Book Read Free

Alice Carpenter

Page 20

by McKay's Heroine (lit)


  He rode in the ambulance with her, held her hand until they took her in to surgery. Several hours later when she woke up in the recovery room he was by her side, the scratches on his face cleaned, her hand in his once again.

  "Hey, sweetie. Boy am I glad to see those pretty green eyes. I wondered if you were going to sleep all night." He glanced at his watch and tried to smile. "I guess you did at that."

  The corners of her mouth turned up and she closed her eyes. When she opened them again and spoke, he had to lean forward to hear her. "How did you get there?"

  "Well, it’s kind of weird. After that stupid fight we had, I couldn’t sleep. So I took Briana over to my parents’ house and drove by your place. I don’t think I intended to come in, but when I saw the strange car in front of your house then the cops drive up . . .

  "They got to the door first and broke it down. Since they had guns and I didn’t, I didn’t argue about it, I just followed them in."

  "Sean . . . Lainey?" Her voice was even harder to hear.

  "They heard Davies scream at you. Sean recognized the voice and had Lainey call it in while he got his gun and started over. She came over as soon as she’d hung up."

  "Sean . . . killed Davies?" Jarrod had to lean over so her lips nearly brushed his ear to hear her soft words.

  "Yes. Sean killed Davies. He’ll never bother anyone again. Chloe’s in jail, hopefully for life. Since she and Davies couldn’t get close enough to Bri for a second chance, they decided to take you out of the picture. Luckily for all of us, that didn’t work."

  A bare smile quirked Nikki’s lips, her eyes drifted shut, and she faded off to sleep. Jarrod stayed, her hand in his, until they put her in a private room. Then he settled into a chair close to her bed and kept watch. Nothing would keep him away from her ever again.

  * * * * *

  She woke up to hear Jarrod on the phone. "The doctors said she’ll be fine, Mom." He paused. "I don’t know when I’ll be home. See if Steve can run things for a few days, okay?" He sighed. "Yes, Mom, Erika brought by the clean clothes. I used the shower in Nikki’s room and changed."

  Another pause then. "Tell Briana Nikki will be fine." He laughed lightly. "Yeah, tell Bri I’ll tell her that." Jarrod looked around and saw Nikki’s eyes were open. "She just woke up. I’ll call you back later." He hung up the phone, oblivious to the fact that he’d just cut his mother off in mid-sentence.

  "Hi." Jarrod walked over to the bed and looked down at her. "How do you feel?" He looked her over carefully. She was as white as the hospital sheet, her beautiful green eyes looked almost faded.

  The IV in her left arm dripped slowly into the vein. The nurse last night had said it was antibiotics and painkillers. There was a danger of infection, which could be especially serious with her heart condition.

  She looked up at him and smiled faintly. "I’ve felt worse. It’s just hard to remember when."

  He took her right hand gently in his. "I bet." He looked down at his feet as if he searched for the right words. "You know, I could have waited a couple of days for you to call."

  Her eyes widened in amazement and she smiled slightly. "Very funny, McKay, very funny. I think you’ve been around me too long. You’ve started to get a smart mouth on you."

  His eyes locked on hers. "Not long enough. Not nearly long enough." He opened his mouth to say something else when the door opened behind him.

  He turned to see who was there. Sean and Lainey stood uncertainly in the doorway. Jarrod squeezed Nikki’s hand, released it, and stepped away. "Come on in. How are you two doing?"

  Sean looked tired, Lainey looked pale and very worried. "We’ll be just fine once we see the patient here. Elaine’s been beside herself with worry."

  He held up a hand as Jarrod started to speak. "I know, ya called this morning already to tell us she was okay. But we needed to see for ourselves." Sean looked lovingly at his fiancée. They’d spent part of the night at the hospital, but had gone home when Nikki had stabilized and been moved to her own room.

  "Go on, go see for yourself." Sean gave Lainey a gentle push toward the bed. "She won’t break. She’s too tough for that." He gave Nikki a broad wink.

  Lainey approached the bed cautiously. Nikki smiled at her aunt and stretched out a hand. Lainey swallowed a sob and wiped the tears from her cheeks, as she took Nikki’s outstretched hand tightly in hers.

  Her voice was tight as she said, "I wish you’d stop doing this." She gestured with her free hand at the hospital room. "You’ll make me grow old before my time."

  "Third time’s a charm. This time oughta be the last, right?" Nikki said softly, her gaze gentle as she looked at her beloved aunt.

  "I hope so, I sincerely hope so." Lainey sniffed and wiped her face again.

  "Well, I don’t think we’re needed here for a few minutes. Why don’t you show me around." Sean clapped Jarrod on the shoulder.

  Jarrod smiled. "Sure. We’ll be back soon." He looked at Nikki carefully before he followed Sean out the door, obviously reluctant to leave.

  Lainey watched Jarrod as he walked out the door and then looked thoughtfully at Nikki. "Did you get anything worked out with Jarrod?"

  "We haven’t had much of chance to talk about anything yet. So, when are you and Sean getting married? Have you set a date yet?"

  With a smile at the change of subject, Lainey replied, "Soon. Neither of us have much family. He wants to invite some of the guys he works with and I’ve got some friends to invite. Plus you, of course. We wouldn’t dream of having it without you there to stand beside me. I want to see if Amelia can come out to visit and be my matron of honor."

  When the men returned, they still talked about the upcoming nuptials. Sean and Jarrod exchanged an amused glance and joined in the conversation.

  Just as Nikki’s eyes started to droop, the doctor came in to check her progress. Sean and Lainey kissed her good-bye and said they’d see her later. The doctor looked questioningly at Jarrod. He folded his arms and leaned against the windowsill.

  The doctor looked at Nikki one brow raised in question. She nodded her head resignedly. The only way to get Jarrod out of here would be to use a crowbar. "I’m Dr. Weems. How do you feel?" The examination was thorough and more than a little painful as he probed the wound gently.

  He rebandaged the wound and said, "Everything looks good. You’ll need to stay here for a few days, just to make sure." Nikki opened her mouth to protest. "We could make it a week." She closed her mouth firmly.

  He winked at Jarrod. "Gets ‘em every time. Have you had any problems since the transfusion? Any dizziness or excessive soreness?"

  "No. Everything’s just fine." His cheeks turned a dull red and he looked at the floor.

  Dr. Weems patted Nikki’s hand. "Just relax and take it easy. If you need anything, ask one of the nurses and they’ll get in touch with me." With that, he said good-bye and left as he glanced at his watch distractedly.

  "What did he mean by the transfusion remark?" Nikki looked curiously at Jarrod.

  "Last night you needed a transfusion and I thought it may as well be me since we’re the same blood type." He shrugged, obviously embarrassed. "At least we know it wasn’t contaminated or anything."

  Startled, Nikki looked up at him. "Thank you."

  He mumbled a quick "you’re welcome" and changed the subject abruptly.

  Chapter 24

  Visitors popped in and out all day. Saul and Dani showed up, as well as Nana, and all of the McKays at one time or another. All of them brought flowers, balloons, cards, or small gifts.

  Jarrod seemed embarrassed when he saw the very pregnant Dani and how well she got along with Nikki. Saul was extremely amused at Jarrod’s reaction.

  "Take it from me, trust her, and hold on tight for the ride. She’s got one hell of a temper." Saul said in a low voice to Jarrod, winked, and walked over to join his wife by Nikki’s bed.

  Dani sat in the only chair and shifted frequently. They didn’t stay too long, Dani said tha
t they needed to get back before their two kids tied up the baby-sitter . . . again.

  The couple argued amicably as they left as to whose side of the family the children had gotten that particular trait from. They promised to come see her again as they waved good-bye.

  Jarrod had adamantly refused to leave even though he was exhausted. He’d gone to the cafeteria to buy something for lunch and dinner, then brought it back to her room to eat with her.

  Briana had been very upset, she thought it was somehow her fault that Nikki was in the hospital. Jarrod and Nikki soon had her convinced otherwise. When she left she was almost back to her usual cheerful self, as she held hands with her grandparents on either side.

  Jarrod tried to insist that he stay the night again, but Nikki put her foot down. Finally she told him that he wouldn’t sleep quietly in the chair and would therefore keep her awake and that finally persuaded him to leave for the night.

  He left reluctantly, but promised to see her for breakfast. The next few days passed the same way. Jarrod was there from dawn to past dark, and he never showed up empty handed. Stuffed animals, flowers, cards, knick knacks, special treats to tempt her appetite, and once, stuffed under his shirt, Bunc.

  They talked about everything, including the fights they’d had. Jarrod apologized profusely and promised he’d learn to ask instead of order. Nikki apologized for overreacting and the subject was dropped. The marriage proposal was not mentioned at all.

  Strangely enough, Nikki was disappointed. Thoughts of Jarrod had flashed through her mind when Davies attacked her. The only important thing, she had decided, was that they were together. Except now Jarrod didn’t seem inclined to pursue the subject. Now that she wanted commitment, he gave her time. She shook her head at the irony.

  Captain Nathan Edwards came by and took her statement personally. Grover had been dismissed from the police force and he wasn’t ready to take any chances with her statement, Edwards said with a wink. Plus Nikki knew he felt guilty about Davies’ escape in the first place. Chloe had helped him escape, but the officers on duty had been lax and had been reprimanded.

  When she was released from the hospital, Jarrod ignored all her protests, and took her home with him. Lainey had packed several suitcases for her and brought some clothes for her to put on so she could leave the hospital. The blood-soaked clothes had been cut off her when she’d arrived at the hospital.

  The police hadn’t wanted Erika to work in the duplex for several days while they investigated the crime scene. So Erika, with Steve’s help, had moved all of the office equipment out of the duplex and into a suite of offices in Jarrod’s building. She ran the business from there in Nikki’s absence. Just temporary, Jarrod said when Nikki had protested. When she got better she could make other arrangements.

  She knew she didn’t have the strength to argue with him, so she dropped the subject. For now anyway. She couldn’t let him think he’d always get his way. It would set a bad precedent. She smiled wickedly to herself.

  Jarrod saw the smile and wondered what he was in for now. He had taken advantage of her weakened state and he knew she knew it. It was only a matter of time before she started to balk at his high-handedness.

  He grinned. He liked to argue with Nikki. It wasn’t nearly as much fun as making love with her, but that wasn’t a possibility yet. She needed time to heal before he pushed her about where their relationship would go.

  The next time he proposed he’d make sure he did it in a way she wouldn’t want to refuse! Steve had chewed him out over the ineptness of his last proposal. Jarrod grinned broadly. Sometimes his little brother knew more than he did.

  Steve was doing a good job as he filled in for his older brother at the office. Jarrod still called in every day and did as much work at home as he could while Nikki rested. Everything seemed to be running smoothly.

  It had been a long time since he had any time off and this was one time he would have let the company go under rather than be at work every day. He felt like he didn’t dare let Nikki out of his sight. She was much too precious to risk losing, and he had an unreasonable fear that he would lose her if he left her alone for very long.

  He knew that eventually they’d both have to go back to work, but he was determined to enjoy this time with her to the fullest. He’d also do his best to make sure they had everything worked out before they both went back to their jobs. There wouldn’t be a chance of losing her if he had anything to say about it.

  He glanced over at her as she napped on the couch. Her skin color was better and her eyes, though closed now, had regained their sparkle. Her arm was still in a sling for part of each day to protect her sore shoulder, but she didn’t seem to be in as much pain as when he’d first brought her home.

  His heart skipped a beat as he thought of her well enough to leave. If he had his way, she’d never leave again! She’d never want to leave! Briana went over to Mrs. Cunningham’s for part of the day, so Nikki could rest. The rest of the time the little girl spent with Nikki, being her "gopher." Nikki seemed to enjoy this as much as Briana did.

  Jarrod smiled to himself. Tonight would be the night. He had already arranged to have his parents keep Briana overnight. In fact, she was there now so he could prepare for this evening.

  A nice romantic dinner, a proposal, an acceptance and she’d be his. And I’ll be hers, he added to himself. No one-sided relationships for either of them. A full partnership with both of them giving their all was the only way it would work.

  Nikki stirred, sighed, then slipped back into a restful sleep. Jarrod had tried to put her in his room, insisted he’d take the spare room, but she’d put her foot down. Either she took the spare room or she’d go back home.

  He smiled to himself. She had been surprised, and tried not to show it, that they wouldn’t sleep together. Jarrod had insisted that she needed time to heal and didn’t want to bump her sore shoulder in the middle of the night.

  Reluctantly, she had agreed with Jarrod’s flimsy excuse. His real reasons were a little more devious. He wanted to woo her. To be romantic. To make her realize that he wanted all of her, not just her body. That he wanted her for himself, not because Briana had begged for Nikki to be her mother.

  When Briana had questioned him about that, Jarrod had firmly told his daughter that it was up to him and Nikki and she wasn’t to say a word about it. If she did say something to Nikki, she would be punished and couldn’t watch any of her videos or any TV, for two weeks.

  He smiled, as he thought of the wide-eyed, shocked look on his daughter’s face. He’d never been harsh with restrictions, so she knew he was very serious about this new rule.

  Nikki smiled in her sleep and Jarrod’s groin tightened . . . again. He swore it was almost a perpetual state now. Suddenly she opened her eyes and seemed to catch the hungry look in his eyes.

  She sat up slowly, never looked away from his gaze. Her eyes slowly changed to a darker green as her own passion stirred. His hands clenched on the arms of the overstuffed chair he sat in. He needed to leave . . . right now.

  She stood up carefully, slowly walked over to him, and sat in his lap. Surprised, he put his arms carefully around her to steady her body. Eyes still locked with his, she lowered her head.

  Their lips touched and his resistance was gone. He couldn’t have refused her any more than he could have stopped his own heart. With a groan, he pulled her gently closer to his chest.

  She started to unbutton his shirt and his heart raced as her nails scraped lightly against his skin. She smiled when she felt his pulse speed up and squirmed closer. He pressed his arousal more firmly against her bottom and she moaned.

  "Take me upstairs, Jarrod, please." Her husky voice was breathless with desire. "It’s been so long."

  Jarrod stood up with her in his arms and took the stairs two at a time up to his room. He set her gently on the side of the bed and took her clothes off, very careful of her shoulder.

  It had started to heal, but the red, puffy scar was
very noticeable. Jarrod kissed the scar and said softly, "Your badge of courage." Then he moved to her breasts. She moaned deep in her throat as he licked and sucked the firm globes he held in his hands.

  "Jarrod," her voice was barely audible. "Please, Jarrod."

  He groaned and started to rip off his clothes as she lay back on the bed and watched him avidly. He lay down beside her and he started to stroke and kiss her body.

  He’d worked his way down to her navel when he froze. She hadn’t taken her birth control pills since she went into the hospital. She would have to wait until after her next period before she could start a new packet of pills. Which meant she wasn’t protected anymore and he didn’t have any condoms or any other form of protection in the house.

  "Jarrod, is something wrong?" Nikki asked as he paused.

  "No. Nothing." He continued on his downward path until he reached his goal. She arched her back and moaned, tried to pull him back up. He resisted, and continued his ministrations until she climaxed.

  As he lay back down beside her, he drew her limp body against his. "Jarrod?" She pulled back enough so she could look at him. "Why?"

  He sighed and explained. She stiffened in surprise and slowly relaxed, her mind whirled. He could have made love to her without protection. If by chance she had gotten pregnant, he would have had something to coerce the marriage issue . . . if that was still what he wanted.

  But he hadn’t. She blinked rapidly and sighed. "You’re not a very good boy scout, are you?" She trailed a finger down his chest.

  He grabbed her hand to still the movement and replied huskily, "Guess not."

  "Well, does the boy scout know where the drugstore is?"

  It was his turn to freeze. "Yes," he said, his grip on her hand relaxed slightly.

  She pulled her fingers free and rubbed one of his flat male nipples between her thumb and forefinger. "Well, maybe you should be a good boy scout and make a trip to the drugstore."

  He gasped as her fingers continued to play with his hardened nipple. He said breathlessly, "Good idea."

  He rolled away from her and out of bed, threw his clothes on as fast as they had come off. He bent over and kissed her deeply, before he finally wrenched himself away.

 

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