Embracing Series Box Set #1-6

by Delisa Lynn

  “You’re going to stick that wire brush up my nose?” Ansley scrunches her face. “Ellis, hold my hand, please.” I reach for her hand as she tilts her head back.

  “Okay, all done. Now I’ll do the strep ones. This and the flu is rapid, so we’ll know the results in ten minutes.”

  “Just get it all over with, please,” Ansley says, squeezing my hand.

  “Okay, I’ll be back. The doctor will be in to let you know the results.”

  The nurse walks out and I see the tears in Ansley’s eyes. She lays her head back and pulls the cover over her face. “I’m sorry, I’m a cry baby. I rarely get sick. I just want you to hold me.”

  “Scoot over.” I climb on the small exam bed. “Come on, lay your head on my chest.” I’m surprised she wants me to hold her. She’s made it clear she wants to be more than friends, but I’m not sure what’s stopping her.

  “Ashton, thank you for everything. You’re too kind. I will make it all up to you.”

  “Ansley, I’d do anything for you. Haven’t you realized that by now?”

  “I’m scared.” She whimpers. “It’s moving too fast. Before Morris, there was…he hurt me. I know you’re different, but I can’t handle any more heartache. I have no family and only one friend.”

  “I’m not going to hurt you. You have family and friends. My family is your family and you have Nina, Toom, Taz, Meg, Kade, Liam and Lila. We all love you.” Shit, did I just admit I love her? Fuck, who am I kidding, I do love her.

  “They love me? You love me?” She looks up into my eyes. Her nose is bright red and her green eyes are bloodshot. My lips twitch, ready to claim hers. I could care less if I catch what she has. Just as I lean forward, we are interrupted.

  “Miss Dolce, I’m Dr. Lester. You, my dear, have the flu and strep throat.”

  “Crap, that’s why my throat hurts so bad.”

  “Yes, I’m going to give you some prescriptions and you should be better in a few days. I’d say take the rest of the week off of work. You’re a teacher, correct?”

  “Okay, thank you. I am. I probably caught it from one of my students.”

  “Sit tight and the nurse will be back in.”

  “Thank you for bringing me. I hope you don’t catch it.” She sniffles. “What would I do without you?”

  “I’ll be okay. If I catch it, then you can take care of me.” I kiss the top of her head. “Besides, I think you’re even cuter when you’re in whiney mode.”

  “Ugh, I’ve always been a cry baby when I’m sick. The last time I was sick, poor Nina was taking applications for a new best friend.”

  “We will get you feeling better. I’ll stay with you until you’re better. AJ can stay with Liam or I can see if my mom will come and watch him.”

  “No, I can’t let you do that.”

  “No back talk, lady. I’ll swing by my place and pick up some clothes.”

  “Thank you.” She smiles, cuddling into my chest. I send Lila a text and let her know what’s going on and ask if she will keep AJ and the dog for a few days.

  “It’s all set. Li said she’d keep little dude.”

  “Thank her for me.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Ashton

  We picked up Ansley’s medication and stopped at my house so I could grab some clothes. I made sure AJ was all settled in with his cousins. Ansley’s already knocked out. I swear, I’ve been with a lot of women, but she’s prettier than anyone I’ve ever been with. Even with a fever and snot crusted to her nose, she’s beautiful. I hope I can keep my word and not touch her until she agrees to be more than friends.

  I run my hand down her arm. “Baby, wake up. I need your keys.”

  “We’re here already?” She jumps up. “I feel like shit, Ellis. I hope you can handle me.” She makes a pouty face.

  “Trust me, I can handle whatever you dish out.”

  “I’m going to pretend I didn’t see that shit eating grin of yours. You’re up to something, aren’t you?”

  “Nope, just going to take care of my friend.” I laugh as I unbuckle her seatbelt. “Hang on, I’ll help you.”

  “I can walk, silly man.”

  “I know, but, like I said, I’m going to take care of you.”

  “Okay, I just want to lie down. Will you hold me?” she asks as I pick her up. “Just for tonight, please?”

  “Anything you want, shorty. Let’s get some medicine in you.”

  “I can’t thank you enough. I promise I’ll pay you back.”

  “I told you, no payback needed. I wanted to do this for you. You have to get better. AJ is complaining about the substitute to Lila.”

  “Oh no, I’ll have to make it up to the class next week.”

  “We’ll have to give your students cookies.” I laugh because I know the last time she took cookies to class, AJ talked about the cookies for weeks.

  “Yeah, they loved the ones I took the last time. I’ll order them this weekend.”

  “Wait, you didn’t make them?” I ask.

  “Heavens no, I bought them from that fancy bakery on Ninth Avenue.”

  Grabbing the back of my neck, I laugh. “Please don’t tell AJ you didn’t make them. He will be crushed.”

  “Shit, he thought I made them?”

  “Uh-huh, he bragged about the awesome cookies with his initials on it that Miss Dolce made.”

  She buries her head in my chest. “I better learn to make them. Or I can let him think I did.”

  “Your secret is safe with me. Now, let’s get these meds in you and put you to bed. Will you please try to eat some of this soup? Lila made it and she said you’d feel so much better after you eat it.”

  “I’ll try. Will you have some with me?”

  “Sorry, babe, I don’t do chicken noodle. I’ll order me a pizza.”

  “Pizza? I can’t even think about that right now. Bowls are in the left cabinet next to the stove. Spoons are in the drawer, next to the fridge.”

  “Okay, you go to bed and I’ll fix you a bowl.” I smack her ass. She jumps a little and sighs on her way down the hall. I look down and see Sal watching me.

  I grab a treat from the counter and hand it to him. He takes it and runs toward Ansley’s room. I fix her a bowl of soup and notice a picture on the refrigerator of her and a blonde. The blonde must be Nina. The smile on Ansley’s face is breathtaking.

  “Morris is a fucking idiot,” I say.

  I call Slices, our local pizza joint, and order a pizza. Looking in the fridge, I see all the bottles of wine. Don’t get me wrong, I like our wine, but I need a damn beer. I don’t want to leave her, so I guess wine will do.

  I walk into the bedroom and find her lying on the bed, covered head to toe. “You asleep?” I ask as I sit the soup on the nightstand.

  “No, just cold. I took the pills. I hope they help. Did you order you a pizza?”

  “They should kick in soon. I did. It’ll be here in forty-five minutes. Want me to put a movie on?”

  “The DVDs are in the living room. I don’t have a TV in here.”

  I notice she doesn’t have anything in here except a small dresser, the bed and the nightstand. “Well, that’s going to change. I’ll be right back.”

  I go in the other room and call Kade. “Hey, can you do me a favor?”

  “What’s up, bro?”

  “I’m at Ansley’s. Can you pick me up a DVD Player and a large TV and bring it over?”

  “Yeah, I can do that. I’m actually on my way to Best Buy to have my iPad looked at. I dropped it the other day and it’s not working. Any particular size?”

  “Thanks, man. Umm, maybe like the one I have in my room? Is that a fifty inch?”

  “Yeah, I think that’s it. Must be serious if you’re buying her a flat screen.” He jokes. “I’ll be over in an hour or so. Text me her address.”

  “Use my account or take the money from my safe. I’ll be here a few days. And yes, it’s serious, fucker.”

  “Is she okay?”
<
br />   “The flu. She looks like crap, in a good way.” I laugh.

  “Okay. Meg is with me. I’ll have her pick up some chick flicks too.”

  “Thanks. Oh, grab the mounting bracket too.”

  “Got it. See ya in a few. Anything else?”

  “Beer. Yeah, just beer.”

  I hang up, walk back into the bedroom, and notice she’s sleeping. I crawl in next to her and kiss the back of her head. Her black hair is on top of her head in a messy bun. I lay there, staring at the ceiling. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know, there is a knock on the door.

  ***

  After paying the pizza man, I take the pizza and sit it on the coffee table, then I hear Kade out front. I close Ansley’s bedroom door and jog out to help him.

  “Hey, handsome. Is Ansley okay?” Meg asks, kissing my cheek.

  “She’s sleeping, but she’ll be okay. It’s the flu, they said.”

  “I got some movies for her. I’ll just leave them on the counter for her. I don’t want to wake her.”

  “Okay, there’s pizza. Y’all are welcome to stay and eat.”

  “Thanks, but we just ate. Can you grab the other end? I hope this isn’t too big.” Kade laughs. The sixty-five inch TV is sticking out of the back of his SUV.

  “I told him it would be too big, that her place is small, but he refused to listen.” Meg rolls her eyes. “Of course, the girl was so interested in Kade’s muscles she gave us a discount.”

  “Hey, she was the one flirting, not me,” Kade says.

  I help him unload the television. Then we go back to his car for the rest of the items. I notice he also picked up surround sound speakers.

  “Damn dude, you covered all the bases.” I laugh. “Thanks. Did you get the warranties?”

  “I figured you’d only want the best for her. Yep, all the paperwork is in here,” he says, handing me a folder.

  “Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

  He shakes my hand and says, “No worries, that’s what family is for. Take care of your girl. Let me know if you need anything else.”

  “Thanks again.” I hug Meg.

  “Make sure you give her the bag from me. I added something for her.” She winks.

  “Will do. Thanks, doll,” I reply, waving from the door. I look around and decide I’ll install the new TV in here and put the old TV in her room.

  ***

  Ansley

  I awake to a god-awful drilling noise. I look around and see that it’s almost ten o’clock. I’ve slept all evening. I jump up, covered in sweat. My hair is drenched and my mouth is dry. When I open my bedroom door, I see Sal sitting on the couch with a toy hanging out of his mouth and Ashton hanging a ginormous television on my wall.

  “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you up, shorty.” He isn’t wearing a shirt. His abs are, by far, the best I’ve ever seen. He takes his arms and pushes the sweat from his forehead. I lick my lips, but my mouth is so dry, I can’t even drool.

  “Where’d that come from? You can’t keep paying for me.” Tears well up in my eyes. “I didn’t need a new television.”

  “Hey, come here. No tears. I wanted to get you a new one.” He hugs me.

  “Why’s it so hot in here?” I ask, pulling away. Then I remember the heat is on. “Shit, the heat.” I walk over to the thermostat.

  “Yeah, you were cold. I’m going to need a shower after I finish.” He points to a yellow gift bag. “Megan left a bag for you on the counter.”

  I pick up the bag. “Oh, she was here?”

  “Yes, she and Kade went shopping for me.” He smiles, taking a swig of his beer.

  I open the bag and see some movies and candy. Then I see a card. I open it and laugh once I start reading it.

  I hope you feel better soon. You’re never going to get rid of Ashton until you do. He’s a good guy. Give him a chance! Drinks once you’re better. I hope these movies help with the healing process.

  xoxo

  Megan

  “She is too funny. Want to watch this movie?” I laugh as I turn it for him to see.

  “Magic Mike? Are you serious? Did she really buy that movie?”

  “Yep, it’s a Channing marathon. There’s Magic Mike, Dear John and The Vow.”

  “All sappy shit. Okay, this remote will control everything. I noticed you don’t have cable. They’ll be here tomorrow to install it.”

  “Wait, what? I can’t afford that Ashton.”

  “It’s already paid for, babe, for the next year.” He wipes the sweat from his forehead. “Can I use your shower?”

  I can’t speak. I just stare at him as I nod my head. Why is he doing all this for me? I know he is being nice, but I feel like he is treating me like a charity case. I grab a bottle of water and take more of my medicine. When I walk into my room, I hear the shower going. I sit on the foot of my bed, trying to think of what I want to say without sounding ungrateful.

  I open the bathroom door and see the steam rolling. When I pull back the shower curtain, my eyes go directly to Ashton’s soapy hand. He’s washing below his waist. I gulp, trying to remove the lump that has formed in my throat. A moan escapes my mouth in the process. It isn’t a little mmm, mmm moan. It’s a fucking ‘Oh my God’ moan.

  “Wanna join me?” he teases, his hand covering the part of his body my tongue longs to touch.

  “Why Ellis? Why me?” I finally blurt as I turn my back.

  “Why you what?” he asks, confused.

  “I’m not a charity case. You don’t have to buy me things and pay my bills. I’m just in a bind because of the divorce,” I say as I feel the tears hit my cheeks. “I don’t need your nor anyone else’s pity.”

  “Look at me,” he says, but I keep my head turned. “Ansley,” he warns.

  “What? What do you want from me? I’m not right for you and AJ. I’m a broke teacher with a bad past that haunts me daily. You? You are sort of famous. You can do much better.”

  He steps out of the shower. I look down and I’m in complete shock. I notice the silver ring attached to his dick. I know he catches me. He grabs a towel and quickly wraps it around his waist.

  “Baby, we’re friends. My mom always taught me to help a friend when I could. I can help you, and all that bullshit that you aren’t good enough for my son and me is crazy, woman. I don’t know what your ex-husband did to you or anyone before him, but the months that I’ve come to know you, I’ve seen how amazing you are.” He wipes his thumbs over the tears on my cheeks. “Any man that doesn’t see it is a goddamn fool, Ansley.”

  “Ashton…” I breathe right before his lips touch my cheek. “I can’t,” I whisper.

  “Not now, but you will realize your worth.” He walks out of the bathroom. I close the door and slide down it and cry. I cry harder than I have in months. I feel like crud. My nose is clogged, my throat is burning.

  “This is so fucked up,” I mumble.

  “Open the door. If you want me to leave, I will. The TV and the other stuff stays. Consider it a gift for teacher’s day.”

  I have to laugh. What child buys their teacher gifts like that?

  “Get dressed, Ellis,” I say as I stand up and dry my face. “I need to shower. I’ll be out soon. I’m ready to eat some soup. Would you mind heating it up for me?”

  “Okay, I can do that. I’m going to change your sheets also. They’re soaked. Your fever must’ve broke.” He groans and mumbles, “Fuck.” Then he laughs.

  “Fuck what? Is everything okay?” I ask as I open the door. He’s standing there with my vibrator in his hand. Fuck…

  He throws it back in the drawer. Pretending he never found it, he says, “Jesus, where are the sheets? I thought they would be in here.”

  “That’s not mine,” I say, rushing to the closet to grab the sheets.

  He avoids my lie and continues to take the sheets off the bed. I hand him the new ones. He laughs as he tosses them on the bed. I stare at him. He already put on a pair of sweats. They’re hanging down
low, so low I can see where that perfect V ends.

  “Okay, bed’s ready. I’ll bring everything in here. Take a shower and get in bed. You’ve had enough excitement. You’re overdoing it. Shower, then bed, woman.” He places a kiss on my forehead.

  “Okay,” I whisper. I don’t even use that vibrator. It was a gift. I don’t like it. I’m just glad he didn’t open my night stand. That’s where I keep my super rabbit.

  ***

  Ashton refused to leave until I was better. We’ve spent the last four days together. Now that I’m better, he left. Today, I’m finally leaving the house. I need to get out. I need to think. We’ve talked about so much the last few days. He told me about his sister and that he and Lila dated in high school. I kind of thought they did, but didn’t want to ask. I told him a little about my parents. I can’t tell him everything. He’d definitely want to pay for therapy if I did. Hell, I never even told Morris everything.

  While applying a little makeup, I hear the doorbell. I have no clue who it could be. I yell for whoever it is to give me a second. When I look out the window, I see no one. I open the door and look down. There’s a large box on the ground. I look around once again and see no one. I bring the box in and open it. Inside are a large amount of pink flowers. No note, just the flowers.

  It has to be Ellis. Who else it would be? I grab my phone to text him.

  Me: Pink Flowers? You shouldn’t have, but thank you.

  Ashton: Not sure I know what you’re talking about.

  Me: I just received a large amount of pink flowers.

  Ashton: Who are they from?

  Me: Well I thought you.

  Ashton: Not me, babe. You know anyone else here?

  Me: Nope, just you all.

  Ashton: That’s weird.

  Me: Okay, I’m going to lunch with Megan.

  Ashton: Be careful and have fun. If you aren’t feeling well, I can bring you dinner.