Wrapping her arm around the little wiggle-worm, she pulled him as tight against her as possible and smiled as he chattered away about his time with “Uncle” Seth. Some details dismayed her, but in the end, she’d been impressed with the level of care Seth had managed to give Jacob. He’d gone above and beyond to make sure her son was comfortable, happy, safe and well cared for; even if that had included soda and potato chips.
“So, you like spending time with Uncle Seth?” Lucy prompted softly when Jacob had finally run out of things to tell her.
He nibbled on his lower lip for a few moments and then looked up at her, pure admiration shining in his bright, blue eyes.
“He’s a nice man, Mommy,” Jacob declared. “He’ll make a great daddy someday.”
Lucy’s breath hitched at her son’s decree. How a child so young could interpret so much was beyond her. Pride and fear warred for prevalence within her. She was proud of her baby for being so smart and intuitive, but feared what would happen if or when he learned the truth. At least she could take solace in the fact that he admired his biological father.
Seth
Seth drove to the nearest parking garage and paid for entry. He’d no more than driven to the topmost level when the smoking-hot blonde started palming him through his jeans. Of course, his body responded, his cock hardening immediately at her ministrations, but a small niggle in his gut kept rearing its ugly head.
For some reason, this would-be tryst just felt wrong, but merely on a mental level. Physically, his body was more than ready and willing to give the little gal the ride of her life.
The breath huffed from his chest when she launched herself from her seat to straddle him, her healthy rear crowding the steering wheel, which in turn, blew the Mustang’s horn. She merely giggled and leaned down to release the latch to recline his seat. When he lay flat, she crawled up and down his torso, rubbing her crotch seductively across his erection.
With surprisingly deft fingers, she released the buttons on his shirt and lowered her mouth to his beefy pecs. Throwing his head back, he groaned deeply in his throat and gave himself over to the tantalizing pleasure. But the moment he closed his eyes, it was Lucy’s face he saw. Her beautiful brown eyes smoldering with passion and it was her lush lips that nipped at his erect nipples.
He suddenly sat up, knocking the girl back into the steering wheel, again causing the horn to blare and the offensive sound to bounce loudly off the concrete columns surrounding them.
“What’s wrong?” she asked and wiggled her ass to fit more comfortably against him. Instead, he grabbed her around her small waist and hoisted her from him lap, replacing her in her own seat. Running his fingers through his hair in frustration, he hastily set about righting his shirt, groaning slightly when he noticed that she’d pulled one button loose in her haste to get him naked.
“Look, Sharon –” Seth said, turning to face her. His mind raced with a plausible explanation for why he’d reneged on something his body so desperately – and plainly - wanted.
“My name is Samantha,” she snapped angrily, insult marring her face.
Seth cringed and cursed himself for failing to pay better attention. He didn’t mean to be so callous. He was usually much smoother than this but all of a sudden he found that he really didn’t care if he’d angered her or not. It wasn’t like she was in love with him and he’d rejected her.
“Samantha,” he corrected himself. “I can’t do this,” he explained. “I’m sorry. I’ll take you back.” He finished and readjusted his seat. Turning the key, he put the car in the reverse and exited the garage. He cursed himself all during the drive back. Was he insane? Sliding his eyes toward the seething nurse in the passenger seat, he couldn’t help but wonder why a woman of her caliber would be single at all.
She was gorgeous; tall, long legs and tits to die for. Why the hell would she be angling for a one-night stand? And how the hell could he throw away a perfectly good roll in the hay so easily?
Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts jumbling around, he pulled into the hospital employee parking lot and absently nodded his head in farewell. The woman lurched from his car and slammed the door forcefully. Bending down, she gave him the middle finger and turned to saunter off, her sneakers squeaking on the wet asphalt.
“Jeez,” he muttered and shifted gears to head back to the visitor’s parking area. It wouldn’t matter if he lived to be five hundred years old, he’d never understand women. Apparently the only talent he had when it came to the opposite sex was pushing that “O” button. He was great at making them squeal, but it appeared as though he needed some work in the whole platonic department.
His thoughts shifted to Lucy and Jacob. He’d spent the past two days with a little person and found he’d actually enjoyed himself. The kid was smart, resilient and even showed some talent with tossing the old baseball around.
Seth parked and locked the car and headed into the hospital. It almost mortified him to realize he looked forward to seeing both Lucy and the kid.
Lucy
Lucy heard her door whoosh open, but after being in the hospital for a while, she’d gotten used to the nurses, lab techs and others coming and going. They checked her vitals every four hours and her I.V. bag was changed every six. It was strange how being in a hospital was supposed to make a person feel better, when in fact, it made things much worse. She’d gotten absolutely no sleep, every bone in her body ached like the fires of hell was burning inside them and now Jacob had fallen asleep against her and she needed to pee.
Expecting to see a nurse, she uncovered herself and tucked the blanket underneath Jacob so he wouldn’t roll when she got off the bed and then she gingerly eased her feet onto the floor.
“Can you help me to the bathroom?” she called softly and inhaled sharply when Seth walked up. He offered her his hand and all she could do was shake her head in argument.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I thought you were a nurse, I can make it myself,” she explained and moved to push herself to stand. The physical therapist was riding her hard about continuing her daily exercises. But no matter how many times she walked the halls, she still felt weak. The chemo and radiation were sapping what little strength she had.
“Nonsense,” Seth argued and made a noise of disapproval when she stood and swayed on her feet. Reaching forward, he caught her by her upper arms and righted her. She froze and merely stared up into his eyes. Beautiful blue, crystalline eyes stared back at her and she didn’t miss the underlying hint of lust.
“C’mon,” he murmured. “I’ll help you to the bathroom. There’s handles you can hold on to in there. I’m sure you’re strong enough to manage, if not, I’ll go hunt down a nurse.” He slipped his arm around her waist and she felt him take the majority of her slight weight against him as he shuffled beside her.
“And how would you know what a hospital bathroom looks like?” she asked to advert some of the growing tension between them.
Seth chuckled at the drollness in her voice and smirked down at her.
“I’m a professional athlete,” he reminded her. “I’ve had my fair share of breaks, fractures and wounds. I even had to have surgery on my shoulder once,” he informed her. “They had to pin my bones after resetting them. I slid into home plate and met with the catcher’s cleat instead.”
Lucy winced when she thought about the pain he must have felt. She knew he had to love his job to endure such danger and risk of injury. But then she remembered the millions he made and figured it was an even trade-off.
They’d managed to make it to the bathroom and Seth paused, allowing her to push open the door and move across into the tiled room. She waved him away and pushed the door closed against his nose.
She managed to make it deeper into the small confines of the bathroom and work herself around to sit on the toilet. She cursed herself for not letting them put in a catheter when they’d first suggested it. No, she’d refused out of pure stubbornness and pride. She’d had no idea
just how weak the treatments would make her.
Looking down at her hands, she wasn’t surprised to see them shaking. Reaching up, she wiped the slight sheen of sweat from her forehead. She contributed both to the level of exertion it had taken to get to the bathroom. Now, she faced the task of getting her bottoms and panties off and doing the actual deed.
“You alright?” Seth called from outside the closed door. “Do I need to get a nurse?” he added, his voice laced with a bit more panic. “Did you fall? Lucy, please answer me,” he asked. He didn’t wait for her to respond before the door swung open and he stood, framed in the doorway.
His dark hair was spiked and disheveled and his blue eyes were wide with worry. She couldn’t help but notice how his wide shoulders almost filled the entire empty space. His body was built more for football than baseball. She couldn’t stop the pool of lust that bloomed in her belly. Memories, long buried, rushed to life inside her and she was powerless to stop them. Sadly, she finally admitted to herself that it wasn’t lust she felt for Seth Landers; it was love.
She’d fallen in love with him the first time she’d met him. But being the shy, bookworm little sister she was, she couldn’t summon the courage to tell him. So when he offered her a night of passion, she’d surrendered to him everything she had.
She let her eyes roam from his feet upward to the rest of his body before they finally came to rest on his face. The light smattering of scruff only added to his overall appeal. Full, black eyebrows – matching his hair’s dark tone – framed his blue eyes and a strong nose, slightly crooked from a long ago break, led down to full, thoroughly kissable lips.
She blinked her eyes sheepishly and offered him a weak smile, thankful he couldn’t read her mind. She watched his shoulders relax once he realized she was alright and not sprawled unconscious on the floor. His apparent concern touched her deeply. But she couldn’t afford to think it was anything more than friendly care that prompted his uncontained panic.
She cringed at the thought of just how pitiful she looked; sitting atop the closed toilet seat, completely clothed, her face sweating and her hands shaking. Without saying a word, he squatted down in front of her and took her hands in his.
“You shouldn’t be doing this alone,” he scolded angrily and her heart sank. She missed her mom and dad so much. “Your family should be here. You deserve much more than suffering through this by yourself.”
She couldn’t help it; the tears formed and fell, leaving treks of moisture down her cheeks. All the years of pain, grief and guilt surged to the surface and she finally broke under the pressure. Once she started crying, she couldn’t stop. Great big, loud sobs of agony racked her weak body and suddenly she realized that both Seth and Jacob were holding her. Her baby running his hand up and down her prominently exposed backbone thanks to the harsh weight loss.
“It’s ok, Mommy,” Jacob whispered. “Uncle Seth and I will fix it,” he stated matter-of-factly. “Won’t we, Uncle Seth?”
“Damn straight, little buddy,” Seth agreed and Lucy shot him a disapproving glare over his choice of language. Momentarily at a disadvantage, she merely nodded her head and pulled her hand from Seth’s grip to embrace her son. She couldn’t leave him. No matter how bad the cancer got, no matter how badly it ravaged her body, she refused to give up. Her son needed her. Even if he seemed to be getting along with his father for the time being, there was no way she could know how their relationship would go if or when she told them.
They just may hate each other. Or worse, hate her.
The first step to fighting back was sucking it up; the pain, agony, desperation and weakness; it would all have to go. She couldn’t have her baby boy see her – the steadfast oak who’d always taken care of him, shielding him from every storm – fall apart from something he couldn’t even see.
Hugging her son a bit tighter against her side, she released him and raised her eyes to Seth.
“I can do this,” she stressed and inhaled deeply. “I have everyone I need.” She let the last part hang between them like a red flag. Seth’s eyes widened, but he merely gave a curt nod and opened his arms for Jacob.
“C’mon bud, Mom’s got this,” he murmured and led the little boy from the bathroom. “Call if you need anything,” he called over his shoulder. “Anything,” he repeated more sternly and Lucy didn’t miss his slight smirk.
“I think I can manage,” she quipped and pushed the door closed behind them.
It took a little time and more strength than she’d imagined, but she finally relieved her bladder, flushed the toilet and washed her hands. No sooner had she turned the water tap off than the door swung open and Seth stared at her in disapproval.
“You’re shaking all over and covered in sweat,” he observed. “You’re weak and shouldn’t be in here alone.”
Lucy waved her hand to dispel his nagging and moved toward him without taking her hands from the safety rails.
“I’m fine, just help me get back to bed, please,” she responded and smiled when he growled and took her arm. “I have a long way to go before I’m back to my old self, but I refuse to give up,” she admonished him. Pressing his lips tightly together, Seth merely nodded his head once and helped her back to her bed.
Seth
Seth glanced in his rearview mirror and studied the little boy napping in his booster seat. They’d stayed with Lucy until she fallen asleep – much to her dismay – Seth had suffered her wrath like a boss. Jacob wanted his mommy and dammit if Uncle Seth wouldn’t oblige him. From what he’d gathered, the kid had never been away from his mother for an extended period of time. Lucy’s brother and sister-in-law had sometimes babysat, but never overnight.
So far, mother and son had spent two nights apart. If staying up past the little guy’s bedtime allowed him some degree of comfort, then it was the least he could do.
After parking his rental, he made a mental note to get a bigger car as soon as possible and wrestled his big body across the folded front seat to extract the sleeping child from his harness of hell.
He impressed himself by making it all the way up the stairs, through the door and into Jacob’s bedroom before the boy even moved. Placing him gently on his Superman comforter, Seth set about removing the little red boots, cape and glasses. He figured letting him sleep in the blue sweat suit was harmless and tucked Jacob’s little legs under the covers.
Stepping back, he studied the sleeping child through the moonlight filtering in through his window. A paternal instinct he’d sworn he didn’t own rose to fill his chest. It both surprised and comforted him. He wouldn’t be able to play baseball forever, but he’d never given much thought to what he’d do once he retired.
Having a family certainly never entered his mind. He was still young, strong and too raring to go to think about settling down. But from the moment of Lucy’s phone call, something had shifted inside him. Sure, his first thought was of getting the gorgeous brown-eyed angel back between the sheets but the moment he’d laid eyes on her frail form and the shy, smaller, version of her, his thoughts had gone in a different direction.
“And thinkin’ is what gets you in trouble,” he mumbled to himself, and after giving Jacob one last glance over, turned to head toward the living room. A small framed picture sitting on Jacob’s dresser caught Seth’s eye and he picked it up for closer inspection.
It was a photo of Chris and Lucy, dated about seven months after Chris’s wedding. Amber stood in the background, bent over a cake and other women were lined up with plates in hand. Under closer scrutiny, Seth realized that Lucy was pregnant and the photo was taken during her baby shower.
Smiling at the glowing beauty Lucy was, he sat the picture back on the dresser and went on into the living room. Settling on the sofa, he grabbed the remote and began channel surfing for something good to watch. Even though it was a little after midnight, he wasn’t tired.
He awoke to the shrill ringing of his cell phone some time later. Realizing he’d fallen asleep, he fi
shed around in his pocket and pulled the device out. A glance at the time showed it to be three-forty a.m. He recognized Chris’s number immediately and answered the call.
“Hey man, how’s it goin’?” Chris drawled. “Sorry it’s so late; I just couldn’t sleep and wanted to check on Lucy. I figured you could give me a better update than the nurses.”
“She’s hanging in there,” Seth explained and did his best to tramp down the sudden anger that rose at hearing his old friend’s voice. He should have been here with his sister, not some guy she’d met a long time ago. Jacob deserved to be with family and Lucy deserved familiar people to lean on. He’d seen her discomfort at needing help to the restroom. He hadn’t minded offering that help, but he could only imagine how she felt in being forced to take it.
“Ah, I hear it in your voice,” Chris observed. “You’re pissed. Look man, I’m sorry. Neither Amber nor I could get away. Believe me, I wouldn’t have suggested Lucy call you if it weren’t absolutely necessary.”
“Why doesn’t she have any female friends?” Seth demanded and had to remind himself to keep his voice down lest he wake Jacob up. “Why is she in this godforsaken town, with a son for fuck’s sake, all alone?”
“She wanted to raise her son alone,” Chris snapped. “She was afraid someone would figure out who his biological father is. She just wanted Jacob to have a normal life.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” Seth argued. “Any man worth his salt would be lucky to have a kid like Jacob. The boy is smart, funny and talented as hell,” he stressed. “Tell me who this asshole is and I’ll have a talk with him.”
“It’s not that easy,” Chris said defensively.
“The hell it ain’t,” Seth argued more forcefully. “A man has the right to know if he has a kid, no matter who he is.” He frowned when he realized he’d sudden switched gears. First he was ready to rip the asshat apart and now he was defending this total stranger?
Wrangling the Cowboy: An Older Man & A Virgin Romance Page 21