by Vicki Green
Chapter Eighteen
Caylan
When I’d left the hospital, the doctor gave instructions to exercise by walking, at first, then to get some physical therapy on my arm. So, after Irish left this morning, under my distress, I walked to Pops Bar, sat and talked to Mimi for a bit, walked back and then drove to the gym to do arm exercises. Not like I did much to get a sweat built up but when I got home I took a shower anyway. Now, I’m on my way over to see Gregory. I wanted to spend a little time with him before Margie and Richard take him away on Wednesday. I’m gonna miss the little guy. I’m relieved that Richard is owning up to his responsibilities but then he also said he wanted to try a relationship with Margie. Good luck with that. Maybe it will work out for them. I don’t have any ill will towards her. Now.
“Caylan!” Taren runs towards me, opening up her arms and wrapping them around me as I enter their front door. She looks me over, smiling. “Your sling is gone and you look like you’re walking much better. Come in!”
I follow her into the living room and sit down on the couch. She sits down at the opposite end. I’m a little sore, not having worked out in so long and with the surgery pain. “Yeah, I took off my sling to do my arm exercises and just haven’t put it back on yet. Where’s Gregory?”
She looks at the stairs then back at me. “He’s asleep. Just laid him down. Margie went into town to get some things for their trip home Wednesday so I said I’d keep an eye on him. Not like I have to do much. He’s such a good baby.”
I smile, envisioning his sweet face. “He really is. Well, I may have to go up and peek in on him if he doesn’t wake up before I leave. I really wanted to spend a little time with him today and tomorrow before he leaves.” I feel like I’m fighting tears. I guess I got a little attached.
She leans over and pats my arm. “Aww. You’d make a great daddy, Caylan.”
Would I? I’ve not been around little kids much, except for Jen when she was little but I think being siblings is different. Irish and I have never gotten into our relationship long enough to really talk about kids. Hell, I don’t know if she even likes them. I mean, like me, I know she loves her brother and sister but I’m not sure if she wants to have her own. Our own. Then again, I know she’s excited for Taren and Brock’s baby to be born, saying she’ll be their aunt. Sigh. Sometimes she appears to be a rough woman but then most of the time she’s just so sweet and sexy. We both look up at the ceiling when we hear him cry.
She laughs. “I’ll go get him.”
I lean back on the couch and wait. There’s just something about holding that little baby.
I ended up being there for over two hours. I couldn’t put him down and when he got hungry, Taren warmed up a bottle of milk and I fed him. In just a matter of a couple of months I’ve gone from one night stands to wanting a lasting relationship and now wanting to start a family. I guess when it’s right, it’s right. By late afternoon, I decided I should go but I didn’t want to go to Irish’s empty apartment. So, I decided to go to the florist and get her something special to celebrate her first day at work and thought I’d surprise her before she left the office.
“Someone’s very lucky to be getting these,” the florist says smiling as she arranges the flowers in a large vase.
I nod, my smile just as big. “Yes, ma’am.”
A dozen peach colored roses with white baby’s breath and various greenery of different sizes and shapes fill the vase. She places the vase in a box, fitting snugly for the ride. I thank her, pay the money owed, and carry it out to my truck. I’m all smiles as I drive over to the building. I was fortunate this morning to see a note laying on the kitchen counter with the address. The building isn’t as large as I thought it would be, then again, she did say it was a small company. I pull into a parking space up front and put it in park. Should I wait out here until she comes out or go in? I don’t want to embarrass her on her first day. I sit and just stare at the glass doors. Ah, hell. Of course I want to embarrass her. I chuckle to myself as I pick up the box and open my door. When I walk inside, I see the outside of the building is old in comparison to the interior. Everything looks new, white, and so clean.
I walk up to the front desk, the woman behind it never looking up. I set the vase in the box on the counter. “Excuse me.”
“Yes? Who are you here to see?”
What kind of a business allows the person at the front desk be so standoffish? Very strange.
“Miss Irish Hadley, please.”
She looks up and drops her pen on the desk. “Oh! I’m so sorry.” She stands and runs her hands down her skirt. “You’re here to see who?” A pink flush sweeps across her cheeks. She gives me a smile that I think is supposed to impress me. Yeah, that’s not gonna happen.
“Miss Irish Hadley,” I announce again.
She looks at the roses then at me, back to the flowers, and then back at me again. “Oh, yes, certainly. I’ll call her for you.”
She leans down and picks up the receiver of the phone. She looks up and smiles. I smile back, just to be friendly. “Yes. There is, uh….”
“It’s a surprise,” I whisper.
She nods, still smiling. “There’s a delivery for you at the front desk. Okay.” She hangs up and clasps her hands in front of her. “She’s on her way.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m sure you know that it will take her a little bit to get here, being on crutches.” She gives a look of sympathy but something tells me it’s anything but.
“Yes, I know.” I lean against the counter, watching down the only hallway, thinking that’s where she’ll come from and trying to pretend the woman behind the counter isn’t staring a hole in me. It takes several minutes before I see her. I stand up, eager for her to see her surprise. I watch her with her crutches, which she’s mastered in such a short time. I couldn’t be more proud of her with everything she’s accomplished. She gets to the end of the hall and looks right into my eyes. I can hear her gasp from here and give her my best smile. She begins making her way to me, her smile can’t be denied.
“What are you doing here?”
Her eyes have yet to leave mine. I look over at the roses and then back at her. She looks at them, her lips part as her eyes widen in surprise. Perfect. She comes closer, reaches out to touch one of the roses, her chin quivers slightly. “They’re beautiful, Caylan.”
You’re beautiful.
A look of love fills her eyes. A light shade of pink covers her cheeks. She cups one of the roses gently with her hand and shifts her eyes to mine. “But why?”
I put my arm around her waist, pulling her to me. “I wanted to give you something for your first day.” Her eyes search mine, her full lips begin to raise into a smile. She looks over at the receptionist then back at me.
“You already packed my first lunch and I loved the note inside.” She grasps my upper arms. A look of shock appears. “Where’s your sling?” Her brows lower and concern replaces the happiness that was once covering her features. “Caylan. I thought we were trying to get healed not hurt ourselves more.” Shit! I knew I forgot something.
I pull her closer. “I promise I’ll put it back on once we get home. How soon can you leave? I might have a few more surprises in store.” Her eyes light up.
“Well, I’m not sure. But I have my truck so I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“I’ll wait. I’ll follow you home.” I push against her waist, turning her, and her crutches hit me on the way. I didn’t feel a thing. “Go find out and text me. I’ll wait here.” She looks over her shoulder and I hear her mumble, “Bossy” but there’s that smile on her face letting me know she’s kidding. I watch her maneuver her crutches down the hallway and around the corner.
I pick up the box with the vase of flowers and start to walk over to the small lounge area. “That was very thoughtful.” I stop and turn my head. “Not every man would do something so sweet for a woman. You must be quite the catch.” Is she kidding? She arches her back, pushin
g out her small breasts. Like that’s gonna entice me.
I give her a serious look. “No. She’s a remarkable woman.” Her mouth opens, her eyes widen in shock. I turn my head in front of me, my cocky grin appearing, and I walk over and sit on the couch so that I’m facing away from her. I’m not sitting there long when I get a text. Anxiously, I read it, smiling the entire time.
Irish: 5 minutes!
Anticipation envelopes me. I text back that I’d be right here and pocket my phone. I’m a bit uncomfortable with the woman at the desk. I can feel her eyes on me. After being with so many women in my past, I can tell when they’re coming on to me. This one was definitely giving me the eye earlier, well, amongst other things. I’ll just keep that to myself. I don’t want Irish to know or worse yet, go after her. Probably wouldn’t help her new job. I look up when I feel her presence. Well and hear the clanking of her crutches on the tile floor. Smiling, I grab the boxed vase and stand up, walking over to her. Another thing we’ve never discussed — PDA. Does she like it? Would she get embarrassed? That most likely won’t help her at her new job either. Sigh. I’m surprised when I reach her, she leans up and kisses me square on my mouth. Guess she doesn’t care. Just another thing I love about her. “Ready to go home?” Her smile is big, reminding me again just how happy we’ll be. I walk a bit slower so she doesn’t have to strain to keep up. ‘Course, I’m not that much faster now anyway. I place the flowers on her passenger seat and then help her into her truck. “I’ll follow you,” I tell her against her lips. Then I kissed her a few more times not wanting to leave her alone.
Fifteen minutes later, we’re in the apartment and I’m hovering over her on the couch. “God! I’ve missed you today,” she says between kisses. My hand is already beneath her shirt and bra, my thumb rubbing over her already peaked nipple. “I think we should…. Ugh! We should….” Our breathing is already coming out in heavy pants. She begins pulling up my shirt, our chests so close together she can’t pull it up all the way. “Caylan.”
I raise, tugging it over my head and throw it on the floor then lean back down, sucking her rosy nipple into my mouth.
“Caylan. We, uh…. Please.”
I love that she can’t form a coherent sentence. But she doesn’t need to say it. I know she wants the same as I do. I’m quick to stand, taking her hands in mine and lifting her up. It’s so much harder to be in a frenzy when we’re both still mending but I’m gonna do my best to make it work while being careful. We just can’t wait anymore and she’ll have her surgery in a few days, postponing it longer. No way can we wait that long. We continue to kiss as we make our way to the bedroom. She sits down on the bed and I stand before her. “We’ll just be careful.” She nods eagerly. I bend down and stare into her eyes as I begin to unbutton her shirt.
“Hurry,” she says breathlessly.
I can’t help but grin. So eager. I make haste until they’re all unbuttoned then help her remove it. I reach behind her and unclasp her bra, then remove each strap off her shoulder. They fall down her arms and I look at her full ample breasts, licking my lips. “You’re so beautiful, love. Perfection.” Her eyes are now dark brown, full of love and desire. She reaches out and unbuttons my jeans, sliding down the zipper. When she grasps the waistband, I help her pull them down, stepping out of them and my boxers. Her eyes are wide as she stares at my hardened, aching cock. She takes it in her small hand and I hiss, closing my eyes to her touch. She begins to stroke me hard, her thumb rubbing over the tip. What she can’t fit in her hand, she fondles with the other. “God, Irish!” I open my eyes and watch her. So fucking sexy. “That’s for you, my love. Only you.” Her eyes move up to mine, her chest already rising and falling as heavily as mine. It’s been so long since we’ve made love, I know I won’t last long. In anxiousness, I reach down, grabbing under her arms gently, lifting her back until she’s lying flat on the mattress. Her hand releases me but her arms are outstretched, wanting me, needing me. Bending down, I place my hands against her inner thighs, careful of her hurt knee. I kiss each place, then spread them further. Before I go in, I just look at her, splayed out before me. “I’m the luckiest man. Look at you. You’re a vision.” As I move up, looking down at her, she lifts her arms, her fingers locking into strands of my hair. I don’t waste any more time and thrust inside her hard and fast.
“Uh!” she moans in unison with me.
“Fuck! You feel so good!” I scream.
I pull out until only the tip is inside then ram back into her. Again and again. Each time she meets my movements. Each time, she moans, her eyes closed. Her fingers tighten their hold, tugging, which only spurs me on more. “Irish! I’m going to cum.” Her eyes open, her head nods as her legs begin to shake. I know she’s there with me when her muscles tighten around my pulsating cock and my balls tighten. “FUCK! IRISH!” My head tilts back. My arms straining as my body begins to shudder with my release. I hear my name being screamed out into the room. I slowly open my eyes and look down, my body still shaking. The most peaceful look is covering her face. A light sheen of sweat is on her forehead with a few strands of her hair matted there. Her eyes slowly open and her mouth turns up into a sated smile. We both let out a moan when I pull out. I slide down next to her, covering her stomach with my arm. I turn my head and look at her. She’s still smiling.
“That was more than amazing, baby,” she whispers.
“Baby, huh?” I can’t help but smile. I’ve never been with a woman long enough to have anyone give me a pet name. I think I love it. Her face changes, like she’s in pain. I rise up on my elbows. Shit! I’ve hurt her. “What’s wrong, Irish? Did I hurt you? I tried to be careful. I thought it would be okay if we were careful.” She smiles, her features relax as her hand cups the side of my face. The look of love and tenderness fills her eyes.
“No. Not at all. In fact, I needed that. So badly. It was heaven.” I lean into her hand and turn my head enough to kiss her palm. “I just had a little bit of a wave of nausea. I wonder if it’s what I ate at lunch.”
My brows lower, and I frown. “Did your stomach disagree with the peanut butter and jelly sandwich I made you?” I start thinking about what else I put in her sack lunch. “The apple should have been okay. Maybe it was the chips.” I watch as her eyes widen. “Dammit. I can’t believe you’re not feeling well because of the lunch I made for your first day.” Tears form and now I’m more confused. “Irish?” She has me so full of concern right now on top of feeling bad that the lunch I made her caused this.
She pulls her hand away and my skin chills. “Um….” She begins biting on the nail of her index finger.
“Irish?”
“It was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. I was so surprised and I teared up at the note.” I smile in relief. “Thing is – my boss ended up buying me lunch. I’m sorry. I’m sure it was the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the world.”
Now, I’m really relieved ‘cos that means it wasn’t the lunch that is making her not feel well. I reach out and grasp her hand, pulling it away from her mouth. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. That was very welcoming of your boss to buy you lunch. Remember I said to play nice.” I grin. “That was playing nice.”
She brings our hands up to her mouth and kisses the top of mine. “You’re so understanding.”
She kisses my hand again. I feel so loved. “I hope she’s nicer than the woman at the front desk. She has no people skills. Makes you wonder why in the hell they hired her and put her in a place where she meets the public.” I roll my eyes and she laughs.
“Yeah, she’s friendly all right.” We both laugh again. “Actually my boss is the owner of the company and he’s a man.” Wait! What? She moves and I get out of her way. She scoots off the bed and grabs her robe off the bedpost, putting her arms through the sleeves as she hops towards the bathroom. “I’ll go see what I can make for dinner in just a second.” She closes the door, and I lay there with very mixed feelings. I never thought I could be jealo
us, never had a reason to be before. But that angry feeling hit me as soon as she said he and has been making its way up to my mouth. I’ve never been one to spout off what I’m thinking, unlike Irish, so I try to calm myself down. I hope she takes her time in there.
Irish
My stomach is so upset and I’m so angry that it is especially that it started doing that right after we finally got to make love. Dammit! Then I was angry at myself that I didn’t eat the special lunch he made for me and let Mr. Madden buy me lunch instead. What in the hell is wrong with me? I wonder if there was something wrong with the chicken. Ugh! My stomach feels like it wants to expel everything in it. Will I even be able to eat dinner? I think I sat on the toilet until my bottom got numb. Finally, I get up, wash my face and hands, and look at myself in the mirror. Pale. I look pale. I don’t have time to get sick! I just had my first day at my new job and I have surgery on Friday. No! Even though it’s outpatient laser surgery, I’m sure they won’t want to do it if I’m sick. I hop out of the bathroom and notice the bed is empty. I make it across the room, grab my crutches, and hobble out of the room looking for Caylan. Where could he have gone? As soon as I walk out of my door, the smell of something wonderful invades my nose. I hobble a little faster until I’m in the kitchen and look over at Caylan, who’s standing at the stove. I take a deep breath as I hobble over to him. I peer over his massive shoulder and see soup. My stomach grumbles. He turns around, such concern marring his gorgeous face. I take a couple of hobbles back.
He reaches up and runs his fingers in my hair, leaving his hand on the side of my face. “Are you okay?” The corner of his mouth lifts into a small grin. “Or are you just happy to see me?”
A laugh bursts from my mouth. “That looks yummy. What is it?”
He wraps his strong arms around my waist and pulls me closer. “It’s just some chicken broth I found with some cut up veggies. I thought it might be better for your stomach.” So sweet. Always thinking about me. I lean up and kiss his lips, lingering a little. I feel him grasp my bottom and I smile against his lips. “Go sit down. I’ll bring you a bowl.” I kiss him again, well, because his lips are right there. He laughs and steps back. I turn and hobble my way to the table, sitting down and depositing my crutches against the wall. God, I can’t wait until I can get rid of them. The heavenly aroma becomes strong as he sets down a bowl full of goodness in front of me. It’s on a plate with crackers surrounding one side. He’s thought of everything. God, I love him! What? Shit! I look up at him as he sits down across from me, his own bowl of yumminess in front of him. My eyes widen, and my heart begins beating faster. He picks up his spoon and gets some soup then holds it up in front of his mouth. He looks at me, his brows raised.