Remedy

by Kaylee Ryan

  “I’ve never wanted anyone but you,” she whispers as she continues to stroke me.

  I place my hand over hers, stopping her movement. Her words along with her soft hands have me ready to come unglued. Rolling on top of her, she opens for me, so my thighs are nestled between hers. Resting my weight on my elbows, I run my fingers through her hair, moving it out of her eyes. The dim light of the moon makes her creamy skin look even more flawless. I lower my mouth to hers and kiss her softly, taking my time, savoring her.

  “Grady,” she breathes against my lips. “I need you.”

  “I need you, too.” I circle my hips to show her just how much.

  “Please,” she begs.

  “I need to grab a condom.” I bought a new box when I moved in, never wanting to be unprepared should this moment present itself.

  “I’ve only ever been with you.”

  “What are you saying, Collins?”

  “I’m on the pill, and it’s only ever been you.”

  “There’s been no one since you, baby.”

  “Make love to me, Grady,” she whispers in my ear.

  Pulling back, I align myself at her entrance. “You sure about this?”

  “Never been more sure about anything.”

  Her legs clamp around my waist and with the pressure of her hold, I slide home. Home, a place I’ve only been once before but never forgot what it felt like. My pulse races, and my heart pounds. I want to move, but if I do, I’ll lose it. I’ll spill over inside of her, and this is over before it ever really began.

  “Move,” she breathes.

  “I can’t,” I say through gritted teeth. “You’re so fucking tight, and warm, and if I move, I’m going to come.”

  “We have all night, right? I mean, that’s what you said,” she backtracks.

  “We have all night, Collins. We have the rest of our lives, and I plan to be here…” I pull out and slowly push back in. “…more times than either of us will be able to count.” Again, I pull out then push back in, this time a little faster, a little harder than before, and soon we have a steady rhythm. Flipping us over, I look up at her. Her hair hangs over her shoulders, hands resting on my abs, legs straddling my thighs. She’s fucking perfect. “You take control. You set the pace,” I tell her.

  “I’ve never… I mean, I-I don’t know what to do.”

  I want to beat on my chest like a caveman. It’s only ever been me inside of her. I’m the only one who gets to see her this way, feel her warmth, capture her moans with my lips. It’s all just for me. There is nothing in life that tops this feeling. “Do what feels good.” I place my hands on her hips and begin to slowly rock her back and forth. It doesn’t take her long to catch on and find her rhythm.

  “T-that’s good,” she says, closing her eyes and tilting her head back. Her hair cascades down her back and brushes across my thighs. My cock jerks inside of her, causing her to moan deep in the back of her throat.

  Keeping one hand on her hip, I bite down on my bottom lip, trying to control my orgasm. Her perfect tits are bouncing with each rock of her hips. Her walls are pulsing around and keeping a tight hold on my cock. It’s sensation overload, and I’m about to blow. Needing to get her there, I place my thumb over her clit and rotate in small circles.

  “W-what are you doing?” Her tempo doesn’t falter.

  “I’m getting you there.” My voice is thick and husky with need. I’m ready to lose it. I don’t know how much longer I can hang on. She swivels her hips as she cups her breasts in her hands. I watch as she pinches her already puckered nipples with her thumb and forefinger, giving them a gentle tug. I work her clit faster. I’m about to go without her, and I can’t have that. “I’m close, baby.”

  “I-I’m…. Ahhh!” she shouts as her walls clench around my cock, and I lose all control, spilling inside of her. Pulse after pulse course through me, sending jolts up my spine. My memories of our one and only time together didn’t do justice to the real thing. I remember the details of that night, and how she felt like coming home, but with time that feeling faded.

  Until now.

  I remember her warmth.

  I remember what it feels like to hover over her, her big blue eyes staring up at me.

  Trust.

  I remember what it was like to have her trust that night, and tonight is no different. She never would have let me inside of her otherwise. There will never be anyone for me but her.

  Sitting up, I wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly. My cock jerks inside of her, and she moans. Burying my face in her neck, I breathe her in.

  “Grady,” she says softly. Pulling back, I look into her eyes. “I-I love you,” she says, her voice cracking with emotion.

  “I love you, too.” My already racing heart skips at her whispered confession. “Hey, what’s with the tears?” I can see her eyes shimmering in the moonlight.

  “I never thought we’d be here. I wanted to hate you, but I just couldn’t, so I was resolved to loving you from a distance, and now this. These are happy tears.”

  “I don’t like tears on you. Period,” I say, kissing one cheek and then the other. Wrapping my arms around her, I tell her with my body what she means to me. My grip is firm, letting her know that she’s where I need her to be. In my arms. Always.

  I hold her until she says, “I should go clean up.” Before I can stop her, she’s lifting up on her knees and swinging her legs over. Her bare feet pad across the floor and out the bedroom door and into the bathroom. The light flicks on and I know I should go to her, but something tells me she needs some time. Instead, I grab my towel from our earlier shower and clean up before climbing back in bed. Just when I think I need to go look for her, I hear the bathroom door open, and she’s back in my room, climbing under the covers.

  “Come here, you.” I hold my arms open, and she snuggles up next to me. “You okay?” She doesn’t answer right away, and worry starts to take hold inside of me. This can’t be it for us.

  “I am. I can’t remember a time when I’ve been this happy and content with where my life is going. I know we have Caleb to worry about, but… I feel like with you by my side, everything will work out.”

  Placing a kiss on top of her head, I tighten my grip. I can’t seem to ever have her close enough. “We make a great team, you and me.” She kisses my bare chest. “We’re going to have more nights like this, Collins. More snuggling and making love. Sure, once we have kids it’s going to change, but there are so many more nights with you in my arms that we have to look forward to.”

  “There is zero hesitation in your voice,” she points out.

  “Why would there be? It’s you, the love of my life that I see in my future. Nothing has ever looked better.”

  “Who would have thought, Grady Carmichael, a closet romantic.”

  I chuckle. “Only for you, baby. Only for you.”

  “I’m going to hold you to that,” she says over a yawn.

  “Night, beautiful.”

  “Night.”

  We drift off to sleep, happy, sated, and exactly how we should have three years ago. This time, there will be a different outcome. This time it’s forever.

  There is something to be said about being woke up with kisses. Kisses to the shoulder. Kisses to the neck. All kinds of kisses. There is even more to be said about the giver of those kisses.

  Grady.

  “I know you’re tired, baby, and I promise you can go right back to sleep, but I need you to wake up for me. I can’t leave for work until I know for certain that you know I stayed with you. Open those baby blues for me, Collins.”

  Forcing my eyes open, I roll over and snuggle into him. “Morning,” I say groggily.

  He chuckles. “Morning, beautiful.” He touches his lips to my forehead. “I need to go or I’m going to be late. I left a key on the counter for you. Stay as long as you want, or hell, move in. I’ll be home around six to help with the heavy lifting.”

  “Funny man. Why do I need a key?�
�� I ask over a yawn.

  “Because I want you here, and with my shit hours, I never know when I’m going to be home for certain, so if you need to be in here to get anything you left or to leave more”—he winks—“I want you to be able to get inside.”

  “Okay.”

  “That’s it, okay? You’re not going to argue with me and tell me how it’s too soon?”

  “Nope.”

  “Really? And to what do I owe this change of heart?”

  “I’m tired of fighting it. I want what I want, and there’s no changing that.”

  “And what do you want?” he asks, sliding his hand up my bare leg.

  “You.” It’s a simple answer to a complex question. One word sums it all up. I just want him, anyway that I can have him.

  “I love you, and if I could get out of work today, I would, but unfortunately, that’s not happening.”

  “Go, be awesome, save lives, and all that. Text me when you are on your way home, and I love you, too.”

  He kisses me hard on the lips before jumping off the bed and grabbing his phone from the nightstand. “Have a good day, dear,” he calls over his shoulder.

  I listen for the door to close then snuggle back into his fluffy cloud of a bed and catch a few more hours of sleep.

  When I wake a few hours later, the sun is shining brightly through the window. Reaching for my phone, I see it’s a little after ten. It’s been ages since I’ve slept this late. I also see missed text messages from Grady.

  Grady: I hated leaving you.

  Grady: You must still be sleeping. Good. I like knowing you’re still in my bed.

  I smile before I respond.

  Me: Just woke up. Hope you’re having a good day.

  Grady: It’s not too terrible. Would be better if I was there with you.

  Grady: Stay in bed. Be there when I get home.

  Me: I can’t stay in your bed all day.

  Grady: A man can dream.

  Me: Get back to work, Dr. Carmichael.

  Grady: Love you.

  Me: You, too.

  Setting my phone on the nightstand, I climb out of bed and head to the shower. I take my time because really, I have nowhere to be today. My laundry is caught up, and the apartment is clean. Looking around Grady’s place, I decide to tidy it up a little for him. He’s been working six days a week and spending all his spare time with me. In the past few weeks, I’ve spent more time here than I have my own place. It’s the least I can do.

  I start in the bedroom and notice the pile of laundry. I go ahead and throw a load in the washer while I’m at it. I’m here so I might as well. Once I dust, I change the sheets, of which I was shocked he had an extra set in the hall closet. It has his mom written all over it. I then run the vacuum around and make my way to the bathroom. Before I realize it, I’ve cleaned the entire apartment and did three loads of laundry. It’s still only two in the afternoon, and I’m starving. Going to the kitchen and opening the fridge, there is nothing. Poor guy hasn’t even had time to go to the store. Grabbing my purse and keys, which now includes the one he left for me, I lock up and head to my place.

  Taking a quick inventory, as well as the list that Tabby has on the fridge, I decide to go shopping. Two hours later, I’m pulling into our complex with a trunk full of groceries for both places. It takes me forever to get them all unloaded and put away. I’m just putting the milk into the refrigerator at Grady’s when my phone rings. I smile when I see his picture pop up.

  “Hey, you. How’s your day?”

  “Long, I’m going to be here a little later than I thought. The resident who is replacing me is running late.”

  “That makes for a long day. What time is he supposed to be there?”

  “Around eight. I guess his car broke down, or he had a flat tire or something. I didn’t really ask questions. Just told them I would stay, not that I have much of a choice being a first-year resident, and called you.”

  “Well, keep me updated. I’d planned on making us dinner tonight.”

  He groans. “I’m starving.”

  “Did you not eat lunch?”

  “Not yet. It’s been too busy.”

  Looking at the clock on the microwave, I see it’s almost five. “Anything I can do?”

  “Just be there when I get home. You’re the best part of each day.”

  “I can do that. Call me if anything changes.”

  “Will do, babe. I gotta go. Love you.” And just like that, the line goes dead.

  I had planned on making a chicken pot pie for dinner, nothing outlandish. Just some pot pie style soup and Bisquick, easy peasy. Maybe I should make it and take him dinner? Then people will see that I’m there and ask questions, and I’m sure all kinds of red flags will fly when they find out I was there for him. Sexy Dr. Carmichael that all the nurses are swooning over. It’s a gamble, but I hate the thought that he hasn’t eaten all day. Needing another opinion, I text Tabby.

  Me: Hey, you got a minute.

  Tabby: Yep, what’s up.

  Me: Grady just called. He’s stuck at work and hasn’t eaten all day.

  Me: I kinda want to take him some food.

  Tabby: Okay?

  Me: It will look bad, right? Like we’re a thing?

  Tabby: You are a thing.

  Me: I know that and you know that but no one else does.

  Tabby: Just blow it off as you grew up together. He’s your big bro’s BFF.

  I think about that, and it could work. I could go with the friend of the family angle. Hell, I’ve already used it a few times when people talk about him.

  Tabby: And you’re neighbors.

  Tabby: And coworkers. Just do it.

  Me: I’m gonna do it. I’ll leave some for you in the fridge as well.

  Tabby: Go get ’em!

  Tabby: What are we having?

  Me: Chicken Pot Pie

  Tabby: Yum! Thanks. Let me know how it goes.

  Leaving his place and heading back to mine, I start dinner. This version of chicken pot pie is seriously the easiest thing to make ever. Once I slide it in the oven, I set out a container, and pull my lunch bag from off the top of the fridge. I add napkins, a fork, and for dessert, a Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie, because who doesn’t love an oatmeal cream pie? While dinner is baking, I go to Tabby’s room and see if she has any laundry. I help her out from time to time since I have so many days off in a week. Working three twelve-hour days is a bitch, but being off the remainder of the week, not so much. I throw in a load of her scrubs and write her a note on the fridge, reminding her to put them in the dryer when she gets home. If she gets off work on time, which is a rarity. I might pass her as I’m leaving.

  With Grady’s lunch packed, the leftovers covered on the stove for Tabby, I scarf down a small portion and head out the door. The drive to the hospital feels weird this time of day. It takes me no time to get there as traffic is heavy in the opposite direction. I know that Grady is working on the fourth floor, which is the intensive care unit, so I hit number four on the elevator. Taking a deep breath, I slowly exhale. I’ve got this.

  As soon as I’m off the elevator, I see Mary, the head night nurse. “Collins, what are you doing here? You come to work?” She looks over my street clothes and answers her own question. “Guess not.” She laughs.

  “Hey, Mary. I’m here to bring dinner to Dr. Carmichael; his mom knew he was working late.” The lie falls out of my mouth before I can stop it. They just keep adding up.

  “Oh, how sweet. I didn’t realize you knew him?”

  “Yeah, we grew up together. He and my brother are best friends.”

  “Well, I can tell you he’s easy on the eyes that one. The nurses all love him.”

  “He’s a good guy, you know, beyond his handsome good looks.”

  “You think I’m handsome?” I jump at the sound of his voice.

  Turning, I smile up at him. “You know you are. Your uh, mom said you were working late and thought you might be hungry. I of
fered to drop it off for her.”

  “She did, did she?” He smirks.

  “Luckily, I have a few minutes. Come sit with me while I eat?”

  “Sure.” I turn back to Mary. “Bye, Mary.”

  I follow Grady to the break room, neither one of us saying a word. When we get there, there’s a nurse, I think her name is Sasha, who is eating alone.

  “Oh, Dr. Carmichael, we can eat together. I hate eating alone.” She stands to join him when I step to the side so she can see me.

  “Hi.” I wave awkwardly. She gives me a dirty look like I just kicked her puppy.

  “Sure, you can join us,” Grady tells her.

  I want to protest, but I remind myself that this was my decision. If I left it up to Grady, the entire hospital would already know that we’re together. Just a few more weeks. We can do this for a few more weeks.

  “So, she thought you would be hungry. There’s chicken pot pie, and a Little Debbie for dessert,” I tell him, my face heating.

  “How do you two know each other?” Sasha blurts. “Did you make him dinner?”

  “No, we grew up together.” I’m quick to correct her, and I see the way his face falls. “He and my older brother are best friends.”

  “I see.” She smiles, assuming she’s back in the game. She’s not. Not even close.

  “Thank you for bringing this.”

  “I don’t mind. So, how has your day been?” I try to make small talk that won’t give us away. I want to lean into him, give him a hug, maybe a kiss, but then there’s Sasha.