by Graham, Jan
“The family room, but it’s a work colleague that came in with him. His wife is travelling down from the coast, and she’s about five hours away. His colleague is quite upset. She found him in the motel when he missed his morning meeting. She was the one who called the ambulance and commenced CPR.”
Angel breathed a sigh of relief. The nurse had remembered the explanation she had given on arrival. If she wasn’t so worried Gavin would die, she would kill the prick herself. How dare he be married! Just when Angel thought she was doing everything right, she was now faced with a new drama. If she had known he had a wife living up the coast, she would never have accepted the invite to come away with him. Now all Angel needed to do was face the doctor, and then she could go. Angel had been running through the plan in her head. Get back to the motel, return the car and its keys to Gavin’s bedside table, clear her things out of the room they had shared for the last day, and be miles away before Gavin Clark’s wife arrived.
“Technically, I don’t need to fill this man’s colleague in on anything. However, if as you said, the colleague was very upset, then I need to ensure she’s not suffering from shock.” Angel felt her stomach lurch as the doctor spoke. It was him. Oh God, how the hell could she face Daniel now?
“She did commence the CPR that probably had saved the guys life. I think you should see her, whether she’s in shock or not.” She heard the nurse state emphatically.
Angel was looking out the window as Daniel entered the room. Her heart began to race as she turned to face him. Surely today couldn’t get any worse! Angel wondered how she was going to explain this to the man that only two days ago she had told she wasn’t interested in any kind of relationship at the moment. Her mind raced. If he just kept looking at the chart in his hand and ignored her like most busy doctors…Angel’s panicked thoughts were halted and her hopes dashed as his eyes locked onto her. Angel felt a chill wash over her and was sure the colour drained from her face, she started to tremble as Daniel spoke.
“Well, you were the last person I expected to see today, and having saved a man’s life, too.”
“Oh good, he’s still alive.” Angel backed into one of the waiting room chairs as she spoke. “I thought…I hoped he was…Oh God, I was so scared that he was dead.” Tears began to well in her eyes and a sense of relief flooded her. Daniel moved one of the chairs to sit and face her. Angel attempted to pull away as he reached out his hand, placing it around her wrist.
“It’s okay, Angel. I just want to take your pulse. You look pale, and I need to check you aren’t in shock.” Daniel’s voice was reassuring.
“I don’t have time.” The words gushed from her mouth before she could really think. “I need to go and get the car back. I need my things. I have to get out of here…I need um…” Angel suddenly realised she needed to get a grip and gain control of herself again. This was no time to panic.
Daniel stared at her intently. “You’re not really making sense, and your heart rate is accelerated. I think you may be suffering from a bit of shock. I’d like you to stay here for a few hours so I can observe you. Besides, I’m sure Mrs. Clark will want to thank the woman who saved her husband’s life.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I didn’t know he had a wife. I’m sorry, Daniel.” Angel tried to gain her composure. “I’m fine, really! However, I do need to go very soon. I have deadlines today that I can’t miss, and Mrs. Clark will have other things on her mind when she arrives.” Angel cleared her throat. “Is it possible to see Gavin quickly before I leave?”
“He’s not conscious at the moment and is waiting to be taken up to surgery. He is still quite unwell. We only really let family see a patient in these circumstances,” Daniel explained.
“I realise that, but I would just like to see for myself that he is okay. I think it would help me feel better about what’s happened. Please, I won’t be long, I promise. I just really need to say good-bye. Please, Daniel?” Angel held back her tears.
Daniel wondered why Angel was so insistent on seeing the man. It was totally against protocol to grant access to a patient in these circumstances, but Daniel could never deny a woman who begged so sincerely. He walked with Angel to the cubicle and watched her go over to the edge of the bed. Intrigued, Daniel stood quietly observing her through a small crack in the curtain. She took hold of the unconscious man’s hand and held it to her cheek. Daniel was taken aback by what he was witnessing. Angel leant over and kissed him very gently on the forehead. Daniel frowned as he watched her. The interaction was not what you would expect from a colleague. It was more than friendly intent, more than concern or worry…it was affection. Daniel recognised it far too well. Angel and this man had been or maybe still were intimate with each other. What Angel said next confirmed Daniel’s suspicions.
“Good-bye, you lying, married bastard. If you weren’t so sick, I’d slap you for not telling me you had a wife.”
Angel let go of Mr. Clark’s hand and turned to leave the room. Not wanting to be discovered spying on her, Daniel moved to the side and picked up another patient’s chart as Angel turned to leave the cubicle.
“Thank you, Daniel. I appreciate all you’ve done,” she said as she walked past him on her way to the door. With conscious intent, Daniel reached out and grabbed Angel by the arm. She didn’t turn to look at him as he moved closer to her, she just stood with her eyes fixated on the door.
“Is there something you need to tell me, Angel?” Daniel asked as he turned her around to face him. All he saw on her face was a look of sheer terror staring back at him. “It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything, but am I safe in assuming you don’t want me to mention your presence here today to Mr. Clark’s wife?” Daniel felt anger rise within him as he spoke.
Angel was trembling again. It appeared she wanted to say something to him, her mouth opened but words didn’t come out. He tried to control his anger. It wasn’t his intention to scare her. He waited. When Angel finally did speak, she sounded cold and aloof.
“Yes, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t mention me.” With those words, she broke free and ran out the door.
Angel parked Gavin’s car directly out the front of the motel room and quickly went inside. She had to get her clothes and get to the train station fast. Grabbing her overnight bag and racing around the room, Angel began picking up her clothes and other belongings. Her mind raced, and she began to panic. She hadn’t had a panic attack in years and certainly didn’t need to have one now. Angel slumped at the end of the bed, almost in a praying position, mentally telling herself to breathe. Tears welled up, and she began to cry. Angel didn’t hear the car pull up, didn’t hear anyone walk up to the room and push the door aside, but she felt the dark shadow fall across her. Angel didn’t have the energy to look toward the door. She didn’t want to know who it was, and she knew she couldn’t deal with anything else going wrong today.
“Well, sitting on the floor won’t get your gear packed and get you out of here any time soon.” Christian spoke with an air of authority while his tone remained tinted with kindness. She stared at the blue jean-covered legs now positioned next to her, realising he was sitting on the end of the bed. Angel took a deep slow breath and looked up into Christian’s eyes.
“Hello, Christian, what are you doing here?”
Christian looked down at her, concern filling his face.
“Daniel called me and said you needed some help. He told me where you were and what was happening. Now, let’s do this properly.” He placed her overnight bag on the bed and began folding her clothes that she had thrown into it. “Now, take some deep breaths please and try to calm down.” He smiled at her reassuringly.
Angel nodded and gave him a weak smile, tyring to calm herself as he folded and packed her clothes.
“I didn’t know he was married. Not until he told me I had to call his wife. Then he stopped breathing.” Angel couldn’t hold back the tears. She didn’t know whether she was crying because of the hurt Gavin
’s deception had caused her, the fact that she had made Daniel angry, or simply because she had nearly watched someone die today.
Christian stilled. “I hear what you’re saying, Angel, but I’m not ready to discuss it with you, not at the moment. Let’s sort this out first.” Angel glanced at Christian, he didn’t seem angry but his voice carried enough of a warning that she shouldn’t speak about the situation again until he mentioned it.
“Okay, those clothes are done. Is there anything else in the cupboard?” he asked. Angel just shrugged at him, not even sure what she had placed in the bag before he arrived.
“Well, go and look.” His voice was brisk. “We do need to get out of here today.”
Angel stood and walked to the wardrobe, bringing back a black evening dress.
“Nice,” Christian commented as he folded it and placed it in the bag. “Any shoes to go with that?”
Angel returned to the cupboard a second time before handing him a pair of red high heels.
“Oh, very nice,” he said. “They actually match the nice lacy red bra and panties that I folded.” Angel felt her cheeks heat and hoped Christian didn’t notice. “Okay, bathroom next,” he said, directing her to the bathroom.
Christian entered the room, leaving her standing in the doorway.
“Tell me what’s yours,” he said before collecting each item Angel pointed out.
He gathered shampoo, makeup, other toiletries, and some jewellery which he carefully placed on the bed ready for her to pack. Christian moved around the room checking for more items…He collected items from the bar fridge, the desk, a book from the bedside, her laptop. Angel was amazed that everything he collected was hers. How did he know?
Once all her items were packed and her bag was sitting near the door, Christian gave her a serious look.
“Now for the usually missed items,” he stated.
Christian began running his hands over the bedding, lifting it up layer by layer, feeling inside the pillow cases and around the headboard.
“Yours?” he asked, holding up a small gold earring.
Angel nodded and watched silently as Christian placed it in his pocket. He knelt and looked under the bed.
“Oh, best take this,” he said, holding up a purple vibrator and beckoning for her to come and take it. “That’s not going to fit in the pocket.”
He smiled as she took it from him without meeting his gaze. He made one final sweep of the room, collecting the garbage bin bags as he went. He knotted the top of the two bags he had collected and stood in front of her, looking down at her small frame.
“Look at me please,” he instructed in a firm tone. He waited for their eyes to meet before speaking. “There are used condoms in the rubbish. Do you have the rest of the packet, or did he?”
“He did.” Angel’s answer was barely audible.
“Where?” Christian looked around the room.
“In his bag, I think. I’m not sure,” Angel responded quietly.
Her gaze followed him as he walked over to Gavin’s bag and retrieved the condoms. He picked up Gavin’s wallet, removed some receipts from the restaurant where she and Gavin eaten dinner. He picked up the mobile phone on the dresser. She saw the wry smile appear on his face and heard him clear his throat slightly before making eye contact with her.
“I’m assuming you must be Sexy.” He held the phone toward her so she could see the display.
Angel shrugged at him in embarrassment and looked away as Christian pushed delete. Angel waited near the door until Christian had finished with the mobile. She sat in silence as Christian drove them both away from the motel. She didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or grateful…She decided to be a bit of both. Staring out the car window, Angel pondered what both men must think of her. From the little she knew about them, she had observed that the brothers were both reliable and upstanding members of society with conservative views on family and fidelity. Whatever they thought about her, Angel assumed it was no longer good. She was sure that any hope of Christian and Daniel still being interested in knowing her had been totally blown away.
The car finally stopped in the tree-lined driveway of a beautiful classic colonial-style home. Christian opened her door, holding out his hand to assist her out of the car. Angel was feeling weak, totally drained from the morning’s events. She stepped out of the car and allowed Christian to lead her into the house. With his hand in the small of her back, he guided her to a plush leather sofa in the living area of the house. Angel sat silently as he left to collect her bag from the car, returning shortly after. Angel watched as he began busying himself in the kitchen. He began talking to her as she stared at him over the breakfast bar.
“I’ve been thinking about everything that’s happened. I understand you didn’t know the man you were with was married. You said that at the motel. I didn’t say anything before because the morning’s events have shocked me a little. I guess this is what Max meant when he said you can be prone to reckless behaviour. I realise people lie and can be very deceptive, but you need to develop the skill of knowing who to trust and who not to trust. I understand that you have only just met Daniel and me, but Angel, we are some of the trustworthy people in the world. Whatever is happening in your life, you can talk to us about it. We will help you, just like we’ve done today.”
Still too emotionally drained to speak, Angel watched and listened with interest. Christian finished what he had been doing in the kitchen and returned to the sofa carrying a tray.
“Do you understand what I’m trying to say, Angel…You can trust us. We will help with whatever you need help with. And if it’s sexual relief you need, then we can help you with that, too.”
“I really need to go to the train station, Christian. I don’t want to be getting home in the dark,” she said. “I’ve been way too much trouble already today, and I don’t want to bother you any further.” Angel had heard what Christian had said, but she didn’t know what to say in return.
“Sorry, but I’m on strict doctor’s orders.” Christian smiled at her as he sat down. “You’re to stay here. I’m to give you something to eat and drink, try and get you to have a sleep, and to keep you safe until the doc comes home. So, no train station for you!”
Angel looked at the tray and saw two chicken-salad sandwiches and two mugs of hot drink, possibly tea by the colour of them. “I really don’t think I could eat anything. I feel a bit sick actually.”
Ignoring her words, Christian held out one of the sandwich plates. “Be a good girl and try.” He smiled. “I don’t want to have to spank you.”
“Yes, Master,” she replied as she took the plate from him.
As she stared at his cheeky grin, all she could really remember from their earlier conversation was sexual relief. He was just too sexy.
“That’s my good little sub.” He laughed, picking up his own plate and beginning to eat.
“I’m not actually anyone’s sub at the moment. In fact, I’m not really anyone’s anything. Especially after today,” she stated as she took a bite of sandwich.
Christian sat, observing her as she ate, wondering how the hell did she not figure out the guy was married. And if she wanted sex, why didn’t she just fuck them? God knows they had both given her plenty of opportunity. She’d said she wasn’t ready for a relationship. Maybe that was the key, as they had both made it clear they wanted something more than just sex. Christian laughed to himself. How ironic, the men wanting more than just sex and the woman not being ready for a commitment.
“I really can’t eat anymore.” Angel’s words broke into his ponderings. “It’s nice, but I can’t fit it in.” Christian stared at the half sandwich still sitting on her plate.
“Well, lucky for you I still have room for some more.” He winked as he picked up her leftovers, finishing them off in no time flat.
Angel kept her eyes fixed on him.
“So do I get a spanking?” Angel asked, giving him the most wickedly sexy smile he had seen in
years.
Christian stared at her in surprise. Flirting, she was actually flirting with him. Christian decided he had been right with the assumption he’d made after their phone conversation. Flirting was her fallback position if she thought she was in trouble. She’d probably learnt the skill when she was younger and had refined the skill over the years. Her emerald eyes sparkled as he stood to carry the plates back to the kitchen. God, she was beautiful. He’d been semihard since he’d picked her up from the motel, and God knew he’d love to do more than spank her. Unfortunately, though, not today and not without Daniel. Christian and his brother had both agreed after meeting Angel their first time with her would be as a threesome.
“No, you don’t get a spanking. You ate. I didn’t say you needed to eat it all,” he replied firmly. “Besides, I think Daniel would enjoy being present for your first spanking, don’t you?”
“I assume so. He’s told me often enough he’s going to spank my so-called beautiful arse…But maybe today has changed his mind. He was angry at the hospital. He didn’t yell or anything, but I knew he was angry with me. Not that I blame him.”
“I doubt he’s changed his mind.” Christian held her gaze, determined to gauge her reaction. “But you have given him plenty of reason to whip your arse.”
“What do you mean? I’ve been a good girl ever since I met you two.” Angel batted her eyelids at Christian as she spoke.
“A good girl?” He raised one eyebrow rose in amusement as Angel sat on the sofa attempting to look innocent. He watched her nod sweetly instead of answering him.
Christian walked over and stood, glaring down into those gorgeous eyes. He leant over her and placed his hands on the back of the sofa, forcing Angel to lean back and focus directly on his face.