by Nikki Vale
She looks like she’s about to reach out to grab my father’s hand but then she grimaces at the painful reminder that her arm is injured. “Of course Mr. Talbott,” she tells him.
“You truly are beautiful, inside and out,” my father says with sincerity. He touches the tip of his baseball cap in farewell towards me and Skye. He turns toward Jenny doing the same and walks out of the hospital room.
“Cooper, would you mind giving me and Skye a minute?” Jenny asks me. I nod and attempt to pull my hand from Skye’s grip but she doesn’t let me.
“You can say what you need to say in front of Cooper,” she informs her mother.
Jenny looks at me then back at her daughter and clears her throat. “I wanted to say that you and Summer were right. I’ve been covering for your sister. I knew that Dawn was angry with you because of Cooper. I had no idea she was spreading lies about you but I knew she was hurt. I didn’t know how to handle it. It reminded me too much of the situation between Harold, your father and me. I wasn’t trying to take sides, but I understood her anger and her pain,” she quietly concludes.
“Why can’t you understand how I feel sometimes?” Skye pleads.
“You’re the strong one Skye. You’ve got it together more than all of us combined. I know you’ll always make it through anything. That’s who you are, Sweetie,” Jenny explains.
“What if I don’t want to be? I don’t want to be the strong one? I want someone to hold me and tell me that everything’s going to be okay. Let me lean on someone else for a change,” Skye tells her mother. The sadness and yearning for understanding in her voice are tearing me apart.
“Is that truly what you want Skye? Because it seems to me you fight the people who want to be there for you the most,” Jenny remarks looking at me meaningfully. Skye falls silent. Jenny walks up to her, leans over, kisses her on the forehead, straightens and walks out the door.
Chapter Seventeen
Skye
She thinks I’m the strong one? That’s laughable. I pretend like everything’s alright but it’s not. But why bother to tell anyone that? They don’t really care. People ask how you’re doing all the time. It's second nature, but who really wants to hear an honest answer? No one.
Cooper is standing there looking at me with pity. I don’t want his pity. I don’t need it! What I need, is to think about something else right now.
“So your Dad and my Mom?” I say to Cooper. “Who would have ever thought, huh?” He just stands there looking at me searching for something.
“Tell me what you need,” he says simply. What I need? What is that supposed to mean? I look Cooper in his baby blue eyes and I see myself reflected back in them. He really is trying. He’s trying to see me. A few tears escape the corners of my eyes.
I scoot over to the left side of the bed as far as I can get without my wounded arm touching the protective rail. I pat the space I made on the right side of the bed. Cooper sits down.
“Lay with me,” I implore. Cooper gingerly lies down on his side facing me. I have to remain on my back because of all of my injuries but I just needed to feel him close. Without me having to ask he lays his arm across my stomach and nuzzles his head into my neck. I can feel his stubble tickling my neck and shoulder and I giggle. “Thank you,” I say and close my eyes feeling safe.
I don’t know how long I dozed but I wake to the sound of the door opening. I look to my side and see Cooper’s sleepy eyes slowly opening. He’s so cute I can’t resist turning my head and kissing him on the nose. He gives me a dopey smile.
“It looks like you made your choice grasshopper,” I hear Jon say, reminding me of why I woke up in the first place.
“Yeah, I did. Sorry,” I admit apologetically.
“No big deal. I kinda figured it was always him. The chemistry between you two is undeniable,” he surprisingly responds. “Don’t get me wrong, I felt it for you, but I could tell you didn’t return the sentiment,” he quickly explains. I can’t deny his assessment of the situation so I don’t address it.
“Are we good?” Cooper asks him, sitting up in the bed next to me.
“Always,” Jon replies. “So here’s the deal. Trixie has skipped town. We had officer’s go to the homes of every one of her relatives in town, searching for her, and no one has seen her. She doesn’t have any family outside of Acorn Grove, so she’s bound to turn up sooner or later. Skye shouldn’t go anywhere without protection, but I’m sure you’ve got that covered,” Jon says winking at Cooper.
“Yeah, it’s covered,” Cooper responds.
“I really wanted to apologize for not getting to you sooner Skye. I just thought you were taking a little longer in the bathroom because of your injury. I should have known something was wrong,” he comments, blaming himself.
“It was my fault. When you told me that you broke things off with Trixie the night of Dawn’s birthday party I remembered how she looked at me when she was dancing with Cooper and I was dancing with you; if looks could kill. Anyway, realizing this, I went into the bathroom hoping she would follow me. I thought maybe I could get a confession out of her. Well, I got much more than I bargained for,” I confess, sheepishly.
“That was a dangerous stunt you pulled. She could have killed you,” Cooper admonishes, squeezing my hand.
“Yeah, tell me about it. What’s wrong with you two anyway? Did you get magnets that attract crazy, implanted under your skin? I mean first Hailey because of Cooper and now Trixie because of Jon. And they say women are drama,” I say, trying to be funny. Neither man laughs.
“Not funny,” says Cooper.
“At all,” Jon agrees. Geesh, harsh crowd.
It won’t happen again,” I promise them both, referring to my facing Trixie alone.
“What’s the prognosis? How long till you can get out of here,” Jon queries.
“This whole fiasco set me back a week or too. The cast had to be taken off and replaced because it was broken in the scuffle. My ribs took another beating and I got thirty-two stitches in my left arm. But my lung wasn’t punctured or my nose broken this time around so things are looking up,” I joke. “Still not funny? Okay, then. I have to stay overnight because of the loss of blood. But I get to have steak for dinner tonight because the Doctor says I need the iron,” I say, giving a thumbs up. This time, Jon smiles and shakes his head.
Cooper still isn’t smiling. He’s looking at me intently as if he sees through my façade of jokes and laughter and it’s scaring me. Be careful what you wish for…….
**********
We’re leaving the hospital once again. This time, I’m not leaving on crutches but in a wheelchair. My arm hurts too much to support my weight on crutches and the doctors are afraid I’ll tear the stitches. If ever there was a time to throw a pity party now would be it. I look next to me and see Cooper with his trademark baseball cap, flannel shirt, blue jeans, cowboy boots and a toothpick in his mouth and I find that a reason to smile.
“What are you grinning at like a Cheshire cat?” he asks me.
“You,” I reply still grinning from ear to ear. I’ve noticed that he talks a lot more now, but just to me. It makes me feel special that he feels the need to share his thoughts with me. If only I could be so forthcoming.
I’m nervous about returning to Cooper’s house. Things are different this time. It won’t be two people in a platonic relationship living under the same roof. Now we’ve both admitted our desire for more from each other. That changes the game. I sigh dejectedly.
“What’s wrong?” Cooper questions with concern. Oops, I didn’t mean to sigh out loud. I was just thinking that it will be a long while before Cooper and I can be intimate with how hurt I currently am. But I’m not about to admit that to him. So I tell him a partial truth.
“I’m just tired,” I reply. He doesn’t say anything, just pulls into the driveway of his house and hops out of the truck. He removes my wheelchair from the bed of the trucks and takes it into the house, leaving the front door open as h
e returns to me. I expect it this time as he sweeps me into his arms, closes the truck door with his foot, and carries me into the house.
He sure is strong. I feel his taut muscles under my hands. “How tall are you?” I ask him curiously.
“6’3. What are you doing Skye?” he questions me in a husky voice. I blush, realizing I’ve been running my hands all over his chest as he carried me. He places me gently in my wheelchair forcing me to stop my exploration.
“You’re injured,” he remarks. Does that mean he doesn’t want me? I glance up his body, taking in the evidence of his desire before my gaze reaches his. Scratch that. He definitely wants me. Cooper is being the gentleman that he always is.
“Stop look at me like that Skye. I thought you were tired,” he accuses playfully. He walks over to the front door, closes it then walks back to me standing in front of my wheelchair. “Come here,” he says pulling the chair closer to him by the arm. He reaches out his right hand and cups the side of my face as he slowly lowers his lips to mine. He teases my lips with light brushes of his own. His finger curl into the back of my hair bringing me closer as he gently kisses my mouth nipping and sucking on my lower lip. I moan against his sensual lips and attempt to move closer. My moan of pleasure quickly turns to one of pain as I put pressure on my injured arm.
“I’m sorry, I should have known better. I couldn’t resist. It’s nice to know, though,” he tells me as he straightens back up.
“Know what?” I asked confused.
“That your lips are as soft as they look. Oh, and that you have a healthy sex drive,” he says with a knowing smile and a wink. Could he really tell that from one small kiss? Cooper starts pushing me toward his bedroom.
“Where are we going?” I ask with trepidation.
“Don’t worry Skye, you’re safe with me. I traded rooms with you. When you went to lunch with Jon I moved your things into my room because I saw how much trouble it was for you to hobble back and forth from the bathroom. I’m glad I did because it would be almost impossible to maneuver in the smaller room with this wheelchair,” he explains flippantly.
That is so sweet. I can’t believe he was giving up the comfort of his master suite to me even before we agreed to become a couple and, I was out on a date with another man. Where did this man come from?
“I also took the liberty of buying you a couple extra pairs of yoga pants. I bought them one size bigger so that they’d fit over your cast,” he informs me. I see the fruits of his labor displayed on the bed. He got me a pair of pants in every solid color imaginable.
“Where did you come from Cooper Talbott? And where have you been all my life?” I ask in awe of the man.
“I’ve been right here, waiting for you Skye,” he replies simply, leaning down to place a kiss on the top of my head. “So, what would you like to do?” he queries.
“If my chair will fit in the bathroom I’d love to have a bath. I haven’t been able to wash my body completely since the accident. I still won’t be able to get my injured arm and leg but the rest would make me happy,” I tell him.
He promptly pushes me to the archway leading to the master bath and the wheelchair fits through perfectly. I see a garden tub and separate shower. I almost start clapping in glee.
“Here’s the thing Skye,” Cooper says from behind me. “Are you going to be able to undress or get into the bathtub and wash? Not to mention getting out again, without help,” he comments, raining on my parade. I hang my head dejectedly. “I’m more than willing to help you darlin.’ You just have to be willing to accept my help.”
What else can I do? At this point, I can’t even give myself a bird bath without fear of tearing my stitches. I look at him in resignation and nod my head in the affirmative. He reaches his hand underneath my chin tilting my head back to look at him.
“You don’t have to be strong for me. Let me be the one to hold you and tell you that everything’s going to be okay,” he softly suggests, gently pulling at my heartstrings. I nod my head in consent.
Cooper walks over the bathtub and starts running the water, adding a little bubble bath. Did he get that for me or does he take bubble baths? That’s definitely a question for another time.
Cooper walks back over to me standing in front of the wheelchair. I know what he’s waiting for and I lift my arms in silent acquiescence. He gathers the sweatshirt and smoothly pulls it over my mindful of the wound on my left arm. He reaches behind me and unclasps my black satin bra. He attempts to avert his eyes but they keep straying back to the piercings adorning my exposed breasts.
“Skye, I can promise you that I’ll behave as a gentleman but I have no control over certain parts of my anatomy,” he informs me unabashedly.
“In all honesty, I think I’d be offended if you didn’t rise to the occasion in this particular situation,” I reply candidly. We smile at each other with acceptance and understanding, removing some of the awkwardness out of the moment.
Cooper gets down on his knees in front of me and places one foot on each of his shoulders. My eyes widen in surprise and he chuckles.
“Put your weight on my shoulders and lift your hips for me,” he commands. I do as instructed and he swiftly pulls my pants and underwear off at the same time so that I can lower my butt back into the chair. I look at his flushed face as he takes in my bald mound. I attempt to close my legs but I can’t with the way they’re propped on his shoulders.
“You’re so beautiful. Every inch of you is perfect,” he whispers. His words send arrows of heat straight to my core and I squirm in my seat. Cooper gets up off his knees and I observe the strain of his erection through his pants. He walks over to the bathtub shutting off the water.
“Are you ready?” he asks. I nod my head and he scoops my naked body into his arms and slowly lowers me into the warm soapy water, guiding my injured leg to the edge of the tub where it can remain propped up out of the water. I close my eyes and sigh in content as I’m fully immersed in the water.
I open my eyes in surprise when I feel a washcloth moving tenderly across my shoulders. Cooper looks into my eyes and continues his ministrations. He gently leans me forward and washes my back. Done with my back, he returns me to my upright position and glides the washcloth down my neck and over my sensitive breasts. I lean my head back against the tub and bite my bottom lip to keep from moaning. He’s gently circling the ring in my pierced nipple, as my body writhes in the sudsy water.
“Slow down baby, let me take care of you,” his voice calms me, hinting at the promise of fulfillment. I try to control my bodies urge to move against his caressing hands but it’s impossible. All pretenses of washing my body are gone when I feel Cooper’s hand minus the washcloth, against my belly. My insides tremble in response to his touch. His fingers skim over my belly and veer off to my left thigh. He gently squeezes my upper thigh and smooths his hand up and down my inner thigh brushing against the apex of my legs. I gasp in anticipation
“Please,” I hear myself beg.
“Please what?” he asks gruffly. Gently brushing his long fingers against my nether-lips.
“Please Cooper,” I’m whining and arching towards his teasing fingers.
“Please what, Skye? You have to tell me what you want,” he huskily demands, turning me on even more.
“Touch me, Cooper, please,” I plead, desperate for his touch where it matters the most right now. He smiles at me devilishly.
“Where do you want me to touch you Skye?” he asks provocatively. “Here?” he asks, moving his hand back up to my breast cupping it, and then tweaking the nipple with his fingertips.
“Yessss,” I moan in response, even though that’s not what I had in mind. He runs his hand back down my belly causing it to quiver in anticipation. His fingers stop just as they barely brush my clit. I’m delirious with need now. I can’t stop squirming and the bath water is sloshing everywhere.
Cooper puts his other hand on my chest to calm my movements. “Stay still darlin, you’re gonna get y
our cast wet. I’ll give you what you need, just tell me what it is that you want from me Skye,” he demands again.
“Touch me Cooper. Touch my pussy, please,” I beg. Cooper immediately slides his fingers across my throbbing clit and thrusts two digits into my needy pussy. “Oh God, yes!” I moan, rocking my hips against his hand. I grip his arm fucking his hand. He leans over the tub and latches onto one of my pierced nipples catching hold of it with his teeth. An unfamiliar feeling of pleasurable tension begins to build in my pelvis. I whimper low in my throat, knowing that I need something but not sure how to achieve it. Cooper brushes his thumb against my clit and starts to make small circles, all the while thrusting in and out with his other fingers. I grit my teeth as the feeling in my pelvis wraps so tight it’s almost unbearable until it suddenly releases in a burst of pleasure so exquisite I cry out. My inner muscles clench around Cooper’s fingers as wave after wave of pleasure courses through me.
“That was amazing. I never knew it could be like that,” I confess, looking into Cooper’s lust-filled eyes. He looks as dazed as I feel.
“Are you telling me you’ve never had an orgasm?” he asks in astonishment. If my cheeks weren’t already flushed I’d blush.
“I’ve only been with two other men and I can honestly tell you that what just took place has never happened before. It was the best thing I ever felt in my life! I want to do it again,” I tell him excitedly.
He laughs at me. “I’ve created a little monster,” he chuckles again. “I’m glad you’ve only experienced that with me,” he says seriously. “I’ll promise we’ll do it again sometime, but how about we finish getting you washed up and into bed,” he says with concern. I follow his gaze to see that all that excitement got some of my cast and the bandage on my arm wet.
Cooper reaches to the bottom of the bathtub finding the discarded washcloth and completes my bath as efficiently and impersonally as possible. He unplugs the bath and allows the water to drain as he walks into the bedroom to retrieve a change of clothes for me.