"Don't do that. I've got long-term plans for you." I brushed her hair off her shoulders and glanced down at the covers below my waist. "Put a pillow over that. I don't want the doctor thinking a bone's protruding from my stomach."

She chuckled, and slid her hand down my erection before leaning in and kissing me again. I groaned against her warm mouth, my headache dissipating fast.

Someone clearing their throat behind her caused us both to jump. She got off the bed, and ran her hands down the front of her shirt as the doctor laughed and moved up to the other side of me.

"Well, good to see certain parts of your anatomy are working." He pulled out my chart as heat rose up my chest and coated my cheeks.

"The important parts, or so my girl thinks." I glanced over at Chloe as her mouth dropped open.

"I do not."

"You don't?" I tilted my head to the side, somewhat saddened by her not sicking up for the important parts of me working.

"I mean I do, but..."

The doctor turned and smiled at her. "He's just messing with you. It's the concussion."

"Yeah. What he said." I laughed, and turned my attention back to the doctor. "When can I get out of here?"

"Friday morning." He put the chart down and moved closer to me.

"What day is it now?"

"It's Wednesday." His fingers moved along my neck and around to the base of my skull. "This hurt?"

"No. It tickles." I turned my head a little so that I could see Chloe better. Her white wool dress fit her nicely, the belt in the middle accentuating her small waist and drawing my eyes to her breasts. I wanted to kick the doctor out, and bring her back into the bed with me. My body might not be ready for another wild night, but my mind was, as were the important parts.

"You want me to come back later?" She asked and moved to the door.

"No. Fuck no. Stay right there. He's almost done." I glanced over at the doctor and gave him a look.

"Yeah. I'm done. You look great." He patted my chest. "You're a lucky man. No snowboarding for six to eight weeks, and promise that you'll never go up there after a fresh snow again. It's dangerous. You're proof of that for all of us."

I nodded. "Lesson learned. I promise."

He left, and I motioned for Chloe to come back.

"You need to rest," she whispered and crawled back up into my arms.

I slid my hand down her back and cupped her butt as I pressed my lips just under her ear. "I don't wanna rest."

"Well, you're going to." She kissed me softly all around my face, and moved to tuck her head under my chin as she relaxed against me. "Don't ever scare me like this again."

"You said that already, baby." I kissed the top of her head. "I promised you that I wouldn't, and I won't."

She looked up with seriousness on her pretty face. "And no more listening to what my father thinks. It's me you’re dating. Not him."

"Are we dating?" I chuckled as she narrowed her eyes on me. "Right. Dating."

"Unless you don't want to."

I slid my hand into her hair and pulled at the back of her head, needing to taste her again. I kissed her long and hard, probing deep into her mouth and echoing her groans with a few of my own.

"I'm here to stay, girl. If you want to get rid of me, you're going to have to try hard."

"Or just piss you off and you'll throw yourself off a snowy mountain." She nipped at my lips and laughed. "Too soon? Too much?"

"Yes, you wicked bitch."

She laughed and sat up. "So I figure you spend Christmas with your father, but I want a night with you right before or right after. I got you a few things and I want to watch you open them."

"Chloe. I told you that I didn't want anything."

She turned and pressed her fingers to my lips. "I know that, but I'm a woman. We do what we want to, when we wanna do it."

"Why is that hot all of a sudden?"

"Because you're turned on." She brushed the back of her fingers over my arousal and pulled her bottom lip into her mouth. "I wonder if they would bother us if I got under the covers."

I growled and shook my head. "No. I'd never hear the end of it. This part of town is too damn small."

She chuckled and stood up. "I'm glad you're awake. I knew you were going to be okay, but there's always that part of you that feeds the doubt and fear, you know?"

"I do." I reached out and took her hand into mine. "Hey. I get out of here on Friday. There's an incredible festival of lights in downtown during the week of Christmas. Do you remember it from when you were a kid?"

"I do." Her eyes lit up. "Man it's been so long since I've seen it though."

"Let me take you?"

She glanced down at my cast before giving me a cocky smile. "How about I take you?"

"Either way. As long as I'm with you, I don't care."

"I feel the same way." She leaned over and tucked herself against me, right where she belonged.

Chapter 27

Chloe

I left the hospital later that night and slept for twelve straight hours in my bed. Brian wanted some time with Finn and I was beyond exhausted. I made sure to text him most of Thursday, but we decided that he would spend some time with his Dad and then we would get together on Friday, so I could help him settle back into the house. Brian was staying Friday night with him, but I wasn't missing the opportunity to go over and spend a few minutes with him. I'd had all the patience I could with not seeing him. It was nice to know that I wasn't alone in my feelings.

He was grumpy from us not seeing each other too, but his family wanted his time, and I really needed to work out a few things with my Dad.

After taking a quick shower, I braided my hair and put on some comfy clothes, and walked out into the living room. Parker was playing video games on the big screen, which was out of the ordinary.

"Morning," I mumbled as I walked toward the kitchen. "Where's Dad?"

"Hey, Sis. He's in the garage."

I didn't waste any time finding him, though I could think of a million other things that I'd rather have done. The tension between us had only grown worse, and I had to hope that some of it was due to the fact that he knew that he was responsible for Finn going up on Bear Creek Mountain. If it wasn't, then I didn't know my father at all, nor did I want to.

I poked my head in the garage to find him putting chains on the grey Lexus he loved to drive.

"Dad. You got a minute?"

He glanced up, covered in sweat and grease, but nodded, sitting back on his heels. "Yeah. This going to be a short talk or a long one?"

"Long." I moved out into the garage as he stood up and cleaned off his hands.

"Okay. First let me say this..." He reached up and wiped his forehead with the back of his forearm. "...had I known that Clark's boy was going to get hurt, I never would have said anything to him. I can't imagine having to go through almost losing you or Parker, so I'm sorry for that. I still don't like the kid, but wishing him harm isn't at all who I am."

Letting out a long breath, I nodded. I was beyond grateful to hear that my Dad wasn't a total monster. Now to see how far his benevolence could go.

"I'm sorry about attacking the other day."

"Don't be. You were right." He leaned against the car and sucked his bottom lip in his mouth before patting the hood next to him. "Come here and sit beside me."