Never let go CHENFORD FF English version

Chapter 11 Regeneration

Angela paused in the doorway for a second, looking surprised, before raising an eyebrow and stepping in.

"Tim is awake," Lucy tried to cover up the situation, blushing and nervously glancing around. Tim briefly closed his eyes, then looked at Angela.

"Very good," Angela nodded with a mischievous grin, saying nothing more about the kiss she had just witnessed. She would bring it up with Tim once he was healthy. "I spoke with Grey. You both have time off until you're fully recovered. Take your time. It's been a rough few days, and you should only return to duty at 100%. He won't be able to come by today, but he sends his best wishes and wants you to take it easy," Angela relayed Grey's message, winking at Tim, who rolled his eyes. Of course, she had to come in right at that moment.

"I'm heading home, but if you need anything, just let me know. You both should focus on getting better," she said, smiling as she left the room.

"I'm so sorry, Tim," Lucy immediately apologized, knowing Tim didn't want anyone to know there was something between them yet. They didn't even know what it was themselves, with everything that had happened. Lucy just knew she had fallen deeply for Tim and never wanted to lose him. To her, that was what true love was—never wanting to lose the other person and protecting them at all costs.

"You don't need to apologize. A kiss from you should never need an apology. Angela is a detective; she would have figured it out and seen it anyway. She's known me forever and has a knack for this kind of thing," Tim reassured Lucy. "I just want you to be with me. I was so scared they'd hurt you too, and I couldn't help you. I would have died for you in that warehouse," he said sincerely, looking deeply into her eyes.

"I never want to put you in such danger again, I can't do that," Lucy replied. "Seeing you beaten broke my heart. I just wanted to save you, no matter the cost," she continued.

He smiled gently. He knew if she pursued an undercover career, they would both have to accept that these situations would arise again. He had experienced it with Isabel and knew how it had changed him. He couldn't go through that again. But this conversation had to wait for another day. He didn't have the strength for it now, and he didn't want to lose Lucy. He didn't know how, but he had to explain his feelings if he wanted to be with her long-term. Life had taught him to keep his feelings and their revelations at a distance. Yet, he had already shown more emotions to Lucy than he ever thought possible after Isabel.

"Are you okay?" Lucy asked cautiously after a while. Tim had been staring ahead, looking deep in thought. He flinched slightly before answering.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just need to process everything that's happened over the last few days. It's been a lot, even for me," he replied.

"Is it because of Isabel?" she seemed to read his mind. "I mean, there are some parallels between her and my undercover dream..."

He took a deep breath before looking at her and nodding. He couldn't lie to her; he just couldn't.

"It brings up a lot of feelings I had back then when I lost her. She was ambitious and determined. She wanted to go on those missions and achieve great things... until the day it caught up with her and dragged her down. I'm being honest with you. I can't go through that again. It would be the end of me—the uncertainty and knowing the abyss is so close. I know undercover work is your big dream; it's what you've always wanted to do. I don't want to stand in your way. It's your life and your dream. I want to be a good part of it, not the anchor holding you back," he explained his thoughts.

"I... I almost figured that. But I want you more than anything else on this planet. Isabel was in narcotics. My path doesn't have to go there. There are so many options for undercover work, you know that too. I can be deployed in different areas," she tried to comfort him and dispel the negative thoughts.

"I just wanted to share my thoughts. I still want us to work out. I just want it to be right from the start. I don't want you to be angry later when I bring up my issues. That would be unfair to a wonderful woman like you," a small smile crossed his face.

"That's what I want too," she smiled and leaned down to him. "Isn't it strange to have kissed and shared a bed before the first real date?" she asked with a grin, prompting him to pull her gently into a passionate kiss.

"I don't care what's strange as long as I can have you," he whispered against her lips before losing himself in the kiss with Lucy. Their lips parted slightly, allowing their tongues to dance and play together. This beautiful feeling was something neither of them ever wanted to let go. The intimacy and deep connection between them was something unique, something that likely only happened once in a person's life.

"Oh, if I wasn't lying in this hospital bed and could move, what I'd do to you," Tim whispered with a groan against her lips, kissing her demandingly. He could feel her smile as she pressed closer to him.

She pulled back slightly to look into his eyes. "Officer Bradford, I promise you, a night with me in your current state would be irresponsible. I can be... very demanding," she finished seductively and grinned at him.

"Oh Lucy, I'm going to go crazy with you. When can I get out of this bed?" Tim growled, and the lust he felt for Lucy was evident in his eyes. He wanted her, and he wanted her now.

"The doctor said you need to stay here for two more days, then you can go home if you have someone to look after you and help you. I think I can take on that role. Just call me, no matter what you need. But you should still take it easy," she explained, laughing inwardly at how Tim was practically bursting at her words. Resting and doing nothing was not one of his strengths, and she wasn't making it any easier by teasing him, but she enjoyed it and was curious to see how much he would want her when the time came.