“Shelby?” A low voice rolled through her ear and jaw, to form a delicious coil in her chest.
Too tired; she couldn’t answer, couldn’t move.
“Shel, wake up, darlin’.”
It would be nice to raise her head, but none of her muscles cooperated.
Opening her eyes didn’t even seem to work. Still dark.
She awakened with a gasp. The room was pitch black.
Strong arms tightened around her shoulders. The scent of cloves and potent male surrounded her, comforted her. Gave her a solid mass to grab hold of, stabilize her body and mind.
“Eric?” she whispered, her throat raw like she’d been screaming.
“You’re back.”
“That’s my line.”
“I’ve been back for a few days.”
“Me, too.”
“No. You got your leg fixed, woke up after three days, then knocked some sense into me, ESP-style. Then you’ve been out for a few extra days.”
She lay on her back, staring at nothing. “Did my trick work?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
He pulled her against the broad width of his chest, and she burrowed into it. His warmth and strength flowed over her.
“But?” she asked.
“After you pulled me into the light, you were gone for quite a while.”
“How’d I get in your bed? Or are you in my bed?”
“We’re in yours. I can be pretty persistent. And what I couldn’t accomplish, your brothers handled.” He dropped his voice to a whisper. “Although I think that doctor is about to kill Vaughn with her bare hands.”
“He deserves it.”
“Knowing him, yes.” He brushed his lips over the top of her head. “Can you see anything?”
“Nothing.”
“Damn it.”
“Worth it.”
But her breathing came faster. Harder to shove the air in and out of her lungs. What if she never saw his face again? What if she lost her ability to work on the ranch? In Search and Rescue? What if she lost her independence?
She patted her hand up his neck and over his jaw, over the rasping stubble, his soft and firm lips.
His warm hand encircled her wrist, stilling her searching fingers. He kissed her palm.
“You won’t be alone, Shel.”
“Not possible in my family.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
What had she done? Panic choked her.
“Maybe my vision will come back.” She ducked her head into his shoulder and concentrated on calming down. It made no difference. Fact was, she couldn’t see. “I’ll give it some time.”
“You passed out at my bedside days ago.”
“Give it more time, then.” She had to change the subject, and fast. It was heading into depressing territory at a rapid pace. “Besides, the passing out thing? Seems kind of contagious between you and me. Really, we should stop meeting like this.”
His chuckle warmed her insides until she caught herself. She needed to hear his answer to an important question. “What if I stay like this, blind? Long-term?”
“I’ll be right there with you.”
“Reassuring. But the part about not being able to see? More than disappointing.”
“I know.” His chest rose and fell beneath her cheek. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“Well, you did save my life. Fair’s fair.”
“Geezus, Shelby.” He tightened his arms around her.
A few waves of emotion pinged off her filters, but nothing else reached her mind. “Hey, I can’t hear your stream of consciousness.”
“Is that good?”
“Yes. Though I did miss your presence when it was gone.”
“I thought you hated knowing what was going on in my head.”
“No one should have to know all of that information. But I also miss it.” She sighed. “The way it is right now, without the constant monologue, is . . . easier, though.”
“Long may it last.”
“True. My ability to hear and see all of your thoughts might still come back.”
“And if it does? You made it clear you wanted nothing to do with me if that happened.”
What would she do if she couldn’t shut off the fire hose of thoughts rushing out of Eric? She considered the possibility. Considered his sacrifice to save her. Considered his hunger for her body and her pleasure. Considered everything he meant to her as a friend and as a partner.
Considered his rapid heartbeat and solid arms tightening around her.
“I can live with it.” She paused. “Um, if you can, that is.”
“Shelby, are you propositioning me? Because that’s pretty awful.”
Her cheeks heated. “No! Well, not intentionally.” She burrowed her face farther into the crook between his arm and ribs. “Why? Would propositioning you have been a problem?”
“Only inasmuch as I wanted to do it myself.”
“Oh?”
The sheets crinkled and shushed as he sat up. He stroked her shoulder. “Shelby Taggart, would you consider a long-term relationship with a cynical cowboy like me who wants to do some pretty bad things with your body?” His fingers drifted over her waist and hip.
She gasped, warmth flooding her pelvis.
He chuckled. “And would you one day be open to that relationship turning into something permanent, maybe even marriage?”
“What if I don’t recover my sight?”
“I want you any way you come.”
The answer was obvious. Had been for years.
“Then yes. There’s no one else I want to be with. I just hope you don’t get bored of me or frustrated with my craziness.”
“One”—the vinyl hospital mattress crunched as he leaned forward and dropped a kiss onto her forehead—“I will never get bored of you, ever. Two, your craziness has kept me coming back for seconds over many years. And now I can’t wait until the doctor clears you for all activities, if you know what I mean.”
A delicious tension built up in her gut.
He tilted her head up and kissed her deeply. “Since I’ve been sitting here for the past few days, I’ve had some chances to dream up new and awesome ways to make your toes tingle.” He licked the shell of her ear, raising goose bumps on her arms. “And for you to scream my name.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She reached up to find his mouth and kissed him back. “Yes. I want to be with you, Eric. No one else. Forever.”
“I can make that happen, darlin’.”
With a sigh, she tucked herself into his chest once more, wrapped her arms around him, and drifted off in the most comfortable sleep she’d had in years.
Safe. Loved. At peace.