Open Wounds (Harbour Bay #2)(75)
Darryl had congratulated him and couldn’t help the ping of jealously he got at knowing Matt was so happy. It brought him back to his own relationship issues with Kellie—if he could call it a relationship. He knew he wanted her. But he had no idea what the hell was going through her mind.
The knock at the door brought Darryl’s attention to the person standing in the doorway. He smiled when he saw her.
His dilemma. The love of his life.
His gaze caressed her. Dressed in casual wear, jeans and pale blue t-shirt, she appeared relaxed. Good. The last thing he wanted was for Burton’s death to weigh on her conscience. Her blonde hair fell in loose waves, softly framing her face and lilac, painted toenails peeked through her silver sandals. His heart did a happy dance.
She stepped forward into the room, watching his face closely.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
She smiled at him and his body warmed. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? After all, you’re the one who was shot.”
Kellie fluffed the extra pillow sitting on the nearby chair. She put her hand behind his back and gently pushed him forward, adding the pillow to the other propping him up. He could certainly get used to being coddled.
“The doctors said I should be fine. I’m barely in need of a Band-Aid. I was more worried about you.”
Kellie smoothed his hair back from his forehead. He stared into her eyes, studying the blue depths. She let out a deep breath and played with the edge of the hospital blanket.
“I’m fine, Darryl, thank you. It’s really amazing what the mind and body can do given the chance. I’ve never been more terrified in my life. But it’s all over now. At least, part of it is. I have to see a psychologist before I can return to work.”
Darryl nodded. It was standard procedure.
“I know just the one if you’re looking. Her name is Natalie Murphy. She’s good and she’ll understand your trauma. Trust me on that.”
“Okay, I’ll see Doctor Murphy. And I’ll see you when you get out, Detective Hill.”
His gaze locked on hers. “I’m not going anywhere. The case is over and I meant what I said. When I’m free of this damn hospital, I’m coming after you and I’m not letting you go.”
He had to admit, his tone was slightly threatening. But he had to let her know she wouldn’t be able to be rid of him. He had waited a good thirty-one years to feel the way he did now and he wasn’t about to let that reason walk away from him without a fight.
Kellie nodded, the threat in his voice heard and accepted. She placed her hand in his and squeezed as she leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. As she pulled away from him, he put his hand on her neck, holding her in place as he kissed her again, this time deeper. When the kiss ended, her eyes were glazed with desire and she almost stumbled as she stepped away from him. He grinned at her reaction.
“I love you, Kellie.”
He swallowed hard at the lump in his throat. He couldn’t imagine a life without her. If she walked away from him now, he wasn’t sure how he’d find the strength to keep going. Tears glittered and brightened her eyes. His stomach clenched painfully. He’d thought he’d known true fear but nothing compared to this moment.
“I love you too,” she said finally. She swiped at a tear that rolled down her cheek. “How could I not, Darryl? You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m not even sure I can describe how you make me feel.”
He let out a relieved breath and tugged her back to him. She placed the palm of her hand on his chest.
“When I said I’d never been so terrified,” Kellie continued, “I didn’t just mean facing Wayne. When you went down and I thought you died, it was the worst moment of my life. I realised all my fears were nothing compared to living without you. Please don’t ever let me push you away.”
“Never going to happen.”
He drew her down for another all-consuming kiss. “Damn, I wish we were alone. The things I’d do to you if I wasn’t in a hospital bed.”
Her eyes darkened with desire then cleared as her expression turned sad. “What does it say about me that all my friends are in the hospital?”
“Damned lucky.”
Another tear escaped her eye and she dashed it away as she nodded.
The door to his room opened as Rose slipped inside, stethoscope dangling from her neck. She stopped when she saw Kellie and smiled.
“I hear you’ve had a rough couple of days. How you holding up?” she asked Kellie.
“I’m fine. Thank you. In fact, I have some more visiting to do. I’d better get going and make the rounds.”
He sensed she blamed herself for his and Donovan’s current states. He’d fix that the moment he was free from this antiseptic hellhole. She kissed him lightly on the forehead and stepped back. Their hands slowly separated and he felt bereft at the loss of her touch.
“Take care of my man, Rose.”
Rose smiled more broadly this time. “Will do.”
With that, Kellie turned and walked out the door.
***
Kellie wandered down the hall of the hospital. She had always hated hospitals since she’d woken up in one twelve years ago, her head bound with bandages, her body throbbing as she relived the last few moments of her previous life over and over in her head as she lay helpless in the bed. She had endured the rape exams to be told what she already knew, that she’d been raped. The perpetrator had left no evidence of himself behind and he’d probably used a condom. Thank God for small favours, she’d thought at the time. She wouldn’t have to worry about an STD or pregnancy.