“Oh baby, you’d better.” His whole body felt kinda numb from the pain meds. His knee felt scrambled and itchy. But that didn’t stop him from knowing he still wanted to fuck Anna. “Might be the only place we can do it for a while. We follow what Doc says, we’ll be fine.”
“That’s not a visual I need right now, thanks.” Alex came forward. “Anna, I think he means it.”
“‘Course,” Kyran said.
Anna punched both fists at her hips, still in teacher mode. “I’m the reason you’re there.”
“Not your fault.”
“Well, you’re drugged, be real.”
“I had my ass handed to me by a drugged-up coward with a crowbar, I know reality.”
She thought about it, lowered her arms. “Jeez, Kyran, you asked me to marry you after I’d puked. Ask me when you really mean it.”
“A catheter is making me pee without standing up.” He groaned thinking about it. “That trumps puking. Marry me.”
Alex groaned. “If that gets her to say yes, take note.”
Her mouth dropped open, flapping a bit like a fish for a sec. Her eyes darted to his waist. She knew why he brought up the tube going up his dick. He nodded once. Thought he did anyway.
“Ohmigod, you do mean it.” Anna looked around, back at him and slumped into the chair, head down. Her shoulders shook.
“Anna! Doc, help her.”
Hathaway moved.
She held up a hand, snorted. “Peeing…trumps…puking, who knew?” She was laughing now, loudly.
“The method of peeing does.” Why were they talking about this? Oh yeah, he’d brought it up. “Look at me.”
She raised her head, looking right into his eyes. Good. “You really mean it, Kyran? This isn’t the meds talking?”
Doing what he could to reassure her, he stared back. “Everyone but Anna out ’til she calls you back in.” He needed a minute with her.
Without a word, Hathaway cleared the room. Anna stood by the bed. She’d not answered yet.
“I mean it, baby.” He’d thought about buying her a ring when he flew into L.A., but worried that it might be too soon for her. He thought about it again when he went under, came out with the same decision. “Should have manned up and asked you to marry me a week ago.”
“You’re going to resent me,” she said.
“Not sure how you figure that.”
“Will did this.”
“Right, he did this.”
“I was going to marry him. He’s messed up.”
“So is my ex.”
“Oh god, they have to know.” She suddenly rushed to the door.
“Anna, stop.”
“Your ex called me,” she said, whirling back around. “Last night, she called, spewed something about Will and then threatened me to stay away from you with photos. She’s been acting all crazy, spouting off to the press about the two of you. Someone should stop her.”
“Not following. It can wait,” Kyran said.
Anna paced nervously. For a sec, he thought he’d puke next ‘cause she made him dizzy. “It can’t wait. Seville knew him.”
“Anna, come here.”
Her pacing halted. She came up to the bed. “What is it? You need the doctor?”
Kyran held out his left hand. “I need you to listen.”
“What, tell me?”
“My playing days are done.”
Anna took his hand, sitting herself on the edge of his bed. The bed dipped. His body didn’t move. The pillows kept his leg still.
“Kyran, are they sure? The doctors, I mean.” To her credit, she stayed focused on him, her hand clenching, but not hurting. Her support, yeah, it was there in her eyes.
“They are. It might’ve been different if I hadn’t had massive surgery on this knee already. Thing is, I’m going to need PT and time to heal. I’m going to be a bear to deal with in coming weeks, but I’ll be okay as long as you’re with me. Can’t go forward without you, you get me?”
“I do get you. I’m so sorry,” she suddenly cried, resting her forehead against his. Her tears splashed his face. “I love you, Kyran. So much that I’d take your pain and make it mine if I could.”
“That mean yes?”
“Yes.”
“Hey now, better kiss me before Doc brings in the troops.”
Anna shifted, her nose brushing his. Being careful, she kissed him twice, slipping her tongue into his mouth to give him a taste of her. She drew back, he grinned.
“I can’t believe you trumped me with your cock.”
“Hey, I take pleasing you with it rather seriously. Too bad I can’t move right now, I’d show you.” His plan worked, he wasn’t going to complain. He’d hurt for a while. He wouldn’t complain. “Love you, woman.”
“Right back at you, hero.” She was smiling now. He’d done something right. “I’ll get the others.”
She stood up, proud again. Back in teacher mode, she took charge of who came in. Alex, Derek, Doc, her friend Tracey, the cop and Phalen Maddox.
“Hey man, ‘sup?” Phalen spoke first, coming to the bed.
“Just asked my woman to marry me,” he answered.
“What do you know? The catheter line worked,” Alex said, standing by Phalen.
“Swept her off her feet,” he claimed.
Alex shook his head. “More like doubled her over.”
“Are you feeling better now, Ms. James?” Doc Hathaway went to her and touched her head. “No fever.”
“I’m good.”
“You got sick?” Tracey asked.
“A little bit.”
“Way to go, Romeo,” Phalen chuckled.
“Not my fault, asked her after.”
Anna returned to his left side, claimed her place. “I was sick because Detective Noble showed a mug shot of the suspect, Will Simmons.”
“Are you willing to verify that, Ms. James?” Noble asked. “You aren’t a witness to last night. We’d like to confirm his identity, along with Kyran Black’s statement.”
“Whatever you need, Detective Noble, I’ll help. You might also look into Seville Davis’ association with Will Simmons. Somehow the two knew each other before last night. There’s also a Detective Ron Smith in Baltimore who told me Will was missing.”
“He was going for Seville,” Kyran stated.
Noble nodded. “Witnesses said it looked that way. When he struck you, Ricky Weathers was sure Will Simmons screamed the name Anna or ‘for Anna’. He said Simmons was completely strung out on something, not even the other players could stop him.”
“Best to ask him what he meant by that,” Kyran said. “If I hadn’t kicked him, he’d have reached Seville first. My knee exploded. About all I knew after that.”
Anna held his hand. Tracey parked it in a chair.
“I think I have enough for now.” Noble stuffed his pen inside his notebook. “Mr. Maddox, you’d mentioned a phone for me to look at.”
“That okay with you, Anna?” Phalen asked her.
“What phone?” Kyran’s meds were wearing thin.
“Um, Seville sent photos to me late last night after appearing on the news. She’d flashed a huge ring. It’s weird. I think she’s convinced herself that she’s untouchable and you really are hers. Doesn’t matter what she needs to do to make everyone else think it too.”
“Fucking wacked-out exes,” Kyran thought. “Said that aloud, huh?”
Anna patted his hand. She was being good, gentle. He’d rather she be bad. Thinking of that, he watched her talk, wanted that mouth on him when he was out of this bed. “Anyway, the photos are of you with women. Lots of them, from when you played with the Sharks.”
He didn’t get it.
“Phalen, show Kyran.”
Ms. Anna James was back. She was amazing. He loved this woman.
Phalen flashed something flat and black before his eyes. He blinked. It was Anna’s phone. He’d bought it for her. The screen flashed, pictures came up.
“Fuck me.
”
He tried to sit up. Anna wouldn’t let him budge.
The pictures showed him with twelve women. Six were explicit, lots of fucking and naked bodies. He’d only dated the others because they’d left him before things got serious. He didn’t remember why, they’d just stopped taking his calls or changed their numbers a few weeks after they’d started going out.
Shit, Anna must think he was a dog. “Anna, love, these must have hurt you. I’m not like this now, won’t cheat on you. Swear on my c…ah, check, paycheck.”
“I knew about your reputation when we met. I sensed then what I know for certain now. You’re not Kyran ‘The Rebel’ Black anymore. You are Kyran Black, the man. A good man, anyone says otherwise, they can go to hell.” She pushed the phone away. “Thing is, I started wondering about something. The women in the photos, did you date them before you went out with Seville?”
“Yeah, mainly the ones in the graphic shots,” he said, growing cold.
“My fear is that Seville’s been stalking you for years, maybe even before you dated her. I think she used Max Henderson to spy on you, got these photos.”
“How you figure?”
“Phalen’s been doing some checking. Brenda Jamison, that paparazzo Max Henderson and Seville Davis go back a long time. Brenda was Seville’s cousin.”
“Was?” Detective Noble interrupted.
“We learned Max and Brenda died, by suicide according to reports. Their connections to Seville are beyond creepy.”
“Not to mention the connection to Will Simmons,” Phalen added. “That cop from Baltimore told Anna about text messages between Simmons and Jamison. Frankly, I’m thinking those suicides could have been hits made to look that way.”
Kyran felt sick. He’d started dating Seville when he’d gone into rehab for his surgically repaired knee. He’d known her before then, but hadn’t really thought of her as more than a Sharks cheerleader. She’d become a sensation, headlined magazines. At first, they dated casually. Then his knee got infected. Seville contacted Alex Grant, who found Doc Hathaway. After another round of surgery, she helped him with the best sports therapists in the country. He fell for her more because she’d been there for him. He saw that now.
If she hadn’t become needy and jealous, he might not have taken more interest in talking to the Griffins when they called. The decision to sign had ultimately saved him from a major fuck-up.
Hell, if he didn’t have an IV pumping meds into his arm and Anna at his side, he’d have puked for missing the truth that was as clear as day to him now.
“You okay?” Anna whispered, bringing him back.
“Yeah, I will be.” He squeezed her hand. “Guess our exes really are messed up.”
“Looks like,” she agreed. “Kyran, where’s your phone?”
“Have no idea. Doc was supposed to call you.”
“Both Dr. Hathaway and Alex called this morning. Not from your phone though.”
Phalen moved away from the bed. “Got an idea,” he said. He checked Anna’s phone, hit something.
“What’s he doing?” Tracey asked.
“I’m calling Kyran.” Phalen kept the phone to his ear. He grinned like he’d struck gold. “Detective Noble, take this to the ER and keep dialing. It’s going to voicemail. If you follow the ringtone, bet you’ll find it.”
“Bet I will,” Noble agreed, rushing out with the phone.
“That being done, it’s time for you all to go.” Hathaway spoke up. “My patient needs rest.” He punched something on the IV machine. Nurses had come in a little while ago and changed the bags, the drips of fluids slow and steady.
“Kyran, you take care now,” Derek Billings said. “We’ll be in touch when you get back home. Take your time thinking about my offer. If you need anything from me or the organization, you say the word. It’ll be done.”
“Thank you, sir.” Kyran watched the Griffins owner leave.
“I’m going for something to eat that’s not oatmeal,” Phalen announced. “Who’s with me?”
Anna’s stomach growled.
Tracey stood. “I am. Anna, I’ll get us a hotel room and bring back a burger or something for you. Want me to call your school?”
“Please,” Anna said.
“I’ll join you all, anything’s better than oatmeal.” Alex walked with them, everyone but Hathaway leaving. For a second, he stopped and looked at Doc. “Care to join us, Doctor?”
“My patient comes first,” Hathaway said. Everyone left but Anna and his doctor.
“What’s wrong with oatmeal?” Kyran asked.
“Not a damn thing,” Anna said. “Except in a kidney basin, then it’s pretty gross.”
Kyran laughed. It hurt. “I love oatmeal.”
“Me too,” Anna said.
She smiled again. She was happy.
He hadn’t fucked things up yet, didn’t plan on it.
“I’ll be back to check on you later,” Doc said. “I’ll sign for you to eat more than broth and gelatin.”
“You sure that’s okay?” Anna asked.
“If Kyran can convince you to marry him while laid up like this, he can eat solid food.” At the door, he paused. “I’ll sign for a resident to take the catheter out. We’ll get you out of that bed when you wake up.”
“Amen to that.” Anna pumped her fist a little. He wished he could kiss her again.
Doc left. Anna stayed. “Anna?”
“I’m still here.”
“Yeah.” Kyran’s meds were working real fine. “Love you.”
“I know.” She got up, moved around and climbed onto the bed.
“Hey.” He liked her on the left side.
“Don’t worry, not going anywhere.” She scooted close, all careful like, laid alongside of him.
This was good. His left side wasn’t so happy, but that was fine. Anna grabbed a TV remote.
“You know, I kinda like having you helpless,” she admitted.
“Not helpless. Give me an hour, we’ll fuck.”
“Ha, give me a lifetime. I’ll do more than that with you, Kyran Black.”
“Deal, Anna James. Sometime soon, that’ll be Mrs. Anna Black, by the way.” Not sure that he said that aloud, he eased back some.
Anna’s left hand took his right, careful not to touch his IV. “Someday soon, I’ll be honored to have your name.” She shifted around some, trying to get comfortable. “After a sleepless night, I’m definitely feeling my age right now. I should fix my makeup before they all come back.”
“Anna.” He closed his eyes.
“What?”
“You’re perfect, you get me?”
“Why thank you.”
“Welcome, now kiss me.”
“Still bossy, even with tubes,” she chuckled.
She did something, he didn’t know what. Felt like she faced him. “Love you,” she whispered against his cheek.
Wasn’t what he’d wanted. But it would do. His IV thing beeped, Anna snored softly.
Yeah, things weren’t so bad after all. He had Anna. She was safe. He was safe.
Kyran slept.
Chapter Nineteen
Five Weeks Later
Taking off the griffin head, Anna struggled to dig inside the now front-zipped bodice of her costume to find the keycard dangling from a lanyard around her neck. Before she could find it, the door to the new mascot dressing room opened, the man of her dreams standing inside.
Pretending her heart wasn’t beating a mile a minute and her hair wasn’t a sweaty mess, she stepped inside. The door closed, her fantasy man using his crutches to back up a few paces.
Amazing, the man was injured and still managed to look part athlete, part Celtic warrior.
“If you’re hiding from a reporter, Mr. Black, be assured you are safe here,” she said, holding onto the griffin head. “My talons are in working order.” Flashing a grin and curling her fingers, she emphasized the length of the foam talons.
With an ease that belied the thinner,
more mobile knee brace, Kyran maneuvered himself to the recliner installed in the dressing room. Granted, the mascots shared the room. At the moment, she and her man were alone.
“Not worried,” Kyran answered from the seat. “No one’s getting back here anymore without going through security or being derailed into a press room.”
Anna was relieved for the safety of players, cheerleaders, mascots, management and coaching staff. “I heard the Sharks did the same thing with their stadium.”
“As most in the league will do or have done already.” Kyran looked good in khaki pants and dark green polo shirt, a gold griffin over his left pectoral. “Come here, baby.”
Anna dumped the griffin head and shed her wings. With only the lion half left on, she walked toward him slowly. “I missed you, Kyran Black. How’d your doctor’s appointment go?”
“Things are good. We’re ready to get serious about PT,” he answered, cringing some.
She smiled, hopefully conveying her sympathy. She knew he was already working hard to recover. His new brace allowed for more flexibility, especially during the light post-surgery rehab he’d started two weeks ago. He did need the crutches to get around, but she bet he’d use a cane within a week. He was determined to get out to the field and do his job on the sidelines.
“You need ibuprofen or anything?” He’d ditched the serious meds since he didn’t like to rely on narcotic painkillers.
“No, I’m good,” he answered. “Hold up.”
Anna stayed a foot away. “Something wrong?”
“Yeah, you’re wearing too many clothes.” Even with a knee brace and in a recliner, Kyran looked sexy and confident when he gestured to her costume. “Much as I like it, the costume needs to go.”
Anna’s heart raced faster. “You realize if the suit comes off, trouble’s going to follow.”
“That’s the plan. We’ve got two quarters before anyone comes looking for us.”
She punched her hands into her hips. “Surely you’re not hinting that I should engage in a quickie right here and now.”
“With these two teams playing, thirty minutes will become an hour, there’s time for more than a quick fuck.” Reclining back a little, he gestured again. “Come on, Ms. James, be a little bad with me.”
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