SEAL of Approval

by Lynn Faye

  Dr. Michaels seemed preoccupied for a moment while he stared at his hands. After a few seconds, he raised his eyes to Ethan. “Okay, I want you to explain to her about her mother-in-law while I’m there.”

  “Doctor, do you remember what I asked of you when Kristen regained consciousness?”

  “Yes,” Dr. Michaels replied. “We’ve kept her docket sealed. No one but those working closely with me knows that she’s awake.”

  “Thank you. It’s important that Helen be kept in the dark about this. As far as everyone else is concerned, when released, Kristen has been moved to a private facility.”

  “Ethan,” the doctor removed his glasses and cleaned them on his sleeves before returning them to his face. “Have you had the vehicle checked?”

  “No. The car is in the police pound. I would need Kristen’s insurance documents in order to retrieve it.”

  “I see.”

  Ethan stood. “Thank you. I’d like to talk to Kristen about Helen as soon as possible.”

  Dr. Michaels also stood. “We can do that now. It will help to determine if she’s ready to go home,” he said. “Ethan, try not to give her all the details.”

  Ethan narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

  “If possible, don’t tell her that she was marrying you to save her daughter.”

  “How will I tell her about all this without telling her that?”

  “You must find a way to keep the information to a minimum. Informing her that her daughter can be taken away might be traumatic enough.”

  Ethan wasn’t sure about lying to Kristen or keeping things from her. However, the doctor knew best and if he said to tell her less, then so be it. They both went back to Kristen’s room. Camila was with her, which Ethan thought was good. He needed all the support he could get while telling Kristen about Helen.

  Kristen looked from Ethan to Dr. Michaels as though she knew they had been discussing her. “What’s going on?” she asked.

  Dr. Michaels inquired placed a hand on her forehead before inquiring, “How are you feeling?”

  She looked at him and back at Ethan. “I’m fine. Is there something wrong?”

  “Not at all,” the doctor replied. “Any pain or discomfort?”

  “No. You’re making me nervous,” she complained then looked shifted her gaze. “Ethan, you look weird, what’s going on?”

  Ethan perched beside her on the bed and took her hand. Camila was about to leave when he signaled her to stay.

  The doctor told Kristen that if she felt any discomfort while Ethan spoke with her, she should tell him at once.

  “I have something to tell you, but I don’t want you to be upset,” Ethan said gently.

  “Tell me and stop stalling.”

  “It’s about Hailey.”

  Her voice came out sharp. “What about my daughter?”

  “Before the accident, she went to live with her grandmother.”

  A line creased her forehead. “Why?”

  “Helen had filed for custody. The hearing is in two weeks.”

  A grimace crossed her face and she closed her eyes. “Custody? She is taking my daughter?” she leaned back against the pillow and took several deep breaths. “What else.”

  Ethan looked at the doctor before continuing. “The good news is we’re getting married one week from today.”

  “I need to speak with Helen,” Kristen stated.

  “That’s not a good idea. She doesn’t know you’re awake,” Ethan told her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “We’ll get Hailey back. Don’t worry. They can’t take her away without reason. Just concentrate on getting better and we’ll surprise them in court.”

  “She did this before my accident? She must be gloating now, thinking she’s won. Right?”

  “Something like that.”

  “What do I need to do?” she asked, her voice like steel.

  “First, we get married as planned and then we take Hailey home. I don’t think Helen expecting you to turn up.”

  The conversation went without a hitch and Ethan felt he could have told her why they were getting married. Kristen never asked or seemed to make the connection between the custody battle and them getting married.

  Dr. Michaels gave her release for the following day, with a firm promise for checkups twice per week. Kristen went to sleep shortly after the discussion, which gave Ethan time to call Mark to arrange a meeting with the three of them. Kristen hadn’t yet spoken to him since she had lost her memory. Now was a good time to get her reacquainted with her lawyer. After filling Mark in on the developments, Ethan made the wedding appointment at the town hall.

  Chapter 17

  So, this is home. Kristen walked around the house, opening doors and inhaling the scent of what was supposed to be her house. Ethan followed behind her like a mother hen, but that didn’t bother her. She would have been more concerned if he hadn’t.

  “I think you should go to bed now. It’s been a long day,” he said.

  “You’re right,” she agreed as it was near ten-thirty in the night. “I’ve been doing this for hours and still nothing.”

  “The doctor said not to force it.”

  It was of no use. She’d come home from the hospital around two in the afternoon. They’d taken her from the hospital in a private ambulance Ethan acquired. She was detached as though she was still comatose. This, Ethan explained, was the perfect ploy to throw off his mother.

  Both Camila and Ethan had been with her as she took her first tour of the house. Hours later, she was still trying to remember her own house. She could tell that she belonged there, but no memories surfaced. She was in a study which apparently belonged to her late husband.

  Willing herself not to become frustrated, she closed the door to the study and turned to her fiancé. Kristen was still weak from her accident, so Ethan assisted her up the stairs. He saw her inside and was about to close the door when she held it open.

  “Aren’t you coming in?” she asked.

  He gave her a strange look. “We don’t share the same room.”

  “Oh.”

  “Goodnight. I’ll be across the hall if you need me,” he said.

  As he turned to go, she took his hand and pulled him inside with her. Ethan expressed his surprise as she closed the door and wound her arms around his neck. Before he could say anything, she tipped her head and pressed her lips to his.

  When she stepped back, he asked. “What was that for?”

  “I don’t know. That’s what couples do, isn’t it?”

  He hesitated before replying. “Yes…”

  “I’ll be back in a minute,” she smiled and headed to the bathroom. “Don’t go anywhere.”

  While alone in the bathroom, Kristen took a moment to catch her breath. Each time she was around Ethan, whenever they were in close contact, she found she could hardly breathe. Her body now tingled and her heart was beating wildly.

  When she had pressed up against him, she’d felt his heart thud against his chest. He must feel the same, right? We’re engaged; therefore it stands to reason we’re in love.

  Kristen brushed her teeth and changed into a nightshirt she found hanging behind the bathroom door. After brushing her hair, she checked her appearance in the mirror. Her only complaint was the bandage wound around her head. Gingerly, she reached up and touched it. Underneath was a cut with stitches on the left, close to the front. From what she learned, she bumped her head against something heard. That may have been the cause of the memory loss.

  “When will I remember? What am I forgetting?” she whispered.

  A smile played on her lips as she realized that even though she could not remember the man himself, she remembered the feelings between them. She had no doubt that they were a happy couple about to be married. What else could it be? With that in mind, she exited the bathroom. Ethan was perched on the edge of the bed and as she entered, he stood.

  “You OK?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she replied, her voice c
roaky.

  Slipping under the covers, she watched Ethan as he bent and tucked her in. What she really wanted was for him to join her. That was the plan. However, she found she was quite too shy to ask him to.

  “Goodnight,” he whispered, kissing her forehead.

  Before he could straighten himself, she gripped his shirt. “Don’t go.”

  “Kristen, you don’t know what you’re asking.”

  “Please stay with me. I don’t want to be alone,” she murmured.

  Ethan’s eyes deepened their shade, as he traced her chin with his finger. “Are you sure you want me to stay… here… all night?”

  Kristen nodded and swallowed. “I’m sure.”

  “You know it’s going to be difficult not to… you know…” he said.

  Kristen raised her head and searched his eyes. “Are we supposed to be waiting for our wedding night or something?”

  “We never discussed it,” he replied.

  Her eyes widened. “You mean we’ve never had sex?”

  “Well… not entirely…”

  “Then what’s the problem? Is it because of my accident?” When Ethan offered no answer, she touched his face. “I want you to stay with me, here… in this bed,” she whispered.

  Without a word, he eased from the bed and kicked off his shoes. He skipped to the empty side of the bed and lay atop of the covers.

  “Aren’t you changing out of those clothes?” she asked.

  He stared at her with his lips slightly parted as though he wanted to say something. She stared back, willing him to change. Silently he rose, gripped the hem of his t-shirt, and pulled it over his head.

  Her eyes were glued to his muscles as they rippled with his movements. Sticking out her tongue, she ran it over dry lips. Kristen could not peel her eyes away as Ethan unbuckled his belt and unzipped his jeans. When he stepped from the garment, she gasped at the magnificence of him.

  What a beautiful specimen! she inwardly exclaimed.

  Only clad in his boxers, he slipped under the covers. As though craving his nearness, she immediately snuggled next to him. Slipping her hand across his waist, she rested her head on his chest, hearing the erratic pace of his heart. His heat seeped into her in a comforting way. She liked the way his body felt when she hugged him. Her heart also raced as her own body temperature increased.

  Kristen would have liked for Ethan to kiss her, or touch her, but soon her eyelids drooped. Those damn meds were working. She almost wished she hadn’t taken them. Now, she was drifting off to sleep just as she was imagining Ethan kissing her nipples.

  The room was dark. Ethan must have turned the lights out. Slowly her eyes adjusted to the dimness in the bedroom. The covers were off, and rightly so because the room was warm enough without them. She made out the outline of Ethan, lying on his side with his back to her.

  Without thinking, she traced his spine with the tip of her index finger. He groaned in his sleep and turned on his back. With a smile, Kristen inched closer. Her eyes cruised his form, making out his erect manhood inside his boxers. A ball of heat slammed her in the lower abdomen. Her hand itched to touch him, to feel his hot skin beneath her fingers. Her lips became dry with the need to taste him.

  Turning away, she tried to go back to sleep but his current was pulling her to him. Though he was asleep, their close proximity created an energy field that threatened to overwhelm her.

  Her breathing became shallow and her body burned. She tossed a few times, running her slippery tongue over her lips. Her nipples were taut against the nightshirt, which now felt like a trap. Wanting to be rid of it, she wiggled herself free and tossed it across the room.

  Now that she was free of her nightshirt, she was doubting her decision to take it off. Instead of feeling cooler, now that she was naked, all she could think of was feeling Ethan’s skin next to hers. The need was so great that she could not resist getting closer until his arm was brushing her breast.

  She moved a little, causing the nipple to rub his upper arm. A thrilling sensation coursed through her at the contact, and she was compelled to repeat it. Needing more of this, she pressed her length into his frame, feeling the heat of his skin on hers. Her hand came up and she splayed her fingers on his chest.

  “Hmm,” he murmured in his sleep.

  What are you doing, Kristen? she asked herself. A voice came back to her, You’re seducing your fiancé in his sleep. Halting between rousing him completely, or continuing her foreplay, Kristen lightly traced the contours of his pectoral muscles. He murmured once more and shifted, his face turning toward hers.

  Their faces were now so close that she felt his hot breath on her skin. With his lips slightly apart, his lips beckoned to her. Edging closer, she stuck her tongue out and ran it along the rim of his bottom lip.

  Ethan’s eyes shot open and she drew back, her heart drumming heavily. His eyes widened as they stared at her.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, his voice slurred from sleep.

  “Making love to you, what else?” she whispered.

  “Are you crazy?” he whispered back.

  In response, she closed in once more, this time joining their lips together. He groaned and gripped her shoulder as though he wanted to push her away. Kristen was unrelenting. She plunged her tongue between his lips, pressing her body up against him.

  Ethan broke the kiss, his breath shallow. “Kristen, what…” he started to say, but she was past talking.

  With one push, he was on his back. Before he realized what was happening, she slid on top of him and took his lips once more. She wasn’t sure if he opened his mouth to protest or deepen the kiss, but she took full advantage to take his tongue.

  Ethan folded his arms around her, pulling her close, their bodies igniting each other. With one smooth move, he had her on her back. The movement broke the kiss, just for a moment, before Ethan dipped his head and licked her top lip. He then licked the corner of her mouth with his hot tongue. Kristen whimpered, begging for more.

  “I can’t wait any longer,” she whispered, trying to reach between them.

  His glorious cock was digging into her pelvis and her vagina was calling for it. She wanted… no, she needed to feel him inside her and she knew he wanted her by the way it was pulsing.

  “If we do this, there’s no turning back,” he grunted.

  “Shut up and fuck me!” she shrieked.

  Ethan chuckled. “So hasty,” he murmured, bending his body to take a nipple between his lips.

  Kristen writhed beneath him, her impatience evident. Her body was scorched, while between her thighs was sticky. Ethan took his sweet time nipping and tucking her nipples, sending shockwaves through her.

  “Oh,” she breathed when he reached between them and parted the crotch of her panties. His index finger brushed the tip of her clitoris, causing a rush of current to course through her.

  Kristen was getting frustrated with Ethan’s delay. Forcing her hand between the two of them, she pushed her hand inside his boxers, closing it around his hard cock. Ethan sucked in a breath as she caressed its length. He tried to push her hand away but she refused to let it go.

  “Stop doing that, or I’m going to come in your hand,” he said.

  “Then stop messing around and get it inside me.” With that, she wiggled free from her last piece of restraint, then wrapped her legs around his thighs. He also freed himself of his underwear.

  Impatiently, Kristen took his cock and brought it to her opening. Ethen pushed his pelvis forward, allowing his thickness entry. He pulled back just an inch, then slid into her sweetness once more.

  As though on cue, they began moving their hips together. His cock slid in and out of her with each thrust of his hips. She felt the bumps on his member rubbing her vaginal walls, creating such ecstasy, it made her want to scream.

  Beads of sweat formed on Ethan’s forehead. Kristen’s skin flushed and glistened with moisture. Their groans and sighs melded together to create their own music of passion.


  As Kristen moved her hips beneath him, images of a night such as this flashed through Ethan’s mind. This very bedroom, eight years ago. The same passion, the same sounds, the same feelings filled his heart the way it was happening now.

  His body stiffened for a second as he realized why Kristen had been angry with him. “I love you,” he’d whispered to her eight years ago as they’d clung to each other.

  Now, as the memory of the past rushed back, she wound her arms around his neck, much the same as that night. Their lips found each other just like before. The feelings running through him multiplied, much more intense than they were that night. It was so much, that he felt the eruption deep inside his belly.

  Kristen arched her body as a spasm ran through her. She gripped him tightly, sucking his cock deep into her cavern. Ethan was sinking and there was no saving him. His back stiffened as his explosion came.

  “Ahhh!” they both released together like a chorus, singing their own tune.

  They lay still for a few minutes after the storm, then Ethan rolled off Kristen onto his back. They both were breathing rapidly. She turned and rested her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes.

  “Did I hurt you?” he asked, concerned.

  “I’m great… that was great… I feel… gre…” her voice trailed off and he knew she was tired.

  Dr. Michaels had warned about overexertion and this certainly qualified as that. Her light snores drifted up to him and he pulled her close. His mind began going back through time, back to that night.

  How could he forget something so beautiful, so special? He’d visited after being away since the wedding. It was two years since he’d known Kristen and one year since she married his brother. He knew she had no idea that Andrew was his brother, but it didn’t make the fact she married him any easier to handle.

  He’d stayed away almost a year after the wedding. The day after he returned, his older brother summoned him over. They talked about the family and their childhood. Then Andrew insisted on having a scotch, a drink Ethan detested.