Harper
When Archer and the team brought Noel into the hotel last night, I was both relieved and terrified. Noel looked even worse than when I'd seen him before. He’d clearly taken another beating and probably had a head injury.
"Surely he needs to go to a hospital,” I said as they put him to bed.
"He refused,” Archer said.
Except for a few grunts, Noel wasn’t aware of what was going on. "He doesn't seem to be refusing right now."
“The doctor is on his way,” Archer said, but I got the feeling he would have preferred Noel going to hospital as well.
When the doctor arrived, he checked Noel over, expressing concern about a possible concussion, but the rest of Noel's injuries he said would heal in time.
When he left, I started my vigil next to Noel's bed, sometimes praying and sometimes arguing with God to make him be all right. When he finally woke up, I was so relieved. Then he said he wanted me to love him and that he loved me, it felt like my world finally righted.
I helped him into the tub and then left him for a moment to arrange for new sheets on the bed. I also ordered a large breakfast for the both of us. Then I let Archer know that Noel was awake, and I would be in touch later about a good time for him to come down and talk to him. I sent Bran a quick text letting him know that everything was all right and that he could return home to Anne and Brandie.
He texted back that he wanted to see me before he left, and he would wait until I told him it was a good time to check in.
I returned to the bathroom to find Noel soaking in the tub. His head was back on the tub's edge, his eyes closed.
Worry had me rushing to him. Had he passed out? "Noel?"
A smile spread on his face. "I hear the voice of an angel."
I smiled back as relief spread. "I'm going to remind you that you said that the next time you think I'm difficult."
His expression fell. He reached out his hand to me. I took it and knelt by the tub.
“None of what I said in the cell was true."
I picked up a cloth, dipping in the warm water. "Even the part about giving Lupe six orgasms?"
Noel winced, but I wasn't sure if it was from the six-orgasm comment or my pressing the washcloth to his chest.
I decided I didn’t need the answer. I wanted to forget all that happened and move forward. "It doesn't matter. What matters is that you're safe and you're here with me."
He put his hand over mine on his chest. "I hope you mean that."
"Of course, I do." I leaned over, giving him a gentle kiss on his temple, hoping I found a spot that hadn't been battered and bruised.
When I started to pull back, he gripped my hand tighter. "I still don't know what the hell I'm doing, Harper. I only know that I want to do whatever it takes to keep you with me. I want you and Mo and the child inside you to be with me."
I smiled to reassure him. "Then we will be."
"Promise?"
"I promise." Whatever he wanted, I would promise him because he was mine and I was his. I suppose it had always been like that from the start. Our hard-headedness and fears got in the way, but the connection had always been there. From now on, I wouldn’t let fears or misunderstandings get in our way. I didn't think he would either.
I helped him clean up and out of the tub. I toweled him off and as I finished, I noticed his arousal. "Well, at least one part of you isn't battered and bruised."
His cheeks reddened. It was so adorable.
I wrapped the towel around his waist, tucking the end into the waist so it stayed in place.
He took my hand and tugged me to him. "I hate to say it, but I don't think I'm up to having sex at the moment."
"I agree. But we all know a man’s dick has a mind of its own. He’ll just have to wait."