Jacob kept his eyes closed as he listened to Alex defend his place in Jacob’s life, and his heart swelled with happiness. He also couldn’t avoid hearing Eric’s snide comment, the realization kicked in; his family had accepted his status as long as he didn’t flaunt it in their faces. Now, what remained of his family would no longer be his family since he married a man. The slight weight of Alex’s hand on his sent a comforting wave of warmth through him. Jacob reached for his nose to scratch an itch, the tube got in his way, why do I have tubes? Where am I anyway? His brain was foggy and unfocused. He tried to think of the last thing he did. He remembered looking at the lake but then what? He couldn’t think. His whole body felt heavy so he went with it and drifted back into the land of nod.

When he woke next, he cracked open his eyes briefly before clamping them shut again. The brightness of the white room shot a bolt of lightning to his brain.

“Ah, I see you’re finally going to rejoin the living.” The hushed voice was unfamiliar, yet friendly. Jacob tried to open his eyes again but cringed at the brightness. “Hang on, let me close the blinds and dim the lights.”

Jacob heard the rustling and waited for the brightness piercing his lids to dim before slowly opening his eyes again. The darker room made it easier to lift his heavy lids and look around at the unfamiliar yet easily recognizable room. He was in a hospital. But why? He opened his mouth but nothing came out.

“Alex has only recently fallen asleep. I’m going to remove the oxygen tube, you don’t need it.”

“Water.” Jacob swallowed and his throat felt like it was coated in sandpaper. “Please.”

The man stepped forward and handed him a cup of ice chips.

Jacob took a mouthful and crunched the cool bits of ice. Once he swallowed them he managed to gather his saliva and swallowed it down before trying to speak again. “Thank you.” He took another mouthful of chips and swallowed them down, soothing away the fire from his throat.

“He’s not left your side since he got here.” Jacob looked at the man before he turned to his left and took in the sleeping form of Alex, awkwardly curled up in the chair next to the bed, his brows furrowed with worry, yet he still looked serene.

While continuing to munch on the ice chips, Jacob watched Alex sleep. “Seems you’re out of danger from the snake bite. It was touch and go there for a little while.” Jacob pulled his attention from Alex and looked back at the man who was clearing a dry erase board. “And you have a hairline fracture to your shin. You’ll have the splint for a few weeks.” He grabbed an exam stool and sat next to Jacob. “He’s a very devoted husband. You’re a lucky man Mr. McKenzie.”

“I am, thank you.” Jacob looked again at the sleeping form.

“The doctor should be by before lunch, she’ll let you know when you can be discharged. It looks like you have questions. Fire away. I’ll do my best to answer them.”

The ice in the cup had melted enough to provide one swallow of cold water. Jacob swished it down before beginning. “What’s your name? Where am I, hospital I know, but where?”

A broad smile smoothed out some of the hard lines from the man’s face. “Name’s Isaac, I’m a physician’s assistant. You are at St. Dominican in Henderson because you were in the desert and got bit by a rattler and fractured you shin. You were sedated, been sleeping for almost a day. Your cousin provided us with a lot of the necessary information we needed and then left so Alex could stay with you.” Isaac paused for a moment, “That about sums up the last twenty-four hours.”

“Eric was told to leave because he was being an ass as usual. And Alex stood-up to him. Defended our relationship. Wasn’t expecting him to accept things so easily.”

“Easy?” Alex’s groggy voice grabbed the men’s attentions. Jacob watched him unfold from the chair, a sliver of tanned flesh visible at his waistband as he stretched toward the ceiling. Delicious noises slipped out as he moved before Alex narrowed in on him. “There was nothing easy about watching you almost die, Jacob.”

“Aww, babe, of course there wasn’t. That’s not what I meant.”

“I’ll be around, let me know if you need anything before the doctor gets here. Alex, you know where to find me.” With that, Isaac left them alone.

Still staring at the closed door, Jacob jumped a little when Alex brushed a stray hair from his forehead. “You scared the hell out of me, Jacob.”

The words were harsh, but the concern in Alex’s cool green eyes was all Jacob cared about. He wasn’t the same man he’d left in the hotel room. Dare he hope he’d come closer to accepting their connection?

“It’s not like I planned on getting snake bit.”

“Well don’t do it, or anything like it, again. In fact I think you need to be wrapped in cotton and kept locked in a padded room.”

Wicked thoughts floated through Jacob’s mind. “You couldn’t handle me…”

Jacob gasped as Alex captured his lips, cutting off the rest of his statement. He struggled to gain control but Alex was clearly in charge. Teeth rasped over his tongue before nipping his lower lip. God! Such a turn on.

The kiss ended with a light brushing of lips as Alex drew away. “I know what you meant Jacob. And I know I would have accepted you and us today anyway. You need to know that I have changed. I’m not the acquiescent boy I used to be.”

Jacob brushed a finger across his lips, “I can tell.”

One corner of Alex’s mouth tipped into a crooked smile. “I do like my control.”

“You certainly controlled things…last night? Was it just last night?”

Alex kissed Jacob before he sat on the stool Isaac had occupied. “Yes, it was last night. But I still don’t remember much. But I’ll tell you something that I know.”

“What’s that?” Jacob adjust in the bed to sit up a little straighter.

“After sitting here all night listening to the monitors I’m ready to accept what I’ve always known but was afraid to admit.”

Jacob looked into the piercing green serene pools and saw love as he waited for Alex to continue. The beeps on the heart rate monitor gave away his anxiety as they sped up. He ignored the obvious telltale sign and tried to sound calm. “And what is it you’ve always known, Alex?”

Jacob watched Alex as he moved down to the foot of the bed and up the other side so he could sit on the stool Isaac vacated. He wanted to reach out to Alex, needed to feel the heat of the man beside him, but fear, or anticipation, he wasn’t sure which, kept him still.

Alex kept his gaze down which was so out of character for the man that Jacob’s nerves began to throb, which caused his heart to beat faster which in turn had the heart rate monitor beeping faster. Placing his hands on Jacob’s shoulders. “Shh, it’s okay. Calm down, Jacob.”

He started to feel light headed due to hyperventilation and tried to take slower, deeper breathes as Alex cupped the side of his head. “Breathe Jacob, slow your breathing. Everything is fine.” As the beeping in the room became less erratic and his body started to relax Jacob watch as a smile spread across Alex’s face followed by a wickedly sexy gleam in his eyes. Alex leaned in and kissed him on the forehead. “I’ve got you. Everything is fine.”

Jacob kept his breathing steady and closed his eyes as he felt the remaining tension ease out of his body.

“Hello. How are we doing this afternoon?” Jacob startled awake as a lady approach the monitors on his right. He felt the squeeze on his left hand and knew Alex was still there. “Everything looks good here.” The doctor turned and looked at Jacob. “How are you feeling Mr. McKenzie?”

“I’m okay. A little groggy, but not bad.”

“He’s been asleep most of the day. He’s had a cup of ice chips and some water. When can we leave?”

“Alex, as I told you yesterday, I have to assess the patient, not you.” Jacob smiled at her admonishment of Alex, quickly wiping it away as the doctor turned her attention back to him. “I’m going to check some reflexes and see how you respond.”

“Yes, ma’am. Do whatever you need to so I can get out of here.” Alex gave his hand another squeeze.

She checked his eyes for reaction to light before she tucked her flashlight into her coat pocket she said, “Well, you have a hairline fracture to your shin, and you don’t seem to be suffering from any side effects from the bite. Your ankle is swollen around the bite, perfectly normal but prevented us casting the fracture hence the splint. In a day or two the swelling will subside and we’ll cast your leg then.” Jacob sank deeper into the mattress, relief swamping his entire body. “I’ll get with the charge nurse and sign your discharge papers. You should be out-processed in a few hours, maybe sooner.”

Before Jacob could respond, Alex reached across him to shake the doctor’s hand. “Thank you so much doctor. Is there anything I need to know about aftercare?” So this is the take charge Alex who would make sure everything was on point.

“There will be some instructions with the discharge papers. I’m sure you’ll find them very straight-forward. Basically keep the wound clean and a general eye out for any odd symptoms that may pop up. If you don’t see anything over the next couple of days, he’s completely in the clear. If the splint isn’t enough to keep the leg stabilized he may need a cast after the swelling has gone down.”

Jacob squeezed Alex’s hand, effectively stopping him from speaking. “Thank you doctor. Is there anything else I need to know?”

“Well, no extreme activities until after your leg is healed, obviously. Your clothes should be in the dresser. I’ll go see to that paperwork for you.” She turned for the door and paused, “Oh and one other thing.” Jacob waited for her to continue, “Avoid rattlesnakes in the future.” With that she left, closing the door behind her.

“She’s a funny lady, that one.” Jacob saw the twinkling joy in Alex’s green eyes. “Shall we get you dressed so we can blow this pop stand?” Alex tossed the sheet off Jacob’s legs, “Let’s get you up first. Maybe a trip to the bathroom?”

The mention of using the toilet triggered the need in Jacob’s bladder. “I think that’s a good idea.” Alex helped him stand and kept a steady arm around his waist as they walked across the room to the restroom.

“Standing or sitting?”

Jacob felt the heat rush to his face. “Crude much. Standing.”

“Need me to help?”

“I’m good, thanks.” He missed the arm around his waist as soon as it was gone, but he’d been using the bathroom on his own since he was little, he could manage this simple task without Alex’s help.

“Fine. I’ll be outside if you need me.” Alex swatted his ass before leaving Jacob alone.