with a soft laugh.

I'm left with wobbly knees and a warm face as Kai traipses down the stairs to greet Nina and her parents.

Fuck . Her soft smile at him only serves to make my cock harder. It's going to be a long day before I can get Kai to take care of it.

" I 'll take the couch. You can have my room for as long as you want it," Ridge offers Meg and Will. They accept gratefully, then we lapse into silence. I wonder if he'll warn them about his wall covered in sketches.

Meg and Will aren't sure how long they'll stay but I think Will needs to see that Nina's still comfortable with us before they either head to a hotel or drive home. I can't imagine Nina's mom and dad leaving town while there's danger lurking around the corner.

The police car that's been ordered to watch over the house makes me feel slightly better. But even if they swap out to keep from falling asleep on the job, what's to say the officers are paying enough attention to keep us safe? We'll just have to see, unfortunately.

Nina's been home for a few hours and the majority of that time, she's been asleep. It makes me anxious to see her sleeping so much and I have to keep reminding myself it's all part of the healing process.

Every few minutes, one of us glances up the stairs. Meg looks to be the only one relaxed and without a worry in the world as she munches on her snack while watching her vampire show.

I see the appeal, I really do, but the acting in the first few seasons hurts my brain. The later seasons though? Especially with the British guy...

"You're drooling," Kai teases in my ear.

I cross my arms and grumble out a pout. "Am not."

"Are too."

Taking my eyes off the screen to glare at my fiancé, I lick my lips. "Maybe if you hadn't started shit that you couldn't finish earlier, I wouldn't be so shook by that guy’s fangs...among other things too of course."

Ridge chuckles, having overheard my heated whispering. "You still have a room. Use it."

"We share a wall, Ridge. I'd rather they not hear that shit." I huff, feeling frustrated sexually, and just in general. There's so much on my mind that my constant boner is really just the tip— winky face —of the iceberg.

"Shhh!" Meg waves a hand at us. "This is the good part."

And good part it is...goddamn.

"Screw the purple plant they’re allergic to," Meg declares aggressively while fanning her face. "Vampires should be allergic to shirts!"

I glance at Will not even the least bit surprised to see his eyes trained on the ceiling and fighting a smirk. He leans over and says something in his wife's ear that has her blushing.

Their love is palpable. Someday I hope Nina, Kai, and I can paint the same beautiful picture.