Page 25 of Burn Bag (Owens Protective Services #31)

“Why were you dressed like that?” I grumbled as he helped me settle back against the pillows. He took extra care to make sure I was comfortable, and even pulled the blanket up to cover me when I shivered.

“I was going to clean the litter box.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “I saw you, you know.”

“Saw me what?” I feigned innocence.

“You know what. I told you not to clean out the litter box until your hand was better.”

I rolled my eyes at his overprotective nature. “It’s just a burn.”

“And I don’t want it getting infected. I told you I would take care of it.”

“Yes, but it needed to be done.”

“And I was on my way to do it. I’m a man of my word. You don’t ever have to worry about me backing down on what I say.”

A slight frown crossed his face, but it was gone seconds later before I could determine what it meant.

“As for the litter box, the issue is solved. Red texted a few minutes ago and told me the new boxes arrived and he’s setting them up.”

“What new boxes? ”

“Automatic. I am never scooping poop again. That’s just disgusting.” He sighed heavily. “Of course, there’s quite a mess in the laundry room. Your bag-throwing skills are on par. The litter went everywhere.”

“I was trying to fight off an intruder,” I glowered.

“Yes, and you really had me there. You know, until you knocked yourself unconscious.”

I couldn’t help the faint smile that touched my lips, and only moments later turned into a full-blown laugh. It really was so ridiculous. “God, they must think we’re crazy.”

“The nurse? I think she’s looking forward to our next adventure. Though I would really like to keep our hospital visits to once a week. Every day or so is pushing it.”

“Well, not to mention that they might think we’re abusing each other.”

“That too.”

He smiled down at me, brushing my hair back from my forehead as I let my eyes slip closed. I felt his fingertips brush around the wound on my head, careful not to actually touch it.

“How’s your head feeling?”

“Sore.”

“Headache?”

I nodded. It was there, but not terrible considering what happened.

“She gave you the good stuff. It shouldn’t be too bad, but she warned me to make you rest today.”

“I hardly think—” I started to argue, but his eyes held a warning not to argue with him.

“You know, you are by far the biggest pain in the ass I’ve ever met,” he chuckled. “Who knew when I married you that I’d be getting a regularly scheduled hospital visit?”

“Hey, we were here first because of you,” I scolded.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t count. It wasn’t because of my own clumsiness.”

“No, it was because you were having a wet dream about me,” I said boldly. “Don’t think I didn’t hear you talking in your sleep about what you wanted me to do to you.”

“Well…” He cleared his throat, smirking at me. “I can’t help it that my wife is beautiful. The dreams are a given.”

I blushed hard, but was saved from having to say anything in return when the door opened and the doctor walked in. His eyes immediately went to Bradley in a scowl.

“I’d like a moment alone with Mrs. Kavanaugh.”

“For what?”

I glanced at the way Bradley’s demeanor immediately shifted. He was pissed. “Um…whatever you need to talk to me about, you can say in front of my husband.”

“I’m afraid I can’t, Mrs. Kavanaugh.”

Now, I was really worried. I didn’t want to be left alone while the doctor gave me bad news. And the fear in my eyes must have shown as Bradley walked over and pressed a kiss to my forehead before storming out of the room.

“Um…what’s the problem?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“Mrs. Kavanaugh, this is your second trip to the ER in just two days. Now, I have to ask, is your husband abusing you?”

Relief flooded me so fast that I burst out laughing, unable to stop as tears poured down my face. I thought I was about to be told I was dying or something.

“Do you think this is funny?”

“No,” I waved him off, trying to catch my breath. “No, I’m sorry. It’s just…” I still couldn’t breathe, but was trying to get it together so the doctor didn’t call security or something. “It’s just…I thought you were going to tell me I had a terminal illness or something.”

“And your husband hurting you is better?”

“Hurting me?” I started laughing again, clutching my stomach as I tried desperately to find the words to make him understand.

It took a lot of gasping and a few bursts of word vomit for me to get the story out, but I finally did. He didn’t look too happy about my reaction, almost like he was dying to pin spousal abuse on Bradley, but he finally grunted and took me at my word .

“Kristy said you were something of the odd couple,” he grunted. “I just had to be sure for myself.”

“I understand,” I said, wiping the remaining tears from my face. “And I promise you, this is a series of unfortunate accidents. I don’t think Bradley has it in him to hurt a fly. Well, maybe a cat,” I clarified. “If one peed on him.”

He glowered at me. “Animal abuse is no joke.” Then he turned and stormed out of the room.

Shaking my head, I rested back on the pillow, still chuckling every now and then about the ridiculousness of the situation.

I knew immediately when he entered the room.

I could smell something shift in the air, the way only a man like Bradley could fill the space with his masculinity.

Sighing heavily, I turned into his hand as he brushed it against my cheek.

It was so nice to have him beside me again, and maybe that was a little odd for a man I’d just met, but it felt right.

“Should we go home?” he whispered.

I nodded, wanting nothing more than to lay down in his arms for the rest of the day and pretend that we were a happily married couple and already in love.

“Movie day?” he asked.

“Will there be popcorn?”

“And candy.”

“Sounds amazing,” I sighed.

“Good. Let me get the paperwork and we’ll get out of here. Do you think you can get dressed on your own?”

I nodded, but I was already dozing off as he continued to brush the back of his hand across my cheek.

“I’ll be right back.”

I could have sworn I felt him press a kiss to my lips, but I could have been imagining it. But in my mind, it was real, and he really did love me. In my dreams, Bradley was the love of my life and we’d be happily married for the rest of our lives.