Finding Our Hearts

by Grace Roberts

  “But since we’re already here, could I use that rain-check now?” His eyes twinkled with mischief. My heart shot up my throat, and its frantic rhythm echoed in the sterile room. “You know, in case you need to be revived afterward or something. I know it’s not romantic, but I’ve spent the last twelve hours staring at your lips and wondering what they’d taste like.”

  I rolled my eyes, but smiled. “I think it’s my turn to take a rain-check. I don’t want to remember our first kiss with me lying in bed with bad breath and a parched mouth.” He tilted his head to the side and faked a pout. I squeezed his hand. “Besides, there’s something wonderful I want to tell you.”

  He frowned but only for a moment, because when I told him I’d seen my mother and sister, and everything they’d said, his face broke into the most adorable smile. I used the hand that wasn’t sandwiched between his to wipe my cheeks, then I looked at him from underneath my lashes and grinned. “You know, you weren’t kidding when you said your brother was handsome. He’s quite a sight for sore eyes indeed.”

  His mouth fell open. “You saw Declan?”

  I nodded. “He’s sorry for troubling your sleep with those nightmares, and he said he’s forgiven you for all the pranks.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “That sounds like Declan, all right.”

  I spent the next few minutes telling him about the close encounter with his brother and all the things he’d said. David told me a few of his stunts when he and his brother were young, and even those he’d pulled on him when they were teenagers and David had tried to steal a girl from him. We talked and laughed, and even though we both shed a tear or two while reminiscing, I’d never been happier in my life.

  At some point I managed to convince him to take a quick nap, after I lied about needing some rest too. I closed my eyes, pretending to be dead to the world, and when I peeped through a semi-open eyelid a couple of minutes later, he was sound asleep, his head resting on his good hand next to my leg on the mattress, while his right hand rested on my thigh. The weight of the cast on my leg was surprisingly reassuring; it felt as if he wanted to protect me even when we were both deep in slumber.

  I stared at him, my fingers itching at the thought of raking my fingers through his mussed hair. I found myself wondering if it’d be as soft as it looked, and what it would be like to lather it and massage his scalp while showering together. A blush crept up from my neck at the thought that had so unexpectedly crossed my mind. This amazing man was bringing out feelings and instincts I’d never felt in my whole life, and I just couldn’t wait to explore them all with him by my side.

  Chapter 22

  David

  Just like I’d told Claire, when I woke up in the morning, feeling a little stiff after sleeping on the chair, I called the university and told Susan I wouldn’t be in because I was at the hospital getting my wrist fixed. I assured her I’d be there on Wednesday for my lesson, and when I hung up I went straight back to Claire’s room. Last night I’d sent a text to Maggie, letting her know I wouldn’t be going home, and early this morning I’d called my mother to let her know I was okay but that Claire needed me here. She didn’t question my need to stay with her, and I could only guess she knew this girl was someone special.

  Ciara showed up shortly after nine. I’d sent her a text informing her that Claire was awake and everything seemed fine. She’d barged into the room in her usual unladylike style, while Claire was downstairs having the brain scan that would confirm everything was hopefully okay and she could go home soon.

  “So… have you guys kissed yet?”

  I all but choked on the coffee she’d brought me, nearly spitting it on her face. She lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. “Just wondering. She’s my best friend. She’s like a sister to me, so if you mess with her life, you’ll have to deal with me, O’Hagan.”

  As intimidating as she’d tried to look, with one fist on her hip and a badass frown, she only made me laugh.

  “I have no intention of ever hurting her, Ciara. She’s the most wonderful woman I’ve ever met. I’d be an idiot to let her go now that she’s stolen my heart.”

  Ciara brought a hand to her chest with a dramatic “aww” and right then Claire came through the door on a wheelchair and looked away when she saw me standing in her room. She fumbled with hem of her hospital gown and squirmed a little in the wheelchair, her eyes never locking with mine. It reminded me of when Kathy had been in a wheelchair after the accident, and how she’d thought she didn’t deserve Colin’s love because she’d never be normal. Now that I saw Claire so fragile and helpless, I understood perfectly the way Colin must have felt after he’d fallen for my sister. She meant the world to me, and I’d do anything and everything to be there for her, protect her and take care of her whenever she needed me. We didn’t know yet how long she’d have to stay in the hospital, but I’d never leave her side until she was able to walk out holding hands with me, be it a day, a week or a month. I didn’t care, as long as I was with her.

  The nurse pushed Claire toward the bed, and the smirk on her face confirmed that they’d heard my very mushy comment—not that I cared, though. That was exactly how I felt about Claire, and I didn’t want to hide my feelings anymore.

  Ciara went to help Claire get back into bed, and I tried to suppress the protective instinct that made me want to push Ciara aside and be the one to assist Claire.

  “Sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up. Bossy O’Hagan wrestled me out.”

  I rolled my eyes, and Claire chuckled. I was sure she was used to Ciara’s penchant for drama by now. Well, perhaps I had been a bit bossy, but I wouldn’t have been able to go home and sleep a wink, not knowing if Claire had woken up or if she’d gotten worse. When I’d put on my puppy eyes and begged Ciara to let me stay, joined hands and all, she’d understood how much Claire meant to me, and had walked out of the room with a silly grin on her face. I was sure she was going to tell a different version of the events to her friend, though. Knowing Ciara, it would probably be along the lines of her fighting with her claws and teeth until a nurse had given her a shot of sedative and had had security carry her outside—or something like that.

  Ciara took my chair and plopped down, taking Claire’s hand. I felt stupid at the jealousy that crawled up my stomach. Childish as it seemed, I wanted to be the one sitting on that chair and holding her.

  Claire updated us on her clinical situation. Luckily the swelling had reduced, so the doctor thought it would be safe to release her tomorrow, if nothing changed.

  Ciara and I had agreed she should be the one making the phone call to the university to let them know about the accident, since I still hadn’t thought of a way to be with my beautiful bookworm without her getting in trouble and losing her job. I had every intention of spending every free hour at her place to make sure she recovered soon, and then we could finally go on the romantic date I’d promised.

  Claire looked over Ciara’s shoulder at me, and smiled coyly. My heart melted right then and there. Stupid rain-check—I wanted to kiss her face all over.

  “You can go home now. Ciara will keep me company for a while. Your family must be wondering where you are.”

  Her request stung a little, but the concern in her eyes told me she wasn’t trying to get rid of me. She had a point, after all: sooner or later I’d have to go home and tell my family what had happened, and how the true extent of my feelings for her had made it vital for me to stay at Claire’s bedside. I was sure Maggie hadn’t bought the excuse of Claire needing a friend by her bed when she woke up.

  I took a step closer and bent down a little to be at Claire’s level. I stared into her warm, brown eyes and temporarily forgot anyone else in the room. She smiled and my lips itched to brush hers, although I knew it wouldn’t be the romantic, perfect first kiss I’d meant to share with her. I blinked away the vision of myself and Claire entangled in a passionate embrace on the hospital bed when Ciara cleared her throat behind me.

  “I’ll come ba
ck later, maybe in the afternoon.”

  “David.” Claire placed her soft hand on my cheek, and my heart stuttered in my chest. “I’m fine; you don’t have to come back again—you’ve already been here all night. I don’t want to bother you—”

  “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” I smiled when she blushed, and looked down at the light blue blanket covering her legs. “Unless you don’t want me around, of course. I don’t want to impose.”

  Her eyes shot up to me, wide as saucers. “No, no, I didn’t mean it like that. I... I love having you around, but I don’t want to steal you away from your family.”

  “My family won’t like seeing me moping around the house. Maggie would probably want to rip my head off, and we’d get into a fight.” I chuckled, and tucked a curl behind Claire’s ear. She shivered at the touch, her eyes closed for a second and her breath caught in her throat. “I’ll be much better company than Ciara.”

  “Ha ha.” Ciara let out an annoyed huff, and Claire laughed. It was so good to see her laugh again after not knowing if she’d ever wake up. “Get your ass out of this room, O’Hagan, before I call security to help you find the exit.”

  I grinned at Claire and winked, earning another beautiful smile from her. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead, and just before walking out I mockingly blew a kiss to Ciara, who snorted in return.

  I retrieved my car and when I finally got home, my mother shrieked from the kitchen as soon as I opened the front door. She came running toward me and I felt so guilty I wanted to punch myself. I’d been so wrapped up in Claire and in my feelings that I hadn’t thought of anyone else’s.

  I let her hug me and fuss over me, just as she had that time when I was nine and I’d hurt my ankle after falling off my roller skates. We sat on the couch in the living room and I told her everything, including the nightmares and the reason why I’d rushed out of the house yesterday morning. She held my injured hand throughout the whole story, just as she used to do when I was little and she’d try to comfort me after a bad dream. When I reached the part about Declan talking to me in my dream and later to Claire at the hospital, tears filled her eyes and quickly spilled over. My heart broke thinking how much she still hurt and how insensitive I’d been during the past twenty-four hours, so I wrapped my other arm around her and pulled her close to my chest.

  “I’m sorry, Ma. I should’ve called to let you know I was fine. I was—”

  “It’s okay,” she said against my sweatshirt. “You were worried for your friend, and I know it’s time I stopped treating you all like little kids. You’re grown-ups now, and you sure don’t need me to keep tabs on your lives, letting me know where you are all the time.”

  I pushed her gently back to look at her, and smiled. “Mum, I don’t mind letting you know where I am, if that puts your mind at ease. If Kathy didn’t have Colin looking after her, I’d probably text her every other minute to be sure she was fine. After what happened to Declan, I guess it’s normal that we all worry about one another.” She nodded and wiped away the tears from her cheeks. I patted her hand, then squeezed it. “Maybe our family is a little unconventional nowadays, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love you, Mum.”

  “Yuck.”

  Our heads whipped simultaneously toward the entrance of the living room where Maggie was standing, leaning against the doorjamb with her arms crossed.

  “I think I just threw up in my mouth, Brother dearest.”

  I chuckled as Mum hung her head and didn’t say anything, even though the corners of her lips twitched in a smile she was fighting to contain. Maggie winked cheekily and I grinned back.

  When Mum left the living room, saying she needed to start dinner—even though I knew what she meant was she needed a moment to pull herself together—my sister walked toward me and slumped on the couch by my side.

  “So now, spill it. What’s going on between you and this Claire?” Her quirked eyebrow confirmed what I’d suspected: either she was too sly or I was too bad a liar, especially when it came to hiding my feelings for Claire. “I’ve never heard of you playing knight in shining armor for anyone before, and you’ve already got beaten up and hurt for this girl twice. She must be someone special, huh?”

  I grinned, and even though we’d never talked about our love lives before, I just couldn’t help telling her everything about Claire—I wanted to shout it from the mountains, over the rooftops, from the top of a city sightseeing bus for the whole world to know how bad I had it for my beautiful redhead. It was insane, and I knew it, but if loving Claire meant turning into a crazy, lovesick fool, I was ready.

  Chapter 23

  Claire

  David came back just as he’d promised, and I barely contained my excitement when I saw him walk into the room, freshly showered, wearing a light-blue sweater that brought out the color of his eyes. He was holding a bouquet of pink gerberas and roses, and my eyes filled with tears, even though I was grinning like an idiot. I was grateful that in the few hours Ciara had stayed with me, I’d managed to shower and change into a clean pair of pyjamas. I’d also brushed my teeth, just in case.

  He sat on the plastic chair by my bed and handed me the flowers. I brought them to my face and inhaled the sweet scent of the roses.

  “They’re beautiful, thank you. I should get them into a vase or something.”

  Okay, I could’ve come up with a smarter comment, but my brain had stopped working properly the moment he’d set foot into the room. He stopped me before I could get out of bed, went into the bathroom and came back with a glass filled with water. He put the flowers on the nightstand next to my bed and sat back down again.

  “There. Happy now?”

  I nodded and he gifted me one of his brilliant smiles, his eyes never leaving mine. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest when he pulled the chair closer to the headboard of my bed and brushed my cheek with his good hand.

  “Want to know something?” His voice was almost a low, husky growl. “I haven’t stopped thinking about your lips since I walked out of this room. I don’t care if it won’t be as romantic as I’d planned—I really want to kiss you, Claire. Like, really bad.”

  I blushed and all but choked on my tongue. I instinctively pulled my bottom lip between my teeth, the way I did when I was nervous, and he let out a groan.

  “If you only knew what that lip-biting habit of yours does to me…”

  In spite of the embarrassment heating my cheeks, I couldn’t help smiling at his comment. Had he noticed it before? Did it drive him crazy?

  With what I hoped would sound like a sexy tone, I leaned close to him and whispered in his ear, “Just so you know, I brushed my teeth before you arrived.”

  He let out a chuckle and tilted his head to the side, his lips inches from mine. His good hand cupped my cheek, just like the other night when we’d almost kissed, and his breath was hot and sweet on my face.

  “In that case,” he said in a low voice, “I think I’ll finally use that rain-check now.”

  Before I could say anything—not that my mind would’ve managed to come up with some smart comeback with his face so close to mine—his lips brushed mine, gently, oh so gently I wanted to cry. If I didn’t consider that awkward first kiss from Jimmy O’Malley on prom night, I’d only kissed one guy in my life, and he’d never been gentle. Never. David’s lips brushed mine once, twice, three times before he captured my bottom lip with his teeth and nibbled on it ever so lightly I felt as if my heart was going to explode.

  “I was sure your lips would be just as soft as they looked,” he whispered against my mouth before soothing with his tongue the spot he’d just teased.

  The moment he deepened the kiss and our tongues met, I thanked God I was in a hospital bed because David had been right: I’d really need paramedics afterwards. I was glad they’d disconnected the heart monitor from my body or it would have gone wild with the speed my heart was beating. His good hand moved from my cheek to the back of my head, his fingers raking softl
y through my curls, massaging my scalp in such a sensual way I wanted to pull him onto the bed with me and forget about the rest of the world. My hands went around his neck, and I pulled him closer to me, as if I could melt into him. I couldn’t get enough of the minty taste of what must’ve been gum or maybe his toothpaste, and the male scent of his cologne that hit my nostrils and that I hoped would stick to my skin afterward as a reminder of this earth-shattering kiss. I even loved the tickle of his short goatee and mustache that I’d always thought gave him a just-out-of-bed-and-oh-so-very-sexy gruff look, and I didn’t care if my skin would be all red because of the stubble stinging it. I would gladly walk around looking like a polka-dotted clown if that meant David would spend the rest of the day kissing me like that.

  When he slowly pulled back, placing a few more soft pecks on my lips before finally opening his eyes and resting his forehead against mine, I wanted to call a nurse and ask for an oxygen mask. Our breathing was ragged, and my heart thump-thumped in my ears, but I’d never felt better in my whole life.

  “See? Fireworks, I told ya.” He grinned, before placing another kiss on the tip of my nose.

  “You’re a good kisser, I’ll give you that,” I said with a nonchalant shrug, as if I hadn’t seen the stars, the moon and the whole solar system the moment he’d deepened the kiss.

  He frowned and narrowed his eyes menacingly. “Just good? I’m pretty sure I could hear your heartbeat echo in the room, even without the monitor.”

  Gosh, was I that obvious?

  “Well, okay, maybe you are…” I swallowed when my eyes settled on his lips, wet and slightly swollen after our passionate first kiss. “You are quite an amazing kisser, David O’Hagan.”