Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

She let the shirt drop. “Like this?”

“I swear when these crutches are gone, I’ll fuck you upside down, baby.”

Her eyes lit. “Promise?”

“I miss it too, you know that?”

Her eyes lowered. “I love you for more than sex.”

I let out a deep breath. “I love everything about you, but I’m better at showing it. And this situation has been fucked up, I realize I’m not very good at telling you that unless we’re like this.”

Her eyes widened. “Then just say that. Tell me that. I can go down on you every night.”

I groaned. “And that is the reason I love you. What woman would make that offer?” I grinned.

“Me.” She turned her lips toward me and I kissed her.

My eyes darted to the driveway. “Fuck. Grayson is home. Lisa’s niece.”

“Oh my God.” Kaitlyn ran toward the bedroom. “We are so lucky. I’ll jump in the shower and be out in five minutes,” she called.

“It’s ok. I can get juice and snacks. Take your time.”

It was true I felt a hell of a lot better now that I had come. Relaxed. Happy. And motivated to get off these crutches.

The door opened and Grayson ran through the door.

“Daddy,” he squealed.

“Hey, little man.” I had to maneuver so he didn’t run into my bad leg.

He held up a drawing.

The babysitter stood behind him. “He said that’s the sun and a pig.” She shrugged. “I have no idea.”

I laughed. “Looks good. Do you mind putting it on the fridge. Kaitlyn will want to see it.”

Polly, Lisa’s niece used one of the clip magnets and added it to the display.

“Need anything else?” she asked.

“No. I think I’ve got it from here.”

I ruffled Grayson’s hair. “What do you think about sitting on the deck while we wait for Kaitlyn? We can count seagulls.”

He laughed. “Birds.”

I poured juice in a sippy cup and grabbed a box of crackers for the deck. Grayson followed me outside.

We sat in the deck chairs and had our afternoon snack.

It was the first day I had felt like me. I had refused to take any more pain medication.

There was something about this recovery that reminded me of those first weeks back from Afghanistan. I couldn’t shake it, but it was finally starting to erode.

The door slid open and Kaitlyn grinned at Grayson. He ran toward her, tackling her with a hug.

I knew she was the reason. Without her, I would have slipped into a darker place. I would have let this injury change me.