Salem Charm: Book 3 of Colson Brothers Series

by Madison, Reese

  I nodded, “Thank you.”

  “Get some rest Miss Whitmore. You’ll be out of here in no time.” He pulled Lou and Liz aside for a brief chat before they came back over.

  Lou took my hand and sat again, “Only one of us can stay, so Liz is going to go home now. Can she bring you anything?”

  “No. Lou is going home, and I’ll stay. You know her things better than I do, and you need some sleep. Go.” She pointed to the door.

  He simply dug his keys from his front jeans pocket and tossed them to her. “You know better.”

  Liz shook her head, “Fresh clothes and the usual toiletries?”

  “Yes, please. Take Lou with you. I’m just going to sleep anyway.”

  Lou scooted his chair closer and put his head down on my thigh with my hand sandwiched in his.

  “Never mind.” I mouthed a ‘thank you’ before I moved his hair off his face. “Sleep sweetheart.”

  He moaned and snored lightly within seconds.

  The nurse came in to put the pain medicine in the I.V. “I see he finally passed out.” She said softly.

  “How long have I been here?”

  “Let me see.” She checked my chart. “That’s about right.” She looked up, “Four days, this is your fifth night.”

  My face hurt at the pain poor Lou had suffered with me out cold from some heart virus brought tears to my eyes. Tears that overflowed uncontrollably.

  “Hey.” She touched my arm, “It’s okay now. You’re okay. And he’s sleeping, finally. Try to relax, you don’t want to relapse with stress, okay?”

  I nodded and took a couple deep breaths that hurt like hell, but the pain helped chase away the hurt. “Thank you. Poor Lou. Has he been here the whole time?”

  “Yes, and now that the doctor is off the floor I’m going to let your brother in. He’s been driving us nuts.”

  I almost laughed, but it hurt too bad. “Myles?”

  “Yes. Promise to stay calm?”

  I nodded, “Yes, please. I want to see him.”

  Myles came in a few minutes later. He was too afraid to hug me, but he took me in and made sure I was okay before kissing both my cheeks, my forehead, and making me promise to rest and get better. Lou didn’t budge except to keep his grip on my hand. Even in his sleep he won’t let go for anything.

  Life in a hospital stinks at best. If I’m lucky enough to sleep, somebody comes in to wake me up for vitals or shots. If I’m awake, I’m bored out of my ever living mind. No amount of magazines will sustain me.

  Then there’s Lou. “Please go home and take a shower. I’ll still be here when you get back.”

  “I’m fine. You should be getting out of here tonight. I want to make sure I’m here to get you home.”

  “They’re still doing the paperwork, and I have one more check-up before that happens. Not to be rude Lou, but you smell like four day old socks.”

  He laughed for the first time in a week then leaned over to kiss me and rub his stink all over my face and neck via his lips and beard. “Do i smell baby?”

  I pushed his chest, but I’m still too weak to move him. “You quit. Pew Lou! My goodness you need some soap and a good scrub.”

  “Tell me about it.” The doctor’s voice interrupted our play.

  Lou stood up, “Tell me you’re kicking us out.” He begged.

  “I am. We need to talk first.” He sat on the edge of my bed with the clipboard in his lap. He glanced at Lou, “You too.”

  Lou pulled up his chair, “I thought you said she was okay now Doc?”

  “She is, but to stay that way you’re going to have to follow a certain regime. First and foremost, no stress. Not even good stress, like a wedding. Keep it small.” He eyed Lou.

  “Done. What else?” Lou asked back.

  The doctor looked at me, “No kids. In fact I strongly suggest you get a clamp put on your tubes so there’s no accidents. If you get pregnant, it will kill you. Your heart is strong enough to keep you alive, but not two of you.” He paused.

  I sucked in and bit my dry lower lip. “No kids.”

  “That’s right. I brought you some information on that clamp. I want to see you again in three weeks. We’ll make any adjustments to your medications then. If you have any problems in the meantime my number is on the bottom of the first page. The key is rest. Bed rest for the next three weeks. If I clear you to get up you go on half day bed rest for a week.” He pointed at my nose, “If you want a normal life, you’ll take it easy and do not, get knocked up. I didn’t save your life to trade it for an infant’s.”

  “Who would take care of Lou?” I asked before I realized it was out loud.

  He smiled as Lou squeezed my hand, “Keep that train of thought and you’ll be fine.” He stood leaving the papers behind. “The nurse will be here in a few minutes to help you into the wheel chair. Evidently you have quite the entourage waiting for you downstairs.”

  “I do?”

  “Yeah. I’ve seen my share of bikers in this hospital, but this is ridiculous.” He complained leaving me and Lou looking at each other.

  I asked him, “How many people are here?”

  He shook his head, “I haven’t been out of this room since they brought in here. I have no idea.”

  “That explains why you smell like old socks.”

  The nurse rolled a wheelchair in with a smile, “Ready to go home Miss Whitmore?”

  I looked at Lou, “My home seems be by my side wherever I am these days.”

  “These days, and all your days to come my love.” He promised.

  They wheeled me down the hall, down an elevator, down two more halls and out the front doors of the hospital. My face did that weird crunching thing as I took in the flood of motorcycles and bikers. My hand trembled over my mouth as Lou squatted down in front of me.

  “You okay?” He wiped away my tears with his thumbs.

  “There’s so many!!” I laughed through tears. “Are they really all here for me??”

  He nodded and sniffed back his own tears. “Yes baby. You’re family. We’re all here for you. Even Some Exiles came up to see you.”

  I really started crying then, “Oh my God!”

  He pulled me into his arms for a gentle hug. “Shhh. Don’t get too worked up. They’’d never forgive themselves if their presence sent you back inside.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck as he gently pulled me out of the chair and set me in the back seat of an SUV. “Please tell them thank you for me.”

  “Don’t need to baby. Don’t need to.”

  Two weeks later I was ready to kill him, and everyone else within shouting distance. If I have to spend one minute in this bed it’s going to be somebody’s last minute alive.

  Lou walked in with a tray of tea and smile on his face. “Hello beautiful. How are you feeling?”

  “Like I want out of this bed. Enough already.”

  “You might have gotten the okay from the doctor, but I’m not convinced. Just a few more days babe.”

  I threw the covers off and onto the floor. “No. I won’t spend one more minute alone in this bed.”

  He set the tray on the dresser and walked over to take my hand. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “Shopping.”

  “Shopping?? What for? Lay back down, I’ll get it for you.” He’s driving me crazy with all this pampering.

  “No!!” I pushed him away and stopped in the doorway, “Either get in that bed with me right now, or I’m going out to buy shoes.”

  “It’s too soon. We’ve been over this. What if you have a heart attack during your first time? I don’t think I could live with myself.”

  “I’m tired of waiting. I’m tired of waking up in the middle of the night alone because you’ve s
nuck out again. Stop trying to protect me and make love to me!!!”

  “Okay, calm down. You’re getting too worked up.”

  “I want to be worked up.” I changed tactics. Something has got to work. I’ll seduce this man if it’s the last think I do, which at this rate could be a very long time. I stepped towards him and took my shirt off. “I’m done waiting.”

  “Barbara, don’t.”

  “Go as slow as you want, but if you don’t start undressing you I’ll do it myself.” I kicked out of my sweats and walked over backing him to the dresser. “I’m not that fragile. The dotter said I was cleared to have sex. You heard him yourself.”

  He put his hands on my hips. “We go slow, and you tell me the minute you feel sick or any pain. Promise?”

  “Promise.” I untucked his shirt and pulled it up over his head.

  “Are you sure the IUD is working?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t want to get you

  I put my finger to his lips, “Stop talking, and start kissing.”

  He narrowed those big blue eyes at me and smiled, “You’re in trouble now Barbie.”

  “I’ve been in trouble since the day we met.”

  He backed me to the bed and climbed over me as I laid back with my head on the pillows. “I was dead before the day we met. I love you, with all my heart.”

  I reached down and took two handfuls of the muscular jean-clad tush I’m going to spend the rest of my life grabbing every chance I get. “I love you too.” I pushed him to his back and popped the button of jeans open.

  “Slow down.”

  “We’ve been going slow enough already. I’ve been stuck in this room with nothing but lusty thoughts of you for two weeks. No more daydreaming.” I surprised myself as I took his jeans and boxers off and threw them to the floor.

  He rolled to help me out of them bra and panties while spreading sweet warm kisses in his wake. His tongue flicked over the sensitive nub between my legs and I thought I’d rupture right then. “Not yet baby. Wait for me. I want to come with you.”

  He slid up and kissed me sweetly as his fingers found me more than ready. I reached down and began guiding him to my threshold.

  He lowered onto his elbows and let me relax for a few seconds before lifting up breaking our kiss. His eyes are full of concern and desire. I can see the war raging inside him.

  To ease the battle I smiled, “I’m okay Lou, more than okay.”

  He exhaled, “It’s going to hurt for a minute, from what I understand.”

  “I’m well aware of that Lou. Come here.” I drove my fingers through his hair and pulled him down so I can whisper in his ear. “I want you. Now. Please.”

  He pushed in just a little. “You’re so tight.” He’s breathless with barely contained control.

  I reached down, grabbed that perfect tush and dug my fingers in as hard as I could as I arched for him.

  He groaned as he sunk deep and stopped. “Shit Barbie. If you move I’m done.” He laughed a little and I relaxed a lot. “Oh sweetheart. You’re open for me.” He sounded like it was a miracle and began moving out, then went back in.

  “Don’t stop.” I begged despite the pinching pain of my innocence being forever lost to the man I love. “I want to feel you. All of you.”

  “Baseball, football, soccer.”

  I giggled, “What are you doing?”

  “Trying not to lose it already.”

  “So I suppose it wouldn’t help if I said things like, lace, thigh-high leather boots, cleavage…

  He picked up speed causing me to take a sharp breath as the sensations overwhelmed me. “Barbara!!”

  “Don’t stop!!” I cried out as I lost all control of my body and clenched around him in one gloriously fulfilling release.

  “Oh shit!!” He cried out and arched his own back like a cobra as he spent his seed deep inside me.

  I ran my hands up his chest and over his shoulders. “You are so beautiful.”

  He smiled and looked down for me, “I don’t think men are supposed to be beautiful. handsome, sexy maybe, but not beautiful. You’re beautiful.”

  “I’ll try to come up with a better word later. Right now I want to do that again.”

  “Again? Already?”

  I nodded with what I’m sure is a goofy smile.

  He tried to look scoldingly at me, but I can see he’s much too happy to be taken seriously. “In a few minutes. I take it you’re not going shoe shopping?”

  “Are you going to make love to me again?”

  He rolled and sat me on top of him without ever leaving me. I’m sure he’s plenty ready now, but wants me to rest for a minute before we begin again. “As often as I can for the rest of our lives.”

  For the second time in the last few weeks, I took another first ride.

  Epilogue

  Lou and I were married two months later. Our honeymoon lasted a month inside his house. We had plenty to keep us busy with unpacking and rearranging of our new furnishings. He’d insisted we not travel because of the virus. Having traveled enough in my lifetime I was happy to just have him to myself while we played house and started our new life together.

  Paulie is still and issue, and dismantling the businesses is still a constant battle, but with Myles and Lou at my side things are manageable. I went ahead and had the outpatient surgery that put a clamp on my tubes. Lou agreed we could adopt if we ever really wanted kids. I’m thinking that will work itself out in due time. Right now I’m very happy to have Lou to myself.

  Once I was healthy enough, I started spending more time with Liz and a few other girls I’d bonded with in the kitchen that day. A day that seems so far away. Almost as far away as my old life. I don’t even feel like the old Barbara Whitmore anymore. I am Barbara Colson to my husband, and Bobby to my friends.

  My friends. That’s new too. Red, Salina, who I text several times a day and talk to at least once a week. Liz and I are talking about starting a catering business. Lou is hesitant of course, but he doesn’t argue with me too much anymore. He’s still on eggshells over my health and we are still discussing the architectural company.

  I received a letter from Paulie Macaroni, that’s all he is to me, earlier today. Part of me wanted to rip it up and throw it away without reading it. The other part knew better.

  I opened the envelope and unfolded the single sheet of paper.

  Dearest Daughter,

  Your recent health problems do not change anything. However, I see you’re dissolving Mr. Whitmore’s assets as quickly as possible. This does change things.

  As you know you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip, and I have been advised not to engage in a war with your husband’s family. Therefore your life and well being will not come into jeopardy via myself.

  This is not to say you are safe shall we happen to cross paths in the future. I suggest you see we do not. I will say one thing daughter, well-played.

  Your Father—Paulie

  Lou snatched the letter from my hands, “What’s this?”

  “A letter from Paulie. I didn’t know you were home.”

  “I see that. I’ve been standing here for two minutes while you read this. How was it delivered?”

  “The mail I guess. Don’t get worked up, he’s not going to bother me anymore.”

  “He didn’t exactly say you were safe either.” He argued folding the letter and shoving it in his inside cut pocket.

  “At least I know he won’t cause you and the club problems.”

  “Men like that lie, Barbara. I’m going to put a couple prospects on you for a while just in case.”

  “Like I’m not surrounded by enough bikers??” I teased.

  He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck, “Just think, you’ve o
nly met three chapters and a couple HOGs.”

  I went from having no family, to one so large I don’t think I’ll ever meet them all, but I love them all anyway. Just like they loved me enough to put me in the center of a loving motorcycle parade on our wedding day. Talk about a big biker hug!