Page 172 of Obsessed by My Ex's Mafia Uncle

“I’ll call you back.” I end the call.

“You know,” she starts slowly, her voice rough from sleep and crying, “I’m starting to think I should feel special.”

“What?” I arch a brow, chuckling softly.

“Mmh.” She nods weakly. “Considering you apparently don’t take women as debt payment.”

“You were eavesdropping.” I sigh softly, before a laugh just as soft follows.

“You were loud.” Christine laughs too, softer than mine, immediately wincing afterward as her ribs protest.

“Don’t laugh too hard,” I warn automatically, already moving toward her.

“Look at that.” She shakes her head faintly. “Three days in a hospital and suddenly you’re a medical expert.”

“I always was.”

“You absolutely were not.” She fires back with a glint in her eyes.

I stop in front of her carefully, then lift my hands, my fingers brushing gently along her jaw, then higher toward the healing cut near her temple.

“How’s your head?” I ask tenderly, almost as tender as my touch.

“Attached.” She shrugs, then winces.

“Christine.”

“I’m fine.” She tries to swat my hand away but I don’t let her.

“You looked dizzy early.” I point out.

“I stood up too fast.” She defends.

“You looked like you were about to collapse.”

“I like theatrics.” She counters lightly, that glint still shimmering in her eyes.

I hold her gaze, framing her beautiful face, one I almost thought I’d never see smiling again when I got the call from Aisha.

“Any headaches?” My thumb brushes carefully near the bandage again.

“A little.” She squints her eyes.

“Nausea?” I fight the urge to lean in and kiss her temple.

“Sometimes.” She’s leaning forward now, her body responding to the magnetic pull that is the underlying problem.

I wanted her too much I was blinded by it.

“Blurred vision?” I clear my throat, my lips just an inch away from hers.

She stares at me for a second, then drops her gaze to my lips, and back up at me.

“You sound like a very attractive WebMD article.”

“Answer the question.”

“I’m okay.” Her voice comes out featherlight this time, and without the teasing.