“Thank you, Dr.” Claire responded.
Tori could see a hint of the mother she knew so well. Politically correct, etiquette overriding her fears.
“Yes, ma’am. If there’s anything we can do or you have any questions, just let us know. A nurse will be here to take you back shortly.”
They went back to waiting until the nurse came to take them back to the ICU.
“I’m going to wait right here for you, ok?” Cole placed his hand on Tori’s waist.
She nodded, her flesh tingling from his touch. The adrenaline had worn off, and Tori limped beside her mother until they entered the room.
Her chest ached as she saw her father’s lifeless body hooked up to machines and tubes. She pulled her mother’s trembling body in close. Raising her chin, Tori straightened her back and realized she was going to have to be the tough one.
The nurse spoke in a whisper. “The breathing tube won’t be taken out until we wake him, either tonight or tomorrow. We want him to rest and not move for a while. We’ll keep an eye on the drainage tonight to see when that can be removed. He’s gonna have a long recovery, but so far so good.”
“Thank you.” Claire’s voice cracked. She reached for her husband’s hand and a sob escaped.
“Mother, maybe I should take you home.”
“No, I’m going to stay. I’m not leaving his side. You go ahead and stay at the house. You’ll find everything you need. There’s clean linens on the guest bed and leftovers in the refrigerator.”
“Seriously, mother. There’s no need to play hostess with me. It’s ok, I can take care of myself. I’m worried about you.”
“Victoria, I’m not leaving and that’s final. I’ll call you later with a list of things to pack and bring back with you in the morning. I’ll be fine.”
The change in her mother’s tone made it clear that she wasn’t going to leave the hospital. “Ok, mother. I’ll check in tonight and see how he’s doing.” Tori leaned over and kissed her father’s warm cheek. “I love you, Daddy,” she whispered.
She quickly embraced her mother. Once outside the room she took off. She was sweating and nausea washed over her. The pain from her throbbing ankle sent her stumbling as she rounded the corner and fell into Cole’s chest. His arms instantly enveloped her as she broke down sobbing.
He held her as she cried, caressing her back. His lips planted on top of her head.
When she finally composed herself, Tori filled him in on what the nurse said. “So, you can probably head back to L.A. if you need to.”
“No, I’m not leaving like this. I’ll drop you off at your parents’ house and I’ll get a room in town.”
“That’s silly. I’m sure my parents wouldn’t mind if you stayed at the house.”
Cole shook his head. “There’s no way I’m staying at your father’s house when he’s in the hospital and I haven’t even met the man. Not gonna happen. Besides, I don’t mind. I’ll pick you up in the morning and bring you back to the hospital and we’ll play tomorrow by ear.”
She nodded.
“Good, now let’s get you settled in. It’s late.” He pulled her to his shoulder. His strong arm hugged her to his chest as if he was attempting to shield her from the pain. She had to give him credit for trying.
Cole
Cole threw his bag onto the small wooden dresser. The generic hotel room was typical for a military town. He kicked off his shoes and plopped down onto the double bed. He replayed the last twenty-four hours over in his head.
His life was shifting out of control. He couldn’t get a grip on his feelings for Tori under the best of circumstances, much less the shitty hand she had been dealt. He didn’t know how to make things better for her. She was so fucking headstrong it made him want to explode. However, at the same time, it was one of the characteristics that he loved about her.
Women were a damn mystery, one he usually chose to leave alone. But not this one, she got under his skin. He couldn’t think of anyone or anything else. He felt guilty, that with everything she was going through, the mere thought of Tori made him hard. It’s been torture keeping his distance.
Cole watched some mindless TV for a couple of hours before deciding to take a quick shower to clear his head. The scalding water steamed up the bathroom. He closed his eyes and allowed it to penetrate his tense muscles.
Just as he started to relax, a knock on the door sent him scrambling for a towel. He tried to find a pair of shorts, but the faint voice caught him off guard.
“Cole? It’s me, Tori? Hello?” She knocked again.
Blood rushed to his head and his veins thumped in his neck. Worried something had happened, he unlocked the door, not realizing he was in nothing but a towel until her round eyes traveled the length of his body.
“Is everything ok?” Cole peered down the walkway before hustling her inside. It was a decent enough area, but not somewhere that she should be running around alone at night. “Is there news about your dad?”
She shook her head. “No, Mom said there hasn’t been a change yet.”
“Damn, sorry.” He cleared a spot on the bed. “Have a seat. I don’t know why there’s not a chair in here. I’ll go throw on some clothes and we can talk or get something to eat. Whatever you wanna do.”
His stomach lurched into his throat as she reached out and grabbed him by the arm.
With a sheepish grin, she whispered, “Whatever I want to do?”
He was confused. He had only seen her act so bold once, and she was drunk as shit. She must have noticed the look on his face.
“And no, I haven’t had anything to drink. This is me, just me, wanting you.” She ran the palm of her hands over his massive arms. His flesh burned from her touch. His gut screaming, ready to take her.
“Are you sure?”
She smirked. “I have never been so sure about anything in my life. I’m not sure about afterwards. I’m not sure about tomorrow, or the next day, but right now, I know this is what I want. I know you want it too. We’re both consenting adults, and if we want to have sex with no strings attached, then that’s on us. I’m not lea…”
He couldn’t wait another second. Cole swooped her up into his arms. His mouth came crashing down onto hers, devouring her lips. Exploring her mouth, lashing his tongue against hers.
He laid her back onto the bed and stood before her. His hard erection restrained by the towel. He slipped his hands under her t-shirt and lifted it over her head, pleased to find no bra. Her glowing skin was flawless, with small pink nipples begging to be caressed. She wiggled, and shimmied out of her running shorts. He didn’t think her toned legs could appear any longer, but he was wrong. They were perfect. His gaze landed on her black, satin panties. He hooked his thumbs on both sides and slid them off her hips and down her legs, allowing them to drop to the floor.
He stepped back and lingered. Every part of her creamy flesh called out to him. She was even better than he had imagined. Her tits, perfect round mounds. Her ample hips were smooth and shapely. His hand swept across her tight midsection, causing her back to arch in anticipation. Her reaction made his dick throb.
She opened her legs, inviting him closer. She used both hands to remove his towel, her mouth open at the sight of his thick bulge. She sat up, with him between her legs and grasped him with both hands, pumping his swollen shaft.
He threw his head back and groaned as she took him into her mouth, planting one hand on his rock hard abdomen, and the other stroking him as she got him off. She sucked him in an even rhythm, moaning. Heat rushed to all of his nerve endings as he massaged her head with his hands, coming as an orgasm exploded through his body.
Exhilarated, Cole picked her up and tossed her onto the bed. The moment he had been waiting for had arrived, and he planned to savor every second of it.
Chapter 8
Tori
Goosebumps covered her sensitive flesh as Cole’s hot gaze seared through her. The salty taste of him still on her tongue. Cole’s finge
rs skimmed her folds, fondling her, making her wet. Slipping his finger into her pulsating opening, Tori pushed her hips forward to meet his firm strokes. The lustful glint in his eye making her juices flow. She wanted him inside of her.
“You like that?” he asked.
“Oh God, yes.” Tori panted, her hips begging for more.
Cole clasped his mouth around her swollen breasts, using the tip of his tongue to encircle her hard nipple. He pulled it between his lips, flicking the aroused peak.
His finger dipped in and out of her moist pussy.
“You feel so ready,” he said as he plunged in a second finger. Finding her lips, he pulled her bottom lip with his teeth, sending a vibration through her body. She was so close to coming and he hadn’t even used his cock yet.
Cole hopped off the bed and dug into his wallet, pulling out a condom. Ripping open the foil package, he rolled it onto his engorged shaft. Tori opened her legs wide as he climbed on top of her. His smoldering eyes penetrating her. His chest heaving from his ragged breaths.
She slowly nodded, signaling that she was ready.
He placed one hand on the mattress above her shoulder. Using the other, he guided his cock into her tight opening. The head pressing against her sensitive skin, easing into her aching pussy before finally filling her with his length.
His ease soon gave way. His groans deepened, becoming more carnal as he thrust into her, battering his hips into hers. Their bodies slapping against one another until she wrapped her legs around his waist, digging her nails into his backside pulling him closer.
Hungry, Cole’s burning lips devoured her. On the brink, she rolled her hips, allowing him to delve further. As the orgasm rippled through her abdomen, Tori’s stomach muscles tightened and her pussy clenched around his surging cock. Waves of pleasure quaking through their melded bodies.
“Shit.” He rolled over to the side of the bed and stretched his arms above his head.
“Agreed.”
Cole cleaned himself up and climbed into the bed where Tori was already propped up on a pillow with the sheet pulled up to her waist.
“May I?” he asked.
She responded by pulling the sheet back as an invite.
He tucked his arm behind her and cradled her to his side. “What now?”
“Now, we sleep.” She rested her head on his hot, bare chest. Her tension melted away and her mind was quiet for the first time in days. Even with her father in the hospital, Tori was able to sleep, not thinking about what tomorrow might bring.
Cole
It was the second time that Cole woke up next to Tori, and he could picture being content with the exact same scenario for the rest of his life. And this time he had no intentions of sneaking away before she woke up.
He watched her sleep, her face peaceful and relaxed. He could watch her all day. Not knowing what to expect left him uneasy.
Tori stirred, rolling to one side. “Morning.”
“Good morning, sunshine. How’d you sleep?”
She smiled, stretching her lean body across the bed. “Like a rock. You?”
“Oh honey, it was the best night of sleep I’ve ever had.” He peered down at her with complete seriousness.
She gave him a sly grin. “Well, I think I’d better get up and go pick up my mom’s bag before heading back to the hospital.”
“Yeah, about that, how’d you get here last night?”
Tori pushed herself up from the bed and pulled the sheet around her still naked body. “I called a cab. I thought about taking my dad’s truck, but then we’d have two vehicles here.”
Cole tilted her chin upwards, forcing her to make eye contact. “Why did you come here last night?”
He noticed the way her neck moved as she took a large swallow.
She inhaled before slowly blowing out a long puff of air. “I told you. I wanted to be with you.” She lowered her head. “I sat in my parents’ house feeling like I was losing my mind. I tried to watch TV. I cleaned up, went through some photos and tried to read a few magazines. It was maddening. Nothing worked.”
“What do you mean nothing worked, Tori?”
“I couldn’t shut off my brain. I couldn’t stop thinking.”
“About your dad?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. Well, I did think of him. I’m scared, but that wasn’t it.” She picked her head up to meet his gaze. “It was you. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. About your lips, your arms, every single part of you. I couldn’t shut it off. I wanted to be with you. To get lost in you, even if it was only for a few hours.”
“It doesn’t have to be that way. Only for a few hours. Tori, you know how I feel about you.”
“I know, but I can’t think beyond this. I just see something different for myself.”
His face fell as his heart plummeted. “Something different? You mean someone different.”
“Cole, please don’t get upset. Maybe last night shouldn’t have happened. I didn’t want to lead you on. I just needed an escape.”
“Well, I guess it’s time to get back to reality then.” Cole slammed the bathroom door shut. He clenched his fists until the blood vessels struggled against his tan skin. He hated that he had let his guard down, getting his hopes up. Somehow, he had to make it through this long ass day.
Chapter 9
Tori
“Mom?” she whispered, stepping into the dark room. She spotted her mother sitting in a chair in the far corner next to her father.
“Hello, darling. How did you sleep? Did you find everything you needed at the house?” Claire stood and kissed her daughter on the cheek.
“Yes, and here’s your bag.”
“Darling, you look absolutely ravishing. You must have had a refreshing night.”
Tori’s face flushed pink. “Um, how’s dad? Any change?”
“No, not yet. They lowered his meds, so he should be coming to anytime. Why don’t I give you some time with him? Where’s your friend, what’s his name again, Cole?” Claire opened the blinds, allowing the sun to stream into the dank room.
“Yes, and he’s in the waiting room.”
“Well, I’ll go get some coffee and chit chat with him for a bit to give you some time with your father.” She caressed her husband’s hand as she walked by and paraded out of the room.
Tori looked at her father. He was a big man, standing at six feet five inches. He was well built, and he had always prided himself on staying in excellent shape. He sure wasn’t going to be happy when he woke up and realized he was in the hospital. Like a big cosmic joke had come to bite him in the ass.
She sat in the chair that her mother had pulled up to the bed and held his hand between hers. His usually vibrant eyes were closed and his skin was pale. His dark hair was graying at the edges, but instead of looking old, he only appeared more handsome.
A tightness squeezed her chest as she briefly contemplated the thought of living without her father. They butted heads like it was an Olympic sport, but he was her dad.
Every girl needed her daddy.
She stroked his hand. With tears streaming down her face, she whispered positive thoughts to him, pleading with him to wake up and come back to her.
“Victoria?”
Cole
Pacing the waiting room, Cole contemplated waiting in the car. Nothing had changed for him. He wanted to be there for Tori, but instead of making things better for her; he only seemed to make a bigger mess.
“Cole? How are you, son?”
He turned and found himself face to face with Claire Altman. “Oh, morning ma’am. I’m well. How about you? How’s Colonel Altman?”
“Walk with me. I could use a cup of coffee.”
He nodded and followed.
Claire looped her arm through his. “No change yet, but it should be any moment.”
“That’s good to hear.” He raced around the side of the cafeteria table to pull out a chair for her to sit. He grabbed two cups of cheap coffee and took
a seat across from her.
“So, tell me a little about yourself. Do you have family? What do you do for a living?” she questioned.
The idea of sitting across from Tori’s prim and proper mother and telling her about his life made him chuckle. “Um, yes ma’am. I do have a family, well, a father who now lives in Oregon. My mother passed away when I was young. No siblings. I try to get up there to see him every couple of months.”
She watched him expectantly, as if she was waiting for him to go on.
“Ahem,” he cleared his throat. “I work as a dancer.”
Her eyes grew. “A dancer? As in professional?”
“No, ma’am. As in exotic.” He waited for her reaction, but she simply nodded. “Um, I was a bit of a rough kid, got into a little trouble in High School. So, I decided to join the military. I joined the Marines and served four years as a medic.”
“Interesting. I’m sure Tori’s told you that she grew up in the military. It’s not for the faint at heart.”
“No, ma’am, it’s certainly not. I served my time and decided to use my GI Bill. I’m getting my doctorate to work with wounded soldiers. It’s an area that has weighed heavily on me since my time overseas. The Corp benefits are awesome, but they don’t cover everything, so that’s where the dancing comes in. And the schedule allows me to be off for school.”
Claire leaned back in her seat, eyeing him. “Does Tori know all of this about you?”
He tilted his head to one side and raised an eyebrow. “You know, that’s a good question. I’m not so sure.”
“Well then, I assume she doesn’t know you’re in love with her,” she said blatantly.
Cole choked on the coffee he was drinking at her clear intent. “That, Mrs. Altman, she does know.”
She nodded and took a sip of her coffee. “Let me guess, she’s fighting you every step of the way.”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
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