Stirring Attraction(57)

The chief of police nodded, his jaw tight. “Exit wound?”

“Yes, sir. Close range. We’ll know more when we get to the hospital.”

And they carried Dominic out. She stepped forward and a woman, also in uniform, handed her a shirt. “For the ride to the hospital.”

Lily nodded and pulled it over her head. Behind her, she heard Chief Fairmore ask: “And the suspect?”

“He’s dead, sir.”

Lily walked out of the kitchen. It was over. The man who’d hurt her, who’d left her living in fear, he was dead. She walked faster, stepping over the paint and stickers still covering her front porch. She needed to get to Dominic. She had to be there when he woke up. She had to tell him the words she should have said when he’d first come home, or later when he’d stood in her kitchen and told her that he loved her.

She climbed into the ambulance and moved to the side, allowing the paramedics to do their work. But once they pulled away, sirens blaring, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his ear. And she whispered, “I love you, Dominic Fairmore.”

DOMINIC WOKE UP to a chorus of beeping machines. He felt like he’d been dragged back in time. He blinked, studying the hospital ceiling, trying to orient himself. He’d been shot again. Only this time, he was in Oregon. And this wasn’t a military hospital.

“You’re awake?”

He turned his head and saw the woman he’d rushed to save. Lily. His Lily. Unharmed. She’d pulled her blond hair back into a ponytail. Her familiar blue eyes were red and puffy as if she’d been crying. And she was wearing an oversized navy T-­shirt that read “Forever, Oregon, EMS Squad” with bright pink bloodstained pants. But still, she looked so damn beautiful.

“Hey.” His voice felt rusty and unused. He tried to reach for the water pitcher and paper cups on the bedside table, but Lily moved faster. She poured a cup and held it to his lips as he drank.

“Was I out long?” he rasped.

She smiled. “You slept for ten straight hours.”

“Huh. It must be the painkillers.” He could see the IV. Plus, he knew his shoulder should be hurting a lot more than it did. He looked at her over the rim of water cup.

“The nurses and I have been taking bets—­painkillers or caffeine withdrawal. I had the advantage. I know your coffee habit. But the overnight nurse was on my side too.”

“Don’t tell me you spent the entire time sitting is that chair and watching me sleep.”

She shrugged. “It was my turn. Everyone was here earlier, when you came out of surgery. Your dad. Josie and Noah. Even Caroline. They saw you muttering and asking the nurse for coffee. She said you needed sleep. So I sent everyone home.”

“You could have gone home too,” he said.

“I needed to talk to you.” She placed her hand on top of his. “I was wrong, Dominic.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I was going to tell you the same thing. All that time you were convinced someone was after you, that it wasn’t random. I should have listened.”

“Maybe you will next time,” she said. “But I wasn’t talking about Louis Stanton. I was wrong to send you away. I thought I needed safety, security, trust—­”

“You deserve all those things, honey,” he said, the raspy quality slipping from his voice.

“But I need you.” She looked him straight in the eyes. “Your love.”

“You have it,” he said. “Always have, even when I tried to stay away and make room for someone better, who would never let you down.”

“You won’t,” she said firmly.

“Lil—­”

“Dominic, you’re my rock. My stability. My safety net. And yes, I might need you to check behind every door for the rest of my life. After yesterday, I might never feel safe again.”

Don’t say that. But he knew it was the truth and he didn’t want any lies between them. He wanted to be the one person in Forever, the one person in this world, she shared everything with—­her feelings, her body, and her love.

“Or maybe in a year,” she added, “I’ll be able to close my eyes in the shower even when you’re not home. Or maybe not. I’m done giving my fear a timeline.”

He nodded. “That’s good, Lily. Really good. And I’ll be there. When you shower, when you sleep. I swear I’ll be there for you.”

He’d play the part of her bodyguard forever if that’s what she needed. He wanted more, so damn much more . . . But maybe they weren’t ready yet. Still too broken. Hell, he didn’t even know if his right arm worked anymore.