Diamond (Rare Gems #2)(49)

“I nicked your vein. Usually we bite the shoulder or sometimes the throat, but I’d misjudged where I was and severed the artery. It was change you or let you bleed to death. I wasn’t ready for that.” He kissed her mouth and laid back down, taking her with him.

Diamond looked around the room from his chest. Her sister and Blair had left. Wrapping her arms around Thad, she let the tears fall. She’d never been so afraid in her life.

“You were getting so weak I was afraid that I wasn’t doing it right. Then I heard your heart beating a little stronger and then stronger still until I knew that you’d make it. I had to…we weren’t dressed very well, so I had to lay you on the floor and dress you before I could call Blair in to help me get you home.” She laughed a little. “He’s not happy with me.”

“He’ll get over it.” Thad kissed her head. “I remember thinking that the bite was different and that I was getting weak from it. I thought it was because I was dying from too much sex. I guess I didn’t.”

“No, not from that.” She sat up and looked down at him. “You’re a wolf now. I’m very sorry to have done it without asking you, but I didn’t want you to die.”

“Why?” She knew the answer but was afraid to tell him. He’d told her several times that he’d loved her during or right after sex, but this was simply the two of them. When he said her name, she got up to pace.

“I’ve fallen in love with you. I’m not sure when it happened or why, but I have. I guess it was when you bought me the house, but I’m sure that’s not all of it. Then there is the way you’ve been with me. I don’t mean the sex, but….” He said her name again, and she looked at him. “I’m in love with you because you’re the only man in the world who never made me feel like I’m nothing.”

“You’re everything to me.” He sat up on the edge of the bed, and she went to him. She knew he’d be weak and more than likely starving. When his belly growled, she laughed.

“I could eat a cow.” She helped him stand up and guided him to the bathroom when he said he needed a shower. “I feel like I’ve had the flu for a week and been run over too. Does this get better soon?”

“Yes. I’m going to get into the shower with you to help you. You’re going to be weak for a few hours yet, and I’ve had Benson make you a big dinner. I’ll have him bring it up—”

“Please, I want to go outside. I feel…I need to be out of doors after this. Even if it’s to just sit on the deck.” He glanced at the window. “It’s dark out. How long have I been here?”

“Two days.” He stopped moving and stared at her. “It should have been longer, but you’re just too stubborn to do things the correct way. And you should also know that Benson is aware of what we are. He knew what I was, but he’s aware that you are too.”

“Benson knew? What is he?” She laughed. “Let me guess, he’s not a wolf but a…I was going to say tiger but that can’t be right. He’s a bear.”

“He’s a black bear. And he’s very glad you know now.” He stopped her from pulling his shirt over his head. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Christ, I know that. I just wanted to tell you that I love you too. I meant to do it when you said it but you’ve distracted me. I love it when you wear my shirts.”

“You really love me?” He kissed her on the mouth and stepped back to help her undress him. “I didn’t know if you meant it when we were having sex. I thought it was because you were wrapped up in the moment.”

“I was. Like I said, you distract me. But I do love you. Very much.” When he was naked, she helped him into the stall with the warm water running. By the time she’d slipped in behind him, he had managed to wash his hair. He was leaning against the wall. “I’m sorry, but I’m done in. I’ll need your help after all.”

When he was dressed in a pair of very old sweat pants and a tee-shirt, she helped him back to bed. Sitting on the deck was going to have to wait. By the time Benson brought them up a light dinner, he was nearly asleep. She had to wake him twice to finish. When she took the tray off his lap, she started out of the room, but he called her back.

“You’re going to sleep with me, aren’t you? I need to know that you’re here beside me even if it’s only to hold you.” Diamond nodded and took the tray down to the kitchen and handed it to Benson.

“Is he all right, missus?” She nodded, overwhelmed by the simple fact that he was alive and well. “You’ve done a great thing for him by loving him. He was so bitter those few years after his father died. The man was a horrible father and a worse husband. Mrs. Galloway died of a broken heart in the way that they treated her.”

“What did they do?” He looked out the window to the yard beyond, and she was sure he wasn’t going to answer her. But when he turned to look at her, she could see that he’d been a little in love with the former Mrs. Galloway.

“She was the kindest person in the world and loved her sons. Thad was a good boy and has become a better man. Ward was rotten even as a baby, and that father of his could see nothing wrong with him. Gave him the world even if it meant that Thad did without.” He handed her a glass of tea and a plate of cookies. They sat at the table.