Page 56 of Tough Justice
All the ways she wanted to pick up where they’d left off.
“You keep doing that and more sleep is the last thing I’ll be worried about.”
“Rest isn’t really on my mind right now.” Opening her eyes, she stared up at him. Dark whiskers lined his jaw. She skimmed her index finger along the rough hairs and grinned. “But if you aren’t up for it, I can just forget it.”
He gripped her wrist, pinning her hand in place above her head. He shifted to hover over her. “Oh, I think I’m up for whatever you have in mind.”
She wiggled, trying to capture his mouth, but he dipped his face to nip at her collarbone then trailed a hot blaze of kisses down the center of her chest. Heat scorched her cheeks then traveled lower in her belly.
The fact that she’d waited so long for this might be one of the biggest regrets of her life. Duke had spent hours cherishing her, holding her, loving her. She believed his words, believed his intentions. And she couldn’t wait to peel back even more layers of this man who meant so damn much to her.
An insistent buzzing interrupted the moment. She stilled, trying to place the sound. “What’s that?”
Bracing his body with his forearms on either side of her, Duke raised his head and frowned. “What are you talking about?”
As much as her body yearned for him to continue, she couldn’t ignore the sound. “You don’t hear that buzzing? Is it a phone?”
He glanced at the nightstand and winced. “Shit. I left my phone in my pants pocket. Give me a second.”
He rolled off the bed and stalked to the spot where he’d shed his clothes the night before.
She propped her head on her fist and enjoyed the view. She hoped whoever was on the other line wouldn’t take too much of Duke’s time.
Snatching the pants from the floor, he plunged his hand into one of the pockets and pulled out his phone. The buzzing stopped, but the scowl on Duke’s face deepened. “It was Heather. I should call her back.”
Suzy burrowed into the soft covers and rested her cheek on the pillow. “Of course. I’ll just keep this bed nice and warm until you can come join me again.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure this is quick so don’t get too comfortable laying there without me.” His fingers flew over the screen as he made his way back to her. He used one hand to press the speaker button and hold the phone between them while the other brushed hair from out of her eyes.
“Hey,” Heather said when she answered. “Are you with Mom?”
Duke frowned. “No, why would I be?”
Suzy noted the concern in Heather’s voice and sat up, pulling the covers across her chest. The tinny taste of fear danced on her tongue.
“She went down to the cafeteria to get us some breakfast. She’s been gone a while, so I called, and she won’t answer. She should have been back by now.”
“Sometimes the reception isn’t the best in the hospital,’ Duke said. “And the place is like a maze. I’m sure she got lost. You know how she is with directions. She probably got turned around and doesn’t want to bother anyone to ask how to get back to your room.”
Duke’s tightened muscles and the quickened pace of his words was enough to tell Suzy he was more concerned than he wanted to admit.
Suzy jumped out of bed and yanked open the drawer where she’d stored her clothes. She pulled out the first thing she found, dressing as quickly as possible.
“I’m sure you’re right,” Heather said, a slight shake in her voice. “But can you come by? She’ll probably show up before you get here, but we’ll need a ride to your place once I’m discharged anyway. I already had my CT so I’m just waiting for the results before they spring me loose.”
“Suzy and I will be there as fast as possible. Try not to worry too much.” He disconnected and shoved a hand through his hair. “Shit.”
Suzy hurried to the bed and tipped up his chin until their eyes met. “Don’t worry until you have to. Like you said to your sister, your mom probably got turned around or stopped to chat to a friendly face.”
He circled his arms around her and crushed her to him, burying his face in the crook of her neck. He sucked in a large breath then blew it back out before letting her go again. “I hope you’re right. If my mom gets hurt because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.”
She didn’t respond, there was nothing she could say to calm his fears until he laid eyes on Dorthy and saw for himself thatshe was okay. Until then, she’d hold back her own fears. That if something did happen to Duke’s mom, he’d regret spending the night in Suzy’s arms.
20
The absence of a deputy standing guard outside of Heather’s hospital room added to the growing list of Duke’s concerns. He’d called his mom repeatedly on the drive to the hospital with no answer.
Something wasn’t right. The county hospital was big, but not so big that his mom couldn’t have found her way around. At least after so long. It made no sense that she wasn’t back with Heather, bringing along the breakfast she’d promised.
