“Twins, ahh, I was just thinking how much you look alike, it makes sense now. I was told you don’t live here in Seattle, where did you travel from?”
“Maine…about as far away as we can get from each other.”
I move to the bedside and take his vitals, listening to his lungs while we keep up this little nurse/family conversation. I notice she seems sad about the distance between them, but don’t want to be too nosy. Twins that don’t keep contact…there must be something serious going on there. Gabriella relaxes back into her chair and takes Evan’s hand again.
“We don’t have any other family, our parents aren’t alive and there are only the two of us,” she explains.
“I’m glad he has someone here with him. He can probably hear when you talk to him you know. I always tell family to talk to their loved ones, you never know, it could help him wake up.”
“Oh, I wasn’t sure if that was a myth; I’ll start taking to him more, do you think I should read to him?”
“Sure, anything to stimulate his brain is good.”
“Ok, I really wish he would show some sort of response…well sort of.” Gabrielle sounded a little worried about the prospect of Evan waking up.
“What do you mean?” It’s none of my business, but I can’t help asking. “Well Evan is a little… difficult, maybe I shouldn’t say anything in front of him if he can hear me…”
“Oh…ok, well if you want to talk about it I’m always just outside the room on the other side of that window, I’ll be charting there.”
“Ok, thank you Mia,”
Leaving the room I sit at the charting station right outside Evan’s door and wonder what she meant by “difficult”, and why didn’t they keep in touch, they’re twins! I catch up on my charting and start considering looking through Evans chart to see what kind of work he does, or Googling him to learn more about him. What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t research my patients, but then again I’ve never had a patient this mysterious and handsome before. Ok, so looking to see where he works isn’t too ‘stalky’, is it? I can do that can’t I? I flip to the first page of his chart with all of his admitting information, looking for the place of employment section and it says ‘Dominus’, he’s the owner. Hmmmm that sounds a little like ‘dominatrix’… feeling silly about comparing the two, I giggle to myself. I wonder what kind of business Dominus is’ I could Google it.
No, it’s none of my business.
Just take care of the guy Mia, God!
Just then, bringing me back from my thoughts, Gabriella steps out of his room with a long, expensive-looking camel colored coat on; she wears the same colored boots with a higher heel than I could ever hope to walk in. She pulls off a look of casual and dressy, expensive and exotic with ease. She holds her head high, looking very confident, and nothing like the look from earlier when she mentioned Evan was ‘difficult’; that was more like fear.
“Good bye Mia, please take good care of my brother, I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Sure, of course I will, and we have a number that we can reach you at if he comes around right?”
“Yes I gave it to the day nurse, and please call me right away, I’ll come any time.”
“Ok, I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Goodbye.” Gabriella strides to the elevator and disappears when the doors slid shut. I suddenly can’t wait to be alone with Evan and I’m glad his sister has gone home. How selfish Mia, geesh, what is your deal?!
Again I administer his scheduled medications into his IV and touch his warm, soft hand. I hope nobody is watching me from the hall; I closed the blinds to the window facing my charting station and shut the door. Leaning down close to his mouth I suddenly have the urge to bite his perfect full bottom lip. What the fuck, I’ve never bitten or wanted to bite anyone before.
What. Is. Wrong. With. Me?!
Instead, I reign in that compulsion and whisper to him, “It’s Mia, I’m back tonight, I’ve got you Evan, you’re in good hands.” I need to do something that will allow me to touch him, but professionally, and I settle on a shave, opening a cupboard in the room to gather supplies to shave his face with. I can’t believe no one has done this in the four days I’ve been off; he’s going to look like a lumber jack soon if no one does it, albeit the sexiest lumberjack who ever lived. I move the oxygen cannula from his face and lay it next to him on the pillow. Propping my hip on the bed next to him, I settle in and feel the heat from his body against mine, I take a deep breath and blow it out, his hair flutters from my breath. Foreign feelings spark through my body, feelings I’ve never experienced before. I calm myself and begin to smooth shaving cream across his face and neck. Slowly and carefully I begin to shave his face, moving the razor up his neck I gently grasp his chin and move his face around to the correct angles to get a close shave. I take my time and enjoy touching him in such an intimate way without him being conscious. I feel a little guilty, this could have been done much quicker but I draw it out, I just can’t get enough of him. When I’m finished I place a hand on each side of his face and feel the smooth skin that is now exposed. Wow he’s even more handsome with a clean-shaven face, it that were humanly possible. I move my hand to brush the dark curl of hair from his forehead; he has a gash at the hairline that isn’t clean enough for my liking. I remove my hands from Evan’s face and collect supplies to clean his wound. Speaking in a soft, low voice I explain every move I make as I clean and bandage him up. Suddenly I lean down and rest my cheek against his, feeling his warm breath on my neck I turn and softly press my lips on to his.
OH. MY. GOD. What am I doing?
Quickly I replace the oxygen, clean up my mess and leave the room, shocked at my own behavior. This is ridiculous; I’m out of control, maybe I should have someone trade patients with me…. no…I can’t. I don’t want anyone else touching him, but where is this possessiveness coming from?
For the rest of my shift I keep my hands to myself unless I have another nurse in the room with me to reposition him. It’s miserably difficult but I make myself do it. Again I can hardly pull myself away when my shift is over. Melissa, his day nurse today tells me his sister comes around 9 a.m. This comforts me somehow and makes it bearable for me to go home and sleep, but I have the security of knowing I’ll be back tonight at seven p.m.. although it seems like forever from now…
Chapter 3
“A Lonely Man.” by Daniel James
At home I wash my face, tie my obscenely long, thick blonde hair in a knot and grab a bottle of water before curling up on my bed for a little while before I take my sleeping pills. I pull out my iPad, hesitating for a moment before I Google Evan’s place of business that’s listed on his chart.
Dominus; it’s an exclusive, very elegant looking restaurant with a nightclub included. After investigating further, I learn that Dominus is not just one single restaurant. There are many locations all over the world, from here in Seattle to San Diego, Chicago, Italy, France, Miami, New York, Brazil and even Australia! Holy crap, this is a very successful man. And the pictures…. wow, I can’t believe the degree of extravagance, it seems no expense was spared decorating these places, and the nightclubs look a little dark and mysterious, a little creepy even maybe. Ok, now I’m even more intrigued, and a little voice in the back of my head is telling me I should stop right here. Digging any deeper is only going to be trouble, dangerous even, but do I listen?
NO! SHUT UP little voice!
After searching a little further, I learn he is 36 years old, lives here in Seattle and grew up in Maine but was born in Italy. Hmmm, Gabriella lives in Maine; he was the one to put down roots on the opposite side of the country. Strangely this is all I can find, I’ve hit a brick wall. There are pictures of him at Dominus in various locations around the world. Oh those eyes…. so that’s what they look like when they are open…. green, no not just green, so bright green that they’re almost glowing, like a cat. Seems strange he has green eyes with such a dark complexion and Latin descent; I
would have guessed them to be brown. Looking at several photos, I realize that in every one he’s alone, as in no women or date; he’s also never smiling, although he’s not frowning either, he’s just more like, withdrawn or defensive.
He owns places where important and famous people gather and spend shit loads of money, why wouldn’t beautiful, famous women surround him?
Scrolling down I come across a collection of photographs taken in Dominus locations all over the world; famous people, I mean like REALLY famous people are posing in every one. Frustrated I finally put down the iPad and take my sleeping pills. Maybe I could ask his sister about it, but then again she said they weren’t close any more… images of Evan standing in his restaurants float through my mind as I drift again into my dreamless sleep.
Waking up during the day can be unsettling; the room is dark and I don’t quite know the time. I roll over and realize it’s still early and I’m feeling creative. The Seattle Glass Blowing studio is a place of healing for me, somewhere I can fully throw myself into, making something beautiful and escaping reality, if only for a short time. Hopping out of bed and grabbing my iPad, I start some music and head to the shower. I stop in front of the bathroom mirror where I examine myself, I have crazy bed head with long, tangled blonde hair that worked its way out of the knot it was in. What was I doing in my sleep these days?
Shadows under my eyes give me away as having been working too much and I could use a vacation somewhere warm, where I can get some color to my skin on a sandy beach. I turn on the water, strip down and step into the hot shower that instantly steams up the bathroom. I work on washing all of my hair and tap my foot to the beat of the music while dancing around periodically, washing and shaving. I rarely do anything without music, except at work and even then when it’s slow I sneak in my ear buds while charting or observing a sleeping patient. Evan sleeping, and there he is again, invading my thoughts.
Am I ever going to get this guy off my mind?
Stepping out of the shower I look in the mirror again. Hmmm, slight improvement; I now have some color in my cheeks from the hot water. I dry off and blow-dry my hair, which takes time and patience. I dress in old jeans and a tank top and layer a navy blue UW sweatshirt over top. Layering is necessary; the fall weather is bringing cooler temperatures, but it’s roasting hot in the studio. I gather my hair back into my usual thick braid and grab some boots. Purse…where is my damn purse? I lose my belongings on a regular basis. I don’t know how I manage that; it’s probably a 50 lb. purse, how the hell do you lose that? Ahh, it’s on the floor by the front door and I scoop it up, heaving it onto my shoulder and pulling the hood up on my sweatshirt when I step outside; the wind is chilly today. My red Volvo S60 is parked on the street, my one indulgence in life. I make good money and I have all my student loans paid off, but I live well beneath my means. I own an apartment above several small shops, a bakery and boutique; the smells from the bakery that drift up to my place are heavenly. I go out occasionally with a very select group of friends; trust is a monumental issue for me since my attack, and I suppose the very safe car is in a way related to that as well. I panic at the thought of breaking down and being alone on the side of the road, exposed and vulnerable. Simply put, my car is my baby.
When I arrive, I see my friend Jay working on another vase. I think he’s made a million; he turns toward me and I see the beads of sweat covering his bald head, sliding down his neck and disappearing into his shirt. Jay is one of the only men in my world that I trust, I’ve known him for 10 years, since I started coming here searching for a therapeutic hobby.
“Hey Mia, long time no see!” he calls out enthusiastically.
“Hey Jay, nice vase,” I tease.
“Yea practice makes perfect right?” he answers, shrugging his broad shoulders.
“Well you should be faultless by now, you must give your wife flowers every day to keep them all in use!”
“Naaah, she puts ‘em all away; I think she’s sick of me making them too.”
“Maybe you should branch out, make a candy dish or something,” I reply playfully.
“Ehh I’ll stick to what I know.”
“Ok, suit yourself.” I shed my sweatshirt and grab a steel rod. I begin to gather molten glass from the first oven and my vision is clear in my mind; a multicolored light fixture, that will hang from the ceiling, spiking out in all directions. Working the glass onto the steel rod, it’s like turning caramel onto an apple and I let my mind wander to Evan. I wonder what he’s like when he’s awake? Of course I want him to wake up, but a teeny tiny, selfish part of me likes him sleeping so I can admire his beauty without feeling self-conscious; he’s just that gorgeous. I carry my glass to the marker and begin shaping, repeating the process with red, lavender and blues, yellow and greens that flow, merging the glass into a beautiful, enormous artistic light fixture, colors flaring out all over.
Looking at the photographs of Dominus inspired me, it’s to be a beautiful light that could be hanging in any one of his restaurants or clubs. Jay shoots me a shocked look.
“Holy hell Mia, that thing’s a monster! It’s gorgeous though; I’ve never seen you make anything like that before!”
“Yea, had some inspiration hit me this week.” Yea, inspiration named Evan Lawson.
Man I’m sweating my ass off, I’ve spent so much time working on this piece that I’m soaked by the time I’m satisfied and place the light into the anneal to cool overnight. Overnight… shit, I need to get out of here so I can get home and shower before work. As I’m cleaning up my supplies, Jay gives me a little wave.
“Leaving so soon?”
“Yep gotta work tonight.”
“Okay, see ya next time Mia, come by more often, I miss seeing you around here.”
“Will do Jay, and have fun with your millionth vase,” I tease.
“Yea but it’s perfect right?” He holds up his nearly finished product. “Yea Jay it really is.”
It’s a perfect, tall and slender purple vase, I really do like it.
“Hey do you have plans for that?” I ask.
“Nope, just gonna add it to the collection I guess.”
“Can I have it? I have a patient that’s going to be with us for a while and he could use something beautiful to look at when he wakes up. He’s in a coma.”
“Yea sure, you got a little thing for this guy, shame on you for taking advantage of a guy in a coma!” he snickers and my mouth drops open; how could he know that, is it that obvious?!
“Of course not!” I’m blushing a dark shade of pink, I can feel it crawling up my neck to my face.
“I’m just messin’ with ya Mia, sure you can have it, just take it out of the anneal tomorrow when you pick up your piece.”
“Thanks.” I hurry out the door to avoid any further teasing, and because I’m going to be late for work.
Chapter 4
“Look After You.” by The Fray
I get dressed in my scrubs; it’s nice to basically wear pajamas to work. I braid my long damp hair, effectively keeping it out of my face, apply a touch of mascara and dash out the door. At the hospital I request Evan as a patient tonight and I’m assigned him and another woman who has a gunshot wound to the head; she isn’t expected to live.
She’s the wife of a very wealthy man, and it was a stray bullet; she was shot sitting in her car at a stop light. Multiple family members stand around in the lobby, crying at the news, and her husband is at her bedside. He is devastated, lost, holding her hand and sobbing openly. It makes me think about losing a loved one, a partner, a husband and a soul mate; I shudder, even though I have never known that kind of love, I imagine it must be terrible. I check on Evan first, he’s still unconscious but tonight his sister isn’t alone at his bedside. A very handsome blonde man is standing on the opposite side of Evan’s bed, dressed in a dark pin-striped very expensive looking suit. He’s talking softly with Gabriella and when I enter the room they become quiet and greet me.
“Oh
hello Mia, I’m so glad your finally hear, this is Isaac,” she introduces me to the striking blonde man with crystal blue eyes and he offers me his hand to shake.
“Nice to meet you Isaac, it’s always good to have friends visit, maybe it will spark something and he will wake up.”
“Oh, we aren’t friends,” he says nervously, glancing quickly at Evan and back to me. “I work for Mr. Lawson.”
Gabriella speaks up, sounding a bit embarrassed at Isaac’s denial of friendship.
“Isaac is Evan’s right-hand man and he manages one of Evan’s restaurants located here in Seattle, he is invaluable to him. I’m sure he considers you his friend Isaac.” She too glances at Evan.
What’s going on here, this guy seems afraid Evan might hear him claiming to be his friend, and what could be wrong with that?
“Well a familiar voice can be helpful too.” I’m attempting to cut some of the tension in the room. Isaac gives me a crooked smile and then his eyes are on his feet, hands in the pockets of his pants, shuffling his feet around like a kid who has been caught doing something wrong. I check Evan over and leave the two of them to talk. I need to see my other patient anyway, and this room is feeling uncomfortable. Isaac doesn’t stay long, he leaves after looking over some paperwork with Gabriella in the hallway. Gabriella touches my arm.
“Mia I’m leaving now, I’ll be back in the morning.”
“Ok, I work tomorrow night again, I imagine I’ll see you.”
“Oh you will, if you’re working I’ve requested you to always be his nurse.”
“Oh…” I’m a little surprised and I’m not sure what to say.
“I know it’s silly and you probably won’t believe me.” She looks down at the floor and back up to me, holding my eyes in a serious gaze that pleads believe me. “I feel like he’s more comfortable when you’re here.” She pauses waiting for my reaction, which I do not give away because I truly don’t know what to say.
Dark Kiss (The Two sides of me Book 1) Page 2