A Risk Worth Taking

by Melissa Klein

  While she waited for him to call her back, she peeked underneath the bag of peas. “Holy cow!” The bruising had spread and her wrist had swollen to twice its normal size. She made a call to Katie but when she got her voicemail as well she figured they were busy helping Katherine with the party.

  Abby cast a glance around her tidy but empty kitchen. Was this her future? Abby willed the tears forming at the corners of her eyes into submission. She’d managed to take care of herself for all these years and this was no different.

  It took ages for her to limp to her bedroom for shoes and her purse. By the time she made her way to the garage, perspiration had soaked her shirt. A huge part of her wanted to give up. But what choice did she have? It wasn’t like she could wait and hope her wrist healed itself. She opened the door to the car and saw her next hurdle. She’d never be able to manage to drive Grant’s car one-handed.

  Defeated, she slumped on the doorstep and stared at the pearl-colored beauty. She should have called Grant first. Shaking her head at her own stubbornness, she reached for her phone and prayed he’d pick up.

  It rang once. “Where’ve you been, my beautiful lady?” he asked, his voice laced with suggestion. He chuckled low and even with the throbbing pain in her wrist her body reacted to his words. “I know you weren’t exactly looking forward to spending time with my mother, but I was looking forward to seeing you.”

  Why hadn’t she called him to begin with? He was who she really wanted right now. Realization blended with the pain in her wrist, making her voice tight. “I need you.”

  In a flip of a switch the sultriness evaporated, replaced with a demand. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m hurt.”

  “Where are you?” Before she had a chance to answer, he barked, “Dammit, tell me where you are.”

  Her heart kicked into overdrive at his command, making her head swim. “Home,” she finally managed.

  “On my way,” he growled and the line went dead.

  She’d barely had time to trade the soupy peas for frozen corn and to pop in a couple Tylenol before she heard the scream of his bike. He must have broken a land speed record getting from Johns Creek to her home in Decatur. The backdoor banged hard against the wall, causing Abby to jump.

  His long legs chewed up the floor in a pair of strides and suddenly he was on her. His blue eyes crackled with tension as he looked her over. He hadn’t said a word, the only sound being his deep breaths.

  Abby wanted to shrink back from him. She’d never seen him angry before. He leaned forward and brushed his lips over the knot on her head.

  “God, I’ve aged a hundred years since you called.”

  She eased her good arm around his neck and breathed in his dark, masculine scent. “Sorry,” she whispered. After a chaste kiss on his cheek, she pulled back. “I’m pretty sure I’ve broken my wrist.” She pulled back the bag of vegetables and held her arm up for his inspection.

  Touching her as if she were made of spun glass, he gently ran his fingers over the bruise. But even as gentle as he was, a hiss escaped her lips. He brushed a kiss on her fingertips and then slowly guided her to the kitchen table. He shot her a look, leaving no doubt that he wouldn’t put up with any of her nonsense. “Give me the keys to your car. I’m taking you to the hospital.”

  She didn’t have the energy to raise a stink about to whom the car belonged and going to the hospital was a foregone conclusion. “They’re right here,” she answered, sliding them across the table. “I’ve just got to get my coat.”

  ****

  The only thing that made the three hours sitting in the ER waiting room bearable was Grant’s firm shoulder for her to lean on and his non-stop caresses.

  He brushed her hair back from her face and planted a kiss on her temple. “I’m mad that you didn’t call me first,” he growled low in her ear.

  She took his hand, intertwining her fingers with his. His work-worn palms brought back delicious memories of the last time they’d been together. Lust bloomed in her belly, giving her a momentary break from the pain. When they were done here, she had an idea for how to help him forget his anger. “Sorry,” she murmured into his shoulder.

  “It’s okay. You finally came to your senses.”

  She had. Grant Davis was someone she wanted in her life, in whatever shape, form, or fashion they could work out. The Atlantic Ocean wasn’t big enough to keep them apart if he was willing to make the crossing. Her independent streak wasn’t going to be a limiting factor either. She buried her face as deeply into his chest as she dared with thirty-odd people nearby. “I wish the bones in my arm were as hard as my head.”

  Grant snorted a laugh loud enough to draw the stares of several people. Ignoring their audience, he cupped her chin. “I love how you make me laugh,” he told her, his blue eyes snapping with excitement.

  Abby’s heart clinched. It was the first time either of them had used the L word. Did that mean he loved her? She knew she was falling in love with him. So hard it scared her.

  “Abby Roberts.”

  She welcomed the interruption. The ER wasn’t the location she’d envisioned when she finally worked up the courage to let those three words leave her lips. Grabbing Grant’s hand, she followed the nurse back to an examination room.

  Two hours, a wrist X-ray and a CAT-scan later, Abby was crawling the walls. After the initial examination, they’d given her something for the pain, but hours later, it had worn off. “How was your week with Grace?”

  He brushed back a lock of her hair, tucking it behind her ear. “Don’t feel like you have to talk. I know you’re hurting.”

  She shook her head. “No. I want to talk. It keeps my mind off the pain.” Her throbbing wrist wasn’t the only thing on her mind. Though she’d come to the realization she wanted to continue seeing him after she left for London, Abby needed a distraction from all the other obstacles they still had to face.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, brushing a hand through her hair. When she nodded, he continued. “We had a great time, just the two of us hanging out. Her vocabulary is growing even though she still isn’t talking.”

  “That’s good.”

  He offered her a tender smile. “It is, but I can’t help wishing things were different.”

  More than anything she wished she could ease his worry. While she knew giving him another child might alleviate one of his concerns, she wasn’t in the place to make that offer. Still, she couldn’t prevent the tide of regret washing over her. Abby turned her head so he couldn’t see her swipe at her tears.

  One thing she didn’t regret at this particular second was keeping the “I love you” to herself. Fortunately, before Grant noticed her tears an orderly came to take her to the Cast Room. Abby leaned her head back on the bed and closed her eyes as he wheeled her into the hall. There was a big gap between realizing how much she loved Grant and making the leap to actually telling him.

  ****

  What felt like an eternity later, the glass door to the ER cubical slid open, jerking Grant to attention. He dug his fists in his eyes to roust himself as the nurse wheeled Abby into the room. “They gave her a sedative to set the bone, so she’ll be groggy for a while.”

  As if to prove the woman wrong, Abby perked up. “When can I go home?” she slurred.

  The nurse locked the wheel chair in place and helped Abby back onto the gurney. “In a while, Ms. Roberts. I can’t let you leave till you’re more awake.”

  “I’m good. Tell Jason Willoughby he gets an A from Ms. Roberts.” She eyed Grant with a lopsided grin. “Of all the orthopedic doctors in Atlanta, I had to get a former student.”

  A grin played at the nurse’s lips. “I’ll be sure to tell the doctor.” Then she turned to Grant. “Is there someone who can stay with your friend when she gets home? She doesn’t have a concussion, but she’s going to be pretty sore for a few days.”

  “She’s my girlfriend. I’ll be looking after her.” Whether she wants me to or not. Grant pulled up th
e thin blanket then pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Lay back and rest. The medicine will wear off faster if you don’t fight it.”

  Abby shook her head but halfway in her attempt to sit up she slumped back and was out. Grant clutched her good hand. “Damn stubborn woman,” he murmured.

  Grant took in every inch of her while she slept. How had this force of nature tilted his world off its axis? In three months his life had gone from barebones to a beautiful, complicated mess. Leaning over the bedrail, he pressed a kiss lightly on her lips. “I love you, beautiful lady.”

  Her eyes fluttered for a moment then stilled. Thank fuck. As much as he wanted to tell her, his gut told him she wasn’t ready to hear it.

  After God only knows how long Abby stirred. “Grant,” she called weakly.

  “I’m here, baby. Are you in pain?”

  “No, just groggy. I don’t do pain meds well. Please tell me I haven’t been giving the staff a hard time.”

  He couldn’t resist. “No more than usual.”

  Abby covered her face with her cast arm. “Please take me home.”

  Grant pushed the nurses’ call button. “I’m all over it, babe.”

  It took another couple hours, but finally he eased the sedan onto her driveway and killed the engine. “Wake up, sleepyhead.” Scooting around the front of the car, he snagged the door just as she unfastened the seatbelt. “Let me get that, will you?”

  Just once he wished she’d let him take care of her without a fight. He reached across her body, unlatched the belt, and before she could wiggle her way out of the deep leather seat he scooped her into his arms.

  “It’s my wrist that’s broken, not my legs,” she murmured.

  “Humor me,” he said, carrying her through the house. When they reached her room, his eyes shot to her bed. God, their love making had been sweet. Sensing how she guarded her privacy, her trust had bowled him over. As he’d promised from the first, he’d take things at her pace. So, as much as it killed him to leave, he had.

  Grant thumbed toward the bathroom. “Do you need some help getting ready for bed?”

  A beautiful blush bloomed on her cheeks. “No, I’ve got it.”

  He pointed to the bathroom. “I’ll wait while brush your teeth and whatever else you need to do.”

  “I won’t be but a minute.” She hurried across the hardwood floor.

  Grant ran through his game plan while he waited. There was no way in hell he was leaving her tonight, even if he slept in the chair in her room. He’d been toying with the idea of stripping down to his boxers and crawling into her bed when the bathroom door opened.

  The bright pink cast did nothing to take away from her sex appeal. Wearing the same tank top and sleep pants he’d seen the day they’d gone out on his bike, she quickly slipped beneath the covers. After propping her arm up on one of the many pillows that decorated her bed, she turned to him. “I think I’m set for the night.”

  Grant ignored the dismissal. “Not a chance.” He toed off his shoes and eased himself down onto her bed. “I’m not leaving you tonight.”

  She sank deeper into the bed. “Suit yourself. I’m too tired to fight.” The comment held little weight since he caught a glimpse of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Keeping the pillow under her arm, she rolled over on her side. The fire in her whiskey-colored eyes had softened. “Take your clothes off and get under the covers.”

  He didn’t have to be told twice. With a kiss on the tip of her nose, he turned out the light. When he imagined the first night in her bed, he hadn’t planned on a pink cast getting in their way and her loopy from pain meds. But since when did any of his plans with her work the way he thought. Tomorrow was probably going to be no different.

  Chapter 17

  Abby woke drenched in perspiration. Damn hot flashes. She scissored her legs to kick off the covers, but something heavier than the comforter had her hemmed in. Oh! As the heat from Grant’s body burned through the remains of sleep and medication, her memories of the night before resurfaced.

  This was a first for her. Any sleepovers had taken place at the man’s place. She rolled to her side, careful not to bump him with her cast. Sleep erased the hard lines, making him look younger than his forty years. She traced her finger lightly over his cheeks and down to the cleft in his chin. How had she managed to wind up with such a hottie?

  She glanced over at the clock. While it was past time to let Grant know how she felt about him, it was still too early to call Jackson and Katie. After she took care of one more thing, she’d call them. Over muffins and coffee she and Grant would simply explain their relationship. While she didn’t have a crystal ball, she felt good about where she and Grant where. Surely Jackson and Katie would be happy for them.

  She leaned over to run her tongue along his whiskered jaw. “Good morning, Prince Charming.” He moaned and snuggled closer, bringing her in contact with his erection. “I see you’re a morning person,” she laughed, kissing him again.

  This time he pulled her into him hard, grabbing her cast as he did. “Oh shit, Abby. I’m sorry.” Rolling over to the bedside table, he snapped on the light and turned back to her. His eyes were wide as he looked her over. “Did I hurt you?”

  She ran her hand along the hard plane of his chest. “Relax. I’m fine. Remember I told you I was tougher than I look.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Abby trailed her hand down his chest and stomach till she reached his erection. “I’m more than sure.” She scooted her way down the bed, taking his boxers with her as she did. With only one hand for balance, she buried her face between his legs. Breathing in his musky scent, she began licking her way up his balls and shaft till she took him in her mouth.

  He moaned as her tongue traced a circle around his head. With that encouragement, she took him deep into her throat. His hips punched against the mattress. “God, Abby you’re killing me here.” She chuckled, thrilled to have him at her sweet mercy and sucked him harder.

  “Wait.” He tugged her to his chest. “I want us to do this together.”

  She straddled him, and with her good arm she guided his cock into her heat. Sinking deep, she took every inch of his considerable length into her body. Her eyelids fluttered closed. “That is so good.”

  Grant grasped her hips and eased her into long slow strokes that began at his balls and ended with his head just touching her clit. Over and over again they repeated the pistoning motion. It was glorious. She could feel the telltale hum of an orgasm building. Instead of continuing in his languid strokes he stilled and pulled her down, first capturing a nipple in his mouth before trailing his tongue up to her ear. “Good God, woman. I love you.”

  She jerked her head up, expecting to find a smart-ass grin on his face. He had a way of cracking a joke at the most inopportune moments. Nothing doing. His blue eyes burned with lust. And love.

  More than anything she wanted to shoot those three words back at him, but even as she opened her mouth to give it a shot, they caught in her throat. What if he decided he wanted children more than he wanted her? What if he didn’t want the trouble of a long distance relationship? Where would that leave her if she opened herself up and ended up getting hurt instead of happiness for her risk?

  He touched a finger to her lips. “It’s okay if you’re not ready.” In a motion too swift for her to track, he had her underneath him and was thrusting into her hard and fast. His weight and strength and her need had them falling over the edge together.

  Afterwards, she breathed deeply, taking in his warm spicy scent as she came back into her body. Her fingers moved over his neck and shoulders.

  “Sorry, I must be crushing you.” He rolled off her, leaving her feeling bereft without the weight of him against and in her.

  She settled herself over him, getting as much skin-to-skin contact as she could. Beginning with her face nestled in the crook of his neck and ending with her legs splitting his.

  His fingers combed through her hair, then roa
med down her back, pushing down the sheet and blanket as he did. After a few moments of sweet contact with the rough hands she loved so much, his caresses grew lighter and slower. Abby let herself drift into rest, knowing she was ready to tell everyone she’d found the May to her December. She chuckled to herself. Okay maybe she was September, October at the latest.

  Sometime later, Abby jolted awake at the sound of dishes hitting the floor.

  “What the fuck,” a familiar male voice growled.

  She rolled off Grant and pulled the covers over their bare bodies. A blush bloomed on her cheeks as she took in her son’s dazed expression. “Jackson, Grant told you he was taking care of me.”

  His jaw muscles flexed. “Yes, he did. But he failed to tell me exactly what that care would entail.” He took several breaths, his nostrils flaring before he finally bit out, “Mom, have you lost all sense of propriety?”

  “Let me explain.”

  “Please don’t try and tell me this isn’t what it looks like. I’m not a child.” His fist clenched as he spoke.

  From beside her Grant snarled, “Could have fooled me. You sure as fuck are acting like one.”

  Abby pressed her hand against Grant’s chest to keep him from having a go at her son. “Let me handle this.” Tucking the comforter firmly around her, she gestured to the door with her casted arm. “I’ll talk to you in the kitchen.”

  The slammed door echoed around the room. This was so not how she’d planned for Jackson to find out. She stumbled to the dresser for her clothes, then turned to find Grant reaching for his pants.

  “Stay,” she pleaded as she buried her face in his still bare chest. “This is something I should do on my own.”

  He pegged her with a stare, his eyes darkening to midnight. “I’m not going to stand by while he talks to you like that.” His grip tightened around her arms. “Right now I’d like to shove my boot up his ass.”