“What the hell are you doing here?” she barked at him. That took him by surprise. He was going to say something, but that moment the doctor walked in.
“Well, Piper, it looks like you have dislocated your ankle. You are lucky, because it looks like that is all you did. Surgery is not going to be required for this, but we will need to pop it back in place. I will need to put you in a splint for two weeks until the swelling goes down, and then you will reexamine to see if there is any other damage. I will send you home with some pain medication that needs to be taken with food. Your ankle needs to remain elevated as much as possible. Do you have someone who can take care of you for a while? You will need help getting up and down. You cannot put any weight on your ankle at all for at least the first week, or else you will start to do more damage than good. You can remove the splint in a couple of day to wash, but it needs to be put on after. A good soak in the tub can help with the swelling as well,” the doctor said.
Before Piper could speak up, Milo cut her off. “She is going to be staying with me.” Piper wanted to answer that she would be fine at Sam’s, but the truth was, she didn’t want to go back there. She would have to get up and down by herself, and Sam didn’t need to worry about her and the shop. Her mind was going fuzzy again. It had to be from the pain medication the doctor gave her prior. She hated not being in control of her body and mind. She was one to stay away from pain medication, along with alcohol, unless she knew she was with someone she trusted, like Sam. Piper was used to looking after herself. Even while in foster care she was the only one she could trust, well, besides Sam. Not knowing how this was going react out of some misplaced concern with Milo did not sit well with her. However, at this point she needed to try and open up and trust him. No, she did trust him. He had done everything to gain her trust. She just needed to trust herself more.
The doctor and Milo spoke some more, and then the doctor handed him a piece of paper before allowing the nurse to return to pop her ankle in place again. The pain medication had kicked in at full force as she felt the tug of her ankle as pain radiated but then dissolved instantly with a popping sound. Then the nurse started to apply her splint. She didn’t move and just allowed her to work as Milo walked out the room.
Milo was frustrated. Piper kept pushing him away. She was responding one moment, and then when she was hurt, she pushed him away. It was pissing him off. He realized after getting to know her better that she was nothing like Jessie. She pushed people to try and avoid getting close to them. She had been all alone her whole life, and here she had to trust in him to take care of her. It was something he was going to work on, for both him and her. They both needed to heal and move on with their lives, and not let the past dictate their future.
He spoke to Sam and informed her of Piper’s results, and that she would be staying with him. His bed arrived this morning, and he’d set everything up. He left the doctor’s office to go and get her prescription filled along with some food for the house. By the time he returned, she was asleep on the small examining bed, her foot snug in its new splint. He picked her up as she stirred. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head against his chest before snuggling back and going back to sleep. The nurse held open the door for him as he made it to his truck and strapped her in. Soon he was off to his house. He knew he didn’t have much, but he had the necessities. Finally pulling up into the drive, he saw that the Jackson clan was there. Cash opened the door to help pull her out, but Milo declined and offered him the keys to the house to open the door.
Once inside, Milo tucked Piper into bed, carefully settling her ankle on top of a pillow before pulling the covers over her. Knowing she was asleep and safe, he walked downstairs to see what Cash and Cooper wanted.
“Hey, guys, what’s going on?” Milo asked as he opened the fridge and pulled out a beer. He grimaced when he saw how little he had in the fridge. Maybe he could get someone to sit with Piper while he went shopping.
Riley spoke as she handed him a casserole of some sort. “We heard what happened to Piper. Well, both times, and I know she is going to be laid up for a while with her injury, and we thought it would be nice to have a hot meal ready.” She smiled up at him. He really liked Cooper and Cash’s wife. She had a certain kindness to her that evened out her men. After setting the dish down on the table, she placed a hand on her now-showing baby bump.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. I am not much of a cook, but I can heat just about anything. By the way, how did the ultrasound go?” he asked while sitting down at his small table. It reminded him that he would actually need a bigger one. The house came with some regular household things, but he replaced the bedroom items first.
Cooper and Cash both smiled at him before handing him an ultrasound picture. It showed two little alien-looking things. What, two? “You’re having twins?” he asked. Riley nodded, and her men placed protective hands on her shoulders. “Wow, that’s fantastic. Congratulations, guys. That’s the best news I heard in a while.”
All of them shared more small talk, and then Cooper, Cash, and Riley headed home for the evening. Milo placed the casserole in the oven, before heading up stairs to check on Piper.
When he opened the door she was still sound asleep. She looked like a little doll. Her red curls splayed over her pillow, and her pale skin looked a little sunken in, and she moaned. He went up to her and ran his hand along her cheek. Slowly, she turned into his touch and blinkingly opened her eyes up at him. Her green eyes shone back at him in confusion.
“How you feeling, Red?” Milo asked.
Piper laughed. “Well, to be honest, I feel like shit, but the pain medication makes me feel fuzzy. I don’t like that feeling. Not having any control of my body scares me. But thank you for taking care of me.” Piper smiled shyly up at him.
“It’s not a problem, Red. Do you remember how it happened? I mean, how did you dislocate your ankle from a fall?” Milo never got the whole story for anyone. All he was informed about was that she fell and had to go to the clinic.
Piper was silent for a minute, and then she glared at him. It took him by surprise. What did he do? It was not like he pushed her off. Hell, if he had been there, he would have made sure she wouldn’t have been hurt at all. “Actually, what happened was you took my damn panties. I was wearing a skirt, and well, let’s just say I provided a nice floor show to everyone below the ladder. Then when someone pointed it out to me, I went to fix it, and down I went. So this time I did not hurt myself because of me being accident prone, but because you took my damn panties.” She was fuming, and all Milo wanted to do was bury himself in her. When she got riled up, she was hot. Her face flushed, and her breasts heaved up and down as she tried to control her breathing. She was a goddess.
“I do not see how this is my fault. I told you no panties, but I never said to wear a skirt. Though I have to admit, I like the advantages of a skirt. And who the hell was looking at you? That is my pussy, and no one should be looking at it until I say. What is the fucker’s name? It should be his fault for looking at what is mine.” He growled back.
Piper flushed. He was right. He did say no panties, but nothing about her not being allowed to wear jeans. She wanted to look nice for him. But at this point, it was moot. It was not him that made her climb the ladder and allow everyone to look at her.
“Okay, fine. You’re right to an extent. I could have worn something else, but right now it was pointless. And for your information, I think it was Wes that pointed out my little show. So let’s just keep this between us for now. I don’t want to whole town to know the reason why I fell. It is embarrassing enough that I have been to the clinic more in the last month than people have in a year,” she said. At that moment her stomach growled, pulling her out of her rant.
Milo smiled down at her then stood. He understood her not wanting people to know her business. “Well, Red, since you are staying with me, I will get us some dinner. Riley brought over a casserole for us. I’ll go cut us some and br
ing you something to drink, okay?” He kissed the top of her head and strolled out the door.
Piper rested her head back on the pillow and stared up at the ceiling, wondering what she just got herself into. Could she really stay here with Milo? She didn’t want to leave Sam hanging at the store, and plus, she had to work on her book. Crap, her book. She was supposed to go to the club this weekend with Sam do to research. She was actually getting excited to do it. She had to admit what she and Milo had done yesterday was amazing. What amazed her was that it was just yesterday. It seemed like it was forever ago. Maybe because they had known each other before they had had sex. She was lost in her thoughts when the door opened and Milo walked into the room carrying a tray with what looked like a pasta dish and a soda.
Piper thanked him, and both of them sat and ate in comfortable silence. “Umm, since I am stuck in bed for a bit, do you think you can hand me my phone so Sam could bring me some things? I need my laptop as well,” Piper stated.
Milo studied her and agreed, taking the dishes with him as he went to retrieve her purse from downstairs. He handed the purse to Piper and left the room again to do something. Piper made her call to Sam, and soon she needed to use the restroom. She turned to get up, but as soon as she lowered her leg, the pain came suddenly. She cried out in pain and sat back down, trying to calm herself. Milo rushed into the room, looking at her.
“Red, what’s wrong? Why are you sitting up? You should have called me,” Milo commanded as he walked over and picked her up, understanding her intention.
“Sorry, I just thought it would be okay. I mean it’s just right there. You know this sucks! I hate this. Why can’t I just be normal like everyone else and not hurt myself on a daily basis? I must be the most unlucky person there ever was,” she mumbled. He set her down on the toilet, and she ushered him to leave. Once she was done and ready, she called to him. Milo walked back and placed her on the bed.
“How you feeling, Red? Are you hurting any?” he asked as he fluffed her pillow for her foot. She nodded because she was. Milo reached over to the nightstand and pulled out some pills. He placed them in her hand, and she took them with the water he handed her as well. He kissed her on the head and turned off the light before heading down stairs. A girl could get used to this, she thought as her mind drift into a dreamless sleep.
Milo stood at the door watching Piper as she slept, and his heart ached. He wanted to take her pain away. It would take time. But he had two weeks at least to show her that she was something special to him. He had always thought that he was in love with Jessie, but it never compared to the love he felt right then for Piper. She was the one, and he had been blind all these years. He went downstairs to finish some paperwork and to make sure Cheddar Bob would be okay for the night.
Chapter Eight
The first week went by pretty quickly, and before long, Piper was starting to go crazy. Milo was not letting her up unless she had to use the bathroom. He did draw her a bath last night, but he sat to make sure she didn’t slip and hurt herself more. Sam did help her with her boredom. Sam made her way to the club during the weekend without her. Piper was upset, but understood, so she sent Sam a list of questions she could use for her book. Sam did not go into much detail about her personally, and Piper got a feeling that she had a thing going with her Dom that showed her around. Sam was able to describe many acts that she saw. Piper would die to go and watch an actual whipping, flogging, and even a rope scene. She promised she would go when she was able to walk without the damn splint.
Milo had also been fantastic. However, he would not touch her sexually, and it was driving Piper nuts. She and Milo were sharing the bed, and each morning she would wake wrapped in his arms, safe and warm. Granted, he would kiss her softly, but nothing more than that. She was due to go see the doctor again on Friday, and she was going to get crutches.
Piper was lost in her story when Milo walked in wearing his sheriff’s uniform, looking hot as sin. “Hey, Red, I have to go to work today. I thought maybe you would like to come into town and sit with Sam at the shop. There is a couch there in the back, so you could prop your ankle up, and I could come by and get you when it’s time to close up?” he asked as he sat down. Piper jumped at the excitement of actually leaving the house and being human. She agreed, of course, and went to stand when he helped her up to get dressed.
Once in the truck, Piper had a smile plastered on her face. She was finally leaving the stupid bed. She didn’t want to argue with Milo about not needing to stay the whole time, but he had been so damn persistent that she just kept quiet. Soon she arrived at the store, and it looked busy. Milo carried her into the store and set her in the back. He scooted a table close so she could reach her items, and placed her phone and computer next to her. He bent down to kiss her lightly, but Piper grabbed his shirt and deepened the kiss. He instantly responded by leaning down and slipping his tongue into her mouth. Piper moaned with excitement as her need for him grew. But all too soon he pulled away, breathless.
He leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re killing me here, Red. I want you so bad, but you’re still hurt. Maybe when you’re better. I promise.” And he kissed her softly on the lips once more. “Now be a good girl and listen to Sam for me, and I will come get you at closing time, okay?” he asked her. She nodded and watched him walk out the door. She sighed to herself and went about working on her book until something better came along.
* * * *
Milo spent the day writing tickets and going to the local school to speak about safety, and the whole time all he thought about was Piper. She had gotten so under his skin that even being away from her a short time had driven him mad. Or it could be the fact they had not slept together in a week. He was starting to get a sore wrist for jacking off in the shower because waking up to her soft scent in the morning had caused him to have a case of blue balls. Finishing the last of his paperwork, he set up a schedule with Cheddar Bob for the rest of the week. He would be working days, but he had his radio if something was to happen. Cheddar Bob said he would agree to work nights since, well, he just didn’t have a life. Determined to stay focused, Milo pulled into the diner, planning on picking up dinner for both him and Piper.
He played with the idea of asking her to move in with him permanently. He had fallen in love once with Jessie, and she ripped out his heart. Did he want to do that again? He was going to play it safe for now and just see where things went before he committed to another woman. Once things had ended with Jessie, he fooled around some and had not thought twice. However, Piper was getting under his skin, and he liked the feeling. They both had a lot of things to work out, but only time would be able to tell if they would.
He smiled when he thought about the first time with Piper. Never in his life had he ever slept with a virgin, even when he was a virgin. He had always had running girlfriends, but when he joined the Marine Corp he played the field until he met Jessie. Poor Piper was just so lost when it came to actual acts of sex, but did she sure have a way with words. He could remember Wes and Grady reading one of her books. He about choked when he saw it and put two and two together. Boy could she pull a wool over people’s eyes. He was impressed with her.
* * * *
Piper sat in the storeroom finishing up a hot and sexy scene that she had played out. It made her long for Milo more and more. He was starting to become an obsession. She was just saving her work when Sam walked in with some food.
“Hey, chick, I know you must be hungry, so I brought you some food. I have the shop closed for an hour so we can eat in peace. So tell me how things are going with you and Milo. You two seem happy. He would play around some, but when he is with someone, he is there for a while. He has not really had anyone serious since the bitch Jessie. I just want to see him and you happy, that’s all…” Sam said as she passed Piper a sandwich.
“Things are going good, but I guess because I am hurt, he won’t touch me. He acts like I am made of glass. I mean, come on. I have a damn brok
en ankle, not some rare disease he is going to catch. I am getting so desperate here. It’s not like I have a lot to compare it to, but I am starting to want to find Fred, you know, my little purple friend that helps aid my needs. I think he is still at your house. So I know he’s your brother, but do you have any advice for me?” Piper asked expectantly.
“Shit, well I don’t know about Fred, but I guess I can look for it in a bit, but as for Milo, I don’t know. Wait, go back to the lack of experience part. You’re the sex marvel to all of us. I get half my stuff from your books. So spill. What has really been happening sex wise, besides Milo?” Sam questioned her. The look on Sam’s face told her that she was dumbfounded and lost in her statement. Crap, now it was time to come clean with Sam, too.
“Ah, shit, okay, I already had this damn conversation with Milo, and let me tell you, he was shocked. He knows the basics, so I will let you know. I was actually a virgin when I met Milo. Yes, I know I talk a lot, but when it came down to the actual act with men, shit always happened. Like, you remember high school. Chad, we went to, you know, and well, his mother walked in before we could go any further. That put me off until college. Then, let’s just say between your escapades, and the fact I almost slept with a married man, or started my period, or hell, he couldn’t get it up, my sexual partners were just not there. Milo understood. He laughed actually at how jinxed I am when it came to sex, yet I write sexual romance novels. Go figure. So I could really use your help. Help me find a way to seduce him,” Piper confessed.
Unlucky [Lucky, Montana 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 7