When I turned, it was Rhett, his eyes were open, and his hands were stretched towards me weakly.
I immediately went to his side, hoping the tears at the corner of my eyes would not fall.
"I’m sorry you had to see me ," he said slowly with a wry smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "But I’m glad you came to visit me."
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak without crying.
"Sarah," he turned his head slightly to look at the woman at the door. "Could you excuse us for a minute?"
"Alpha Rhett, you know the doctor’s orders..."
"Fine, you can stay," Rhett interrupted her. His voice was stronger than he looked. "I will not be responsible if you hear all the bad things we’re about to talk about."
Sarah rolled her eyes and said, "Five minutes." Before leaving us alone.
"Sit on the chair next to the bed," Rhett told me. "Keep me company until I die."
"That’s not funny," I said sharply, settling into the chair beside him. "Stop making jokes."
"Relax, Eamon," he chuckled. "I’ll be fine. I just need to be in these things for 16 hours. But you know what will heal me faster?"
I half-rose in my seat. "What?"
He turned his head slightly towards me and grinned. "A kiss, and please don’t say no."
I blushed. "How can you even think of doing that now?"
"My dream is to die surrounded by all my lovers, Eamon. It’ll be the best death ever. C’mon, kiss me, please..."
"What if I die in the next few hours? What if this is our last real conversation? You’d live the rest of your life with the guilt that maybe your kiss could have made the difference. It’s up to you. I won’t..."
I rose to my feet, glaring at him. "Stop saying you’ll die. You should be more positive."
"Then give a dying man his last wish, Eamon. I deserve to be kissed, too. If I’m going to die, at least let me die knowing I kissed Eamon Riggs."
"Moons!" I glared at him more. "Can you stop wishing death upon yourself. Fine, I’ll kiss you, but just a quick peck on the cheek and then you need to rest."
His face lit up. "You’re an angel."
I approached his bed cautiously, leaning down toward his face. I intended to give him a brief, innocent kiss on the cheek, but the moment I was within reach, Rhett’s hand shot out with surprising strength and speed.
Before I could react, he had scooped me effortlessly off the ground, his arm around my waist, pulling me onto the space beside him on the bed.
"Rhett!" I gasped, but he was already shifting, using his strength to position himself so he was propped over me, his body caging me against the mattress.
"Sorry, he murmured as his eyes bored into me. "Though his grin suggested he wasn’t sorry at all. "But I said a kiss, not a peck."
I felt myself melting under his gaze, but before I could protest or push away, his lips pressed against mine, hot and hungry. His lips were warm and soft, moving against mine with the practised skill of someone who knew exactly what they were doing.
When I gasped in surprise, he took advantage, slipping his tongue inside my mouth.
One hand tangled in my short hair, angling my head to give him better access, while the other braced against the bed to support his weight. He kissed me like a man drowning, and I was his only source of air.
I could feel the heat from his body radiating through what he was wearing, and the scent of his skin intoxicated me. Unable to fight the emotions swirling inside of me, I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer.
The kiss went on for what felt like an eternity, our tongues dancing together in a sensual tango that left me breathless. He broke away from the kiss, his chest heaving as he stared down at me.
"Eamon," he whispered, his voice hoarse with desire. "You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to do that."
I gave him a wary look, lowering my gaze. I couldn’t believe I had just shared a kiss like that with him, and I couldn’t deny the way it made me feel – alive, desired and wanted.. "I don’t think we should be doing this. What if something happens because of the kiss?"
"I’ll leave you my inheritance, baby," he murmured, nuzzling my neck. "And die a happy man."
I started to complain when he kissed me again. This time, he kissed me more slowly, savouring the taste of my lips. His hand caressed my jaw and throat, as if I were something precious, sending shivers down my spine.
I arched into his touch, moaning softly as he began to trail kisses down my neck.
"I don’t want this to end," he murmured against my skin.
I didn’t want it to end either. But I couldn’t stay , not with all the tubes and beeping machines around us. Reluctantly, I pulled away from him, our lips lingering for a few more seconds before they finally parted.
"We should probably stop," I said, my voice trembling.
"Touch me, Eamon," he whispered urgently, reaching for my hand and dropping it on the evidence of his desire. "I’ve never made love to a man, but I’m willing to do it with you."
My eyes widened. I didn’t know if I was shocked that my hand was on his length or the fact that he was suggesting sex despite all the tubes attached to his body.
"Relax, Eamon," he laughed when he saw my confusion. "I was just joking, but I might pull out all my tubes if you agree."
"Or maybe I can pull them out for you so that you can die in peace."
"Now, you’ve given me another reason to live," he winked, swiping my lips with another kiss, promise me..."
The words were still on his lips when the door of the room opened, and a man in a white coat stormed in. I recognised him instantly.
He was the doctor who had treated Rhett at the hospital the other day.
"What the hell is this?" he barked, eyes darkening with annoyance as they landed on me. "Why is he here?"