by Hope Navarre
He lifted and twirled her around. “I’m good with that.” He planted her on her feet once more. “So, do you have plans for the next few hours? Looks like I need some bedroom furniture.”
“You need lots of furniture. Do you want new? Antique?”
“First I need a mattress and box spring. We can figure out the rest from there.”
“I know the place. Let’s go to East Hampton.”
An hour later, they were moseying down the mattress aisles. The sales guy, a most accommodating young gay man who seemed more than eager to help Cassie find a mattress for her handsome partner, had her laughing out loud since he was making no effort to hide his delight in the idea of bedding Peter.
He tapped the pillow top of a king-size mattress. “Don’t go by the sparseness of this showroom. Imagine this with six-hundred-count satin sheets, lots of down pillows, mosquito netting and candles lit all over the room—then lie on it.”
Peter held up a hand. “Okay, Enrique. You can stop with the visuals. We’ll take it from here.”
Enrique immediately deflated, but perked up and did one of those two-finger gestures from his eyes to Peter’s and Cassie’s. “Okay, then, but I’ll be watching you two. Just wave when I can answer any questions. I’ll give you our best price.”
Peter chuckled when they walked away. “If Gil and Rudy lived here I’d send them to this place for a bed. They’d get along great.”
“Your brother must be a hoot.”
“He’s the best. I miss him.”
Peter tossed himself onto a fancy, body-contour mattress. “I always wanted one of these.” Lying flat on his back, he opened his arms. “Come on, darlin’. Hop on. Let’s see what both our weights do to this one.”
Cassie glanced back at Enrique, who was watching them with a huge grin on his face. She figured, what the heck? And dove right on top of her boyfriend.
Two hours later, Cassie helped Peter unload the new bed from the back of the pickup. They had borrowed a dolly to help wheel it in because there was no way she could help lift that mattress. Those dense foam beds were heavy suckers!
On the way home, they’d stopped for Japanese takeout, which she’d tucked into the kitchen for safe keeping until they unloaded the truck. They placed the bed on the wall opposite the windows. Cassie opened the windows and turned the overhead fan on high. “Let’s air the mattress a bit before making the bed.” She turned to Peter. “Do you have bedding?”
He opened the trunk beneath the window. “Sheets. Comforter. Favorite pillow.” He tossed them one by one onto the bed. He shot her an embarrassed glance. “Going to need more pillows.”
She grinned. “Next run into town.”
“I think the bed aired pretty well driving home in the truck bed. That’s why I removed the plastic from the top. Let’s throw it together.”
Helping him make the bed felt so...domestic. The ease with which they interacted seemed to be second nature with them both. They didn’t bump into each other, or take up each other’s personal space, and they chatted easily and endlessly with each other. Even in the sporadic silences that fell between them, the comfort level was huge. She’d become acutely aware of each moment they spent together, as if her excitement at being in his company was some fantasy. It couldn’t be real. Peter Chapman and everything about him felt way too good. And, look here. He made hospital corners with the bedsheets just like she did. She couldn’t help but grin as she fluffed the pillow in its case and placed it at the head of the bed.
“Definitely need more pillows.”
He came up behind her and kissed her neck, careful of the small bandage covering the swollen node. “You smell so good.”
She turned in his arms. “Nothing like perspiration after a long afternoon to turn a guy on.”
“How did you know?”
Oh, God. That smile. “I was kidding.”
He stole a kiss. Short but sweet. “Everything about you turns me on.”
His whispered words slid down her back in little erotic tingles that tickled her senses to life—as if they weren’t already on full alert. She recognized the emotions pooled in his dark eyes. Part disbelief, part enchantment. She understood exactly how he felt. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“That we should mess up this properly made bed.”
She let a grin play on her lips. “We can always use the pantry if you prefer.”
Peter lowered his mouth to hers. “We can try the pantry later.”
He kissed her mouth, slipping his hands along her nape, deepening the kiss and stealing her breath. He kissed beneath her chin, down the column of her throat. He undid the top button of her blouse, exposing a small mound of creamy skin above her bra. He kissed her there.
Sliding both hands underneath her shirt, he caressed her back, taking a firm hold, then slid down to his knees on the floor. Pushing the hem of her shirt up with his nose, he kissed her belly, her navel, the soft skin along the low waistband. He gently took her hands and sat her on the bed, leaning her onto the mattress. Holding her by the hips, he pressed his lips to the soft denim covering her button fly. He took a deep breath, a small shudder running through him. He followed with pressure kisses along the downward seam of her jeans. Pulling her hips closer, he buried his face into the denim at her inseam, sliding his hands up to her waistband to pull her down onto his face.
Cassie gasped and arched against the bed. “Peter!”
He looked up, his eyes smoking with desire. “Do you not like this?”
A hoarse laugh escaped her lips. “Oh, no. It feels incredible.”
He smiled. “Good.”
Breathlessly, she said, “We need condoms.”
He seemed to sober. “Ahhh.”
She bit her lower lip. “I’ll get on birth control immediately. I promise.”
He grinned. “That means I can claim you for mine?”
She covered her eyes with her hands as if embarrassed. “We covered that territory already. Are you going to make me wait?”
He feathered kisses along her belly. “Not a moment longer.”
Within seconds, he returned from the bathroom, tossing the packets on the bed. With deft fingers, he snapped open the buttons on her fly and pulled her jeans off in one swift motion.
The look he gave her—as if he’d die if he didn’t have her this very second—made her want him even more. He said, “Now, no more distractions.”
His hands caressed her belly, moved up her torso, slowly electrifying her as he delved lower along her skin, returning to the sensitive areas below her waist. His palm invaded her softness with a pressure that had her throwing her head back, but she’d have none of him doing all the work. Sitting up she grasped his shoulders.
He met her gaze, shaking his head as if he did not want to be stopped.
“Shirt off!”
She grabbed the hem of his T-shirt and hoisted the shirt over his head, already leaning into the heat of his tanned, gorgeous chest.
Kissing him along the collarbone, she slid her palm down his belly and over his board shorts until she found his erection, bringing a groan of satisfaction from his throat.
Cassie’s insides melted. “Ohhh. What you do to me defies logic,” she whispered.
Peter tugged on her shirt front, popping a few buttons as the shirt tore open. “I’m not done yet, Cassie.”
His hands traveled all over her in a steadily consuming pace. He unclasped her bra, capturing her breasts with each hand. Reaching down, he tormented one nipple, then the other with his tongue. He licked, sucking softly, then hard, until she was driven to pull his head against her breast, allowing him to suckle her nipple deeper into his mouth.
“Oh, God, Peter!”
He slowed down, trailing kisses up her chest, throat, jawline, capturing her mou
th with his for a soul-searing kiss that—for her—stopped the world from turning.
He whispered against her mouth, “Cassie...”
She could hardly think. “Yes?”
“I want to feel, taste and love every inch of you. Please don’t stop me.”
She sighed, her lips nibbling his. “I couldn’t if I tried.”
“Oh, that’s good. Very good. Hold on, love, there will be no going back.”
He kissed her with a tenderness that stole her breath then slowly retraced his kisses downward along her neck, down the valley of her breasts, around and beneath each breast, in a slow, deliberate motion, driving her anticipation higher. He increased the pressure of his kisses as he moved down her torso, his hands exploring, driving her hips to lift and press against his stomach then chest as he moved lower, kissing a burning trail to the lace edge of her panties.
Peter released the hold he had on her hips to trace her lower body as his mouth kissed and nuzzled her panties, her inner thighs. Hooking his fingers on each side of the lace, he slid the delicate fabric down her thighs until she bent one knee to release the garment. He returned to kissing her legs, moving up her thighs, nuzzling the soft nest of curls between her legs. His hands captured her wrists as he breathed kisses along her skin. Licked. Kissed more. Penetrated her folds with the pressure of his lips and sought the tender skin hidden beneath. His tongue lathed her tiny bud, his lips kissing, sucking, licking, bringing Cassie to arch into his mouth. Her breath coming in short gasps, she cried out his name. Holding her wrists captive, he pulled her farther down onto his mouth, increasing the pressure, moving faster, a sigh of satisfaction rising in his throat.
Cassie screamed with the intensity of her first release, bucking and arching, her legs wrapping around Peter’s shoulders. Peter refused to free her hands, continuing the splendid torture while she rode her orgasm to completion. After the trembling began to subside, Peter gently released her hands, caressed her legs, her inner thighs, then reached to undo his shorts.
“You are so very beautiful, Cassie.”
She lifted her arms for him. “Peter...”
He laid a hand on the flat of her belly. “Shush, love. Stay. We’re not through.” He rolled on a condom and pulled her up farther across the bed. Holding himself over her, the look of love in his eyes made her want to cry.
“Peter, I never knew I could feel like this.”
“I did, I just never thought I’d find you.” He lowered himself between her legs as if he were a man coming home.
She opened for him. “Oh, God, Peter. Don’t make me wait.”
He entered her with a shudder that rocked them both. Laying his full weight on her, he captured her hands once more, stretching her arms over her head. He pushed deeper into her, moving with an urgency he could no longer contain. Cassie moaned. Whispered his name. Let him drive her further and further into the spiraling world where only he mattered.
His gaze commanded hers. “Cassie.”
She opened her eyes, feeling drugged with want. He was so magnificent above her. She smiled, etching his face, this moment, in her mind. “Yes?”
He shook his head as if disbelieving the electricity passing between them as he slowly and deeply penetrated her again and again. “Ahh, God. I am going to love you all night long. I can’t stop... I can’t believe... You. Are. Mine.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
MONDAY MORNING CAME way too soon, and it was already nine o’clock. Thank goodness she had the day off. Peter, however, had to show up at work by eight this morning, and she wondered how he had managed. She had left his bed at three.
She should have stayed over, but she wasn’t ready yet. Even though last night sealed the deal for her in her commitment to him, caution still hovered in the back of her mind. She’d never felt so attached to a man so quickly. Would she call that love? Love was a pretty serious word. And she had other issues to think about right now other than falling in love. Pointedly, Doc promised to have the results of her biopsy today. He was going to text her when they were in.
Her hand trembled as she reached for her phone from the night table. No messages. Shit. This was going to be a helluva day. Just because cancer was in her family, it didn’t mean it had to hit her. Maybe she’d get lucky and dodge a bullet. Then she could concentrate on how she felt about Peter and maybe make some history with him.
Wow. That was a big step for her independent spirit. She hadn’t thought about tethering herself to another man in ten years. Now she found herself cursing her rotten luck for meeting someone wonderful like Peter now. She padded to the bathroom and started the tub. A nice long soak before meeting Doc would help get her equilibrium together.
* * *
HER PHONE PINGED a received text just as she entered the E.R. and saw Peter standing by the nurses’ station notating a chart. With a strong and well-built body like his beneath those scrubs, plus an excellent profile and great head of hair, she wondered how anyone could watch him and not be mesmerized as he concentrated on the task. Goodness, she had a bad case of crush going on!
Cassie didn’t have to look at her phone to know the message was from Doc. Peter looked up, and she swallowed the lump rising in her throat, plastering a smile on her face. The way he zeroed in on her over anyone else in the unusual flow of people in the hall seemed like he had her on his radar.
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
She felt bold enough to peck him on the lips. “Going to see Doc. Moment of truth.”
He grabbed her hand. “I’ll go with you.”
“No, honey. Thanks. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
She could tell he was reluctant to let go of her hand. Instead, he put down the chart. “Cassie...”
She gave a little tug. “Don’t worry. I’ll find you when I’m finished.”
Doc was on the phone when she knocked on his open door. He waved her in. Taking the chair in front of his desk, she noted her open file. Doc’s pen lay on the pathology report, and she reached for it. Doc held up a stopping hand. She took the sheet anyway.
“Let me get back to you, Kent. Thanks.” Doc hung up the phone and remained silent while she read the report. She appreciated his respect while her heart just about exploded in her chest.
Atypical cells...
Findings are most consistent with classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma...
She let the sheet drop to her lap.
“I have cancer.”
He didn’t even blink. “At least it’s the good kind of Hodgkin’s. If you have to get lymphoma, Hodgkin’s is the one.”
Her stomach lurched. She wanted to vomit but swallowed hard, concentrating on pulling at least one single breath into her lungs. She wasn’t going to make an ass out of herself in front of Doc.
She choked back the panic rising in her throat. Her mind screamed, breathe!
With half a voice, she asked, “What now?”
“We conduct a CT scan and find out where the cancer is located.”
Doc was all calm and medical in his response. Acting as if she weren’t silently freaking out in front of him. She appreciated that. If he responded with sympathy, she probably would have burst into tears.
She swallowed again. “When?”
“Have you eaten anything today?”
“Breakfast around nine-thirty.”
He looked at his watch. “I already checked upstairs. They can fit you in around four. I don’t want you to wait for an answer.”
She managed a smile. “Sure helps to know folks in high places.”
“Anything for my girl.”
Cassie realized her knees would give out if she tried to stand. She braced her herself on the arms of the chair.
Doc came around the desk. He smoothed her hair. “You okay?”
Damn. T
he sympathy. She shook her head, tears suddenly threatening. “I’m scared out of my goddamn mind, Doc.”
He hunkered down to meet her at eye level. “Cassie. You’re strong. We’ll beat this.”
Like a breaking dam, tears flooded. She swiped at them, then realized she wouldn’t be able to stop the flow. “This news will kill Mom and Dad. I don’t want to have to deal with the looks on their faces when I tell them.”
He cupped her chin with a hand. “I’m not worried about your parents right now, Cassie. I’m concerned about you.”
She sucked in a ragged breath. Oh, God. Her insides were freezing. Rubbing her arms she said, “I’m okay. I’m okay.”
“Do you want to go home?”
That shocked her back to reality. She didn’t want to alert her family until she had all the facts. If she went home now, she’d be a blubbering idiot.
“Oh, no. No. Maybe I can help around the E.R. until four.”
“Okay, but it’ll be best if you go home after the scan.”
Feeling numb, she nodded. “Okay.”
“I’ll come with you to tell Bobby and Beth.”
“God, no, Doc. If they see you coming, Dad will probably have a coronary. I have to make this news as nonthreatening as possible.”
“We’ll have more details by end of day with the CT scan. Why don’t you go do a few rounds and get your mind off this as best you can?”
She released a held breath. “You trust me to work as rattled as I’m feeling?”
He stood and held out his hands. “Even when rattled, you operate better than most nurses at the top of their game. I’m not concerned.”
His confidence in her helped allay her fears. Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The good kind, instead of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Was there really a good cancer? She’d have to accept that there was and be grateful the lymphoma she had was treatable. She took his offered hands and stood.
“Don’t eat anything, Cassie. Just water until four.”
“Believe me, I so want to throw up right now that I couldn’t eat if I tried.”
Doc laughed. “Well, please don’t puke on our patients.” He opened his arms. “Come here, kid.”