Dawn sat in a state of shock. She’d heard all about king waves. “How long before you were found? What happened to the boat?”
“I don’t know how long it was before I was discovered. It felt like hours. I was bobbing up and down in the water, clinging to a life ring that I’d found when I finally resurfaced. All I could think about was trying to stay alive. I thought that none of the other crew survived.
“Oh Drew, I’m so sorry. I don’t think I could imagine what you went through.”
“I couldn’t believe my luck when a life jacket floated by. I normally put one on when I go up on deck at night, but that particular evening I didn’t. Strange things go through your mind when you think you aren’t going to make it. You make all sorts of bargains to just try and survive.”
Dawn felt a shudder ripple through him as he travelled down the road of his memories. She wanted to tell him he didn’t have to go on. She knew how hard it was to expose yourself to unpleasant memories.
“I got rescued by the coastguard, but I was suffering from hypothermia and was so out of it when they rescued me, they didn’t think I was going to make it. If it wasn’t for those guys on that chopper … well, let’s just say that my perspective changed that night. What I thought was important turned out to be not very important. And what I’d taken for granted I now realized was the very thing I needed to have to survive.”
“I’m glad that you’re okay. What happened to the rest of the crew? Did they get rescued too?”
He turned to look at her. The look of despair in his eyes reached out to her, like a climbing vine reaching up to latch onto the next bit of wall that would keep it grounded. She took the despair in the hopes of easing the pain for him. “We lost two good men that night, one of them my best friend. They had families. I lay in that hospital bed and for a couple of days I felt guilty for being alive. I was the single guy; it didn’t matter if something happened to me. My parents would be sad, but they had my sister and her kids to give them joy. Two families had been torn apart by a freak occurrence of nature.”
Dawn put her food down; she hadn’t touched it since Andrew had started talking. She related so well to having “survivor” guilt, she wasn’t the one that had almost lost her life but she’d reacted to her tragedy by shutting herself away. Andrew had done the opposite. He had almost lost his life that night. After he’d grieved for his friends, he’d moved on. He hadn’t stopped living, like she had. He still did the things that would give him the rush he’d had when he’d been sailing, but perhaps he was just a little more careful about how he did it now. The thought of him risking his life for a rush of adrenaline turned her blood cold. To once again lose a loved one would be too much to cope with.
Dawn pushed that thought away. So far Andrew had only surfed huge waves. Unless he’d done more activities on his days off before they’d gotten involved. She wasn’t going to ask or pressure him. It wouldn’t be right. But if their relationship progressed even further, then she would definitely bring it up with him.
“Is that why you became a paramedic? Because you wanted to give something back?”
“Pretty much. As I recovered I got to thinking about the sacrifice the coastguard makes every time they do a rescue. I knew then that I’d found what I wanted to do. All I’d known was sailing. This I could see myself doing.”
“So why come back to Perth? Why not another city?” she asked, curious that he would choose an expensive city to live in when he could’ve chosen somewhere else. Sure, he had his family here, but he hadn’t had a permanent home base for a decade. She couldn’t even be sure that he’d even visited Perth in all the time he’d been sailing.
“It’s home, Dawn. No matter all the places I visited, no matter how friendly the people were, Perth is home. Always has been. Always will be. It was the most logical place to settle down.”
Dawn let the words sink in, surprised that he had such an affinity to the place he’d run away from at the first opportunity. In the overall scheme of things it didn’t matter why he’d chosen Perth. He had and they were together and that was all that mattered.
She leaned in and laid her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I’m very glad that you’re here today.” She swung her legs around and straddled him. “How about we leave all this sad talk behind and do something else with our time?”
“I could be persuaded, what did you have in mind?”
Dawn ran her hand down his chest and then back up again. “Lots of things. But they involve us being in a horizontal position.”
Andrew laughed and scooped her up in his arms. With one fluid movement, he was up and walking down the hallway to her room once again. As he laid her down on the bed, he looked down into her eyes. What she saw there had her heart pounding out a triple rhythm.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered before taking her lips. She groaned at the rightness of the sensations flowing through her. Nothing felt more right than to be with him at that moment.
She pulled her lips away and ran the back of her hand down his cheek. “Make love to me, Drew.”
His answer was to rip his shirt off before taking control of her lips once again. Then all thought left her and all she did was feel.
• • •
A feather light touch ran down her spine and Dawn squirmed against it. She went to reach behind and swat whatever was bothering her away; instead, she connected with a hand. She rolled over and the hand rested lightly on her stomach, just below the curve of her breasts.
“Is it morning already?” she asked sleepily. If it was, it was her last day before she had to start back on her shifts. Hopefully she’d only have to do a few more nights before her career would change. She realized then that she hadn’t told Andrew about her meeting with Sophie.
“Yes, but it’s early.” Her skin prickled as he drew on her belly. “I forgot to tell you last night that I don’t have to work today. We can spend the whole day together — in bed if we like.”
She laughed huskily. “I’ve got something to tell you too.”
“That you like my idea about staying in bed all day,” he said as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
She slapped him on the arm. “As tempting as it is, this is serious.”
That had him sitting up and pulling her so that she rested against his warm chest.
“I’m listening. What is it you have to tell me?”
Dawn reached down and placed her hands over Andrew’s. “It’s about my meeting with Sophie yesterday. I meant to tell you last night, but things … ” She shrugged her shoulders. “Well, we kind of got sidetracked.”
As Andrew laughed, the sound reverberated down her spine. “Yes, we did, didn’t we? It’s something that always happens to us. So tell me what happened. I take it it’s good news?”
“Yes, definitely good news.” As much as she liked the way she was lying, she moved so she sat up straighter and pulled the sheet higher up. “Sophie said it shouldn’t be a problem to switch out from nights.”
“That’s great, so when will that happen? Did you speak to the relevant people?”
“No, not yet. It’s not that simple. The needs of the department have to be looked at and changes have to be made with the other staff. It will take a little while.”
Dawn could almost feel the disappointment fill Andrew. It was so typical of a guy to think that with a click of fingers things could be changed.
“Oh, okay. I was hoping it would be sooner but I can live with it. What we’ve got going is more important. I’ll just have to curb my impatience.”
“Well you never know, other things could change and it could happen sooner.”
“What do you mean? What else aren’t you telling me?”
Dawn thought about dragging things out a little longer, but as she though
t about what Sophie had proposed to her she got more excited by the prospect. “Sophie mentioned something else that might interest me. A different job.”
“A different job? In a different department, is that what she means?” Andrew paused and pulled her a little tighter. “That would be a little disappointing. I kind of like the idea of seeing you on random occasions during my shift.”
“No, it’s not on a different floor, it’s her job.”
“Her job?” Andrew asked incredulously. “She’s the Nursing Unit Manager, isn’t she? Wow, that’s fantastic. What are you going to do? Did you say yes?”
Dawn laughed. It wasn’t hard to get caught up with the enthusiasm emanating from him. “So many questions, let’s see if I answer them all correctly. Yes, she’s the NUM. It is fantastic and an honor to be asked and considered suitable for the position. I told her that if she does follow through with her resignation or leave of absence or whatever she’s planning, then yes, I would love to be considered for her position.”
“That’s fantastic, Dawn. It couldn’t have turned out better.” Andrew kissed her soundly on the lips. It had all the makings of developing into another session of hot lovemaking, but Andrew pulled away. “This calls for a celebration. Let’s go out today. Is that restaurant in the Hills still there?”
“Slow down and let me catch my breath. It’s not a guarantee that I’ll get Sophie’s position. The powers that be may decide to advertise the position and I’ll have to apply like everyone else. A better candidate may show up.”
“Not going to happen,” Andrew said with a confidence she wasn’t feeling. She wanted the job. The more she thought about it, the more excited she got. Even with Sophie and Alex’s recommendations, there was no guarantee that she’d get the position. Plus, the hospital administration and board could be very funny sometimes.
“I wish I had your confidence, because I want that job now.”
“Well, you know you’ve practically run the nursing department on the night shift. You make sure the nurses are there and everything is stocked. You run a tight ship in the evenings, Dawn they know that. I’m sure Sophie will give you a glowing recommendation, and any other members of staff would too.”
“Still, even with all that there’s no actual guarantee. But I’m hoping that they will keep up with promoting from within the department.” Dawn pushed the covers aside and got out of bed. “I’m going to take a shower. Oh and yes, that restaurant is still there, but it’s a bit early to call for a reservation. How about we do a picnic instead?”
She watched as Andrew crawled across the bed towards her. She was standing stark naked in front of him and instead of feeling embarrassed she couldn’t wait for him to get close to her. She had an idea of what he was planning and she couldn’t wait for him to suggest it.
“A picnic sounds like a good idea. A shower with you is an even better plan.”
Before she had time to agree, he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards her bathroom.
• • •
Andrew lay on his back looking at the blue sky above him. Soft wisps of clouds floated by. He let his mind drift back to the morning shower he’d shared with Dawn. He could still hear the soft cries she’d made. Just thinking about that sensual onslaught was enough to have his body tightening in an invitation to do it all over again. If they weren’t out in the open, he’d answer his body’s call. To satisfy his need, he stretched an arm out until he touched Dawn softly. He trailed his fingers up her back, until he reached the bottom of her hair. She’d left it down. She looked so carefree when she had her hair down. His heart clenched as he thought about her. He couldn’t imagine his life without her in it. He had thought he’d loved her when he was nineteen, but he’d been very quick to walk away from her. He’d soon learned that even on the other side of the world, her image would pop into his head when he least expected it. He’d always put it down to feelings of guilt that he’d not talked to her about going, but now he knew it was because his feelings for her hadn’t died. Now those feelings had turned into something much stronger. As he entwined his fingers in her hair and gave it a gentle pull, he knew that he loved Dawn and wanted to be her everything.
His heart drummed out a tattoo as she looked over her shoulder. He couldn’t see her eyes, but he knew they smoldered behind her glasses, matching the sexy smile on her face.
“Do you want something?” she asked.
“You.”
His groin tightened even more as her small tongue darted out for an infinitesimal moment before disappearing back inside her tempting mouth.
“Is that right?” Her reply was pure sass and he loved it when she acted this way.
“Yes.” He pulled on her hair a little harder than he did previously and she let herself drop gracefully to his chest.
“Well then, never let it be said that I don’t answer your calls.”
He tightened his fingers as she placed her lips on top of his. He didn’t think he’d ever get sick of the taste of her. He twisted and shifted their positions so that he was lying on top of her. He pressed his hips into hers, giving her no misunderstanding of exactly what he was feeling or what he wanted to do with her.
“Dawn, honey, you’re driving me insane,” he muttered against her lips. He then started to nip along her jaw until he reached her ear. He teased her sensitive ear lobe before moving his assault to her neck.
“I think I can work out just want you’re feeling, because I’m feeling the same way. Take me home, Andrew.”
He didn’t need any more encouragement. He swooped in for another kiss before pulling himself away from her tempting body.
“I couldn’t agree more. Let’s pack up and go back to my place.”
They spent the next few minutes quickly packing away the containers from their lunch and instead of folding the blanket, Andrew picked it up and slung it over his shoulder. He had to control himself from taking her up against the car. It was going to be a long drive home and he would have to temper his need to speed, especially when he was making the treacherous journey back down the hill.
Once he stuffed all the picnic paraphernalia in the trunk of the car, he slammed the lid down. He reached again to give Dawn a quick, firm kiss, then he was leading her to the passenger side of the car where he held the door open for her.
“It’s going to be a long drive home,” she sighed as she sank into the passenger seat. He didn’t answer her until he was seated in the driver’s seat putting his seatbelt on.
“I know, but don’t worry; I’ll get us there safely.”
Dawn sent Andrew a quick look out the corner of her eye. She wanted nothing more than to reach over and lay her hand on his thigh and run her fingers along the side seam of his jeans, but she didn’t want to distract him. She would wait until they got to his place where she would be the one to take control of their lovemaking. She wanted to take him to the brink of his control. She shifted in her seat, moving a little closer to Andrew’s side of the car.
“What the hell?” Andrew’s words halted her movement and she switched her attention to their surroundings.
“What’s wrong?”
At that second, a car came speeding past them. She caught her breath and grabbed the armrest as the car shook slightly from the speed of the car passing them.
“Bloody idiot,” Andrew cursed loudly. “It’s a windy road, that sort of speed is only going to lead to something bad happening.
“I hope you’re wrong.” Dawn shuddered at the thought of any cars colliding.
“Me too.”
She relaxed a little as Andrew eased off the accelerator a bit and followed the next corner in the windy road. She didn’t say much more or even think about what she’d like to do to Andrew. It was better to try and keep her thoughts blank, so that she wouldn’t somehow transmit her thoughts and distract him.
“Oh shit, this is not good.”
Dawn looked up and saw what Andrew was cursing at. The car that had sped past them only moments before had lost control and had crashed into a pole. The car was lying at a precarious angle. She knew there was a drop down the hill and the car looked like it was going to slide down any second. Andrew slowed and pulled over to the side.
“Do you have a medical kit in your car?” she asked as she delved into her handbag to get her cell out to call emergency services.
“Only a really basic one, I’m not sure it will be of much use to them.” He got out of the car as Dawn dialed the phone.
She nodded as she spoke to the emergency dispatcher and told them of their location and the accident, stressing that time was of the essence as the car could go down the side of the hill at any moment.
She hung up and got out of the car, racing over to where Andrew stood next to the crashed car. She swallowed the fear that was building up inside of her. Is this what Tom’s car had looked like the night of his and Brody’s fatal accident? At that moment, she was grateful she hadn’t seen the car afterwards. The insurance company had dealt with everything while she’d dealt with making funeral arrangements.
“Dawn! I need you.” Andrew’s yell pulled her out of her trance. She gave herself a mental dressing down and told herself to get her head in the game because lives were at stake.
“I’ve called emergency services; hopefully they’ll be here shortly.”
“We’ve got no time, we have to get these people out of the car,” Andrew said urgently.
Dawn reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the car, just as he was about to reach out and open the driver’s side door.
“We have to wait, Andrew. We have no choice,” she pleaded. “The car is in too precarious a position — we need to leave it for the professionals to get them out. Besides … ” she lowered her voice an octave. “We don’t even know if they’re alive in there. They would’ve hit at a pretty fast speed.”
Lovers Unmasked: The Complete Series Page 34