“I’m fine right now, but Addie said only for a few minutes. Any longer than that, she said she was dragging me back into bed, whether I wanted to or not.” He mocked Addie’s southern drawl and attitude. We both laughed. He wiped my tears away. “I have to say, she’s the closest thing I’ve ever had to a mother, even though I’ve known her for only twenty-four hours.”
I put my face into my hands again, muffling my words. “I thought you were going to turn, Henry. I can’t handle seeing you that way. I don’t think I can handle another loss, especially if it was you.”
“I know, love. But look. I’m alright.”
I looked at him. “Henry…you will never be alright.”
“I know.” He was saddened. He pulled me close, and hissed in pain.
“What happened in there? Why were you so bad coming back?”
“There were a lot of undeads. Hundreds, Elaina. Hundreds. Most of them were kids. I have never seen so many in one space. I was already hurting when we got there. I don’t understand why I’m turning faster than I used to.”
“Maybe it’s because of all your recent injuries.” I looked up at his eyes…beautiful, breathtaking, and just brilliant.
“I don’t know. I’m so glad you didn’t come with us. It was terrifying, even for me. The smell was off the charts. Even Nick was sick. The kids had piled up the true deads all the way up to the third floor. It was a brilliant move to protect themselves, but it was hell trying to climb over them to get up there. I don’t even want to get into the gore.”
“Yes. Please don’t.”
The door opened behind us. “Alright, Henry. Come on now. You need your rest.” I stood and helped Henry up. I watched him walk into the house and head toward the bedroom. Then I decided that I needed to go with him. “Uh…no.” Addie stopped me at the door, waving her finger at me. I looked at her with bewilderment. “He needs his rest. I know what y’all will do if you are left alone.” I blushed so much my face felt as if it was set ablaze.
“But…I was just going to get him comfortable and then leave.”
“Promise?” Addie had her eyes completely zoned in on me.
“Yes! I would never do that in someone else’s home, especially during waking hours.” I huffed and pushed past her. Henry was chuckling and holding his ribs. I closed the door behind us. “We aren’t teens, for pete’s sake. She does know we were supposed to marry, doesn’t she?”
I knew he thought it was hilarious because he took me the night before, and I was lying. I didn’t find it very humorous. I helped him out of his shirt and began undoing his pants as he sat down at the edge of the bed. I realized he was missing that essential article of clothing that would keep him covered with his pants off. I was gawking at his body when I heard Henry say, “Hey, are you trying to get me in trouble?”
“Oh, come on! You’re setting me up!”
“Setting you up?”
“Yes!”
“Because I didn’t wear boxers on purpose this morning because I knew this exact moment would happen?” He rolled his eyes.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me!” I growled at him.
“How do you like it?” He swung his legs around to lie down in the bed. I pulled the covers up to his waist, leaving his pants undone. I admired his battered body. He still looked beautiful to me. I sat down next to him and reached out, touching his chest.
His skin was so smooth and cool. Of course, he still had those nasty bruises and scars. I gently touched each and every single one. Every bruise and scar happened because he battled someone, somewhere, at some point. Henry grabbed my hand.
“Hey. It’s okay. They are just bruises and scars.”
“It’s not okay. This is not okay. None of this is okay.”
“I understand that more than most, but we don’t have a choice.” He placed my hand over his heart. “This beats for you. Whether life is shitty or grand, my heart is always beating for you.” I smiled with sadness and kissed him on the forehead.
“You need some rest. I better get out of here before Addie drags me out by the collar.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me down. “Henry…please.” He held me close and kissed me as he pushed me down onto the bed. “Henry…stop. I have to go,” I mumbled between kisses.
“I don’t want you to go,” he said in that deep sexy rasp that worked for me nearly every damn time. Then he nuzzled into my neck and began touching me. “Take off your shirt. I want to see my black-haired beauty,” he whispered.