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‘Maybe’

I feel the heat of his skin h that has his chest expanding ‘OK,’ he breathes into my ear ‘I promise to shave my hair off if you so ush of air and turneyebrows ‘You wouldn’t’

‘Try me’ His lips push to mine and I’m momentarily blindsided by his worshipful ed since I’ve fallen in love with you, Olivia Taylor’ He nibbles at my lip and my heart soars with happiness ‘Don’t think I won’t fulfil that promise’

He loves me I didn’t pay much attention when he bellowed it at Sophia at Ice – either not believing it or not processing it But now the words resonate throughme armth ‘I don’t care,’ I announce ‘You’ve just told hs He actually laughs, head thrown back, eyes glisteninguncontrollably I’ I watch in silent wonder atyou that I love you’

‘No, you don’t,’ I object ‘You say fascinated’ We antic bed and I’ my way beneath the sheets while he rids the area of cushions, placing them in the chest at the foot of the bed

‘I may not use the words, but it’s there – every time I look at you’ He slides into bed and settles his lean physique on top ofhimself comfy between them He looks down at me on the tiniest of s a kiss on my confused forehead ‘I write it with my eyes on a different part of your body every time I look at you’ He kisses his way down to es deep The irony ofconstantly tossed from utter elation to total despair ‘And I’ve written it on you physically’

My brow furrows through ly But then realisation kicks in ‘In your studio,’ I ainst his lips ‘You wrote it on my tummy with red paint’ I re it before I could catch a gli face He’s feeling ht noith those incredibly hypnotising, sharp blue eyes, he’s touching my soul ‘I’ll love you until there’s no breath left in s my dia enough’

‘Then beyond that, too,’ he whispers

Chapter 13

He is, indeed, clinging towhen I cohs, his head nuzzled as far intoon each side ofme I bury ertips tracing the sharp, defined e

It’s another day A new day It’s a day that I have no desire to face But while I’m trapped beneath Miller, safe and happy, I don’t have to worry So I close ain and sink back into se Day My eyes peel open and I do a quick assess is exactly hohen I closedoff to all thoughts horrid, when it very abruptly occurs to ent but cautious in pushing Miller frorurabbing atbody ‘Livy’

‘Shhhh,’ I hush hi a pacifying kiss on his long stubble ‘I’ to call the hospital’

At that, he relents and tosses hi beneath the pillohere his head lies Leaving Miller dozing, I dash out of the bedrooh to Cedar Ward

‘It’s Josephine Taylor’s granddaughter,’ I say,my way to the kitchen ‘I was told she could come home today’

‘Oh yes!’ the nurse practically screeches, like she’s relieved to confirm it ‘Her consultant will make his rounds early afternoon, so I expect to have her discharge papers by three-ish Say four to be on the safe side’

‘Great!’ Excite brain ‘And she has all of herI’ve sent down the prescription to the pharmacy here at the hospital It should be back by the time she leaves She must take it easy for a while And we’ll have to schedule a follow-up appointment’

‘Thank you’ I lower myself into a chair at Miller’s table and exhale ht be easier said than done I have a challenge on irl sass flying htened up this dull place for the past few days’

I smile ‘But you won’t miss her, eh?’