Chapter 39: Chapter 39

As soon as my eyelids open, I realize I’m not alone. Willow’s warm body is nestled against my chest. And just in case she tried to put a little distance between us during the night, I kept my arm locked around her. Now that we’ve cleared the air, I don’t want anything coming between us.

My morning wood stirs against her perky little ass.

That’s all it takes for my mind to tumble back to yesterday and the way arousal had flared in her eyes when I’d threatened to spank it.

Yup…we’ll definitely be exploring more of that.

Even the thought of laying hands on her has my erection turning painful. I can’t help but nudge it against her backside.

There’s nothing better than waking up with Willow wrapped up tight in my arms.

It’s the perfect way to start the day.

To start every day.

I promised her last night that we would talk when she woke up, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

Hash everything out and come to an understanding.

And that understanding is that Willow Thompson belongs to me.

Everything loosens inside me as that thought reverberates through my brain.

Unable to resist touching her, I brush aside the long mass of golden strands to kiss the side of her face. As soon as my lips sweep over her temple, I realize that she’s still hot.

No, not just hot…burning up.

It’s like being scalded.

The jolt of fear that sizzles through my veins is more than enough to shake off the last dregs of sleep.

And then I’m wide awake.

I haul myself into a seated position before rolling Willow onto her back. Her eyelids remain feathered closed as color stains her cheeks.

I lay my palm against her forehead, hoping I’m wrong and it’s not as bad as I think it is.

Fuck.

She feels even hotter than I first thought.

“Willow?” Fear weaves its way through my voice until I hear the fine tremble in it. “Wake up, baby.”

She remains unresponsive.

If it weren’t for the rapid rise and fall of her chest, I’d be freaking the fuck out.

It takes effort to remain calm and figure out the best course of action before rolling from the bed and hauling on my jeans. After that, I drag my sweatshirt over my head and shove my feet into shoes.

Willow is dressed in a loose T-shirt and shorts. I scoop her limp body into my arms before heading to the door.

Her roommate’s eyes widen and her mouth falls open as she steps out of the bathroom and grinds to a halt.

“Oh my god, what happened?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know. She’s burning up. We need to get her to the hospital.”

Indecision flashes across her face. “Should we call an ambulance?”

“The closest hospital is ten minutes from here. Let’s just get her there, all right?”

Thankfully, Willow’s guard dog doesn’t argue.

“I’ll grab my keys.”

Her car is parked in front of the townhouse. It’s a rusty piece of crap that has seen better years. Make that decades. But as long as it gets us to the hospital as quickly as possible, I don’t give a shit.

She races ahead of me and opens the door so I can slide onto the back seat, all the while holding Willow against my chest. Then she hustles around to the driver’s side and starts up the vehicle. A handful of seconds later, we’re hauling ass out of the parking lot and into early morning traffic. That’s when I realize the sun is barely peeking over the horizon.

“I don’t even know your name,” I mutter, stroking my fingers over Willow’s cheek, trying to rouse her before we reach the hospital. I’d feel so much better if she’d just open her eyes.

Her roommate’s gaze meets mine in the rearview mirror for a heartbeat. After our terse convo yesterday, I’m prepared for her to bare her teeth.

“Holland.”

“Interesting.” I say it more because nothing else comes to mind. This girl isn’t exactly the chatty sort.

She’s more the piss-me-off-and-I’ll-shank-you-in-the-eye sort.

What can’t be denied is how protective she is of her friend. Even though this girl is as prickly as a cactus, I can’t help but like her for that alone.

Just when I think the rest of this ride will be made in silence, she clears her throat. “We’ve known each other since elementary school.”

My gaze roams over Willow’s face as Holland continues to talk.

Her voice wavers as she admits, “I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her. No one else gets me the way she does.”

I glance at the rearview mirror and notice that moisture has gathered in her eyes.

“She’ll be fine.” I have no idea if it’s the truth, but, in this moment, it’s what we both need to believe.

Holland swerves into the hospital parking lot before pulling into a space and cutting the engine. She jumps out of the car and jogs around the hood to the other side before yanking open the door. It doesn’t take much jostling before I’m out of the vehicle and we’re both racing through the glass emergency room doors. As soon as we step inside the vestibule, hospital staff descends on us. As much as I want Willow to get the medical care she needs, I’m reluctant to let her go. Memories of my mom getting wheeled off to surgery flood my brain and try to take hold.

“Sir? You need to hand her over,” a woman says. The briskness of her voice is enough to snap me from my thoughts.

I jerk my head in a nod before gently setting Willow’s limp body on the gurney. The moment I release her, she’s whisked away, disappearing through a set of double doors. A woman sitting behind a glass partition fires off questions, trying to understand what they’re dealing with so they can figure out the best course of treatment.

Holland fills in more details along with her medical history, which I quietly listen to. My gaze is continually drawn to the doors Willow disappeared through. Every second that ticks by only ramps up my agitation.

I plow a hand through my disheveled hair. “Can I go back with her?”

The woman looks up from the computer screen. “Are you family?”

Fuck.

When I glance at Holland, she pops a brow.

“Yeah, I’m her fiancé.”

The woman peers at me from over the rim of her reading glasses. “Are you sure about that?”

I straighten to my full height. “Yes.”

Air gets trapped in my lungs when Holland jerks a thumb in my direction. I’m afraid of what’s going to come out of her mouth.

It wouldn’t surprise me if she outed the lie.

Security would get called and then I’d get tossed out on my ass.

“This is Maverick McKinnon. You know, the hotshot defenseman for the Western Wildcats? The one turning pro next year?” When the woman doesn’t blink, she adds, “His father is Brody McKinnon?”

Apparently, that means something, because her expression transforms as she sucks in a deep breath before gushing, “I had the biggest crush on him when he played in the NHL. He was so big and blond…” Her voice trails off as she gets lost in the memories.

Yikes.

When Holland side-eyes me, I clear my throat. “So… I can go back and sit with her?”

“Sure, sweetie. Follow me.”

I huff out a relieved breath.

As I turn to follow her, I mouth to Holland, “thank you.”

She jerks her head in a nod. “I’ll call her parents and let them know what’s going on.”