Page 112 of Never and Always
He dropped his forehead to mine. “When he said he had you there… I was so fucking afraid.”
I pressed my lips to his. He instantly kissed me, and I tasted Everett. Even though I was shaken, cold, my throat was raspy, and I’d ruined my favorite pair of high heels, everything suddenly felt right.
He pulled back. “Please let them check you out.”
I nodded. “But I have something to say first.” A huge rush of nerves hit me and I licked my lips. “Funny thing, but being in a life-or-death situation really brings things into focus.”
He frowned.
I saw Ro, Tessa and the others close by, but I blocked them out. My next inhale was long and deep.
“I’m falling in love with you.” It came out in a fast, breathy rush.
I heard our friends gasp, but Everett just stared at me. I tried to get a read on him, but got nothing. He just stared at me.
Oh, crap. My stomach did a wild pitch. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Jesus, I’d forgotten that I didn’t hike, and wasn’t some mountain girl next door.
I leaned back. “Forget I said anything. The smoke must have got to me. I’ll just?—”
He hauled me back to him and I collided with his hard chest. “I’m not falling in love with you because I’ve already finished falling.”
“Oh.” Elation filled me. “You love me?”
“I do, big city.”
I jumped on him.
He caught me, then we were kissing—hard, like the world was ending and this was our last kiss.
I ruined it by having to tear my mouth free of his and cough.
A paramedic stepped forward. “We really need to check her out for injuries and smoke inhalation.”
Everett set me down, but kept my hand tight in his. He smiled down at me and I smiled back.
Chapter 40
Everett
Istood outside the curtained off cubicle at the hospital while a nurse treated Piper’s wounds. She’d been given the all clear by the doctors. She had minor smoke inhalation and a lump on the back of her head where Corvo had hit her. No permanent damage and no concussion.
Alive and healthy.
Releasing a breath, I leaned back against the wall. Things could have gone very differently today.
I could have lost her.
“I don’t need any painkillers,” Piper said.
“You might change your mind later,” the nurse said curtly.
“I won’t.”
I shook my head and peered through the gap in the curtain. She’d lost her ruined coat and was currently wearing my flannel shirt. The one she claimed had saved her life. She was refusing to take it off even though it smelled like smoke.
“Ice pack.” The nurse pushed it to Piper’s swollen cheek.
Piper gave a long-suffering sigh. “When can I leave?”
