Unspoken Fears (The Unspoken Love Series Book 4)

by H. P. Davenport

  “Sure,” Rory answers Brandon. “I know this great sub place not too far from here.”

  Rory pulls Leah’s stroller out of the closet and all four of us set out to grab lunch.

  Since Brandon is a fixture in their lives, I’d like to get to know him better.

  After spending some time at the park with Leah, we grab lunch with Brandon before he has to catch his five o’clock train at Penn Station.

  Leah is sitting on the floor next to me, handing me blocks while Rory is in the laundry room cleaning her bedding after a fatal accident with a pile of poo and a faulty diaper Brandon put on. Somehow, she managed to have shit up her entire back, smeared on the rails of the crib and it decorated her mattress and bedding set.

  Not having the stomach to handle shit, literally and figuratively, I’m here on the floor with a clean little baby, playing with a music box with pop-up Sesame Street characters.

  Leah hits the red button and Elmo pops up, earning a hearty little laugh.

  “What one should I hit? How about this one.” My finger hits the blue button and Cookie Monster pops up, causing Leah’s chubby little hands to flail wildly in the air.

  Sensing Rory’s closeness, I turn and notice her leaning against the wall in the hallway, watching our little playdate.

  “She’s taken to you quicker than usual. I think she likes you.” Her smile is eager and alive with affection and delight.

  Exchanging a smile with her, I shake my head. “I think I like her, too.”

  This just feels right. I feel at ease being around Rory and Leah. Knowing what Rory’s been through in the past, I want to be worthy of her choosing to open her heart again.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Rory

  The past month has gone by in a blur. Christian spends a lot of time at my place, it’s easier having everything for Leah accessible. We’ve stayed a few times at Christian’s, but I’d rather try and keep Leah on a schedule here in our home, hence the aroma of Italian food throughout my condo.

  Tossing my keys on the table, I turn and shut the door behind me. “Honey, I’m home,” I tease, expecting to see Christian and Leah playing on the living room floor but rather it’s vacant.

  The faint sound of singing filters from Leah’s nursery. Peeking in, my eyes lock on this beautiful human being rocking my daughter to sleep.

  “She seemed a little tired, so I came in here to rock her. She’s been asleep for about forty-five minutes,” he whispers over my daughter’s head.

  “You’ve been rocking her the entire time.”

  “I didn’t want to risk lying her down and having her wake up.”

  This man. I cannot say enough about him. Walking over, I lift my sleeping daughter from Christian’s arms and put her in her crib. Turning on the monitor, we step out of the room quietly, monitor in hand.

  Christian crosses the room, opening the oven door, examining his lasagna. The red-orange glow from the flame in the oven mesmerizes me as he drones on about his day. His appointment at the studio finished up earlier than expected, so he relieved my mother early and decided to cook dinner for us.

  Leaning my elbows on the counter for a moment, I mention, “Leah’s birthday is in October. I made a few calls today to check the availability for a caterer and a few other rentals. I’ve been dragging my feet and need to get the ball rolling before everything is booked.”

  “I would love to help if I can.”

  Nodding my head, “I’d like that.” My fingers make subtle circles on the countertop. “Speaking of birthdays, I missed yours. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, you’ll get to celebrate it with me next year.”

  I nod in understanding.

  With that one sentence, so many unspoken promises are made.

  “You’re running like that?” He lifts his brows, scrutinizing when I tuck my shirt in the bottom of the stroller.

  “Yeah, why?”

  His pupils are huge. “You’re practically naked.” His eyes burn with yearning.

  Tiptoeing, I raise my mouth to his, gazing into his eyes, “It’s a sports bra. Not the usual lacy ones I wear for you,” my lips brush against his as I speak.

  Christian pulls back, kissing the tip of my nose. Shaking his head, “You ready,” he asks while shifting himself in his running shorts. His eyes flash. “You’ll pay for this later tonight.”

  This man is a hot mess. You would think we didn’t make love this morning before we left my place.

  “Ready when you are.” Leah sits in her stroller, kicking her feet excitedly. Knowing she is going for a walk, she babbles continuously. I couldn’t ask for a better child. Her temperament is good, she’s not a fussy baby, she pretty much rolls with the punches. I have the occasional fussiness when she is teething, but overall, I’m blessed.

  We begin our run at a slow pace along the Brooklyn Bridge Park. Christian keeps up with my pace even while pushing Leah in the stroller. The sun’s rays beat down on my exposed shoulders, causing sweat to run down the crease of my back. The humidity is high today, making this run harder than usual. The park is filled today with people enjoying this gorgeous summer day. Kids run along the green grass, many riding their bikes, or skating along the path.

  Looking down at my watch, I see we’ve run a little over three miles. I stop to catch my breath, and bend over, placing my hands on my knees. Taking several deep breaths, my chest rises and falls. Christian appears next to me, with my sleeping child in the stroller.

  “You might have outrun me then, but I’m always going to catch you, love.” He reaches, then he steps forward, clasping my body tightly to his.

  I can’t think of any place I’d rather be than right where I am.

  Leah lays in my arms, while I rock her back and forth, her eyes closing slowly, as I sing You Are My Sunshine to her.

  Leah doesn’t put up much a fight when I lie her down in her crib. Leaning down, I place a soft kiss on her forehead, her chubby little fingers grasping her favorite elephant tightly.

  Tiptoeing out of the nursery, I join Christian in the shower where he waits for me.

  I look up into his compassionate eyes. They’re so sincere. Christian’s hands move across my chest and down my arms. “I heard you singing to Leah, your voice is beautiful.”

  Embarrassment heats my cheeks. “Thank you.” Christian peppers my neck with soft kisses and I find myself moaning softly.

  “Turn around, let me wash you.”

  After a few more strokes, the casual caresses of the sponge work like magic to destress my body and calm my mind. He brushes the sponge against my breasts and my stomach quivers. Our eyes lock in a heated stare as his hand moves downward. I grab his wrist and squeeze. “Don’t start something you don’t intend to finish,” I tease him.

  He moans against my ear, and rubs my center with the sponge, his fingers glide across my clit.

  Christian’s cock hardens against my back. Turning around, I take him in my hand, pumping his cock through my tight grip. His breathing accelerates rapidly.

  “Damn, woman, your hands are magic,” he groans and leans his head against the shower wall.

  “My mouth is even better,” I respond in a seductive voice, turning and kneeling before him. I take him in my mouth, slow at first, teasing his head with my tongue, then I slide his entire length in, sucking hard.

  “Fuck,” he grunts, thrusting his cock deeper in my mouth. I work him over, taking him in deeper with each lunge of his hips. His cock falls from between my lips and I stare up at him with wide eyes. His fingers grip my hair tightly, inserting himself back in my mouth. I suck his cock with fierceness, “I’m gonna come,” he growls.

  His hands grip my hair tighter as my hand begins to work his shaft. I tighten my grip, sucking harder, making his hips jerk in wild spasms until he comes down my throat.

  Christian grips me under my shoulders, lifting me to my feet. Reaching over, he shuts the water off, then tosses me over his shoulder. Pushing the shower door open, he wa
lks across the bathroom floor, leaving a trail of water in his wake.

  “Christian, we’re wet,” I shriek, as I bounce once on the bed as Christian drops me. He slides a condom on quickly, tossing the wrapper to the floor.

  He places his finger over my lips. “Shh, you’ll wake Leah up.”

  His body hovers over mine when he crawls on top of me. Slowly, he spreads my thighs and grinds his hardened erection against my core.

  I feel his hard cock press against me. A moan escapes me. He slides himself against where I need him the most. I’m aching to have him inside me. My pussy throbs, knowing he is close, but not where I need him the most. I crave him.

  “Please, Christian.” I moan.

  “You want me inside of you?” he asks as he continues to rub his cock between my folds.

  “Yes,” I whimper, needing him.

  He slides into me until he is pressed to the hilt.

  Stars begin to burst behind my closed yes. The pleasure is so intense, my pussy clenches him.

  Christian withdraws slowly, and then pushes in again as slowly as he retreated.

  “Tell me what you want,” he demands.

  When I don’t respond, he pulls his cock away, leaving my body feeling hollow.

  “Stop fucking with me. Give me what I want,” I plea.

  “Tell me what you want, then,” he says with a shit-eating smirk on his face.

  My thighs begin to shake, so I lock my legs around his ass and grind against his dick. If he isn’t going to give me what I want, then I’ll take it on my own.

  His fingers skim my breasts, my skin tingling from his touch. His touch sends a shock wave through my entire body. “Take what you want. I’m all yours.”

  And that is exactly what I do. My hand wraps around his hard erection, guiding it to my entrance. With one thrust of his hips, he’s fully seated inside me again. Christian finds a rhythm and I meet him with every thrust.

  “I love how perfect you feel wrapped around my cock,” he whispers in my ear as he continues to slide in and out of my body.

  Claiming my lips, he crushes his mouth to mine. I succumb to the forceful domination of his lips.

  Breaking away from his lips, I plead for more. “Make me come, Christian.”

  Christian complies, placing his hips on mine, pulling my body against his with each assault of his hips. He hits that spot, and I tighten around him as he makes me fall apart. His hips thrust hard and deep and he pumps into me a few more times before he groans out his own pleasure.

  We both sigh, clinging to each other.

  “Do you feel that?” I ask.

  “I feel your heart pounding in your chest.”

  “No, that’s my heart beating again after all this time,” I whisper against his lips.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Rory

  My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it.

  “And who do we have here?” I ask as I slide the curtain to the side and enter the exam area where a little dark-haired boy sits on the hospital bed. He cuddles into his mom’s side, ignoring my question.

  “I’m Dr. Gormley, but you can call me Dr. Rory.” Pulling a lollipop out of my white jacket pocket, I hold it up. “I’m going to ask you a few questions and I need you to answer me. If you do, I’ll give you this pop.

  He nods his head.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Brad.” The little boy responds.

  “How old are you?”

  “Five.”

  “Can you tell me what hurts?” He looks up at his mother and she encourages him to answer. He lifts his right hand and points to his right ear.

  “Okay, buddy, we’re going to see what’s wrong and get you feeling better.” I grab a pair of gloves off the wall, placing them on my hands, and walk over to the little boy.

  “Can you open your mouth, so I can look down your throat?”

  He nods his head and opens wide. Placing a tongue depressor on his tongue, I examine his throat. “Good job.”

  I unwrap the lollipop and hand it to him. He pops it into his mouth immediately. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetie.”

  “Now this is going to feel cold. I’m going to press this against your heart, so I can listen.”

  Placing my stethoscope against his chest, he jumps. Looking up at his face, his tired eyes stare back at me.

  “I told you it was going to be cold. Now, I need you take a deep breath and hold it. I’ll tell you when to let it out.” He does as I ask.

  “Let it out now.” The little boy exhales.

  “One more time. Take a deep breath and hold it.”

  Listening closely, his lungs sound clear.

  “Good job, let it out.”

  My phone vibrates again but I continue to examine Brad.

  After taking his temperature, I use the otoscope to view his nasal passage, ear canal, and ear drum, which reveals the problem.

  “He has an ear infection of the inner ear which leads to pus or fluid buildup behind the eardrum. It caused his eardrum to rupture. Most perforated eardrums heal within a few weeks. I’ll prescribe antibiotic drops to clear up the infection. You can apply warm compresses as well and give him something for pain as needed.”

  Jacqueline pokes her head in the exam room. “Excuse me, Dr. Gormley, you have a call.”

  “Will you excuse me for a moment?” I ask, holding up my finger.

  Stepping out of the exam room, Lucy stands behind the nurses’ station with the phone receiver extended. “It’s Leah’s daycare.”

  Guilt slams into me. That must have been the two calls I ignored while examining my patient.

  “This is Rory Gormley.”

  “Hi, Rory, it’s Abby from Learning Curves. Leah’s running a slight fever and has had diarrhea a few times. It’s protocol we contact you if the child has a temperature and diarrhea. You have to pick her up.”

  “I’m still on shift, I can’t leave.”

  “I’m sorry, we can’t keep Leah. I would if I could, but it’s against policy.”

  “I’ll be there or I’ll see if I can have someone pick her up.”

  Lucy takes the phone from me and I pull my cell phone out of my jacket pocket. Sliding my finger across the screen, I call my mom. After four rings it goes to her voicemail. I call my father next, who probably won’t answer. It’s the middle of the day, he’s probably in a meeting with contractors or investors. The call goes to voicemail.

  Within a few minutes my phone rings, my mom’s name appearing on the screen. Quickly, I swipe my screen to answer.

  “Hey, Mom, I tried calling you.”

  “Sorry I missed the call, your father and I were trying to find our luggage at baggage claim. Is everything alright?”

  “Baggage claim, where are you?” I ask dumbfounded.

  “We just landed in the Keys. I told you last week, your father had to come down to finalize approvals on the new project. We figured I would tag along and stay a few extra days.”

  My shoulders slump and I hang my head. “I totally forgot, I’m sorry. Leah’s daycare called and said she isn’t feeling well and has a temperature. I have to pick her up.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetie. We’re in Florida or I would. Can’t you leave work to pick her up?” she asks, her voice laced with concern.

  “I’m not sure, I have to make a few calls to see if I can get someone to cover my shift.”

  My eyes glance to the white board filled with patient’s names needing to be examined. The emergency room is swamped today.

  “Let me see what I can do. I got to run, Mom. Have fun, be safe, love you. Tell Dad I love him.”

  “Love you, too, sweetheart. Keep me posted on Leah. I’ll be sure to keep my phone close by.”

  After hanging up with my mom, I make a few calls to other physicians to see if they can come in early to cover for me. A few calls go to voicemail, and the one doctor who answered was out of town and unavailable. I don’t have any other op
tions but to call the only person I can think of.

  “Hello, gorgeous. What do I owe the honor of this call mid-day?”

  “I need a huge favor. It’s a lot to ask, but I don’t have anyone else to call.”

  “Is everything okay?” Christian asks concerned, all humor void from his voice.

  “Leah’s daycare called. She’s running a temperature and has diarrhea. I can’t leave in the middle of my shift, and the ER is packed, and my parents are in Florida.”

  “Take a deep breath, babe. Give me the address. I’ll go get her.”

  I rattle off the address to Christian. “Thank you so much. You are a lifesaver. Call me when you get to my condo. I’ll call George and have him let you into my place.”

  “Okay. I’ll call you in a little bit.”

  An hour later, my phone rings again. I step into an empty exam room and answer.

  “How is she?”

  “Cranky, she feels warm.”

  “Go into my bathroom, in the linen closet, grab the digital thermometer. Stick the tip in her ear and tell me what it says.

  Leah whines. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I know. You don’t feel good,” Christian says to her.

  “Her temperature is 101.2. That’s bad, right?” he asks.

  “She was fine this morning. It’s the first day with a temperature. It could be a million different things…teeth, a virus, a cold. There’s a bottle of Motrin and Tylenol in the cabinet. Use the syringe in the box and give her 1.25 ml. Alternate every three hours between the two. Take her temperature again in six hours. I’ll do my best to get out of here as soon as I can.”

  “I’ll take good care of her. We’ll see you when you get home.”

  “Christian, thank you.”

  “You know I’d do anything to help you. I’m here for you.”

  I’m exhausted when I get home. Work was busy today. Quiet greets me when I enter my condo. The living room is completely dark except for the lights of the city streaming in through the wall of windows. Tossing my keys on the table next to the door, I slip out of my shoes. In search of Leah and Christian, I walk down the hall to Leah’s nursery. Walking over to her crib, I realize it’s empty. Turning, I leave her room and walk across the hall to my bedroom.