Page 99 of Kick the Candle (Knight Games 2)
"Wait, I asked you to marry me? When I was seventeen?"
A low rumble shook his chest and he turned to face me. "You knew exactly what you wanted, Grateful, and after that kiss, if I hadn't before, I knew exactly what I wanted too. Forever."
Our eyes locked, and I tried to picture what it was like for us back then. I had a feeling there was more to the story, and by the way he reacted to my question about moving to town, that it wasn't particularly pleasant. What had we suffered together?
He reached over to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, then seemed to remember himself and retracted his hand. "I will get you something to drink. It is important for you to stay hydrated." He stood and retreated to the kitchen.
retaker
A warm, wet cloth blotted my skin, tugging me awake. My eyes fluttered open. The slosh and dribble of a cloth being rinsed and wrung was enough motivation for me to keep them open. I was in Rick's bedroom, stretched out next to him on his bed, his broad shoulders hunched over a basin of water.
"How are you feeling?" he asked. He ran the cloth back up my arm, rinsing the remainder of dried blood from my skin.
"Heavy all over. Like a truck hit me."
"You're lucky to be alive. Your injuries were extensive, and Julius drained you just short of death. My blood will heal you, but it will take some time for your body to produce what's missing."
I probably needed a transfusion. Not gonna happen. A trip to the hospital would bring questions I wasn't prepared to answer.
"How did you find me?"
"Poe. After I left Valentine's, he tracked me down. It took some time for him to convince me you were in mortal danger."
"And that was the only reason you came? Because I was in mortal danger?" I croaked.
He threw the rag into the basin, causing the water to slosh violently. "I came because I am your caretaker. I am bound to you. I have no choice but to come when you call, whether I want to or not."
"I tried to tell you at Valentine's, Rick-"
"-that you're in love with Logan? That you want your cake and to eat it too?" he hissed.
"Let me explain about Logan."
He clamped a hand over my mouth. "I don't want to talk about Logan, unless of course you would rather he care for you?"
I shook my head. Hurt darkened his gray eyes. I needed to explain that I hadn't wanted Logan to kiss me. I needed to tell him a leprechaun had drugged me, and it was all a big mistake. But I could see that he wasn't open to more conversation. He was still too raw, and I was so exhausted, I wasn't sure I could find the words.
He released my mouth. "Are you hungry?"
"I should tell you why they tortured me," I rasped.
With thumb and forefinger, he pinched my lips shut. "Not yet. We need you well, and I fear reliving the story will further drain you."
I nodded.
"I will prepare a meal for you."
"Out of what? You don't eat, and you don't have a phone to order food."
A ghost of a smile turned the corner of his lip. "I've been keeping some groceries lately, in hopes that you would stay more often." He spoke the words softly, like an admission.
The surrender in his voice broke my heart. Even though he believed I didn't return his feelings, he'd resolved himself to care for me. Tears pooled in my eyes and I swore that, when I was strong enough, I'd find a way to thank him. Then, I'd explain that I didn't love Logan at all and more, I'd figure out what this feeling was deep inside my chest, and I'd tell him about that too.
* * * * *
"Mi cielo, time to eat." Rick cradled my upper body in one arm while he stacked pillows behind my head.
I tried to sit up on my own and failed. Instead, I managed to wrap an arm around his neck to make it easier for him to reposition me. "Thank you," I whispered in his ear.
