Page 24 of Adoring Fletcher
The look Adam gave me was soft, almost wistful, and it made my heart skip another beat.
Adam cleared his throat. “Enough about them. How are you feeling?”
I sagged back against the pillows and swallowed around the dryness in my throat. “Everything hurts and I’m tired,” I admitted.
He offered a smile. “It’ll take awhile for your body to heal, but don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. You’ll be right as rain in no time.”
I met his gaze to see truth shining clear as day, and my chest tightened. “You look just as tired as I feel,” I told him.
He blinked, as if that hadn’t occurred to him. Then he let out a low chuckle. “Yeah. I’m wiped out. Seeing you like that…” He shook his head. “But you’re okay. You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”
Standing from his chair with a soft groan, he stretched his back. I heard a softpop. “Ow. Damn, I’m stiff. If you’re alright, I’m going to go home. Grab a shower and some food and take a nap, but I’ll be back. Get some rest.”
Then he did something that completely surprised me—he leaned over and kissed me on the forehead.
I sat there in shock, watching as he left the room.
After the door swung shut behind him, I brought my wrist to my nose and breathed in Adam’s scent once more.
My stomach flipped.
I laid back in the bed and tried to remember details of the attack, but all I could get were glimpses; the pain, the feeling offangs ripping through my flesh, and Adam’s voice: “Hold on. I’m so sorry.”
Tears welled up in my eyes.
Adam had saved me. Adam hadmarkedme. He cared.
Suddenly, the hot-and-cold behavior made sense. The Alpha was at war with himself, with his feelings, because he had a duty to uphold, and I had waltzed in and complicated things.
Maybe Ishouldhave left, but I didn’t want to. I had grown so fond of Adam. Of his home-cooked meals, his kindness, his gentle eyes, our movie nights and…
I began to cry.
And that’s how the nurse found me, weeping into my hands.
“Are you in pain, honey?” she asked, her tone concerned.
I sniffled. “No. I mean… Yes? I don’t know. My heart hurts.” I placed a hand over my breastbone and clutched at my chest, as if that might somehow ease the otherworldly ache.
She seemed concerned, looking me over, and I realized how that might sound. I shook my head. “Well, emotionally. Sorry.”
She squeezed my shoulder with a knowing smile. “Ah, I get it. Young love is hard, but I’ll tell you something, kiddo—that Alpha was worried sick about you. He didn’t leave your bedside once. He’s a real one. Whatever’s going on up in your head, don’t doubt that man’s feelings, alright?”
I sniffled and nodded.
“I can usually tell when someone’s found their mate. Call it a sixth sense. And he seems pretty damn invested to me.” She chortled.
I frowned, feeling my chest tighten.Mate? Me?
I couldn’t be Adam’s mate.
The nurse just patted my knee and moved toward the door. “I’ll bring you some ice chips,” she said.
I leaned back in bed, suddenly heavy and aching all over again.
But what if…
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