The Dragon's Need (Tahoe Dragon Mates 2)

"Okay, close your eyes and tell me if you feel anything, and where."

Ryan complied, his heart speeding up a fraction, hoping he could feel something.

Then a sharp point stuck into his calf. "Ow."

"Where was it?"

"My calf."

"Good. Now, wait for another jab."

Never in his life had Ryan wanted to feel someone stab him.

One beat passed, and then another. Finally he felt something at the bottom of his foot. "Something on my foot, although it didn't feel sharp."

"Good again. It was the end of my pencil. Open your eyes." Once he complied, the doctor continued, "The early tests are promising, but I can't guarantee you won't have trouble walking or other tasks until you heal enough to try them."

He tried not to let hope overwhelm him as he asked, "When will that be?"

"We'll take it day by day. And yes, I know that's not the answer you want to hear. But if you think yelling or threatening will make me give you a different answer, let alone you trying to hide your health to appear well before you actually are, then you'll be sorely disappointed. I've had to deal with Wes and Cris's injuries before, and didn't give in. You don't stand a chance, human."

The words were said with humor, not threats. Ryan sighed. "Fine. But I'm going to keep asking when we can do the next step every chance I get. I don't like waiting and doing nothing."

Dr. Carter snorted. "Welcome to the club." He looked at Gaby. "You can stay at his side. One of the nurses will bring some food a little later for you both. I'll leave it to you to ensure he eats it."

"Of course, Dr. Carter." Gaby moved back to Ryan’s side and took his hand again. The heat of her skin helped him relax. "Give me any task and I'll make sure it gets done."

With a laugh, the doctor left the room.

Gaby stared down at him, and he could tell there were tears in her eyes. "Shh, darling. Everything's going to be okay."

She sniffed

. "We're both fighters, so of course we'll do our best. But there's still the chance you won't fully recover. And in a way, it's my fault."

"Don't say that, Gaby. You can't watch me every second of every day, no more than I can you. You merely standing by my side now, regardless of the eventual outcome, is all that matters to me."

It was on the tip of his tongue to say he loved her again, but he decided to keep the feelings until he could take her on a date.

Which meant doing everything he could to get better. Even if he ended up needing a wheelchair for the rest of his life, he'd find a way to make it work.

Just like his sister had never given up on him, he'd never give up on Gaby or their child. They were his family now.

His dragon lady tilted her head. "Of course I'm going to be by your side. You're my human, Ryan, mine." Gaby leaned down to kiss him before standing up straight again. He smiled at his woman, and when she did the same, it raised his spirits a fraction.

Gaby cleared her throat before she spoke again. "With that settled, then there's just one more thing. Once you're a little better, I'll need to call your sister."

He could just imagine her hovering on the other side of his bed. "No, don't worry Tiffany. She has to finish her dissertation before summer or she won't graduate. Letting her know about my condition will only distract her."

She raised an eyebrow. "So you want to keep your injuries a secret from your sister? The one, I might add, who is the whole reason you entered the lottery and brought us together?"

He sighed. "I'm injured. Aren't you supposed to save the guilt trip for later?"

Gaby grinned. "Nope."

He started to laugh, but the pain in his middle made him stop. Stupid injuries. "At least give me a few days so I at least look less like a mottled monster."

His dragon lady gently brushed hair back from his face. "I don't see a monster. Nope, just the sexiest male I know. True, you have a few temporary marks here and there, but it'll take more than that to fool me and my dragon."