93

Ninety three

I turned back to Rafe, my hand still clasped tightly in his limp grasp. Bending down, I pressed a tender kiss to his feverish forehead, silently willing him to wake up. To come back to me. I couldn't help but feel like I was losing him. Like he was slipping away from me while I stood helpless by his bedside.

I absentmindedly stroked his silky hair. I didn’t know how I knew but I had a feeling he would open his eyes soon. I glanced at the side mirror and registered my disheveled look. I couldn’t let Rafe see me like this whenever he woke up. I needed to take sometime to get myself together. I dropped a soft kiss on his forehead.

"I'm going to freshen up," I whispered, my voice catching in my throat. "But I'll be right back, my love. I promise."

With a heavy heart, I started to pull away, to force myself to leave his side. But suddenly, shockingly, I felt Rafe's fingers tighten around mine, refusing to let me go.

I froze, my breath catching in my chest as I stared down at