by Vicki Green
She lowers her fork, the look of confusion shadows her face. “Why?”
I lay my fork down on my plate and wipe my mouth with my napkin. Tilting my head, I glare into her eyes. “Why?” She blinks rapidly. “Have I not told you my feelings for you? Have I not been open and honest with you, trying to help you to understand how I feel?” I lean my elbows on the table, coming closer to her. I can smell her, feel the warmth of her breath on my face. “You’re a strong woman, one that I’d like to get to know better. Do I want your body? I’d be a fool to say no but….” She leans back in her chair, her body stiffens. I reach across and take her hand, rubbing my thumb over her soft, smooth skin. “Irish. I want to know you. What’s inside you. Having sex would be a bonus.” She purses her lips but I heard the laugh bubble out anyway. “You think that’s funny?” I watch her suck that damn lower lip in her mouth as she shakes her head slowly. She’s making me crazy. “And if you don’t stop that, we may be having sex in just a few seconds.” Her lower lip pops out of her mouth. Plump. Wet. Okay, that didn’t help. I shut my eyes tight and try to think of anything that will slow down my heart and deflate my already hard cock. When I reopen them, she’s got a small smile showing, knowing what she’s doing to me. She’s smart, that’s for sure. I pick up my fork and stab aggressively at a piece of sausage. When I look back up at her, her smile is full-fledged. “In the morning, after we check-out, if your knee isn’t better than I’m taking you to the doctor or ER. End of discussion.”
She tilts her head but her smile is still there. “Okay.” She sits back up and picks up her fork, scooping up another large portion of pancakes. Her brows lower and sadness appears, removing that beautiful smile. “I know I’m not being fair to you. It’s not your fault that I’m the way I am.” She looks down, now running her fork through the pancakes. “I guess I’m a little frightened of being hurt. Happens every day to someone, I know.” Her eyes move up to mine. “I guess I guard my heart a little too much. I suppose there’s really nothing you can do to stop hurt from finding you, eventually. Unless….” She becomes serious, and I’m feeling like she may give me the key to knowing what it will take to have her. “I could join a convent.” The corner of her mouth raises, and I burst out laughing. She begins to laugh too and for a few moments, there’s no stress or pressure in the room, only our laughter.
“Well.” I chuckle some more. “I guess if you do that, I’ll be forced to join a monastery.” Her laughing becomes louder.
Soon we finish eating and I carry her back to bed. She complained the whole five steps and I only laughed. Stubborn. She didn’t say a word when I went to the bathroom, changed into my sleep pants leaving my t-shirt on, and returned to bed, climbing in beside her. She turned over onto her side, facing away from me, but that’s okay. Shyness is more than appealing to me as well. Thing is – I’m not sure I can go to sleep now being so near her. I lay there awake, looking up in the dark at the ceiling, my head resting on my arm. It doesn’t take long before I hear her light breathing and am glad she could at least be comfortable enough to go to sleep. Me? Wide awake.
Warm. Soft. My arms wrap around the heaviness on top of me. I breathe in the luscious smell at my nose. Lilacs. No, roses. Peaches. I open one eye a slit and see the top of Irish’s head. I open the other eye and see she’s mostly covering me. The top of her head is under my chin. Her ear is pressed against my chest, right over my heart that has to be beating a million times faster right now. I’m surprised it doesn’t wake her. One of her hands is fanned out on the other side of my chest. The other wrapped around my shoulder. Her torso is half laying on my morning wood, and one of her legs is sprawled out between mine. God. This is gonna do me in. I shift my eyes over to the alarm clock. Four in the morning. I’ll never make it until six. Possibly not even until four fifteen. I’m not sure I can move, hating to wake her, yet I want to grab her arms, flip her over and suck and lick every inch of her skin before I slam my cock deep inside her. She’s making it tougher and tougher to take this slow.
She lets out a sigh in her sleep, her breasts press against me even more. Okay, that’s driving me insane. “Irish,” I whisper. She doesn’t stir. I grasp her upper arms and shake slightly. “Irish,” I whisper again. Nothing. I’m glad she’s getting some good sleep but she’s killing me here. My eyes pop open wider when her leg moves and crams up against my cock. Now it’s stuck between me and her leg, thumping and pulsating to be somewhere it can’t be. Fuck! I lay there for what seems like hours, breathing heavy which is causing me to feel her breasts even more and trying to think how I can get out of this mess before I blow my load all over her and the bed. Not being able to take it anymore and with my hands still having a hold on her arms, I lift her as the muscles in my arms strain and move her off me. She rolls over onto her side immediately, letting out another sigh. I jump outta bed, almost running to the bathroom, and quickly pull my sleep pants down in enough time to rub one out, expelling everything into the toilet. Whew! That was close. I guess when it comes to her, I don’t stand a chance.
After cleaning myself up then washing my hands, I pull my sleep pants back up and walk back to the bed. She hasn’t moved. I slide in behind her, hoping since she moved on top of me during the night, she won’t mind me snuggling up to her. I wrap my arm underneath hers, getting even closer. Spooning. Something I’ve never, ever done before. This might be my new favorite thing. I nuzzle my nose in her hair and take a deep breath. Yep, definitely peaches. Now, I just need to find out what color of roses she likes. I’m gonna guess peach. I close my eyes and finally start dreaming of her.
Irish
God, I feel unbelievably rested. I move my leg out and wince in pain. Too bad my knee doesn’t feel any better. I feel like I’m in a cocoon. A warm and loving cocoon. I turn my head and look at the closed eyes of Caylan. Damn, he’s so fine. I breathe in the smell of mint and him. I look down and see his huge arm around me. Those muscles. My heart rate speeds up, and I’m suddenly breathing heavier. It’s then I notice his fingers threaded through mine although they are relaxed in his sleep. His hand is so much larger than mine. And those fingers. I can just imagine what they could do to me. Damn! I’m so freaking horny. But then ever since I first met him, I’ve been in that state.
My biggest fears? My heart is crushed and that he won’t want to have anything to do with me once he finds out I’m a virgin. Gasp. I know. Sad, isn’t it? People would be more than shocked to learn a twenty-three year old woman is still a virgin. I’ve just never been that girl. The one who sleeps with whomever they think they’re in love with at that moment. I’ve only had feelings for one guy, only to finally realize that he’s not going to change for me. I’m not sure he’ll change for anyone. Then again, Kane and I are like siblings, so it wouldn’t have worked anyway. I just wish I had come to the realization years before but then I may not be a virgin now if I had. Still – I’m a one man kind of woman and always will be. I just wish all the guys that hit on me constantly would realize that. Sigh.
“Irish.”
A wisp of my name falls from his lips in his slumber. That has to mean something, right? Like Kane, I know Caylan has had his worldly ways but he says he wants only me now. Can a man change like that? I have my doubts. However, I have my doubts about everything. Look where that’s gotten me. I freeze when his arm tightens around me, his fingers grasping mine harder. He’s waking up and I’m laying here talking to myself in my mind. Good grief. I turn my head, pressing into the soft pillow, and hold my breath. I feel him kiss the back of my head and his morning wood pressing up against my bottom. Oh, Lord! He’s even freaking huge there!
“Morning,” he whispers. Shit! He has to know I’m awake.
I lower my face trying to keep my morning breath from bowling him over. “Morning,” I release quickly.
Next thing I know, I’m being pulled and then turned around, now facing this gorgeous man. In. His. Bed! He lifts my face with his hand under my chin, but I squint to keep my eyes closed. I hear
his deep chuckle and then I feel his lips against my nose. Does he really have to be all sexy and romantic first thing in the morning? Before I brush my teeth and gargle? “I know you’re awake, Irish.” Shit! Shit! Shit!
I crack one eye open and see his amazing smile. How can his teeth be so gleaming white at this hour? Didn’t we both eat breakfast late last night? Oh, my God! That turd! He must have brushed when I fell asleep. He should still have morning breath though. Right?
“Come here.” I have no choice when he pulls me over closer. I lay my head down on his huge, firm chest, his arm wrapping around me, keeping me snug. Damn, this feels so nice. He begins to thread his fingers through my long hair with his other hand, over and over, almost lulling me back to sleep. “How’s your knee?” My breath hitches and I freeze. Should I tell him? Won’t he know when I hobble out of his door?
“Uh…. it’s okay.”
“Irish?”
Shit!
I let out a big sigh, hoping my stinky breath doesn’t waft up to him. “Okay. It hurts pretty bad.” I yelp when he smacks my bottom. Damn! That was hotter than hell.
“Up you go.” I’m pushed back and watch as he climbs out of bed. I can’t help the sensations that travel through me when I watch him walk through the room and into the bathroom. His sleep pants are riding low on his slim waist and that t-shirt might as well have been painted on it’s so tight. I can imagine all his defined muscles without seeing them. Shit. Is it hot in here? I start to sit up when he returns, throwing my clothes on the bed beside me. “Get dressed so we can get checked-out then I’m taking you down the street to the ER.” I pick up my shirt and squeeze it to my chest.
“Wait! What? My truck.” My brows lower and my body begins to shake. I don’t do hospitals or doctors for that matter. I’m also not leaving my truck here.
He walks back into the bathroom, leaving me here with unanswered questions. “I’ll text Brock. He can come get your truck and take it home. I’m sure he won’t mind.” He pokes his head through the doorway. “Get dressed.”
“So bossy,” I whisper as I pull his oh-so-wonderful-smelling t-shirt off my head. Damn. I wonder if I could bottle his smell.
“Yes but it’s for your own good.”
My eyes widen. Damn, didn’t know he heard me.
I make quick work of getting dressed. Well, as quick as I could consider bending my leg is totally out of the question. As soon as I’m done the aroma of mint, after-shave, and Caylan fill the room. I look up and see him walking towards me. Before I can speak, he lifts me up in his arms and carries me to the bathroom, depositing me on the counter. “Here. Brush.” He hands me a toothbrush and paste and starts to walk out.
“Wait!” I practically yell, holding up the toothbrush. “I can’t use this. Isn’t it yours?”
From the other room I hear, “It’s an extra. I always travel with two.”
“Of course you do,” I whisper as I turn on the water and add the paste to the brush.
“What?” Shit!
“I said thank you!” I yell. Whew! That was a close one.
“Oh, I heard what you said.” He smiles as he pops his head around the corner. Dammit!
Finally, he leaves me alone and I angrily brush my teeth. I’m almost afraid to get off the counter by myself so I sit here and wait. When I turn my head and look in the mirror, I gasp at my hair. It looks like I’ve had sex! Crap!
“Caylan Dorn. Yes, thank you. Please pull my truck around. Yes. Ten minutes.”
I’m about to try to get off the counter when he walks into the bathroom. “Do you need to use the facilities before we go?” I.... Uh. I just nod. Before I start to move, he picks me up and sets me down in front of the toilet. Okay. This is so embarrassing. “Try not to put any weight on your leg. Let me know when you’ve finished.” I blink rapidly and nod again. He begins to walk to the doorway so I start to pull down my pants and panties when he stops abruptly so I do as well. “You’re not a morning person, are you?” I start blinking again and open my mouth. He just shrugs. “That’s okay. I am enough for the both of us.” He winks and closes the door as he walks out. Well. That was – interesting.
I finish my business and hop over to the sink, wash my hands and grab a towel to dry them. The door flies open, a look of concern on his face. “You didn’t put any weight on it, did you?” I shake my head slowly and put the towel on the counter. “Good.” He walks over, picks me up and heads back out of the bathroom with me in tow. Good Lord. I may never get to walk again. He bends down, grabs his bag and throws the strap over his shoulder, never once letting me go. Wow! He carries me down to my room and once inside he deposits me in a chair and begins to gather my things, shoving them into my bag.
“Uh, wait!” My favorite silky shirt. “That’s my…. My…. Uh…. Bra. Hey! That’s my best pair of panties. Do you mind?”
He turns his head and smiles, my heart skipping a beat. “No. I don’t mind at all.” He digs into my bag and throws a blouse and a pair of my Capri yoga pants at me. “Put these on.” I put them on and then scowl at him. What the hell? I begin to stand, my hands shaking on the arm rests, when he turns around and starts to head towards the bathroom. “Sit!” He growls and I plop back down. I’m beginning to think he likes to boss me around. Soon he walks out with an armful of all my bathroom necessities and throws them in the bag then zips it closed. He stands and faces me. “There. Anything else?” I look over at my bag of books and back at him. His eyes look over and walks over to it, picks it up, unzips my bag, and places it inside, closing the bag once more. “Anything else?” I shake my head and he smiles. Okay, great! He walks over to the phone on the desk and puts the receiver up to his ear, hitting a button. “Yes. Miss Hadley is ready to check out. Can you come up and get her bags, please? Very good.” He hangs up and I just sit there and gape at him.
It’s only a few minutes when someone knocks on the door and of course, Caylan answers it and tips the guy when he leaves with our bags. “Up you go.” He smiles as he lifts me into his strong arms. I put my arm around his neck, the other in my lap. I’m kinda getting used to this. He takes me to the elevator and it’s awkward silence all the way down to the lobby. His truck is waiting out front when we get there. After setting me on the front passenger seat and buckling me in, he closes the door and I watch him walk around the front of his truck and get in the driver’s seat. I could just watch him walk all day. Damn. His door is still open and he’s getting money out of his wallet to tip the valet. “Where’s the nearest hospital?” He looks at the man standing next to his door.
“No!” His head snaps to me. “I mean. I can just call my regular doctor when I get home. I’m sure he’ll see me right away.” If I had a regular doctor. I hate hospitals and doctors. He stares at me for a couple of minutes, the valet guy waiting on him. Finally, he turns back to him.
“Where is the nearest hospital?”
“Yes, sir. Just down the street,” he says pointing the way. “Then three blocks take a right. You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you, my good man.” He shakes his hand. I see the money he slides into his palm. He closes the door and starts to drive out of the parking lot. I don’t say a word but I feel like I might throw up. “You’re going, Irish.” I look over at him. He’s looking out the front window, watching the road. Suddenly, his head turns to me. Concern covers his face. I hate that. “Do it for me so I won’t worry. Please?” I look down, suck in my bottom lip and start gnawing it. “Irish.” I look back up when I hear his growl so I release my lip. He reaches over and covers my hand that’s on my lap. “I’ll get you a coffee and something to eat after.” He smiles, his eyes soft and tender.
“Okay.” My voice doesn’t even sound like my own.
He winks and continues to drive. My heart starts beating fast as we pull into the parking lot of the hospital. He pulls right up by the emergency area doors and shuts off the truck. My eyes grow wide as I stare at the doors. My door opens and I feel him unbuckle my seatbelt and th
en he lifts me into his arms. “Wait!” I look at him and seriously, I feel like I’m gonna be sick.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
I’d love the look of tenderness and caring in his eyes and face but right now, I just wanna go home. “I can’t…. I mean….”
“You’re scared.” It isn’t a question but a fact.
I nod, my hand covers my stomach.
“I’ll be with you the whole time. I swear, love. Trust me?” I nod. I really do. It’s almost scary to me how much I trust him then going into that hospital. “Let me take care of you. Okay?” I nod again, slowly. “Good girl.” He leans down and kisses my nose then carries me into the hospital.
Chapter Six
Caylan
She looked so scared as I placed her into the wheelchair. I kept her hand in mine until they told me I couldn’t go back there with her. She pleaded with her eyes and then spouted out to them that if I didn’t go, neither did she. I covered my mouth from laughing but finally she convinced them, told them I was her lover, which made it that much harder not to laugh. Now, I’m sitting in a chair in this small room, waiting for them to bring her back from x-ray. I wanted to go with her, hold her hand, but they told me absolutely no way could I go. The look in her eyes as they pushed her out of the room in a wheelchair, her leg propped up with an ice pack on her knee, made me want to scream. But I knew the sooner they got her there, the sooner she’d return.
I’m about ready to go find her when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I smile when I see who’s calling, swipe the front and hold it up to my ear. “Brock. Did you get her truck back home?”
“Actually, Caylan, it’s Taren. How’s my girl?”
I can’t help but smile. Doesn’t surprise me that Taren would call and ask about her bestie. “She’s in x-ray, Taren.”
“Oh, my God! I should be there. She’s deathly afraid of hospitals. I mean….” I chuckle to myself. Always trying to be the tough one. Taren doesn’t know I already know Irish isn’t as tough as she acts.