She hoped he wouldn’t read too much into the question. She would be fine if she had to stay with Andrew for a few more days.
Maybe even a lifetime.
“It may have extra room for one person. I figured Trina would go with him. I’ve got to let them in. I’ll be right back.”
Andrew put on his winter coat and boots and met Rob, already dressed at the front door. They left, and were back within minutes. Behind them were two paramedics carrying a gurney and bags of medical gear.
“He’s in here.” Andrew led them to the living room.
“Thanks,” one of them said. “We’ll take it from here. Good evening, ladies.”
“Good evening,” Abby replied. “Ruth, let’s give them some room.”
She and Ruth got up and moved over to where Andrew and Rob were standing so the emergency workers could provide first response medical treatment and get John on the gurney.
Andrew looked over at Rob. “Someone should get Trina. Make sure she brings John’s ID. She can phone his parents later for medical records if the hospital needs it.”
“I’ll go get her,” Ruth said quickly.
“I’ll help,” Rob added. The two left, heading upstairs.
“Do you know where they’ll take him?” Abby asked Andrew.
“Norton Memorial Hospital. That’s where I registered the chopper service for emergencies. It’s an acute care hospital, and has the best trauma center in the area. Don’t worry. He will get the best possible care. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Thanks, Andrew.”
Abby stood beside him. She laced her fingers into his. Andrew welcomed her hand and squeezed it gently.
“Okay, Mr. Carrington. He’s stable,” the paramedic told them. “We’ll get him to Norton and let you know his condition when there’s an update.”
“Excellent. Phone me anytime, day or night.”
They carefully placed John in the stretcher and covered him in extra blankets.
“Is anyone riding along?” The medic asked as they headed for the door.
“Yes, his girlfriend. She’ll be right down.”
“I’m here,” Trina said from the hallway. Her face was red and her eyes were swollen from crying, but she seemed to have calmed down considerably. “I’ve got his health insurance information.”
“Don’t worry about that, Trina,” Andrew answered. “It’s taken care of. Just go and be with him.”
She walked to him before leaving, and hugged him. “Thank you, Andrew. I…I just don’t know how to thank you for this…for helping us out there, and for saving him.”
“It’s okay. You’re welcome.” He pulled away slowly. “Now go on. He still needs proper care. The medics need to get him to the hospital now.”
Trina moved off and quickly hugged Abby, giving her back her car keys that were still in her pocket. She gave a quick embrace to Rob, Barb and Ruth as well, who stood on the porch while Andrew led the medics outside to the chopper. The snow was so high, the medics had to flip up the wheeled legs of the stretcher to slide it over the hardened ice until they got to the heated space around the helipad. They placed John inside, and helped Trina in afterward. Trina waved to everyone on the porch when the pilot lifted. Andrew came back inside after they left.
“And then there were five,” Barb muttered softly. Abby heard her, but wasn’t sure if anyone else did.
“I hope he’ll be okay,” Ruth said.
Andrew locked the door after everyone filed into the living room.
“Me too,” Rob answered, looking around. “I’ll clean up this mess in the living room. I’ll get the kitchen too.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ll take the kitchen, Rob,” Ruth said. “Sorry, I can’t do much in the living room. I get faint when I see blood.”
Rob nodded, and she followed him to the kitchen.
Oh, heck,” Barb said following after the two. “I’ll help you in the kitchen, Ruth.”
After they had left, Abby and Andrew stood quietly, looking down at the spot where John had been.
Abby turned to look at him. “You were amazing, Andrew.”
“I hope it was enough.”
“I’m sure it was.”
“You were great too. You kept the rest of them calm by not reacting.”
“Thanks. It’s good training, nothing else.”
“That’s a severe injury he got, and he’s lost so much blood.”
“Yes. It’s hard not to worry about him, but really, I don’t think any of us can thank you enough.”
“It’s all right,” he answered, stepping closer to her. “I’m glad he’s stable. I hope he’ll be fine.”
“Yes. I hope so too.”
Abby thought for a minute, and stepped close enough so she could hold him around his waist. She craned her neck up at him, and looked into his eyes. “I’m going to stay back and help Rob take care of the floors. Can I come and see you after?”
He tilted his neck and kissed her softly on the lips. “I can help here too.”
“Not a chance. No, you need your rest. You’ve done so much for us already. We can handle this.”
“Are you sure?”
“I insist. Do you mind if we roll up the Persian rug? Basic cleaning supplies won’t get that stain out without destroying the carpet.”
“Of course. Leave it in the hallway. I’ll get the housekeeper to call someone once the roads are open.”
“Good. You go relax. We’ll take care of this.”
“Okay. And yes. Come see me anytime. I’ll be in the office for a bit.”
She pulled him closer and gave him another brief kiss before heading to the kitchen. Andrew followed behind. They parted ways in the hallway.
Ruth and Barb were already busy cleaning up the kitchen when she got there. “Rob, I’ll give you a hand with the living room.”
“Sure,” he answered.
“There’s a lot of blood, so we need gloves, bleach, paper towels, a few plastic bags, a mop and a bucket half-filled with water.”
“Cool.”
“If I don’t see you ladies tonight, sleep well okay? Maybe the plows will come through by tomorrow.”
“Gosh, I hope so,” Barb agreed. “Have a good night, Abby.”
Abby carried the kitchen gloves, paper towel and bleach, and Rob brought the mop and bucket. They stood around the bloody area briefly, as Abby assessed what needed to be done.
“We can’t do much with the Persian. Let’s roll it up and get it in the hallway. Andrew said he’ll get someone to come clean it in a few days. After that, the job is pretty simple. We’ll sop up the blood with the paper towels, secure the bloody towels in plastic bags, and then is just a matter of mopping with a solution of nine parts water to one part bleach.”
“That’s it? I can do that myself. You should go rest that leg.”
“My leg is fine. Almost as good as new.”
“Come on, Abby. I can do this in no time. It’s simple. You go rest. Or go see if Andrew needs anything.”
“Are you positive?”
“Yes. Go. Have a good night.”
“Thanks Rob. I wanted to ask, though. What happened out there?”
“It was a mean mountain lion. John and Trina may have snuck up on it when they got to the SUV. The thing sprang up on him so fast. It was unreal. Andrew had to stab the animal to get it off John’s arm. That guy really saved the day. Sheesh, I thought John was a goner for sure.”
“Wow.”
“Yes. You and Andrew were crazy good. The way you prepped John and helped him work on John, the two of you looked like you’ve worked together for ages. Great teamwork. You kept us all from shitting our pants, too. I mean, I’ve never seen so much blood, Abby.”
“I’m glad you didn’t crap in your pants, Rob,” she joked. “John isn’t out of the woods yet, but he’s young, and so strong.”
“True. Anyway go ahead. I got this. After I’m done, I’m gonna kick back a beer and head to bed.”
/> “Thanks, Rob. Good night.” Abby squeezed his shoulder and went to look for Andrew. She knew just what would help him relax.
Chapter Four
ANDREW sat at his office desk, busying himself to try and get the college kids off his mind. He was relieved the worse was over, but couldn’t shake the nervous rumbling in his gut. The incident was avoidable. He thought he had been clear when he told them not to go outside, but still, he felt it might be partly his fault.
They’re all adults, but I’m acting like they’re kids, like they’re my responsibility.
He let out a breath and shook his head, resigning himself to letting it be. The nerves and feeling jittery would take at least a half hour to pass. He had become used to it. Actually, he wasn’t quite used to it—the adrenalin-rushed, tense reaction that tightened up every muscle in his body was not something he thought he could ever get used to. Still, he had begun to know what to expect. That predictability allowed him to move through it more quickly.
He put the air ambulance contact page back in its place in the top drawer, and hoped he would not have any use for it during the rest of the students’ visit. He got up to leave and heard a knock on the door.
“Hey,” Abby said.
“Hi. Finished already?”
“Not quite. Rob took over and chased me away. He’s always been like that. Keeping busy is like breathing for him. I’ve known him since forever. His family never needed to push him to do anything. Hard work is also his way of dealing with everything.”
“I know the feeling sometimes.”
“Speaking of keeping busy,” she said, resting her hands on his chest as she looked up at him, “care for some company?”
“Hmmm.” He took her in his arms. “Let me think about that for a second. Who am I kidding? Yes, of course I’d love your company.”
“Good.”
The tone of her voice was smooth and soft, filled with seduction. She felt so good pressed against his chest. Andrew could take her right there in his office. He settled instead for a kiss on her forehead. There was still a lot of night left for what he wanted.
“So what do you have in mind?”
“I was thinking, as my ankle is so much better, we could put on that Jacuzzi tub in your bedroom, and relax a little. After that, we could have a glass of wine.” She reached up to his neck and squeezed his shoulders gently. “Or, I could give you a massage to relax these tight shoulders of yours.”
“I couldn’t say no to you if I tried,” he said, smiling. God, she knew how to set him at ease. “Let’s go, before I pick you up like Biff the caveman and carry you to my bed again.”
“I never said I had a problem with it,” she teased. “I just said I didn’t want to get too used to it.”
“In that case…” He swooped her up and carried her to his bedroom.
She may have forgotten the others were around. She let out a loud squeal, and giggled all the way to his bed.
He set her down gently. “Wait here. I’ll get the water started.”
He was gone for less than a minute. There was one thing he realized about Abby as he filled the large tub. He adored the feel of her skin on his, her body close to his, her breath on his cheek. She made him feel—normal. The word seemed mundane to most people, he was sure. For him, it meant so much more.
It meant he could breathe without feeling he was hyperventilating. He could think without his mind racing. He could speak without hesitation. He could sleep without the nightmares. He could momentarily forget he was a bear shifter. Most of all, normal meant he could probably love her without that nagging, debilitating fear he had, that something bad might happen. He had not felt as good as he did around her for over two years. He desperately wanted to get back there—to normalcy.
“Is it ready yet?” Abby peaked over his shoulder.
He bent to feel the water temperature, then stood up and turned to her, smiling. “It’s just getting started.”
“So we have time, then.”
“Time for what?”
She took his hand and led him back to the bedroom. “Time for some wine and a toast.”
She had brought a bottle to the room with two wine glasses.
“Sure.”
She let him open it. He poured the wine and passed her a glass.
“What are we toasting to?”
“To teamwork…overcoming…and extra well-wishes for John’s speedy treatment and recovery.”
“Here, here.”
They clinked glasses and had a sip.
“Good wine, too,” she added, taking his glass and putting both back on the tray. “Now, let’s get in that tub. Actually, I’ll rinse off before I jump in.”
“Me too. I’ll come with you. I’ve got extra robes in there, too.”
They peeled off all their clothes and went to the shower, hand in hand. Andrew got it started, and they took turns standing under the warm, rejuvenating stream of water. The tub was ready by time they were done.
“After you.” He held out his hand to help her step inside.
Abby moaned from delight when she sank down into the hot water. “Ahhhh. This is exactly what I needed.”
When she was settled, he climbed in after her. It was delightful, the feel of slowly lowering his cooling body from the shower, into the steamy swirling water. The heat soaked deep into his muscles. He could relax, sitting beside her. Abby had leaned back, and closed her eyes. She looked so peaceful, immersed from the neck down. Andrew followed suit, letting the tensions of the past two hours—and probably of the past two years—melt away.
When his body was used to the heat, he reached over to the wall and turned up the jets a couple of notches.
“God, this feels so good,” Abby whispered, seeming in complete mindless abandon as she relaxed.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it this much.” He put his arm around her shoulder and gently pulled her closer.
After some time, she told him, “I am enjoying it, but—”
“What?”
“Not as much as this.”
She moved through the water and straddled his legs to kneel in his lap. She held on to the tub on each side of his massive shoulders until she got her balance, and began to rub his muscular shoulders and neck.
“How does that feel?”
“Incredible,” he answered, gripping her waist and pulling her in for more contact with his throbbing cock. “The massage feels nice too.”
“Mmmm.”
He rocked her gently, and her grip on his shoulder loosened slightly. The massage soon ceased. Abby was positioned perfectly. Her small breasts glistened in front of him. He couldn’t resist kissing each one. Her moans became louder, and she was soon rocking along with him in the water.
He released an arm from her waist and slid it up her back, hungrily tasting and teasing each breast.
“I want you, Abby.” He growled, nipping gently on her tender nipples.
She hissed with pleasure, fisting his hair. She bucked her hips faster and the water around them picked up their rhythm, lapping against the sides as their desire intensified.
“God, I want you so bad too, baby. I want you inside me, Andrew.”
She lifted her hips enough for him to position his manhood under her. He gripped an ass cheek with one hand and the top of her back with the other, pulling her down onto his cock. She sank down on it, eyes rolled back into her head, awash with passion. Then he lifted her up and impaled her again. He relished the look on her face as she found her pleasure and rocked him to his.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and inched closer to her climax, burying his head in her chest and tilting her neck to find and graze his ear. The heat of the water, her tightness on his cock and the way she nibbled on his ear pushed him too close the edge.
“I’m gonna come, Abby,” he groaned into her chest, sending a deep vibration through her that he thought must have done it for her too. She arched her back, and this time, she let out a long, raspy moan when
she came. Her channel tightened around his shaft, creating the perfect amount of friction for him to release. He came with one final thrust, and growled a deep and almost tormented tune.
She slowly descended from her high, and rested her head on his shoulder, holding on to him around his arms. They didn’t move for some time. They were exhausted from urgent events of the evening, and their spent passion.
“I could so get used to this,” Abby whispered in his ear.
“I think I already have, Abby,” he answered, tightening his grasp around her waist. “You’re addictive.”
“Mmmm. Do you want to know something else?”
“What’s that?”
She tipped her head and nipped his neck again. “I want you again.”
Andrew’s manhood throbbed and came alive again from her tantalizing announcement. Her voice was all it took to make him hard as stone.
“Christ, Abby. You have a way with words, woman. I’m ready for you all over again.”
“That’s convenient.”
“No kidding. Come on, let’s get out of this water before it starts to cool.”
He lifted her off his shaft and helped her up. “Take your time standing up. The hot water can make you dizzy.”
He held a firm hand on her back until she was out of the tub, and got out afterward. They dried off and threw on robes before going to bed.
“Are you thirsty?” she asked, sprawling out on the bed.
“I’ll get us some water from the kitchen. You relax.”
“Thanks, Andrew.”
He tied the band of his robe and quietly took the back hallway to the kitchen. There was likely no one up, but he didn’t want to take any chances. It was good that he did. Rob was sitting in a bar stool at the kitchen center island. He was nursing a beer, and did not look like his usual self.
“Hey,” Andrew said to him. “Everything okay?”
“Oh, hi,” he answered, straightening up. “Yeah. Yes, I’m okay. All good over here.”
Andrew could tell he was covering. The worried, miserable frown on his face betrayed him. “What is it?”
“I’ll be fine. I think it just hit me, you know? One minute, I’m hanging out with my buddy, and the next, he’s passed out with one messed up arm. I was good, you know? I was taking it in stride; staying positive and keeping cool for the ladies…until I went to tie up that bag with all those paper towels of his blood. He lost so much blood, man. I used up a whole paper towel roll cleaning up what was on the floor. I’ve never seen so much blood pour out of a person.
Cabin Bear Heat Box Set: A Paranormal Fantasy Bear Shifter Romance (A Bear Shifter Romance Retelling of the Billionaire Redemption Series Book 2) Page 16