Fighting Strong by Marysol James Read Free Book Online Page B

His face was still hidden against her throat and she pulled back a bit.
    “Nick?”
    He raised his head and she saw his tears. She froze, remembering what had happened the last time he’d been that vulnerable in front of her.
    He saw her face and smiled. “It’s OK, angel. I’m not going anywhere.”
    She reached out and touched his lips. He turned his face and kissed her fingers.
    “I love you, Mia.” He held her head in place, looked in her eyes. “I love you.”
    And that’s when she knew that they were really past it, that they were both all-in. That they belonged to each other.
    “Oh, Nick.” She smiled and it was radiant. “I love you too.”
    **
    Adam held Katie’s hand as the doctor entered the examination room. She had a blanket wrapped around her upper thighs and she looked tense.
    “Hi. I’m Doctor Gillis.” She smiled at them. “You’re the couple from that car crash just near the Play Barn?”
    They nodded.
    “You were lucky. It could have been way worse.” She looked down at the chart. “So Katie, let me see your leg, OK?”
    Katie extended her right leg. “OK.”
    Dr. Gillis lifted the blanket a bit higher and Katie stiffened. Adam stroked her hair.
    “It’s OK, baby.”
    The doctor paused. “That hurts?”
    “No.” Katie tried to look calm.
    “Hmmm.” The doctor cocked her head. “If you say so.” She returned to the cut and examined it closely. “Well, it’s not bad at all.” She glanced at Adam. “You did a good job.”
    He nodded. “I hope so.”
    “And how’s your head?”
    “No problem,” he said. “I’ve boxed for almost twenty years, twelve of them pro. I barely feel a little tap on my head anymore.”
    Sarah Gillis’ eyes lingered on his arms and chest for a few seconds.
    A boxer. Yum. This guy is incredible. I’m not sure how much I’d mind being trapped in a sleeping bag on a barn floor with him during a snow storm.
    “OK, then,” she said briskly to Katie. “No stitches, but I will prescribe you some painkillers, just in case. Try to keep it dry when you shower, and don’t let your clothing rub it. Give it time to heal.” She cleaned the cut again, put on some cream and quickly bandaged it up.
    “Thank you,” Katie said.
    “Sure.”
    “I was wondering – is there any place I can go and freshen up?” Katie asked. “The sleepover in the barn was fun and all, but I’d kill to brush my teeth.”
    Adam grinned.
    “Yeah, of course.” Sarah smiled. “Down the hall about seven doors and on your right.”
    “Great.”
    “OK, take care, you two. The best of luck.”
    “Thanks,” they both said and they watched her leave the room. When the door closed behind her, Adam handed Katie a pair of loose sweat pants.
    “Here you go,” he said. “Put those on.”
    She got to her feet unsteadily and he held her elbows. She set the blanket on the examination table and he looked at her slim thighs. The scars were very white in the morning sun and she looked up at him. His face was hard.
    “They’re so awful, aren’t they?” she said softly. “I’m – marked for life. Disgusting.”
    He took her in his arms so quickly she stumbled. He tightened his grip.
    “Never again Katie. You hear me? Never again do you say anything like that about yourself… you’re not marked or disgusting. I don’t give a crap what that sick fuck said about burning some punishment in to your skin. He was wrong.”
    She looked down, her eyes filling with tears.
    “Katie? You hear me?”
    “Yes.”
    “Look at me. Right now.”
    She forced herself to lift her chin, fought to meet his eyes.
    “I know you don’t believe me yet. But I hope one day you will.”
    “Me too.”
    He leaned forward, his hands in her long dark hair, and kissed her on the forehead. She closed her eyes and held his forearms, amazed at how good his lips felt on her skin. Adam held her there for a few seconds, his mouth caressing her softness, then he pulled back, holding her face in his huge