by Jax Burrows
‘I tell you what, let me look at your wound and as soon as Dr O’Connor comes on duty, I’ll tell him you’re here. Have you eaten anything today?’
‘Take your hands off me… get him now or I’m off.’
Lexi was just about ready to give up when Sarala stuck her head around the curtain. ‘Ah, Shelley,’ she said, ‘I thought I heard your dulcet tones. Right. I’m going to clean you up and I don’t want to hear any more nonsense from you. And this nurse is going to have a well-earned break. Aren’t you?’
Lexi could have hugged Sarala with gratitude as she pushed her out of the cubicle with the strict instructions to go and have a cup of tea and a biscuit.
When she was in the staff room, huddled on a chair, cradling her mug of welcome tea, she wondered why she couldn’t cope with patients as well as Sarala and Casey did. Was it because she’d had little experience of being the assertive one? In the children’s home and foster homes, she’d been quiet and obedient, knowing that flying under the radar was the best way to survive. The more attention you drew to yourself, the more trouble was sure to follow.
Even during her nurse training, she went along with the crowd, not wanting to suggest anything in case people laughed at her or thought her stupid. But when she had Jade, the realisation that this tiny human relied on her for everything, stiffened her backbone and she started to stand up for herself. So why couldn’t she ever be strong in front of the patients instead of adopting a maid-servant role?
Maybe she needed assertiveness training. It would help her at work and where Dr Casey O’Connor was concerned too. She couldn’t let him walk all over her, making plans for Jade without her input, and thinking he was running the show. She’d talk to her manager about it.
Lexi drained the last drop of her tea, rinsed and dried the mug and put it back in the cupboard. She sighed. Back to the fray.
The last two hours of her shift passed uneventfully and relatively quickly. Before she left A&E, she looked in on Shelley who was fast asleep with a blanket over her head. Lexi carefully lifted the corner of the blanket to check on her. She snored slightly with her mouth open. The bruises were livid against her pale complexion, but she was sleeping peacefully. Poor kid. She looked so young and helpless. Lexi wished there was something she could do for her. Hopefully, a social worker would speak to her before she was discharged. And she was known to the Mental Health Team. Maybe between them, they could get her some help.
She covered Shelley’s face again and tiptoed out.
*
It was quiet when she let herself into the cottage. They would all still be asleep. In another hour Jess would get the kids up and make them breakfast. Lexi was too tired to even wash her face. She was going to get undressed and crawl into bed. Oblivion, that was what she craved.
When she opened her bedroom door, she looked over at her bed to see that someone had beaten her to it. A male someone by the size of the figure huddled in the centre of the queen size double, wrapped in a duvet with only the top of his head showing. He was lying in almost the same position Shelley had been, but his dark brown hair sticking out of the top of the duvet gave him away. It was Casey.
What the heck?! Why on earth was Casey in her bed? And what was she going to do about it? She should shake him awake and tell him to leave. She needed to sleep. Night duty was hard and extremely tiring. She’d worked almost eight hours straight before she’d managed to have any kind of a break and she should eat before sleeping but was just too damned tired. Sleep came first. Always.
Or, at least, it would do if she could shift her unwelcome guest who had crept, Goldilocks-style, into the bed that was just right, and fallen asleep.
She tiptoed closer and noticed the pile of clothes dropped carelessly in a heap on the floor: trousers, shirt, socks and briefs. A pair of black shoes peeped out from under the clothes. All belonging to Casey. Which meant one thing. Casey was completely naked under the duvet. Naked and curled up in the foetal position, warm and cosy and breathing deeply.
The thought made her heart race and her breath catch in her throat. The last time she had been near a naked Casey, they had been lost in a passionate embrace, his strong arms hugging her to him and his hot, tense flesh quivering at her touch. She remembered every second of that night and relived it over and over in her mind. And now, here he was, in her bed, naked and sexy.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and wondered what to do. The movement, however slight, must have been enough to wake him. He rolled over, stretched, then jumped as he caught her watching him.
‘Oh. Hi.’
‘Hi yourself. Comfy?’
Casey sat up, running his hands through his hair and making it stick up straight. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to stay all night, but I was so sleepy after reading Jade umpteen bedtime stories, that I thought I’d just catch forty winks.’
‘Yes, that happens to me as well. Sometimes I fall asleep before she does.’
The duvet had slipped over Casey’s hips as he had sat up. Lexi tried to keep her gaze from straying to his groin. She admired instead his firm chest muscles with the smattering of dark, wiry hair and his six-pack that flexed invitingly as he yawned. His body was just as delicious as she remembered it from four years ago. He kept himself in top condition. She wondered if it was down to the swimming.
‘Anyway,’ he said rubbing his eyes, ‘you’re back early, aren’t you?’
‘No, my shift finished half an hour ago. It’s nearly seven o’clock.’
‘Is it? Oh Crikey! I’m going to be late.’ He made as if to push the duvet off him, then stopped and looked at her from under lowered lashes. ‘Uh…’
She tried to hide a smile as Casey gazed at her in embarrassment.
‘Is there a problem?’
‘Well… it’s just that… my clothes are on the floor and I’m… well…’
‘Naked?’ Lexi couldn’t keep the glee out of her voice at the sight of Casey looking embarrassed. That was definitely a first for her. ‘There’s nothing there that I haven’t seen before.’ She knew she was being naughty, but it was her bed, and by rights, she should be fast asleep by now.
Casey’s expression changed from shock, to confusion and finally a wicked grin spread across his face. ‘Okay, since you insist.’
He pushed the duvet off himself and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He stood up slowly and faced her, his hands on his hips and his manhood on display for her perusal. The sight of Casey in all his glorious nakedness made her whimper. He was even more gorgeous than she remembered, if that were possible.
She gulped and stood up quickly with her back to him. That was far too much male beauty to be presented with before she went to sleep. Her dreams were erratic enough normally, but Heaven knows what they would be like now.
She heard him give a deep chuckle as he dressed.
‘Shelley’s back, by the way. She was asking for you. She had quite a bad cut on her scalp and bruises on her face.’
‘Was she sober?’
‘No. Far from it, in fact.’
‘Damn. Okay, thanks. I’ll go and see her.’
She turned to find him tucking his shirt into his trousers.
‘Right. Your turn.’
‘I have no intention of undressing in front of you, Casey.’
‘But you made me expose myself to you. That’s hardly fair, is it?’
‘You were already naked, and it serves you right for sleeping in people’s beds without permission.’
‘So, if I ask nicely, will you let me sleep with you?’ His grin was wicked, and Lexi knew she should stop whilst she was ahead. She was far too tired for sexual banter with the good doctor. Her brain was about to turn to mush if she didn’t sleep soon.
‘No, you cannot. Now, please go.’
Casey walked around the bed and held her face gently in his hands. She expected him to kiss her and wanted him to but dreaded it happening at the same time. If he did, they would both be back in her bed, naked, and sleep w
ould be the last thing on their minds.
But he didn’t. He kissed her softly on the forehead. She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of his rich voice, whilst trying to ignore the memory of his naked body, now thankfully, fully clothed.
‘Sleep sweetly Angel. I’ll pick you guys up at ten on Saturday for the Family Fun Day. Good thing you’re not working Friday night. And don’t worry, it will be fun.’
Then he was gone.
Lexi discarded her clothes and left them in a heap on the floor as Casey had done. She snuggled down under the duvet, enveloped by the scent of him that lingered on the linen, the warmth he had left behind in the bed comforting her. But the thought of his recent nudity sent erotic pictures flitting across her mind. She fell asleep with the image of a wicked smile below the most dazzling green eyes she had ever seen.
Chapter Ten
Casey woke early on Saturday morning with mixed feelings about the day ahead. He had always attended the summer Family Fun Day at the leisure centre with Riordan and Tom as he enjoyed his role of uncle and had taught his nephew to swim when the boy was still a toddler. This time, however, he would be attending the public event as a father. It would be his first time being a “Daddy” with the rest of the world watching. What if he stuffed it up? Did something wrong?
He had seen Riordan and Tom together often enough to know that the role of “daddy” wasn’t the easiest one in the world to get right. Tom was a sensible little boy, willing to listen to reason, but Casey had seen his brother tearing his hair out on several occasions when Tom had wanted something he couldn’t have, and Riordan had to put his foot down.
He needed to stop worrying. He’d signed up for this and he was going to see it through to the end and make the best job of being a “daddy” that he could. He was lucky, he had his parents and siblings to lend a hand. He couldn’t begin to imagine how Lexi had coped on her own for the past four years. She had no one except Jess, who was a great friend, that much was obvious, but nothing could beat the love and support of blood relatives and he couldn’t wait to introduce Jade to his family.
As he drove to the cottage, he thought about Shelley. She had discharged herself before he had managed to talk to her again and he feared for the young woman’s safety. She appeared to have no family in her life but, unlike Lexi, she wasn’t coping and was drowning in a sea of poverty and, quite possibly, domestic abuse. He’d already spoken to the Mental Health Team to see if there was a hostel they could get her into. Provided she’d go, of course.
When he pulled up outside Lexi and Jess’s home, Jade was in the window seat, kneeling up, her nose pressed to the glass. She waved when she saw him, and he felt a rush of love so strong he had to take deep breaths before he got out of the car.
The front door opened, Jade came hurtling out, and flung herself into his arms. ‘Daddy, I’ve got my cossie on. D’you wanna see?’
When he had duly inspected her swimming costume, he’d carried her into the house to be met by three people, bags, towels and other paraphernalia, all ready for a family day out.
‘Are you guys ready?’ he asked trying to ignore the storm clouds that had gathered over Lexi’s head. She was obviously unhappy about something. Maybe she’d relax more when they arrived at the venue.
‘We’ve been ready for hours,’ Craig said as he picked up one of the bags and carried it outside.
‘Right. Let’s go then.’
It took twenty minutes to get the kids in their child seats in the back and store the bags in the boot as, every time they seemed to have settled, one of them wanted to go back into the cottage for something. Jade wanted the toilet. Craig had forgotten his headphones. Finally, they were on their way.
Casey gave an exaggerated sigh and laughed. ‘Is it always like this?’ he asked Lexi who was sitting in the passenger seat. Jess was squashed between the kids in the back but seemed perfectly content.
‘Welcome to parenthood,’ Lexi said dryly. She was frowning, and Casey decided to have it out with her before they went any further. He didn’t want anything to spoil their family day out.
‘Are you okay? You seem tense. Is something wrong?’
She turned anxious eyes in his direction. ‘It is safe, isn’t it? The pool, I mean. Jade’s never been in a pool before, not even a baby one. I’m just concerned, that’s all.’
So that was all that was bothering her. He hastened to reassure her. ‘Of course it’s safe. I won’t let her out of my sight. There’s four of us adults to three kids. Most kids don’t get that level of supervision in the pool. She’ll love it and so will you. Okay?’
He put his hand over hers and gave it a quick squeeze. He was looking forward to seeing her in her swimming costume. Did she wear a bikini? Whatever she wore, she’d look fantastic. They were going to have a great day. Their first one as a family and he couldn’t wait.
He remembered her face when she had seen him naked. She had turned away in feigned disgust, but not before he had seen the flare of lust in her eyes. Maybe she wanted him still. As much as she had the first night they met. As much as he still wanted her. Not that he was going to act on it, but it was still an ego-boost to know the strong attraction he remembered wasn’t just a product of his fevered imagination.
Today would be a day for showing off. They would swim together, in skimpy costumes, their bodies wet and glistening. And today was also a chance for him to show off his prowess at swimming to Lexi and his daughter. He felt quite the macho man at the thought.
Yes. It was going to be a good day.
Chapter Eleven
‘Daddy! There’s a bouncy castle. Can I go on it?’ Jade’s excitement had reached fever pitch and Lexi feared that there would be tears before bedtime unless she managed to calm her down.
Casey had turned up at the cottage that morning looking happy and hot in knee-length camouflage shorts and a black polo shirt, his long, tanned legs rippling with muscle and looking incredibly sexy. She couldn’t deny her attraction to him, much as she would have liked to.
Today, he’d be wearing a swimming costume – hopefully not one of the indecently brief versions – for some of the day, which would almost be as bad. She knew exactly what lay enticingly underneath the material of his costume, and her overactive imagination was perfectly capable of filling in the details. Casey was the sexiest, most desirable man she had ever known, and she would need all her powers of concentration to look after her daughter and ignore her growing desire for Jade’s father. At least she wouldn’t be getting in the water with him.
‘Can I have my face painted, Daddy?’ Jade was already asking for everything she saw around her. The grounds of the leisure centre hummed with activity as children ran around, signing up for classes and queuing to have their faces painted, join the junior Zumba class or enter the hula-hoop competition.
Lexi spotted a few of the parents from Jade’s nursery and Jess was waving madly to some of the mothers of children Craig’s age. It looked exactly what it advertised – a simple fun day filled with healthy and enjoyable activities for all the family. So, why did she feel such dread at the thought of going inside? Of course, she knew the answer to that one.
Jade was still entreating Casey to let her do everything at once. Should she intervene, or step back and see how Casey coped with his daughter’s excited demands? It was something he was going to have to get used to and fast.
Luckily, Jade’s attention was diverted elsewhere as Casey spotted his brother and nephew.
‘Hi, guys,’ he yelled and a tall, slim man with glasses and dark blond hair, holding the hand of a small boy, came over to them. Lexi recognized Dr Riordan O’Connor as the consultant cardiologist who attended A&E when he was on call but hadn’t realized until recently that he was Casey’s older brother. He smiled at her when he recognized her.
‘Hi there, you must be Lexi, and who’s this little lady?’
‘Jade,’ said her daughter shyly.
It struck home then that this day would be
an emotional one for all of them. Riordan and Tom were meeting a member of their family who they hadn’t even known existed until just recently. Casey was playing the proud father for all he was worth. Jess and Craig were having a nice mother and son day out and she… how was she supposed to feel? Was the anxiety that churned inside making her feel slightly sick and hot all over, a normal reaction? It was if you suffered from a phobia.
To take her mind off her symptoms, she concentrated on Riordan and Tom, but that just brought home the guilt feelings she couldn’t shake; she should have tried harder to find Casey when she had discovered she was pregnant.
By rights, the O’Connors should hate her and accuse her of selfishness at not telling Casey about Jade. But Riordan was beaming at Jade and making a fuss of her. Tom and Craig were chatting about their favourite movies in the natural way of young children who seem to be able to make friends at the drop of a hat.
Riordan smiled at her too, and she detected only sympathy and warmth in his gentle grey eyes. No condemnation at all.
So why couldn’t she relax and enjoy the day as the others were doing?
That was easy to answer. It was the wretched swimming pool inside the leisure centre. She was terrified of water and would have given anything to be able to stay outside in the late summer sunshine, where she was warm, dry and safe.
Casey had swung Jade up into his arms and was making his way towards the main doors, his family and Craig following closely behind. She and Jess trailed after them, Lexi feeling heavier and more anxious with each step she took.
When they arrived at the pool, the men and boys headed to the male changing rooms, while Lexi, Jess and Jade walked towards the female ones.
‘Mummy? Where’s Daddy going? Can’t I go too?’ Jade’s anxious little voice, indignant that she had been parted from her beloved father for even a second, pierced her heart. Jade was obviously besotted with Casey.
‘He’s gone to get changed, sweetheart. Come on, let’s put your clothes in the locker and wait for him to come back, yeah?’