Keep in Mind

by C. M. Steele

  “We never talked about exes, and I was curious. Bitches get crazy when they’re dumped. The whole a woman scorned thing.”

  “Yes, but this woman was after my money. My business account has massive gaps, and since she couldn’t access my personal account, it was still good.”

  “Okay, I just asked.”

  “Baby, you can be jealous all you want, but I was yours from the moment I woke up. I’m sure you’ve got guys in your past. I’m not going to ask, but once I’m a hundred percent I might hunt them down.”

  “I know. Don’t mind me, I just overheard people talking at work. You know typical gossip about how good-looking you are, and maybe she was a crazy ex.”

  “I get it, but don’t freak out. You’re mine and all I can think about is making a life with you. Let’s shower before the timer goes off and we have burnt lasagna.”

  “You made lasagna? You must care for me,” she teases, climbing into the shower stall.

  I climb in behind her, and say, “I love you, Connie.” She freezes in place. I may have jumped the gun on that, but can’t help myself. She spins around to look at me.

  “What did you say, David?” she asks, pressing her hands into my ass and squeezing.

  “I said I love you, Connie. I can’t stop it. It’s the way I feel,” I reply, cupping her chin and kissing her nose.

  She smiles up at me, looking deep into my eyes. “I don’t want you to stop. In fact, I wanted to hear you say it again. I love you, too.”

  Beep, beep. The oven goes off. I grab the soap bar and wash my cock quickly before jumping out. I wrap a towel around my waist and hurry to the kitchen without falling on my ass.

  I bend down and take out the lasagna, losing the towel around my waist. Fuck, I jump back as I felt my cock touch the metal of the oven door. I set the lasagna on the counter, and check my dick. Man, I got lucky. Nothing like going to the hospital for burning my junk. Kitchen rule number one: Never, ever cook naked. It’s too damn hazardous.

  “What are you doing? Playing with yourself in the kitchen?” she gasps. I look up from my dick inspection and give her a wide-eyed embarrassed expression.

  “I dropped the towel and my dick touched the door.”

  “Oh no,” she exclaims, kneeling before me to inspect it herself. My dick twitches in her hands. “I don’t see any damage. You’re lucky there’s no burn or blister. That would mean no loving until it healed.”

  “Don’t say bad things like that.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll kiss it and make it better,” she jokes, giving a quick peck to the tip before standing.

  “I think you missed a spot,” I say, wagging my brows.

  “Later. I’m hungry for real food.”

  “Okay, then let me get some clothes on before I drop hot pasta on my nuts next.”

  “Yes, please. I wouldn’t like having to go to work and explaining our ER visit.”

  “Hey, baby, at least I’m keeping it fresh and entertaining.”

  “Yes, but I’m hungry so go get ready.” I get dressed and come back to see Connie has dinner on the table. Her fork dips in for a bite.

  “Did you get a chance to eat at work today?”

  “No, it’s Friday. That means more gun violence and general stupid drunk behavior. I spent half my time with ICU patients and the other assisting the ER.”

  “Eat, I’ll bring you a drink.”

  “A glass of milk, please.” I bend down and steal a kiss before getting us something to drink. Nights should always be like this. Not that they will, but they should. I love her so much.

  Chapter 12

  Connie

  I know he has to go back to Cincinnati, and I know he doesn’t want to ask me to give up everything for him. So I’ve already looked into doing it for us. I checked the Ohio licensure for nurses and I’m making the decision for him. I’ll go to the moon with him if it made him happy. I know he’s willing to come to Illinois to practice, but he’d have to get licensed here and it’s a lot of work for his messed-up memory. I watch him study hard and some things fall into place but pushing it wouldn’t be good.

  I’ve been having almost daily conversations with Brooke. We talk about David and just how things are with our men. I feel like I’ve made a truly great friend. She speaks so highly of David, that I wonder if she had a crush on him. But she already cleared that up for me like three times now. One day, I’ll being jealous. Even as I think that, I laugh internally because I know that I never will stop loving David and worry about losing him.

  “Hey, Connie. I have to go to the police station on State Street tomorrow. I know you have to work, so how can I get there? Should I call a cab?”

  “You should have the detectives pick you up or I could drop you off. What time?” I ask. I want to be with him, but I have to work.

  “Nine,” he says, taking a bite of his lasagna.

  I brush it off because I start later tomorrow. “I’ll take you since I don’t start until ten. I can be a little early.”

  He frowns. “I feel lousy that you’ve been chauffeuring me around.”

  “Don’t. You can make it up to me later by eating me out.”

  “Fuck, yeah. Perhaps I’ll give you incentive tonight.” I love that smirk of his. The right side of his mouth turns up, revealing a sexy dimple.

  “I’m all for it,” I murmur, taking another bite of my food.

  He stares at me throughout the meal, licking his fork. I can’t stop laughing and before all is said and done, we both end up naked on the kitchen floor, fucking with abandon.

  ~~~~

  The next morning we’re driving to the station. I pull into their parking lot as close to the entrance as I can and put it in park. “I hope she makes it easy and confesses. You deserve to have it all wrapped up neatly. Watching your near death makes me want to rip her heart out.”

  “I know, angel,” he says, cupping my cheek and wiping away the tear I unknowingly shed. “I know.” He leans in and kisses me. I live for those. He came into my life by a terrible circumstance and I’m forever grateful for him.

  “I love you, David.”

  “I love you, Connie.”

  He gets out and I want to stay with him, but can’t. As soon as he’s in the building, I make my way to work. The next several hours are going to be hard until I hear from him. I want her to get life in prison, but since he’s alive, she may get a lesser sentence.

  Chapter 13

  David

  I take a seat next to Detectives Sanders and De La Torre. They get me a cup of coffee and we sit back and watch as Molly is escorted in and treated kindly. I know this is the calm before the storm, so I smile. She has no idea what they have in store for her. “Molly, thank you for coming in for another interview,” Detective Coleman says, shaking her hand before taking his seat. They’re in a small interrogation room. I love the clear video we’re getting because I can make out every expression on her face.

  “Happy to help. I want my boss found as soon as possible.” I scoff and both detectives shake their heads.

  “She probably does. She’s got an insurance policy on you,” Detective Sanders says. I try not to react because I don’t want to miss a word of this interview.

  “That’s the thing…he has been.” The detective taps his pen on the edge of the pad of paper he brought in the room with him.

  “Oh God, he’s dead?” she gasps, clasping her hands to her face. I’m betting she’s working on manufacturing tears. I sense the theatrics coming to play very soon. I shake my head and the cops are with me.

  “No. He woke up with amnesia in Northwestern Hospital after several weeks in a coma.”

  “Oh my,” she murmurs, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. “Well, if he’s been there this whole time, how come no one contacted his office to let me know?”

  “His identification had been taken by his attackers.”

  “Then how did you know it was him?” Her lack of concern for me was overwhelmingly visible. Sh
e’s fishing for information.

  “A friend of his happened to be there and recognized him. She made the positive ID.”

  “Who if I may ask? He doesn’t really have friends.” The bitch thinks she’s smart. I can already see where she’s going with this.

  “Ms. Brooklyn Bennett.”

  “She may be the one involved. She was calling the office, stalking him. I think they were lovers and she wanted money from him.”

  “Lovers?”

  “Yes, she left the office crying one day and well, she’s had her eyes on him.” I laugh internally at the lie. She knows that’s not true.

  “As it happens, Ms. Bennett has been ruled out as a suspect in the attack. Can you think of anyone, client or otherwise, that would want him dead?”

  “No, I mean the guy was a workaholic and a loner. I never saw him with anyone.”

  “So what makes you believe it was Ms. Bennett?”

  “She was in Chicago of all places and runs into him? How does that not work into a plan to look innocent?”

  “She wouldn’t have run into him if she, herself, hadn’t been attacked as well.”

  “I had nothing to do with that,” she exclaims out of the blue.

  “I didn’t say you did. Why would you make an assumption like that?”

  “Because I don’t like her. She was all over David.”

  “You sound like you and David were more than friends.”

  “He wanted to be, but we weren’t. I just think Brooklyn is a gold digger, and she wanted David’s millions.”

  “Okay, enough with the chit-chat. The thing is, David did have temporary amnesia, but he’s gotten his memory back and filled us in on his attackers.” She blanches and stiffens. “Molly, we know you were involved. The big guy you hired, Dennis Hagen, told Mr. Parker you changed his itinerary and they were paid off. Now’s the time to confess because once Hagen or the other paid lackeys do, you’re cooked.”

  She hesitates, moving back and forth in her chair. “He’s lying.”

  “Are you really going to play that game? You’re the only one that knew he was flying out to the conference. You were the one who supposedly set up his hotel, but when we called there it was canceled the same day it was scheduled. He’s aware that some of his clients hadn’t received their money. And the bank deposits have been made and money was transferred to your account. For someone who planned it out, you didn’t think too hard about the trail you were leaving.”

  “If they’d done their job right, he’d be dead and just another Chicago statistic.” She clasps her hand to her mouth a little too late.

  “An excited utterance. Nice,” Sanders says. I smile because the bitch caught herself up without a confession.

  “My question is why you waited to report him missing?”

  “I want a lawyer.” She’s immediately cuffed and charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, fraud, and several other charges.

  “The others are in custody and being interviewed as we speak. Two already spilled their guts,” De La Torre says, clapping his hand on my shoulder.

  “This is going to be an open and shut investigation,” Sanders adds, shaking my hand.

  “Thank you, gentlemen. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some shopping to do before returning home.” I’ve got a lot planned for my sweet angel.

  Chapter 14

  Connie

  We’ve landed in Cincinnati and I can feel the tension roll off David. I only have two weeks off before I have to return to work. Or so he believes. I’ve made some drastic moves that most would consider foolish, but I love him, and I know he loves me.

  “David, is something bothering you?” I ask, clutching his arm tightly as we walk.

  “Nope, nothing.” I know he’s lying and even though I don’t like it, I’ll give him time to deal with it himself. We hop into a taxi and David gives the driver his address. It’s in a remote, upscale area and as we get closer, I can see the hustle and bustle of the city dwindle to the quiet hum of the suburbs. His house is a classic Victorian, built with a large porch and a swing to go with it. He takes my hand and walks with me as the driver offers to carry our bags up the steps. The driver goes off with a generous tip from David and we enter his home. It’s as stunning as the outside, and I feel like this doesn’t represent who David is, or at least the man I know and Brooke has told me about. In the last few days, she and I have become closer. She believes David is a genuinely great man and I wholeheartedly agree. This place reeks of elegance and class, but it’s missing the tender loving care of a home.

  “Wow, this is an elegant home.”

  “I’m not particularly fond of it, but it was my parents.”

  “I’m sorry about your loss, David.”

  “Thank you. I plan on selling it one day, but I’ve been so busy.”

  “I can understand that. How far is it from your office?”

  “A fair distance. And when it snows, I sometimes just camp out in my office.”

  “I get that. I leave my car and take public transportation home when it snows really bad.”

  “Isn’t that worse?”

  “No, you’ve seen how close the train is to my house. Traffic gets shitty when it snows. Sometimes it can take over two hours to get home and it’s in dangerous conditions.”

  He pulls me into his arms. I melt into him, wrapping my own around his back and pressing my face to his chest. I snuggle in close, breathing him in. I don’t want to go back to a life without him.

  “Babe, I know this is a lot to ask and that it’s probably too soon to throw this at you, but would you ever consider trying to work here in Cincinnati as a nurse?”

  “Are you asking me to stay, David?”

  “Yes. I can’t live without you. In two weeks you’ll leave, and I’ll still have to be here, trying to get my life in order. I love you, Connie.”

  “I love you, David. Yes, I will stay. I don’t want to go anywhere you’re not.”

  “Then I have to ask.” He drops down on one knee in the middle of his foyer and pulls out a little black box. “Will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

  “Yes, David. Of course, I will.” I’m practically jumping up and down with joy as he stands and slides a huge rock on my finger. It’s not a regular diamond, but a pink one. I look at it several times because it’s my favorite color and I love it.

  “I know it’s not the usual diamond, but I remember you wearing light pink scrubs the day I woke up and you love the color.”

  “It’s perfect,” I squeal, leaping into his arms. “I say we celebrate and I wear nothing but this.”

  “Let the celebration begin,” he growls, tossing me over his shoulder and running up to his room. Wow, he’s gotten so much strength and energy back.

  Chapter 15

  David

  I’m standing at the altar, waiting impatiently for the music to begin and my bride to show. It’s been three months since I asked her to marry me. Connie and her mother have been planning since day one. We thought it best to have it in Chicago because I didn’t have any family or friends in Ohio.

  Devin is my best man. He’s standing with a smirk on his face the entire time. He knows I’m seconds from hunting down my bride and tossing her over my shoulder until this ceremony is finished. I want it so badly that I can barely stand here. The last few months have been very positive for us. I have a lot of work to do to regain all of my cognitive abilities, but I’ve made great strides. I didn’t lose my license, but I’ve been limited by my injuries to the number of clients I can take. I lost some credibility when it seemed I skipped town on clients, but when they learned of my attack anger turned to concern. Some of the detectives came to the wedding. They smile at me as I rock back and forth waiting.

  Connie’s mother came in and took her seat in the front row. I rub my hands together because it means the music is going to start. And a moment later it does. My heart’s pumping in my chest as I try to be patient. It feels like an etern
ity before she makes her way through the doors. She’s on her father’s arm and I’m ready to run to her. Devin is holding me back though. “Let him do the honor. He’s only going to get one chance.”

  “Damn right. Okay, I’ll hang in there.” I stare at her beauty. She’s radiant in a lace and silk, white gown that looks like a bell at the bottom. Waiting seems untenable. I want her in my arms as Mrs. Parker. She smiles at me with a blush stealing over her lovely face.

  When they reach me, I want to push her father aside because it’s my turn to hold her. He gives me a serious glare with a warning. “Treat her like a princess or I’ll end you.”

  “Yes, Mr. Langford.” He gives me her hand.

  “Are you ready, my angel?” I ask, seeing the smile reach her bright blue eyes.

  “Yes, David, marry me already.” A few laughs come from those closest to us.

  “I think I’ll take it from here,” the officiant says with a grin of his own. Twenty minutes later, I’m married to my angel and can’t wait for tonight. We’re going on a week-long honeymoon to Ireland. I have to constantly remind myself that it isn’t time to split yet.

  “It’s time, my husband,” she whispers. Fuck, yes. We wave to everyone as we make our way to the door. I’m crossing my fingers that no one stalls our exit. We manage to make it out of there before anyone does. As soon as we get in the limo that’s going to take us to the Hilton, I’m doing mental cartwheels. I’m going to nail her on every surface I can before our flight tomorrow.

  The next thing I know, the driver is calling our names. I startle awake, then nudge my sleeping beauty. We barely make it up to our suite when we both fall onto the bed, snoring on rose petals.

  “I love you, my husband,” she mumbles in my ear.

  I grumble back through the pillows, “I love you, my angel.” I guess the banging on the walls will have to wait.

  Epilogue