“A couple months.” Nora shrugged, discomfited. “I had vacation time saved up, plus there’s emergency family medical leave. It was fine.”
They were quiet for a few minutes, and she tugged a throw blanket at the bottom of the bed up to cover her legs.
“Can I say something else that’ll make you uncomfortable?” Hazel shifted around so she faced Nora.
“Someone barfed on me.” She snorted. “Uncomfortable is the norm today.”
Hazel stated bluntly, “He’s in love with you, has been since the moment he pissed you off so bad you punched him in middle school.”
Neither of them needed to specify which he was being discussed here. A massive tangle of emotions somersaulted through Nora’s chest at her sister’s words. She didn’t know what that reaction might mean. “He’d publicly humiliated me. Not for the last time, I might add. You don’t do that to people you love.”
“Did you ever inform Mom of that little love rule?” Hazel quirked one eyebrow.
“Family is different.” Nora swatted her arm. “You don’t get to choose them, but we’ve all chosen to distance ourselves as we got older, as self-protection.”
“True,” her sister conceded. “I’m still right about Ben though. Want to know how I knew for sure?”
Dubious, she wrinkled her nose. “Okay, I’ll bite. How?”
“He didn’t make a peep of protest about the as you wish equals I love you thing.” Hazel tapped a finger against the tip of Nora’s nose. “If he’d had a problem with that, he’d have said something. It is Ben, after all.”
“He does like to debate. Everything. Do you think he’ll argue with St. Peter when he gets to the Pearly Gates? I vote yes.”
Not to be sidetracked, Hazel stuck doggedly to her topic. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, has always looked at you, when he knew you wouldn’t see. He may not even have admitted it to himself—though I think he’s starting to clue in—but that’s the way Gabe looks at Anne, the way Tate looks at Karen. Trust me on this.”
Nora huffed. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
“You don’t have to, but think about how you’d feel if he does love you.”
She let a breath filter out of her lungs, groping for some semblance of reality in a world that seemed to have tilted sideways. “We’ve been enemies for a long time, Hazel. More than half our lives.”
“And you slept with him last night.” There wasn’t a hint of question or doubt—it was a statement of simple fact.
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Shit.”
“I won’t tell anyone, but I know you too well not to notice the signs of intimacy.” Hazel’s gaze was frank, if sympathetic. “You don’t screw around lightly, so now you’re confused about what it’ll mean to screw around with a man you’ve never been on friendly terms with.”
“Don’t analyze me, Dr. Kirby. You’re getting your doctorate in marine biology, not psychology.”
She gave a disdainful sniff. “I’m your sister, Nurse Nora. That’s more than enough to be able to diagnose you.”
“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that, right?”
And she was wrong, that was all Nora could think. There was no way Ben was in love with her. It wasn’t even within the realm of possibility. He apparently felt this crazy chemistry too, and since he’d been the one to kiss her first, he might have felt it before she did, but that was about as far as her mind would go down that particular rabbit hole. Anything else was too ridiculous to contemplate.
Hazel let the topic go gracefully, grinning. “You’ve been calling me a pain since I popped out of the drama llama mama’s womb.”
“I was right then and I’m right now.” Nora flicked a lock of her sister’s hair, a characteristic shade of Kirby red. Their mom had auburn hair and their dad’s was bright, fiery red. Their kids had been doomed to be gingers from the start.
“Love you.”
“To the moon and back.” Nora tucked the covers in around Hazel. “Try to get some sleep. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
The younger woman grimaced. “If I ever feel worse than I did today, it would have to mean I died and went to hell.”
“Just think of what joy is ahead of you with childbearing,” Nora rejoined, tone light.
Hazel contemplated that for a moment. “I’ll adopt. There are enough redheads in the world.”
“Not. We’re a dying breed. I can talk genetics on that one if you’d like.”
Making a face, she said, “That’d definitely put me to sleep.”
“Well, I’m fresh out of bedtime stories, kiddo.” Nora snuggled down in bed, ready to watch over her sister for a while after she passed out. “I forgot to bring my copy of Where the Wild Things Are.”
“Man, that was my favorite book as a munchkin.” Hazel’s smile flashed brilliant for a moment. “I always loved how Anne would do all the voices when the Wild Things roared their terrible roars.”
“She copied Dad. That’s how he read the story too.”
“Did he?” she asked. “I don’t really remember him, just kind of a hazy feeling of him holding me in his arms and that being the safest place in the world.”
“He made all of us feel that way.” Nora shut her eyes for a moment, trying to bring him to mind. “I remember the bedtime stories. I have to look at photos to picture his face, but his voice, reading us stories…yeah, those memories are clear.”
“Ben has a nice voice too.” Hazel poked her side. “I bet he’d read you bedtime stories.”
Nora cracked one eye open. “It’s not the stories I want from him in bed.”
“Make him read you The Princess Bride,” Hazel suggested with a straight face. “It’s a kissing book.”
They both dissolved into smothered laughter, then tried shushing each other, which made them giggle harder.
“Oh. Oh.” Hazel held her sides and winced. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts my ribs.”
“As you wish.” Nora smooched her sister’s forehead and stroked back her hair. “Just close your eyes and try to catch a few Z’s. You need it.”
Within a few minutes, they were both fast asleep.
* * * * *
The sun beamed between the curtains and hit Ben square in the eyes. Wincing, he turned his face away, then winced again as his body made it clear that he was too old to be crashing on a lumpy couch. With a small groan he hoisted himself up, stretched his arms overhead, and felt a few joints pop.
Not a single peep came from anywhere in the apartment. He could hear the sound of Priya’s snoring, but there was no talking or rustling or anything to indicate either Hazel or Nora were up yet. Okay, so he needed to keep himself occupied for a while.
He grabbed his phone and checked the time. Not quite 9AM. There were definitely a few things he could get done. He found a pad of Post-Its on the kitchen counter and scrawled out a note that he’d be back by 10AM. He stuck the little piece of paper to the bathroom door, figuring it would be one of the women’s first stops of the day. Making quick use of the toilet, he decided to wait on the shower until he got back. First, he didn’t know how loud the pipes were and didn’t want to chance waking anyone. Second, if he had to get in a car redolent of vomit, he wanted to wash up afterwards, not before.
His primary mission was going to be getting the heinous stank taken care of—he was not driving hundreds more miles in the pukemobile.
While the car was being detailed at a nearby shop, he jogged across the street to a grocery store to buy a few items he thought might come in handy. Then it was back to the apartment, with a quick stop on the way at a drive-through diner to pick up breakfast for everyone. He’d guess no one felt like cooking this morning. He’d be surprised if Hazel or Priya even wanted to eat…then again, they might wake ravenous because they clearly had nothing in their stomachs.
&
nbsp; He brought the bags up the stairs, and Nora met him at the door, holding it open for him.
“What’s all this?” she asked, eyeing the plethora of sacks in his hands.
After walking in and kicking off his sandals, he set everything on the kitchen floor. “The girls need electrolytes, right? Sports drinks. Also, I got them some easy-on-the-stomach items that should last them the rest of the week. That way they don’t have to worry about shopping.” He held out one of the bags to her. “And this is breakfast for you.”
She tugged out a dish covered with a clear plastic lid and examined it. “Omelet, sausage, and toast.”
“Egg white omelet. That’s what you like, yes?” Unless she’d completely changed her eating habits, he knew he was right. He had a memory for details, and he never forgot anything about her. Even though he’d really wished he could many times over the years. Right now, he was glad he hadn’t gotten those wishes.
“Yes.” She blinked at him, seeming befuddled. “Thank you, Ben.”
He tipped his head in the direction of the hall. “Do you think it’s safe to leave them or should we stay another day?”
“They both say we can go, but…” Her brow furrowed. “The nurse in me agrees, the big sister wants to coddle until they’re actually well. I got them showered, but neither had the energy to do anything other than curl back up in bed. Not having to worry about food this week will be a big help.”
“I’m glad to be of assistance.” He nodded. “I’m willing to stay an extra day if that makes you feel more comfortable.”
She sighed, running a palm over sleep-disheveled hair. “No, we should go. I’m going to make them swear they’ll go to the campus health center if they throw up again.”
“Should we have Tweedle Dumb and Dumber check in on them?” He hated to ask, but they did seem to be the best alternative if neither he nor Nora could see them in person.
“Probably.” She wrinkled her nose. “Those two are halfwits.”
He couldn’t agree more. “Somehow I’m not shocked the car was stolen, that’s all I can say.”
“True, but…” Her eyes widened. “Oh God. My car.”
He reached out to set a staying hand on her shoulder. “I took it this morning and had it detailed. Not even a hint of puke left, I promise. I made them do the back seat twice to be sure. And they were also able to repair your flat tire, so it’s good as new in case we blow another one on the way home.”
“Thank you, Ben. Really.” Her relief was palpable. “I’ll repay you, of course, and…I don’t know how I’d have made it through the last day without you.” She rolled her eyes. “Though I’m not going to thank you for blackmailing your way into this trip, I am glad you’re here now.”
He brushed his lips over hers, the contact light. They both had morning breath, so prolonged contact would kill any romance in the gesture. “That’s enough for me. I’m glad I could help you.”
Her tongue swept out to lick her lower lip and he bit back a groan. Long days or not, he still burned for her.
“Let’s eat before it gets cold.”
He lifted another plastic sack from the diner. “I got the girls some fancy oatmeal and toast, but that was all they had on the menu that looked flavorless enough for recent food poisoning survivors.”
“I’ll take it to them.” She grabbed the bag and walked down the hall.
He busied himself by setting their breakfast out on the coffee table—since there wasn’t a dining room table to speak of—and started to unload the groceries in the kitchen. He had no idea where anything was supposed to go, so he stuffed the refrigerated items in the fridge and lined the rest up neatly on one counter. The girls would figure it out.
“Nice.” Nora grinned and settled cross-legged on the floor between the couch and coffee table. “Are you going to eat?”
“Yep.” His stomach growled loudly. “I doubt you could keep me from it.”
“You doubt it?” She arched a challenging eyebrow. “I’ll give you a blowjob if you skip breakfast.”
He froze, his mouth dropping open. His mind formed the image far too easily and a shudder swept through him. For a BJ from her? Hell yes, he’d go without a meal. He narrowed his eyes as he sat beside her. “You little witch.”
She smirked. “Made you consider it, didn’t I?”
“If I thought for a second you were serious…”
“What?”
“I wouldn’t hesitate, sweetheart.” He leaned in to whisper in her ear, pleased when she shivered. Then he took a deliberate bite of his scrambled eggs.
“Maybe I was serious.” She picked up her sausage, eyed it suggestively, then popped the whole thing in the mouth.
“Evil.” He shook his head, fighting a grin. Okay, he had to admit he enjoyed their sparring when it really was in good fun, and they were both in on the fun.
“Didn’t hear you complaining the other night, Hudson.” She winked and dug into her food with gusto.
“You’ll never hear me complain about that night, Kirby. Ever.”
She stuck her tongue out at him. “Eat your breakfast.”
“Hey, maybe I like slightly evil women.” With that, he applied himself to his French toast and eggs.
They ate in companionable silence and it was nice. It was rare that they’d been alone in each other’s company and not sniped at each other. Far too soon they were scraping the bottom of plastic containers. A pity, but he had the rest of day in the car with her. Maybe they’d continue this pleasant trend. When she rose and he got an eyeful of her pert ass, he decided pleasant wasn’t quite enough.
He pushed to his feet and followed her to discard his empty carton. When she tried to step past him, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed his lips to the soft skin at her nape. “Want to share a shower?”
“In my sister’s apartment?” The scandalized tone didn’t quite hide her excitement, and he felt her slight quiver.
“The bathroom door has a lock, and those two probably passed out in their oatmeal.” He scraped his teeth over the tendon that connected her shoulder to her neck. Her breathing sped and she dug her nails into his forearm. “We can be quick. Want to wager on how fast I can make you come?”
“No,” she gasped.
“No, you don’t want to bet, or no, you don’t want to do bad things in the shower?” He was going to hate it if she picked the second one because being this near, hearing the little hitch in her voice, had made him harder than steel. His cock throbbed like a tooth ache now that he had even the hint of an opportunity to get naked with her again.
“I…” She moaned when he sucked her earlobe into his mouth. “I…”
“You?” He nibbled down her throat. “Tell me what you want, Nora.”
“I can’t think.” She laughed, the sound unsteady.
He smoothed his free hand up her torso to cup her breast. The nipple was already tight, jutting into his palm. He circled it lightly with his fingertips, coaxing another low moan out of her. He shuddered, pulling her backside against his front. “You over-think things sometimes, sweetheart. This? You just need to feel. Let me make you feel good.”
“Oh. God.” She pressed her ass into his groin, as if testing how hard she could make him.
“I’m gonna come in my pants if you keep that up,” he growled.
“Then you’ll really need a shower.” Her tone was just a little too husky to be teasing, and she didn’t stop rubbing against him.
“Yes. Care to join me?” He nudged the neckline of her shirt aside with his nose and nipped at her shoulder.
A short little gurgling laugh spilled from her. “Yes. I would like to join you. I know I shouldn’t, for a million reasons, but…I want to anyway.”
Hot damn.
“Come with me.”
He moved slowly, pulling her along gently, as if he
might startle her into changing her mind if he went too fast. He scooped up the straps of both their overnight bags as they walked, drawing her into the bathroom. He let her shut and lock the door, stepping into the small room so she could bolt if she wanted to. Sure, he had no shame about seducing her into coming with him, but staying had to be her choice. He dropped the duffels on the Formica countertop.
With a deep exhale, she leaned back against the door and looked at him. Well, he should put on a show if she wanted to watch, right? He tugged the hem of his T-shirt out of his basketball shorts, inching the garment up and over his head. When he draped it over their bags, her gaze was glued to his bare torso. He swept a palm over his pecs, pausing to tweak his own nipple.
Her breath caught and she bit her lower lip.
“You have no idea how much I’d rather it was you touching me.”
“Don’t stop,” she whispered.
“Touching myself?” Oh Jesus, the woman was going to kill him.
She nodded, desire reddening her cheeks and brightening her eyes. If he’d always thought she was lovely, it was nothing to how she looked now. He’d been completely ignorant of how utterly captivating she was when she was turned on. Swallowing hard, he ran his fingers down the centerline of his chest, his stomach, and stopped at the waistband of his shorts. He paused just long enough to make her wonder, and she leaned forward as if urging him to finish stripping. After pushing his shorts and briefs down in one motion, he let gravity drag them to the floor and stepped out of them.
He cupped a hand around his cock, circled his fingers around the shaft, and stroked upward. Rubbing his thumb across the head to smear the bead of moisture there, he met her eyes. “Take off your clothes.”
She nodded, but her gaze dropped to his groin, watching him fondle himself. Without looking away, she untied the bottoms on her scrubs and they puddled around her ankles. She shucked her top and bra, then shoved her panties down and took a step toward him.
“You’re amazingly beautiful.” And she was, all flushed cheeks, sparkling eyes, creamy skin with tight pink nipples and a triangle of dark red curls between her thighs.
Ensenada Escapade: Destination: Desire, Book 6 Page 8