Jason turned her face back towards his and used a gentler tone, “Why, baby?”

“Well, I only hit my head on the desk. What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal is that you are seriously injured because of that ass. He could’ve killed you.” His voice turned rough, “The doctors didn’t know what to expect. Brain injuries have a vast range, apparently.”

She thought of the worry that he’d been put through, waiting for her to wake up, waiting to see if she would wake up. She felt ashamed for thinking only of her own pride. “I’m sorry, Jason. I suppose I was feeling so good that I just figured I was fine enough to leave.”

He took her hand in his own and intertwined their fingers, “Don’t be sorry, baby. I’m just glad you’re okay. We’ll find out when you can go home once the doctor makes his rounds.”

At the word home, Emma’s first thought was of Jason’s big strong arms holding her through the night. She knew that without him, her bed would never feel the same again. Still, she’d declared her love, and he hadn’t said anything back. Not a good sign. Emma closed her eyes to avoid looking at him. He probably felt sorry for her. Terrific. That thought definitely didn’t improve her mood.

“I know what you’re thinking, baby. I can see those emotions all over your face.”

Her gaze shot wide. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re feeling shy for having opened your heart to me.” He leaned closer and murmured, “I love you too, Emma.”

Her breath caught in her throat her gaze shot wide. She stared at him, trying to find the proof of his words, hoping she’d heard him right. Praying she’d heard him right.

“I think I’ve loved you forever. I just didn’t realize how much I loved you until I saw you lying so lifeless on the ground after that asshole hit you.” His eyes closed tight, and he cursed. “I had no way of knowing if you were okay.” When he opened his eyes, he dipped low and kissed her warm cheek.

Emma sighed as she felt Jason’s lips against her skin. She would never get tired of his kisses. She said the first thing that popped into her mind. “I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

Jason jerked upright and grumbled, “Dammit, woman, took you long enough to say it again. I waited all night for you to wake up and say those words to me again. I wasn’t sure if I’d imagined them.” He pointed to a table at the far end of the room where a dozen roses sat in a beautiful crystal vase. “I went out and bought all these smelly flowers and everything, hoping that when I said those three words, you’d go all gooey-eyed and fall madly in love with me.”

She smiled, thrilled that Jason had taken such care with her. “I was afraid. Afraid you wouldn’t feel the same way.”

“No chance of that.” At once, Jason was vibrating with sexual awareness. “And you should never be afraid. Not with me.”

She smacked his hand away when it began creeping up her side to her breast. “You’re insatiable.”

“For you, Emma, only for you.” He looked her over and said, “If you are a very good girl, there will be more of that later,” he whispered, even as his mind was playing with all the possiblities.

“Mm,” she moaned, “I can’t wait.”

“The thing is, I thought at first that I simply needed to get you out of my system, in order to think clearly again.”

“And now?”

“That’s not quite how things worked. I think the only way to keep me thinking clearly is to keep you close.”

Emma smiled shyly. “Well, I wouldn’t want you to walk around in a fog.”

“Exactly,” he murmured. He leaned down, bracing himself on either side of her, and whispered silkily, “Think you can handle being all mine?”

Emma’s arms crept around Jason’s neck. “Oh definitely,” she said, giving him her heart.

“Good, because I’m definitely not letting you go.” He leaned close and kissed her cheek gently, leaving her breathless.

The words were music to Emma’s ears. Sure, it might have taken her a while, but she finally had the man of her dreams. And she aimed to keep him.

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