A Perfect Ten (Forbidden Men #5)(150)

“They’re fine. They’re home.” Noel set a reassuring hand on Oren’s shoulder. “We all made it to Rainly Park safe and sound. We had a picnic, and then you took Colton and Caroline off to show them the waterfall.”

Oren nodded, but his brow wrinkled in confusion. “And then...I was bitten by a poisonous snake who...” He lifted his arm and eyed it strangely, “...had some wicked awesome ninja skills that put me in an arm sling and leg cast, and mangled my face?”

“And then the soil around the waterfall eroded,” I corrected, “when Colton got too close to the edge.”

“Shit. Did he fall in?”

“Almost. He caught hold of an old root protruding from the embankment, and you were able to pull him up to safety. But in the process, you fell in.”

“But the kid’s okay?” Oren asked insistently.

“Just a scratch or two,” Noel said. “He was pretty upset after you got hurt—thought it was all his fault—so Aspen and Brandt are home with him right now.”

“Poor kid.” Ten reached for my hand, and I can’t even express how amazing it felt to tangle my fingers with his. When his gaze met mine, he blew out a breath. “So, what about me? Am I going to be okay?” Once again, he touched all the bandages around half his face.

A smiled bloomed across my face. I knew he was going to be just fine. “Aside from the brain damage, you just have a dislocated shoulder, fractured leg, and some bad scratches.” I paused, drew in a deep breath. “Oh, and the doctor says there will probably be permanent scarring on your face.”

Oren’s fingers paused on the bandage. “Permanent?”

I nodded and reached for his hand to pull it away. “I bet scars on you will look sexy.”

His gaze filled with torment, and I wanted to tell him he’d always be the most handsome man I’d ever known, but Noel spoke up. “The good news is, after you saved my little brother’s life, I’m not pissed at you anymore.”

Oren glanced at him. Then he sniffed, “Yeah, as long as I give your sister up, though, right?”

Noel just kind of shrugged. “Meh. After you saved her life too, I figure you’re stuck with her now.”

“Saved her life too?” Oren said slowly, turning his gaze to me.

I wasn’t going to answer him, but Noel had to say, “After you started to fall in, she tried to pull you out.”

Oren whirled to me. “Christ, Caroline. You didn’t? You could’ve fallen in, too.”

“She almost did,” Noel seemed eager to blab. “She was slipping toward the edge, but you let go of her hand so she wouldn’t.”

“You’re f*cking right I did.” Oren nodded as if there were no other logical step.

I shook my head. “I might’ve been able to save you, hold on long enough until Noel made it to us.”

But he shook his head too. “I don’t care. What you did sounds too risky. Never in a million years would I let anything bad happen to you. For that, I guess I can handle a couple scars. I was too damn handsome anyway.”

Though everyone else laughed, I stared at him, amazed over how lucky I was to be the woman he loved. I knew I didn’t deserve it, but I was going to cherish it with everything I had.

Noel grasped his shoulder. “Hey,” he murmured.

When Oren looked up at him, my brother gulped loudly. After swallowing away his pride, he said, “I’m sorry.”

My husband frowned and shook his head slightly. “For what?”

“Being a f*cking ass these past few weeks.”

Oren shrugged. “You’re always an ass. So, what’s new?”

Noel let out a strangled laugh that sounded as if it might turn into a sob. Then he rasped. “You know what the hell I’m talking about.”

But Oren shook his head. “No. I really don’t. You thought Caroline was in danger, so you did everything within your power to protect her. I’m not going to forgive that shit. I’m glad you did it. I would’ve been pissed if you hadn’t done anything.”

With a shake of his head, Noel refuted him. “You’re glad I did all that shit against you?” He didn’t sound as if he believed it.

But Oren reached out slowly and grasped my brother’s arm. “I’m glad you did it against whoever you thought was a threat to her. But I’m also glad you finally f*cking realized I’m not a threat.”

“Yeah.” Noel wiped his face as if to make sure it was still dry. “Me too.” Then he drew in a deep breath. “So...coffee? The next Saturday morning after you get out of this place? I might actually buy this time.”

Oren smiled at him before turning his gaze my way. “You got it, bud.” Then he snapped his fingers as he kept his gaze on me. “Hart,” he called. “Isn’t it tradition for you to start singing some bullshit song for us right about now?”

“Really?” Asher’s voice was dry. “You’re going to make me do that again?”

Oren merely kept grinning at me. “Fuck, yeah. I’m the one lying in the damn hospital bed. What I say goes.”

“Fine. But you owe me for this.” And so Asher began to sing. I laughed as the lyrics to “Sweet Caroline” filled the air.