“Not yet,” he answered, his hands molding her small waist, moving over gently curving hips to tangle at the junction of her thighs. Keeping his hands on her hip bones, he lowered her to the floor. Kneeling, he laid his head on her stomach, just holding her for a moment, breathing in her scent, burying his face in her womanhood as she raked her fingers across his scalp.
“I love the way you smell. Sweet. Honey and musk and woman—my woman.” His voice was hoarse, heavy with desire.
Then, his tongue began to work its magic, trailing over the flatness of her belly, the sculptured bones framing her femininity, until he was there. At the core of her. The center of everything she was.
“Oh,” she breathed, drawing out the sound as she lost herself in the perfection of his mouth.
“Damn, Kate, your taste. So sweet; so good. I could feast here forever.” He paused only long enough to inch a thick digit into her channel, then another, and pump. Impaling her, grazing her secret spot, pushing her toward completion. Urging her on until her need took control, and she surrendered.
What was this man doing to her? The sight of him, touch from him, everywhere, anywhere. Her body, her heart, her soul. Her head catapulted back as her hands dropped to his shoulders for purchase.
How could she ever have thought she could leave him?
She was a fool to think she could live without this man. It would never happen. He owned her.
All of her.
She belonged to him.
One second later, Kate buried her hands in his hair and flew. Higher and higher. Wave after wave of sensation pulsed through each nerve. She crooned his name over and over, as he steadied her, held her secure as the waves crested, pounded, roared. She rode until the tide receded and left her weak, sucking in huge gulps of air. Lost in what he gave.
For the second time that night, one word echoed in her brain. Incredible.
Kate reveled in their lovemaking. He loved her until the first, soft rays of morning bled through the windows. Her plane was scheduled to leave at noon. Cash let her sleep a few hours, then woke her with his version of morning delight.
“This is a completely wonderful way to face a less than wonderful day,” Kate whispered against his lips.
She had wonderful friends and a mountain of support. She couldn’t hold back her tears as Suzanna called to wish her luck and Ellie and Gigi texted their love and offered to fly out if needed. She couldn’t have done without it.
But her rock through it all was Cash.
They’d decided it was best if he stayed home with Suzanna while she was away. As well as she seemed to be doing with her newly found maturity, she’d had a lot on her eleven-year-old plate, and she shouldn’t miss more school. Kate would have loved having him along, but she realized being a dad took precedence over accompanying her to Houston.
Cash came with her to the airport and left her with a passionate and public kiss at the gate—this to the delight and verbal approval of passengers and onlookers—and made her promise to call when her flight arrived.
“Here’s a little something to remind you of me,” he said as he slipped a disc in her purse. “A taste of our night music. Thought you might like to listen if you get lonely.”
“So sweet, Cash. Not that I need a reminder after last night, but the music means so much to me. I’ll feel you with me when I play it.”
He flicked her nose with the tip of his finger. “That’s the point, lady.”
She placed her hand on his heart and smiled into his brilliant blue eyes, and when he leaned in for a farewell kiss, she grabbed his shirt and held on. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you more. We’re gonna beat this, I know it. You need me, you call.”
“I always need you, but there are some battles that have to be fought alone. This is one of them. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I’ll call.”
“I’m counting on it,” he said. She got in line with her boarding pass and glanced back at him.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kate’s week passed in a fog. The surgery itself wasn’t so bad, but the APBI treatments, while not as painful as the previous chemo and radiation, were no walk in the park. She slept. She hurt. She hurt badly.
The pain medication helped, but sometimes she had to simply gut it out. During those times, Kate focused on what was good in her life and tried to lose herself in memories of Cash and good times with Suzanna. His arms holding her, protecting her, loving her. Suzanna’s beautiful eyes, sparkling with the health and joy of youth. Her incredible sense of humor. Her compassion, intuitive understanding, and joy of life.
Kate was a lucky girl—blessed. With each throb of pain, she pictured the faces of those two whom she loved. Those images carried her through, gave her courage and comfort. Somehow, the time passed, and with each hour, the discomfort faded.
Friday afternoon, after the last seed of iridium was delivered to her breast, Dr. Peck came to check on her. The ordeal over, the device removed, Kate breathed a sigh of relief. If the outcome was as good as expected, she could endure recuperation and rehabilitation.
Dr. Peck visited her briefly that night, but Kate was still out of it. She wanted to know details but was addled and very tired.
“You did very well, my friend,” the doctor said to her the next morning. I think in three days you can return to the care of Dr. Carlson. From everything we can see at this point, you are cancer free.”
Tears gushed from Kate’s eyes, and a huge weight fell from her heart. “I don’t know how to thank you. You made the unbearable bearable.”
“The only thanks I want is your continued health and happiness. We’ve kept you pretty sedated, and a certain man from back home is anxious to speak with you. I spoke with him myself. He wasn’t going to give the staff a moment’s peace until he knew how you were. You may talk with him, but just for a few minutes. You need to rest.”
“Yes, ma’am. I promise.” Kate grinned.
Dr. Peck turned to leave, but turned back with a smile and one arched brow raised. “He’s hot, is he?”
Kate laughed and nodded. “Yeah, really hot. Like unbelievably, off-the-charts hot.”
The good doctor gave a muted cowgirl whoop. “Lucky you, Kate Sanders, lucky you.”
After she left, Kate found her cell. “Cash?” she asked.
“God, Kate, I know they’re taking good care of you, but I was so damn worried. How are you, lady? How do you feel?” his voice sounded anxious and relieved at the same time.
“I’m okay. The incision is pretty painful, and I feel as if my chest in on fire, but other than that…”
“God, baby, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry—it’s all good. I’m coming home Monday unless something unexpected comes up. Would you call Ellie and ask her to meet my flight?” she asked.
“No way in hell. I’m meeting you. The girls have already called, and as soon as I let them know when you’ll be home, they’ll make sure you have everything you need from your condo. You’re staying with me.”
“Cash, no. You have Suzanna and…”
“We won’t take no for an answer. Suzanna and I are going to take care of you.” Determined. Alpha. Totally Cash.
“Okay. To tell you the truth, I’m too tired to argue. If I need help—which I don’t think I will—we’ll talk about it when I get home. I expect to be able to take care of myself.”
“Kate…”
She could tell he wanted to argue. The protector instinct taking over.
“Cash, I love you. I’m hanging up now.”
Hearing him sigh, she felt a little guilty. What did it matter if she could take care of herself? If it made him and Suzanna feel better to fuss over her, she should just keep her mouth shut and let them.
“Sorry, lady. Love you, too. Sleep well.” He disconnected.
Saturday, she slept through the day except for a walkabout up and down the halls. Smiling faces and friendly encouragement met her each time she passed a
nurse or patient. It was amazing—everyone was so positive. Cheerful. It was uplifting.
Sunday, the doctors decreased her pain medication, and she had a few rough hours.
Monday, Dr. Peck went over her follow-up instructions and made sure her wounds were healing properly.
“The good news is that there is no evidence of any cancer anywhere in your body. Remember what I said about regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle. With your family history, it’s very important that you not shirk your part of the cure. Other than that, I don’t foresee any problems. Questions?”
“Not that I can think of. You’ve been very thorough and helpful. And I can never thank you enough for helping me through this. When Dr. Carlson told me I had another lump, I almost shut down. I’ve never been so terrified—my own mortality staring me in the face.”
“Kate, I see death almost every day. One thing I’ve learned is that we have no guarantees. Live your life to the fullest, take advantage of every opportunity, love with passion, live with joy, and laugh at the petty, unimportant things that come your way. It isn’t the length of time we spend on this earth that counts—it’s the journey and those we touch along the way.”
“Yes…yes, you’re right. Thank you again for everything.”
Marina Peck shook Kate’s hand warmly. “I’ll be in touch. Your caseworker is making arrangements for your flight home. A car will take you to the airport. I can’t guarantee the whole trip, but we’ll make sure you’re delivered safely through check-in. God bless you, my dear. To copy the words of one of my favorite characters—‘live long and prosper.’ ”
Kate laughed with the doctor. “You know, I never could make my fingers do that thing he did with his hands, but the thought is appreciated.”
The next morning, the staff at Anderson made sure she was delivered to a car, and the driver made sure she was delivered to her flight. She was sore, slightly stiff, but so excited to be going home that none of it mattered.
She dozed until the steward announced their arrival, and she gathered her things.
Cash would be waiting.
Waiting outside security, she saw him, tall, scanning the crowd over the heads of most of the people milling around him. When his gaze locked on hers, everything and everyone faded into the background and there were only the two of them.
This man. Hero, father, lover, friend. Brought her back to life. Saved her from demons, both real and internal. He offered her his protection, his family, a future.
She could have lived her entire life alone, but she would have missed its richness. Dr. Marina Peck’s words echoed through her mind: “Live life to the fullest, take advantage of every opportunity, love with passion, live with joy.”
Tonight, she’d begin to follow that advice. A hug for Suzanna, a nice meal, a little wine, and an evening—the first of many—in the arms of the man she loved.
And in the background, playing softly as they danced, the magic of the music of the night.
A word about the author…
A. E. Easterlin studied Vocal Performance, Piano, and Organ at Alabama College, as well as Music Education at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.
The South Florida author has been married to her husband for 48 years and has three children, two grandchildren, and three grand-dogs.
She and her husband have been business owners/partners in an industrial distribution company since 1983. Now that two of her three children have joined them, she uses her time to write emotional stories “from the heart” and indulge in her other passions for reading, travel, classic cars, and, of course, music. Everything in her life sparks an idea for a story, and there’s nothing more she enjoys than crafting heroines and heroes for the enjoyment of her readers.
Ms. Easterlin is an active member of Romance Writers of America and the local chapter of Florida Romance Writers.
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