Better Late Than Never by Diva D. Wood

Author:Diva D. Wood
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781949300352
Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.
Published: 2019-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Landon was snoring lightly, but awakened instantly when the air mattress dipped and Desiree’s now again-familiar, soft, feminine body snuggled up behind him. She wrapped her arms around him.

He stirred and turned around, smiling sleepily. “Hey.”

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” Desiree whispered.

“It’s okay.” He shrugged. “I was barely sleeping anyway.”

Desiree smiled demurely. She moved her hand up under Landon’s shirt until she reached an unfamiliar point—a bandage.

Her eyes widened with alarm. “What’s this, Landon?”

“A bandage.”

“Obviously. What’s it for?”

Landon closed his eyes. “My shoulder wound.”

“Your what?”

“The gunshot wound I sustained after Joe…” Landon’s voice trailed off.

Desiree moaned. “Oh, baby. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It’s not that bad,” he said with a resigned shrug as he instinctively rubbed the wound. “It’s nothing, really. Just a flesh wound, healing nicely, or so the doctors say.”

“Okay, Black Knight,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“It’s almost completely healed,” he said, continuing to massage the wound gently. “My other wounds are another story.”

Desiree nodded. She kissed Landon lightly on the lips. “I’m sorry, baby.”

Landon nodded. “I know.”

He winced, attempting to get comfortable on the air mattress, where he’d spent countless nights over the years. It was always a losing proposition, and tonight was destined to be no different, Landon thought ruefully.

“Is Danita asleep?” Landon asked.

“Yes.” Desiree nodded. “She’s going to have one hell of a hangover in the morning.”

“I can just imagine. Been there, done that.” Landon gave up trying to get comfortable and moved over to the sofa, where he and Joe had watched dozens of Charger games, sharing beers, laughs, high-fives, and more obscenities than Landon could count.

* * * *

Desiree followed Landon to the couch, unsure of what she should say, or if she should even say anything at all.

“Do you want to talk about it, Landon?”

“No.”

“Okay. When you do, I’m here.”

Landon nodded with a weak smile, blinking back tears.

Desiree pulled him to her chest. “Try to sleep, boo,” she said.

“I wish I could,” he said, wiping his eyes and rubbing them vigorously. “Easier said than done right now. You know?”

“No, I don’t know. But I’m trying.”

“I know you are. Just be patient with me, okay? It’s going to be a long, hard road to get back from where I am right now. I might not get back. Time will tell.”

“I understand.”

Landon sat up and pulled Desiree to him. “I’ll figure it out. I just need some time.”

“Take all the time you need, baby,” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good to know,” Landon murmured, fading fast. He closed his eyes and finally fell into a deep sleep.

Desiree stroked Landon’s face for a few minutes until she herself could no longer keep her eyes open. She drifted off to sleep, Landon’s arms still tight around her.

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