“I can take you to see Melanie.”
“Thank you.” He followed her, his heart racing.
Walking the white halls, he struggled to figure out what to say, what to do. And what would she want?
His own desires shocked him to his core. Never in his life had he ever considered having children. Besides having no inclination to get married, his only example of a father was a piece of shit. What if he became the same man?
But since Maggie came into his life, she’d wormed her way into his broken heart, and from the core of his being, he knew there was no way on earth he’d ever hurt her the way his father had scarred him.
He and the nurse turned the corner and entered the room. Mel was pale, but her weak smile brought unexpected tears to his eyes.
“I’ll leave you two alone,” said the nurse before vanishing down the hall.
Nate approached Mel’s bedside. His stomach was tied in knots as he took her hand. “The doctor says you’re going to be fine.”
Mel squeezed his hand. “Yeah… Remind me never to get stabbed again.”
A smile tugged at his lips as he bent to kiss her forehead. “I’m good with that plan.”
“I must’ve been out awhile. I woke up married.” Her eyes sparkled.
“Hope you don’t mind.” He chuckled and shook his head slowly. “It was the only way they’d let me in here with you.” He met her eyes. “The doctor said you’re a fighter.”
She caressed his cheek. “I had unfinished business.” Her smile faded. “I didn’t mean what I said at the park. He was on the phone listening. I was trying to get you to take Maggie home—out of rifle range.”
“I know.”
She raised a brow. “You didn’t look like you knew.”
“Well I didn’t right away.” At the time, he’d been more pissed at himself for letting his guard down. Her words had only hurt because he’d let her into his heart. He cleared the lump of emotion from his throat. “But I figured it out.” He sobered. “My instinct was to back off and shut you out of my life, but even before my birthmark started to burn, something occurred to me.” He swallowed, forced himself to speak. “What you said didn’t make sense…because I make you happy. We’re good together.”
His voice dropped to a raspy whisper. “And I’m not nothing. I never was. You were the one who made me believe that.”
She wiped a tear from her cheek and lifted their joined hands to her lips. “I love you. I had to go with them to protect Maggie, but I knew you’d come for me, even though I told you not to.”
“That’s pretty ‘glass half-full’ for you, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Her face brightened a little. “You have that effect on me.” She glanced down at her gown and back up at him. “I need to tell you something else, but you have to promise to remember that this has nothing to do with my having a near-death experience.”
“Okay.” He tensed but didn’t retreat. Whatever she had to say, he could take it.
“When they gave me a choice, my life or Maggie’s…” She shook her head. “I knew right then that… It’s horrible timing, but…” She met his eyes. “I love that little girl, and I’d like to adopt her.”
“No,” Nate blurted without hesitation.
She frowned, shocked. He was the one who’d told her about the couple who had decided not to make Maggie part of their family. He’d said he wanted her to have a home; apparently just not one with Mel.
“Wait, that came out wrong.” He pulled up a chair and sat beside her, fidgeting.
Nate Malone was fidgeting?
Maybe she was more lightheaded than she realized. “What’s going on?”
He lifted his gaze, his expression unreadable. “I need to tell you something, a few things, but they might be a little out of order.”
She winced a little. This couldn’t be good. She rolled her eyes. “Well the setup sounds great so far.”
“Sorry.” He chuckled, but the uncertainty still lined his eyes. “The thing is, none of this has to do with the attack, and I don’t want you to think it does, so I’m not sure if I should wait…”
She laced her fingers with his. “We’ve been through hell and back the past few weeks. As long as it doesn’t involve you leaving, I can handle it.”
“Okay.” He kissed her forehead and stared into her eyes. “Until the Kronos guys crashed the party, being at the park with you and Maggie, going to her class…” He shook his head slowly. “I didn’t want it to end. I don’t want it to end.”
He searched her face. For what, she couldn’t be sure. She worried her lower lip to keep from speaking.
Nate pressed his mouth to her knuckles and met her eyes. “I don’t want you to adopt her…” He swallowed. “I want us to adopt her.”
“Us?” Mel’s heart pounded, her eyes brimming with tears. Nate paled at her response, and she squeezed his hand. “Yes. I’m just… I’m shocked.”
He nodded with a tentative smile. “See what I mean about it all being out of order? I should be asking you to marry me first.”
She laughed. “According to the hospital, we’re already married.”
Nate didn’t laugh or smile. His eyes never left hers. “I will do my best to fill your glass when it starts to get half-empty, keep you and our family safe, and love you for the rest of my life.” His voice trembled. “Melanie Jacoby, will you marry me?”
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she smiled. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes.” She leaned up to hug him and winced, setting off an IV alarm behind her. Settling back on the pillow, she chuckled. “I wish I weren’t lying in a hospital gown and we could celebrate, but come to think of it…” She gestured to the lifesaving equipment. “It’s probably perfect for me and my muse.”
Then a tear escaped from the corner of Nate’s eye, too. “I have one more bomb to drop. I wish it could wait, but I don’t want you to hear it from anyone else while you’re here in the hospital.”
She frowned. “You didn’t get in trouble for shooting that bastard, did you?”
“No. At least not yet.” He wiped his cheek and leaned in closer. “But what I’m about to tell you has nothing to do with my proposal, all right? Telling the hospital you were my wife came out of my mouth as naturally as telling criminals they have the right to an attorney. No one was more surprised than I was to realize I wanted to get married, but being with you is where I always want to be.”
“Okay.” Her pulse bounced on the monitor. Did they find cancer in her chest while they were sewing her up?
Nate rested his large hand on her abdomen. “Maggie is going to be a big sister.”
Mel paused for a second while her muse caught up. She wasn’t dying. The puzzle piece fell into place.
She brought her hand down to cover his and let out a soft gasp. “We’re having a baby?”
Nate nodded. “The doctor thought we already knew.”
Mel choked on a happy sob, squeezing his hand. “And you swear you’re not proposing out of obligation, right?”
“I swear.” He smiled, and her belly warmed. “I want to marry you because you make my life crazy in the best kind of way. I want to see you every day and raise our family together.”
She grinned, overwhelmed on all fronts. “I need to tell my sisters.” Her gaze snapped to his face. “And you need to tell John. He’s going to think the world ended.”
“Nah, he’ll cover and say something like ‘I knew you’d come around someday, Malone.’”
John was a good guy in spite of their rocky first meeting.
Mel smiled up at Nate. “Callie’s going to blow a gasket.”
He chuckled. “She better be happy, or she and I will be having some words.”
“You’re so sexy when you go all Guardian like that.”
Nate laughed and leaned down to hold her tight. “Heal up.” He kissed her lips, slow and tender, until her toes curled. “I need to let Maggie know you’re all right.”
Mel grinned. “Don’t tell he
r about us yet. I want to be there.”
“You got it.”
Chapter Twenty
With the help of Mel’s sisters, Nate got all of her things packed up and moved to his place before she returned from the hospital. They peppered him with questions, but he managed to keep quiet about the engagement, letting them know they had decided to keep living together even though the danger was over for now.
He left the boxes labeled and neatly stacked in the corner of his dining area so she could put her stuff away wherever she wanted. His days in the bachelor pad were numbered. And he was surprised to realize he didn’t give a shit. Being with her made his old life seem so…empty. He wasn’t going to miss it.
During her hospital stay, they’d made plans for their future. As soon as she was up to it, they’d start looking at new places with three bedrooms, one for Maggie and one for Baby Malone. Mel came up with the nickname, and his heart swelled every time he thought of it. As a kid, “family” meant pain and fear, but with Mel, he found himself eager to make new memories.
She showed him a whole different world, one full of strength, loyalty, and laughter.
He was a lucky bastard. And any time those old feelings of panic and insecurity crept up on him, he was quick to remind himself of that fact.
It also kept his mind off the debriefing at work. He was cleared for duty after shooting the suspect, but the relief didn’t come as he’d expected. There was still a lingering foreboding in his gut. The guy in dark glasses had gotten away.
Nate had given the sketch artist his best description, but all his attention had been on Mel at the time. He didn’t get a good look at the man. And so far, they hadn’t gotten any hits on the composite. The man in the mask wasn’t working alone, though, and it was more than likely that there were more men in golden Kronos masks out there.
He wanted to believe it was over with one bullet, but his instincts told him not to drop his guard.
John crossed his arms, trying not to smile. “Don’t you have someplace to go, Malone?”
He glanced up at his partner with a grin. “Yeah, I’m heading out now.”
Mel was coming home today. To say he’d been counting down the minutes would’ve been an understatement. He set the composite of the man in sunglasses aside and grabbed his jacket. “Catch you later.”
John nodded. “Homecoming party still on for tomorrow?”
“Yeah. My place at five. Callie will be there to let you in.”
Nate made the drive to the hospital in record time. When he got to Mel’s room, she was already up and dressed. He shook his head. “Damn, you’re beautiful.”
She smiled and walked straight into his arms. He embraced her, careful not to hold her too tightly.
Her lips brushed his neck. “I’m not going to break.”
“I’m not taking any chances.”
She pulled back, her smile warming him all over. “As long as you’re not planning to poke my wound, I’m all right. Really.” She rose up on her toes and brushed her lips against his. “See?”
“Good to know.” He grinned, stealing one more kiss.
He carried her bag in one hand and held her hand with the other. He helped her into the car and happily left the medical center in the rearview mirror.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not really. Just anxious to get home.”
He rested his hand on her thigh. “Then home it is.”
“And you didn’t tell anyone?”
He chuckled. “No one would believe we were getting married and having a baby even if I told them.” He squeezed her leg. “But when I make a promise, I keep it.”
“Sorry. Tough to shut down the muse sometimes.”
“I did start the paperwork to adopt Maggie, but I haven’t said anything to her yet and I swore Mr. and Mrs. Gaines to secrecy.” He glanced at her and back to the road. “She made me crazy trying to get me to take her to the hospital to visit you.”
“Sorry they wouldn’t let her in.”
He hadn’t told Maggie the hospital denied her. Family members only. He’d opted for telling her only grownups could visit. “Pretty soon we’ll all be family and it won’t be a problem again.”
“Thanks for waiting so we can talk to her together.”
He parked the car at his place and took her hand again. “I’m new to this whole relationship thing, but as I understand it, we’re a team, right?”
She nodded and got out of the car.
Once he had her and her things inside, she walked toward the bedroom. “I need a shower.”
He tensed up, imagining her fainting and hitting her head. Maybe her muse was rubbing off on him.
As if she could read his mind, she glanced back. “I might also need a shower buddy, just in case I get lightheaded.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Safety first, right?”
Mel unbuttoned her shirt, eyeing Nate’s muscular back as he bent to turn on the hot water. Her wound was still bruised and tender, but she was desperate to be close to him, skin to skin. Since the attack, sleeping alone had been a challenge. Her dreams were haunted by that damn mask of Kronos’ face.
Nate straightened up and closed the lid on the toilet. He took a seat and stared up at her. “I can wait here…”
She shook her head, working her lower lip with her teeth. “I need you close.”
He didn’t question her. Without a word, he tugged off his T-shirt and tossed it on the floor. Seeing his toned chest, his abs like iron, stoked her hunger for him, leaving no room for fear. This was her Guardian. Hers.
For the first time since she woke up in the hospital, she felt safe.
With the buttons of her top undone, she started to slide it off and winced.
Nate was on his feet right behind her. “Let me help.”
He slid the shirt down her arms and came around in front of her. His gaze wandered to her stitches. “I’m so sorry I didn’t get there sooner.”
“He’ll never touch me again. That’s all that matters.”
His eyes met hers. “Never again.”
“Every time I see this scar, I’m not going to remember him. I’m going to remember this was the day you saved my life.”
He closed the distance between them, kissing her lips, hungry but still tender. She ran her hands down his chest, enjoying the way his muscles contracted at her touch. Without breaking the kiss, she unbuttoned his pants and lowered the zipper.
He caught her hand. “Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you.”
“We’ll be careful.” Her heart pounded, heat smoldering low in her belly. “I need you. Please.”
She hadn’t told Nate about the nightmares or how she’d endured her hospital stay by imagining being naked in his strong arms. It was their future together that inspired her healing, and she didn’t want to let the crazy man in the gold mask steal any more of their time. They were alive and in love. Fear could take a flying leap.
He searched her eyes and finally kissed her slowly. He rested his forehead against hers. “I need you, too.”
She tried to slide his pants down, but Nate came to the rescue, getting his jeans off and then helping her with her sweatpants. He tested the water in the shower and then took her hand as she stepped inside.
The warm water shocked her system. She trembled, and Nate turned them both so the spray hit his back instead of hers, still protecting her. “Is it too hot?’
“No.” A smile curved on her lips. “It’s just been awhile since I felt warm and safe. I forgot how good it feels.”
His shoulders relaxed and he bent forward, his lips caressing her shoulder as he turned slowly. The warm water didn’t surprise her this time. Nate lathered shampoo into her hair, his fingers massaging her scalp until she moaned. One hand drifted down her back, cupping her backside and pressing her closer to him. She opened her eyes to find him staring at her face.
His voice was deep, filled with emotion. “I love you.”
/> She reached up to caress his cheek. “I love you, too.”
He bent his knees, sliding his hands down her back to grip her hips. She wrapped her legs around his waist, careful not to bump her stitches.
“Are you all right?” he asked. “Did I hurt you?”
“I’m fine.” She leaned in closer and whispered against his ear, “I bet you’ve never had sex with a fiancée before.”
“It’s my first time.” The corner of his mouth quirked up into a sexy crooked smile as he slowly entered her, careful to hold her steady. His teeth teased her ear. “Be gentle with me.”
Mel tipped her head back into the water, moaning and laughing all at once. She held tight as he rocked slowly into her, grinding to keep from jostling her. The pleasure, the connection; they were healing her. “I missed this.”
“I missed you, too.” He kissed his way down to her neck as he turned to rest her back against the wall of the shower. He lifted his head. “Too cold?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t stop.”
He slid a hand between them, stroking her in time with his thrusts as his lips claimed hers. She moaned into the kiss, working her hips into him until they both surrendered. Her nails dug into his shoulder as they crashed over the edge together.
Nate straightened after a minute, water dripping from his hair. “I need to put you down before we fall.”
Mel let her legs slide down from his waist as he lowered her. Even after her feet were on the floor, he kept one arm around her, steadying her. She definitely got lucky the day the gods chose Nate as her Guardian.
“Nate, can you tack this side of the banner up?” Callie held the other end up from the top of the stepladder.
He pushed a pin through the WELCOME HOME! banner and into the ceiling. On the other side of the room, Trinity and Polly blew up balloons with Maggie. None of them knew about the engagement, the baby, or the adoption paperwork he and Mel had already started.
They wanted to share the news together to all their loved ones at once.
And she had no idea about the party. Mel’s parents came into town after he told them about the attack, and they were distracting her today so he and her sisters could decorate.
My Paranormal Valentine: A Paranormal Romance Box Set Page 108
