FOREVER SERIES: COMPLETE BOX SET

by Lynn, Sandi

  “Excuse me, lady. What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

  She turned around and looked at me.

  “Listen, bitch, if you’re doing all three of them, then there’s no harm in letting me have a taste of this juicy one.” She smiled at Connor.

  The look on his face was sheer panic as he wouldn’t take his eyes off me.

  “Who are you calling a bitch?!” I yelled at her.

  Connor stepped out of the booth and put his arm around me. “Come on; let’s go.” He quickly led me out of the bar as Mason and Landon were laughing.

  “Oh my God, Elle, have you retracted your claws yet?” Mason laughed.

  Connor kissed me on the side of my head.

  “I can’t take you anywhere.”

  I looked sternly at him. “It’s not me. It’s you and these damn women you attract.”

  He laughed as he picked me up and carried me to the car.

  Chapter 35

  CONNOR

  Celebrating her birthday with her was the best day of my life, except for the day I found her standing in my kitchen. I walked into the room with a twelve-inch round cake, beautifully lit up with twenty-four burning candles. I set it in front of her and watched her smile as she closed her eyes, made a wish, and blew them out. Her sweetness and innocence swept me off my feet and left me with a feeling that I never knew I was capable of. Her smile, her laughter, and the way she played with her hair when she was nervous were some of the things that I loved most about her.

  I handed her the knife to cut the first piece of cake, and she took it from my hand with her delicate fingers. I stood there and stared at her as she cut each piece with finesse. She looked at me with her ice blue eyes; eyes that were mesmerizing and full of life.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asked.

  A smile fell upon my face as I answered, “I was just thinking about how much I love you.”

  The words I was never able to say before now flowed freely from my lips as easily as loving her did. She leaned over, put a dab of icing on the tip of my nose, and laughed. She wiped it off and held her finger to my mouth as I took it inside and licked it slowly. I saw the fire in her eyes like I did every time she looked at me.

  I couldn’t extinguish the fear that resided in my heart with her illness. I didn’t want to believe that she wouldn’t get better, but there was a tiny part of me that was scared shitless that she wouldn’t. I put on a brave front for her because she needed me. She needed me to be her rock, and I wouldn’t let her down.

  I lay there in bed, checking my emails while waiting for her to come out of the bathroom. She opened the door and walked into the bedroom while brushing her teeth, frantically looking for something.

  “What’s wrong, baby?” I asked.

  She mumbled something. I couldn’t understand her between the toothbrush and the foam. She held up her free hand against her ear.

  “Are you looking for your phone?”

  She nodded her head. I smiled as I pulled it from between the sheets. She smiled at me and gave me a thumbs up as she went back into the bathroom and spit in the sink.

  “Thanks, baby!” she yelled.

  She walked towards the bed and looked at her phone, checking her messages before she pulled back the covers and climbed in. She snuggled into my chest as I put my arm around her. This was right, too right, as she softly kissed my chest and slowly drifted to sleep.

  Chapter 36

  ELLERY

  I chewed my bottom lip as we walked through the doors of Sinai Grace Hospital. I tightened the grip on Connor’s hand.

  “It’s going to be okay, Elle. I’m here with you,” he sympathetically said.

  “I know. I’m just a little nervous.”

  He put his arm around me and pulled me into him, giving me the only safety I’d known. We stepped into the waiting room of Dr. Murphy’s office as the leggy blonde receptionist told us to take a seat. Not too long after, the leggy blonde called my name and took us back to a small room. She handed me a gown and told me to change into it as she was eyeing my boyfriend up and down, giving him suggestive looks. He turned away so not to face her while looking down at my hands, wondering if I was going to get up and bitch-slap her. She saw the look on my face and exited the room quickly.

  Dr. Murphy walked in with three large needles on a silver tray. “Good morning, Ellery. Are you ready for your first set of injections?”

  “I guess as much as I’ll ever be,” I nervously answered.

  She was flipping through my chart and then looked at me with concerned eyes. “Tell me how you’re feeling right now, at this moment.”

  “I’m scared and unsure. That’s how I’m feeling.”

  She took hold of my hand. “I know you’re scared, but this will be a walk in the park compared to chemotherapy, I promise. The others who have recently received these injections have not had any side effects.”

  “That’s great, Dr. Murphy, but you don’t even know if the injections are working.”

  She pursed her lips together as Connor walked over and put his hands on my shoulders.

  “I’m confident it’s going to work. Have faith, Ellery.”

  I managed a small smile as she asked me to lie down on the bed. She looked over to Connor.

  “She’s going to need you. I would suggest holding her hands.”

  I looked at Dr. Murphy, alarmed. “Why?” I asked.

  She heavily sighed. “Ellery, I’m not going to lie to you. These injections are very painful. You are going to feel like someone lit your body on fire, but it’s only temporary, and we need to keep you here under observation for a couple of hours to make sure there aren’t any side effects.”

  Connor sat on the side of the bed as I turned on my side to face him. Dr. Murphy called her nurse in and held up the first needle. Connor grabbed my hands as he stared directly in my eyes.

  “Just look at me, baby, and focus on nothing but me, okay?”

  I nodded my head as Dr. Murphy inserted the first needle. I shrieked at its sting as tears swelled in my eyes. It didn’t take long for the fiery pain to start blazing through my body.

  “Okay, Ellery, I’m going to give injection number two,” Dr. Murphy said as she pierced my skin with the needle.

  I let out a louder cry this time as the burning intensified. I let go of Connor and clutched his shirt with both hands as he moved in closer and wrapped his arms around me. I screamed in his chest as the last needle entered my body.

  “Please, Dr. Murphy. Isn’t there anything we can do for her?” Connor desperately asked.

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Black. We have to let it run its course, but it’s only temporary. I’ll be back in an hour to see how she’s doing. If you need anything, or she’s having a reaction, you are to push this button immediately.”

  He nodded his head as she walked out of the room. My body felt like it was engulfed in flames, and my soul was trying to escape.

  “It’s okay, baby. Just hold on to me,” Connor kept saying as he held me, and I shook in his arms.

  At that point, I didn’t know which was worse, this or chemotherapy.

  * * *

  A couple of days had passed, and we mostly stayed in. We cooked together, had lots of sex, and watched movies. When Connor had to do work, I would sit in front of my easel and paint. I smiled at Connor, who was sitting at the table on his laptop, conducting business meetings with his employees. I was happy, and it felt right. For the first time in a long time, I had hope that I would have a future, and this man would be a part of it.

  The next morning, I didn’t feel like getting out of bed, so I laid there and tried to sleep, but I could hear Connor talking to someone on the phone.

  “Yes, Mom, I’m coming and I’m bringing someone with me. She’s very special, and I want you to meet her.”

  It was then I realized that next week was Thanksgiving. Connor came walking into the room as I opened my eyes and saw him staring at me. He smiled as he walked o
ver and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked as his finger ran down my jaw line.

  “I’m feeling okay. I heard you on the phone.”

  “I was talking to my mother. I’m taking you home for Thanksgiving.”

  As much as I wanted to meet his family, I was a hot mess of a cancer patient, and I didn’t know how they would react to that.

  “Did you tell your mom about me?”

  “Of course I did, and she’s looking forward to meeting you. She’s going to love you.”

  I licked the bottom of my dry lip.

  “I meant, did you tell her I have cancer?”

  He sat there and looked at me, and I could see the pain in his eyes, which told me he didn’t.

  “Why didn’t you tell her, Connor?”

  His eyes traveled to the window. “I haven’t had the chance, and it’s not something I want to do over the phone, Elle. I think that needs to be done in person.”

  “So what you’re saying is that you want me to spring it on her on Thanksgiving? Hi, Black family! I’m Ellery Lane, your son’s girlfriend who has cancer for the second time in her twenty-four years of life and is nothing but a walking cancer disaster.”

  He got up from the bed. “Wow, Elle, you really know how to ruin a moment.”

  I felt an argument coming on, but I didn’t care. I was angry at him for not telling his mother.

  “I will tell her before Thanksgiving; end of discussion.”

  His authoritative tone burned my blood.

  “No, Connor. It’s not the end of the discussion, and don’t you dare take that tone with me!”

  He turned his gaze away from the window and looked at me.

  “Are you looking to start an argument?”

  “All you have to do is tell me why you didn’t tell her yet.”

  His eyes turned dark as he glared at me. I could see anger in them.

  “You want to know why?! I haven’t been able to do anything because I’m stuck here taking care of you!”

  Did I just hear this bastard right? Did he just say he’s stuck here taking care of me? I felt my blood pressure rise as my heart felt like it had been stabbed with a knife. He realized what he said because he turned towards the window again and ran his hands through his hair.

  “Stuck? You’re not stuck here, Connor. I didn’t fucking ask you to come here, and I sure as hell didn’t ask you to take care of me.”

  He turned towards me. “Baby, I didn’t mean it like that.”

  The only thoughts running through my insane mind were that he felt trapped.

  “Get out of here!” I screamed as I picked up a glass and threw it at him. He ducked and shook his head.

  “Fine, if that’s what you want!”

  He turned just like that and walked out, and I flinched when I heard the apartment door slam shut. My phone quickly signaled a text message from Mason.

  “Everything okay? We just saw Connor storm out.”

  My fingers typed frantically.

  “I’m fine. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  I dialed Peyton and let out a sigh of relief when she answered, “Hi, Elle.”

  I couldn’t even get the words hello out first.

  “Connor and I got into an argument, and he stormed out.” I started to cry.

  She asked what we argued about, and I told her about the stuck comment he made. I was appalled how quickly she proceeded to yell at me.

  “You know I love you, Elle, but I’m telling you this for your own good. You need to get your head out of your ass and start thinking about someone else! I know you’re sick, and I’m sorry for that; in fact, I hate that I’m not there with you, but you need to step out of your ‘oh pity me’ self, and think about what Connor’s going through. You think it’s easy for him to watch the only woman he’s ever loved go through cancer? He needs to vent too, you know. You’re not the only one who gets to scream and be pissed off at the world!”

  I couldn’t speak. I was frozen with the reality that Peyton was right.

  “Elle, are you still there?”

  I sighed. “Yes and thank you. As always, you’re right.” I could feel her smile over the phone.

  “You’re welcome, and that’s what best friends are for. Now cut that man some slack and think about his feelings.”

  I hung up and climbed out of bed. I walked over to the shattered glass, sat on my knees, and started picking up the pieces. How could I not realize Connor’s feelings? How could I not stop wallowing in my own pity for just a minute and see how hard this was for him? I sat there, staring at the pieces of glass as he walked up behind me and took my hand.

  “Stop! You’re going to cut yourself,” he whispered.

  I took in a deep breath and slowly turned my head so that I was looking at him.

  “I’m sorry, I just…”

  He took my face in his hands.

  “I know, baby, and it’s okay.”

  “No, it’s not, Connor. I know this is hard for you, and I’m so sorry.”

  His soft lips brushed against mine.

  “It’s okay, baby. I didn’t mean what I said. It came out wrong.”

  I melted into his arms as he wrapped them around me.

  “I know you didn’t, and I overreacted.”

  He kissed the top my head. I looked up at him with pleading eyes and a pouty mouth.

  “Where did you go?”

  He smiled at my lips and lightly nipped them.

  “I bought you something.”

  He stood and helped me up. He walked to the dresser and handed me a brown bag. I smiled excitedly as I opened the bag and peeked inside. I looked up at him and his big smile as he took my hand and led me to the bed. I dumped the brown bag in the middle and stared at the pile of chocolate that looked up at me.

  “I figured this would make you feel better,” he said with caution.

  “You are amazing and absolutely perfect! I love you,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him on top of me. “I know something else that will make me feel better.” I smiled as he hovered over me.

  “Are you sure you’re up for it?”

  I lifted my head and kissed him passionately. That was the only sign he needed.

  Chapter 37

  I got out of bed the next morning and stumbled into the kitchen for some already brewed coffee. Connor was sitting on the couch with his cup and typing something into his phone.

  “Hey, babe, I hope I didn’t wake you?” he said.

  “Nope, not at all. What are you doing?”

  “We need to talk. Come here and sit down.”

  My stomach got all panicky as his tone was serious. I sat down next to him and kissed him on his cheek. He smiled and put his phone down on the table.

  “I have to go back to New York today for a meeting regarding the acquisition of a company that I’ve been interested in. I want you to come back with me.”

  I stared at him and twisted my face. “Can I?”

  “Why not? You don’t get your next set of injections until next month. We’ll go back today, stay through Thanksgiving, and come back before your next treatment.”

  A smile grew across my face. “I’ll get to see Peyton. She’ll be so excited! And I’ll see my apartment.”

  Connor frowned. “You’re not staying in that box you call an apartment. You’re living with me.”

  I gave him a pouty look. “Do I have to stay in the guest bedroom?”

  He laughed as he touched my cheek. “There’s no way you’re staying in the guest bedroom. I want you in my bed.”

  * * *

  We took his private jet back to New York. I ran to Denny as I saw him leaning up against the black limo. I threw my arms around him.

  “Denny, I’ve missed you! How are you?”

  He smiled and twirled me around. “Look at you, Elle. You look great.”

  I saw Connor smirking as he put our bags in the trunk.

  “I’m sorry, Connor. Let me
get those.”

  “No, Denny, it’s okay. She’s been dying to see you. She missed you.”

  Denny looked at me and gave me a hug.

  “I’ve missed you too, and it’s nice to see your bright, smiling face here again.”

  I slid into the back of the limo and Connor followed, interlacing our fingers.

  “I called Peyton and told her I was back in town and that I needed her help with something for you, so she’s coming by the penthouse around seven o’clock.”

  “You didn’t tell her I was here?”

  He tightened the grip on my hand.

  “No, I was going to let you surprise her.”

  I rested my head on his shoulder.

  “I love you.”

  We arrived back at the penthouse around five o’clock. Connor took our bags to the bedroom while I went to the kitchen to get some water. I went up the stairs and headed straight to his room. I’d only been in his room one time, and that was when I brought him home from the club. The door was open, so I walked in. I gasped at what I saw. Connor turned around and looked at me.

  “Oh, I forgot you haven’t been in here.”

  My eyes glanced to the right, then above the bed, and then to the left side of the room. Each wall was displayed with my paintings from the art gallery.

  “You were the one who bought my paintings?”

  He held his hands up. “Please tell me that you aren’t mad.”

  I looked at the painting that hung over his bed, the one of the man and woman dancing under the stars.

  “I’m not mad. I just want to know why.”