I go to her, wrapping my arms around her, and throw the sponge in the sink. “Anger doesn’t look good on you.”
“Get used to it because, unless you get back on that couch and rest, I’m going to be very angry.”
“Baby, I slept for two days.”
“That’s what you’re supposed to do. Sleep, rest, let your body heal. That’s one of the reasons we came to the cabin, so you could take it easy.”
“I had to get out for a while.”
“You knew I wouldn’t approve, and that’s why you slunk out of bed, snuck out of the house, and left me a note. Not to mention not answering your phone.”
“I told you in the note I was with Dad.”
“Who also will be getting the Emerson Baker wrath the ne
xt time I see him. He knows you should be taking it easy.”
“Going on a car ride isn’t exactly running a marathon.”
She spins to face me, her eyes still blazing. “Need I remind you that four days ago you were in the hospital because you were shot? Twice?”
“Do I need to remind you that three days ago I was released because I am fine?”
“I’m going to find your handcuffs. There are only so many places they could be hidden. When I do, you’re going to be cuffed to me until I’m convinced you’re healed.”
This time, I can’t stop the smile from forming. Oliver was not thrilled when he discovered Emi had his cuffs. It took him and Marcus to hold her still, so the Captain could remove them in the hospital.
I drop my forehead and run my nose along hers. “I’ll gladly tell you where they are if you lose the attitude.”
“Promise me you’ll take your recovery seriously and rest the next few days, and I’ll think about tampering down my rage.”
“I promise. For the next few days, until we have to go back to work, I’ll do nothing but R&R.”
The heat in her eyes starts to disappear, and she circles my waist gently. “I know I’m not the greatest nurse, but you don’t have to sneak away from me.”
“You’re the perfect nurse and happen to be taking perfect care of me.”
“You ready for lunch? I could make us—”
I don’t let her finish the sentence, cutting her off with my mouth. She mutters against my tongue before giving in. I kiss her lazily, walking us backward until I reach the sofa, then ease her down.
“Walker, be careful.” She breaks away, checking my face for signs of discomfort.
I roll us so my back is to the cushions, and she’s forced to release my waist, laying pressed against me. “I’m fine, Emi, but I need to talk to you about something.”
“Is everything okay?”
“I realized something in the hospital, something I already knew, but it still fucked with me.”
“What?” She places her hand on my cheek, her face growing concerned.
“I know I’m a lucky fucker. Known it since the beginning. Knowing you’re mine and you’re going to be forever makes me a happy man, but it also brings out a possessiveness that makes me wild with jealousy.”
“Walker—”
“Shhh, let me finish.” I place a finger on her lips. “That possessiveness hit an all-time high this week when we visited the guys in the hospital, and I saw the way they looked at you. I could read their thoughts. They knew you were mine, but that didn’t stop them from checking you out.”
She shakes her head in disagreement, but I keep going. “I’ve never actually understood the significance surrounding the whole engagement ring tradition, because until you, I’d never cared. But now I get it.”