CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 

“Sweet Jesus, stop fussing.”

He checked her seatbelt for a second time. The bruises on her face were fading, most of the stitches had been removed, and her ribs were sore, but healing well. She was done with nurses and needles and crappy food. She wanted a bubble bath, a beer and a big slice of her sister’s Black Forest cheesecake. And sex. All at once. Separately. She didn’t care at this point.

Okay, the bubble bath is still out of the question, but a long hot shower is first on her list. Right after convincing Jayson she hadn’t morphed into a pansy while she’d been recovering. But then, I’m getting a beer and some cake. Maybe a cheesesteak too.

“Are you comfortable? The strap isn’t too tight is it?”

“Oh, my God, if you don’t stop and get in this car right now, I’m going to get out and hitch-hike home.”

His stricken expression shamed her. He took care of her while she recovered; ran interference with her family; and sweet talked the nurses into bending some of the rules, like co-sleeping in the same bed. He hadn’t once answered his cell phone. He’d even endured Matt’s company. And I snapped at him. Like a big bitch.

“I’m sorry. I’m not mad. I just want to go home.” She smiled, big and bright into his beautiful blue eyes. “Take me home.”

He obliged, hurrying around to the driver’s seat. The air had grown cooler. The leaves had started to change color as she’d watched from a hospital window. She’d missed the end of summer. I’m not missing another moment. She rolled down the window, laid her head back against the seat, and enjoyed the early autumn sun on her face.

“Kylee, baby, we’re here.”

She opened her eyes. Jayson filled her vision. “I fell asleep.”

The branches of the tree canopying the little sitting area where they’d shared iced tea in the spring were turning gold and red behind him. I’m home. She smiled and reached for his face, cupping his cheek in her palm.

“Thank you. Not just for bringing me home, but for taking care of me. And for making sure the men responsible will be held accountable.”

He scooped her into his arms and lifted her from the car.

“I think I can get the rest of the way on my own.”

“Nope. You’re getting the full treatment.”

He carried her over the threshold and into her kitchen. She always kept it clean, but it looked and smelled like someone had recently wiped down the counters and windows. There were fresh flowers on her table, and the faint smell of lemon lingered.

“My mom was here, huh?”

“And mine.”

He walked through the living room and dining room, all just as clean and fresh as the kitchen had been with her in his arms. “My mom saw what happened on the news, and called your mom wanting to know what she could do to help. She felt she should since you were so good to her when she was hurt. It was strange for me, seeing your mom and my mom together.”

“How is she?”

“She’s doing well with Amelia gone. She’s going to an Al-anon meeting not far from her house. Met a woman who survived the same cycle of abuse. It’s a kind of miracle I think.” He turned into her bedroom and laid her down on the bed. “Are you cold? Thirsty? Hungry?”

She shook her head no.

“Everyone thinks you’re coming home tomorrow so today should be quiet, no interruptions. I’m going to get the rest of the stuff from the car. Be right back.”

He hurried out, much quicker than he’d moved as he’d carried her through the house and oh so unceremoniously dumped her on the bed. She wanted to be hurt, but she’d anticipated this. He’s going to balk. He’s been taking care of her and, she suspected, thought she wasn’t ready for intimacy. I am getting him naked.

She eased from the bed. Moving with care, she made her way to the bureau and pulled open the slender top drawer. He needs to see me as a woman, not a victim. He’d grouped together a few pair of skimpier, lacier panties in the right-hand corner and left a scrap of paper on top with a small happy face drawn on it.

A small happy face complete with devil horns. She laughed out loud and picked a black pair from the top.

She shimmied out of the plain white bikinis and slipped on the sexier garment. She stepped to the closet and pulled out the black, silk robe covered in gilded dragons that had been a souvenir from a girlfriend’s trip to the Orient. She’d never worn it, considered it more for show than for function. This felt like both.

Getting out of her shirt proved more difficult than she’d anticipated, and she was panting, sweat popping out on her upper lip in an embarrassing fashion. She eased into the robe, lightly knotting the belt. Wiped her lip and listened. He was downstairs and could be coming to check on her any second.

She sprayed on an expensive perfume and glanced in the mirror over her dresser. The swelling had gone down, and the bruising wasn’t as bad, her complexion had yellowed, and the scar on her cheekbone stood out. Since she kept her hair short, the bald spot and stitches were impossible to hide. She heard him on the stairs. Oh well, if I let that stand in my way, no reason he shouldn’t too.

She hurried as best she could to recline across the bed and pulled the robe to cover the surgery wounds on her chest. They were still ugly and raw, much more so than her face. They wouldn’t win her the day.

And I intend to win.

“Ky…” whatever he’d been going to ask died on his lips when he stepped into the room.

Twin spikes of fear and lust flamed in his deep blue eyes and his Adam's apple bobbled. She nearly purred and trailed a finger down the edge of the robe.

“What are you doing?”

“Resting like you told me.”

“What are you wearing?”

“A robe, but what’s under it is more interesting. Why don’t you come over here? There’s plenty of room.”

He shook his head. She laughed like she hadn’t in weeks and shrugged one shoulder free of the robe. His eyes flicked to the bare curve of her shoulder. She’d never felt so sexy or bold. And I thought I’d be self-conscious.

“Suit yourself. I’ll just have to come to you.”

His eyes narrowed and darted as she slid from the bed. Please, don’t look stupid. I want him to want me. He held up a hand as though he were a crossing guard warning a vehicle to stop.

“The doctor said you need to rest.”

“Yep.” She stepped closer to where he stood statue straight. “And I will. After.”

When she reached him, he scooped her into his arms and carried her back to the bed. Thinks he’s going to put me back to bed, tuck me in, pat me on the head, and then make a run for it. I don’t think so. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her lips on the pulse running, dashing, just under his skin.

“I want you, Jase. I need you. Please, make love with me.”

He groaned. And she won.

She lay in the center of the bed as he removed his clothes. His body was long and lean, the muscles lending his frame subtle, masculine curves dusted in crisp dark hair. The bed dipped as he lay beside her. He skimmed gentle hands and hungry eyes over her curves; loosed the belt on the robe until it fell open baring fresh scars and fading bruises.

“Beautiful.” He trailed light feathery kisses up her neck until they faced each other and he’d wrapped both her hands in his. “I love you, Kylee.”

“I love you, Jayson.”

* * *

His stomach grumbling, he slipped from the bed. Their lovemaking had been slow and exquisite—he’d been careful with her—but she was exhausted regardless. He pulled his jeans on and snuck down to the kitchen, careful to make as little noise as possible. As he poked around in the fridge, his cell vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it and viewed the screen with resignation. He couldn’t continue avoiding Chic.

“Where you been?”

“At the hospital. What can I do for you?”

“It’s not that simple. You use my name, my rep, to find and punish the mopes who beat on your girl and then ignore my calls for two weeks?”

“I didn’t think you would mind. Feeling as you do about men who put hands on an unarmed woman. All that respect for women you have.”

“This is about your recent lack of respect. The lady cop is in your head. You’ve put her above me and my business. I can’t be having that.” He paused. “End it with the cop or I will. What King and Smalls did to her is nothing compared to how she’ll look when my guys are done. And then there’s that big family of hers. I hear she’s got a pretty little sister. Understand?”

“Yeah, I understand.” He disconnected.

She would stand with him; she wouldn’t be cowed by threats. He couldn’t keep her, or the rest of them, safe twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Christ, she finds out Chic threatened her family, her sister; she’s liable to go off after him.

He sat at the kitchen table not seeing the sunset beyond the windows. He sat while twilight grew deeper. I don’t have a lot of options here. No matter what I have to keep her safe. His heart heavy, he decided. And made a call.

“Hi, Mrs. Parker.”

“Jayson. Is everything okay? Kylee?”

“She’s fine. In fact, she was discharged earlier. She’s home, sleeping, but I have to go, can someone come over? She shouldn’t be alone.”

“Sure.” She hesitated. “Are you sure everything is okay? You sound funny.”

“It will be. Thanks.”

“I’ll send Keith over now.”

“Thanks again. And Mrs. Parker? I love you.”

Close to tears, he ended the call. Then he crept up the stairs and into Kylee’s bedroom. He needed his shirt, his socks, and shoes. I need to see her face. He kissed her; ran his fingertips over the line of her jaw. She sighed, her lips bowed as though they wanted to smile. I wish I could take her sigh and smile with me.

“I love you more than you could ever know.”

Then he left.