Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  “How’s it going?” Missy called for like the hundredth time today.

  “We passed inspection; we are good to go!” I proudly announced.

  Missy squealed with joy. “I can’t believe how good the warehouse looks and I can’t believe how beautiful my workspace is.”

  “I told you you’d be salivating once you saw the room I built with you in mind.”

  “You weren’t kidding. I’ve been playing around with natural dyes for the baby line and I think I have the colors mastered. We’re going to make a killing on the baby clothes, Bee. I wish I could come over tonight and start on fabrics.” Missy was chomping at the bits to work, but tonight was her and her husband’s first anniversary and for the good of the marriage, she told me she should be with him. I laughed at her enthusiasm.

  “Go show your husband some love. After tomorrow, he’ll have to come here if he wants to see you.”

  Missy giggled. “I was thinking the same thing. I’ll see you bright and early?”

  “Bright and early,” I agreed.

  I was about to hang up when Missy added, “Bee?”

  “Yeah?”

  “We need to celebrate the opening of the warehouse. Let’s have a small party. You know where we can order some cupcakes, balloons, and champagne so we can let the world know about Beeautiful?”

  “No, but I know someone who does. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Great!”

  This really felt like a party, and I wanted to revel in these moments. I no longer wanted to be sad over a man. I didn’t even want to be happy over a man. For now, I wanted all my energy on happiness I could control.

  “Hello?” Babs answered her phone immediately.

  “Hi Babs. It’s me, Bee.”

  “Hello, Bee! What brings you to calling me at this hour? Are you looking for Laney?”

  “No. I was actually looking for you.”

  “Oh?”

  “Did Laney tell you about my new warehouse, built in thanks to the generosity of her and her husband?”

  “She’s told me about your warehouse, but I was unaware of their involvement.” I would let Laney explain the details to her mother.

  “We open tomorrow, and I’d like to throw a small party with your help.”

  “Congratulations, Bee! I’m thrilled for you, and I’d be happy to help you throw a party.”

  “Something small,” I had to emphasize. “The warehouse is large, but we have a small courtyard in the rear where we can take breaks and eat meals. I’d like to have it out there.”

  “Can I stop by once you’re settled?”

  “Of course. I will be living there from here on out. Come by whenever you like.”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow and let you know when I’ll be stopping in. Congrats, again, Bee.”

  “Thank you.”

  Party planning—done! Things were moving in the right direction.

  With so much energy trapped in this body of mine, I knew I couldn’t go home and sleep. I needed to work and tire myself to a point where sleep would come naturally. I went back to my beautifully big drawing table and started sketching more Beeautiful Baby designs. I hoped Donovan and Laney were having twin boys because all my inspirations came in shades of blue. In the excitement of our newest Taylors, I cut the softest fabric I could find and made swaddling blankets and stitched the names “Taylor Twins” on each one. I even tried to design a multipurpose but fashionable diaper bag. That didn’t turn out as well.

  The night was growing deeper and though I didn’t want to go home, I thought it best to close up shop. I went around turning all the lights off, and as I entered my office to pick up my purse, I sensed something falling behind me.

  Out of nowhere, I had the wind knocked out of me and a firestorm of pain seared my back. I didn’t fully understand what had happened, but once I caught my breath, I found myself flat on the floor, face down.

  I tried to get up but couldn’t. It felt as if a truck had rammed straight into my back. I did my best not to panic and thought through what I needed to do.

  Slowly, I inched my fingers into my pocket and coaxed a too-big-for-my-jean-pocket phone and pressed the speed-dial number that was still too familiar to me. There were many people I could’ve called, but in this time of need, there was only one person I wanted to call.

  “Nick?” I called out to the phone that was on the ground, near my pocket. Gingerly, I maneuvered my fingers to turn on the speakerphone.

  “Bee?” I heard the note of surprise.

  “I need your help.” I almost cried; the pain was so brutal.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “An accident…at the warehouse. Please help.” I called knowing I needed and wanted his help, but I also understood I was in no position to demand his help. I was regretting my action as I heard him swearing on the other line.

  “How are you hurt? Should I call 911 for you?”

  “No.” I cut him off. It hurt to speak with force and I had to stop to catch my breath. “Please don’t call 911,” I begged. Suddenly a light went off and I realized this call could’ve been bothersome to him. He wasn’t my boyfriend, he wasn’t family, and we weren’t really friends anymore. What was I thinking reaching out to someone else’s boyfriend? “It’s OK. Sorry for bothering you.”

  I hung up the phone and cried. The pain in my heart was worse than the pain in my back. I’d take ten years of physical pain to get rid of the weeks of emotional heartache to come. I allowed myself to cry—whether from the physical pain or the emotional one, I chose not to decipher.

  But, I didn’t allow myself to wallow in the ache. I needed to figure out a way home, and as always, if I didn’t take care of me, nobody else would.

  I’d be fine. I just needed to get over Nick…again.

  Unyielding Love – Nick & Bee Vol. 2

  By

  DW CEE

  Copyright © 2014 by DW Cee

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be copied, reproduced, transmitted, or downloaded, whether electronic or mechanical, without the written consent of the author.

  This story is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Ebook Edition

  Chickygirl Publishing

  Books by DW CEE

  Indelible Love Series (ebooks)

  Indelible Love – Emily’s Story

  Indelible Love – Jake’s Story

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Story Vol. 1

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Story Vol. 2

  Unlikely Attraction – Delaney’s Story

  Near Perfect Attraction – Donovan’s Story

  Unyielding Love – Nick & Bee’s Story Vol. 1

  Unyielding Love – Nick & Bee’s Story Vol. 2

  Stand-Alone (ebook)

  Entwined

  Paperback Books

  Indelible Love – Emily’s Story

  Indelible Love – Jake’s Story

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Story (combined volume)

  Unlikely Attraction – Delaney’s Story

  Coming Soon…

  Indelible Lovin’ – Max & Jane’s Wedding (Summer 2014)

  Unfinished Melody (Winter 2014/15)

  Finally, Love! – Michael & Chloe’s Story (Winter 2014/15)

  Perfect Harmony (Summer 2015)

  I thank all the Reiders who make these characters come to life with every scene. Your enthusiasm and passion encourage me to be the best writer I can be—for that I thank you.

  To Sarah N. who is always able to meet every deadline, no matter how short the notice. I’m so glad I asked you to be my editor. A confession—I do cringe every time I use “cool,” “stuff,” “things,” and all forms of “got!”

  Table of Contents

  May

  June

  July

  August

  Epilogue
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br />   May 1, 2014 NICK: “You Are My Sunshine…When Skies Are Gray” ~Bing Crosby

  “Shit!” I jumped off the sofa. “I have to go.”

  “What’s wrong?” Doug asked. “Was that Bee who just called?”

  “She’s hurt. I have to go.” I ran out of our roommate movie night, jumped in the car, and headed toward Bee’s loft. I knew her warehouse wasn’t far from there.

  I was alarmed at her call, and even more alarmed that she hung up. Why she decided to hang up on me, I had no idea. Several times I’d called her back and there was no answer. She sounded winded and in pain, and I prayed she hadn’t somehow lost consciousness.

  “Donovan. What’s Bee’s warehouse address?” I hoped she had called him too.

  “Um…hold on.” I could tell he was scrolling through his phone. “Why do you need it?” He had placed me on speakerphone.

  “Bee’s been in an accident and she called for help, but somehow we got disconnected.”

  “What?” Donovan quickly got back on the phone. “How is she hurt? Is she alone?”

  “I don’t know.” I was just as frustrated as Donovan was—more so since I was the one she reached out to—though, I failed to help her. “She called and had a difficult time explaining that she was hurt. It sounded like she wasn’t breathing properly. When I offered to call 911, she suddenly apologized for calling, and then hung up. I’ve tried reaching her several times, and either she’s too hurt to answer or she’s avoiding my calls.”

  I heard my phone ding and saw an address come through. “Delaney and I are at the beach house, but we can come home tonight if she needs us. Can you let me know as soon as you have some information? If it’s serious, I’ll wake Delaney up and we’ll head down immediately.”

  “I will.”

  With that, I raced to Bee’s workplace and arrived quickly, but had no way of getting in. I tried opening, ringing, and banging on the door, but it stayed locked. I was so damn frustrated, I couldn’t think straight. I ran around the large building and found a smaller door off to the corner. This one gave me hope because inside there was a small light on. I tried every which way of opening the door and nothing worked. Finally, I pulled out my phone hoping Bee would answer.

  In a weak voice, Bee called out, “67890.”

  Quickly punching in the numbers to the keyless entry, I ran to Bee, who was flat on her stomach, immobile.

  “Shit!” I whispered. I felt sick with pain watching Bee on the floor, lifeless. “What the hell happened?” I carefully tried to turn her over, but she cried out in pain.

  Turning on all the lights in the office, I walked over to the side Bee was facing and sat on the floor hoping for an explanation. I pushed away Bee’s bangs and saw the tears. Her pained expression killed me.

  “How?” She was still so winded; she could barely speak.

  “I called Donovan and he gave me your address.” She nodded carefully. “Can you tell me where you are hurting so I can take a look at you?”

  “Back…something fell…”

  I looked around and saw what looked like a kettle bell on the floor, and wondered if that had fallen on her. It didn’t make sense since there was no reason for this heavy object to fall from the sky.

  “Is this what fell?” I brought it over for her to see.

  She forced out a breath. “…don’t know…”

  I decided to figure out what fell later and pulled up her shirt. What I saw made me wince. Her entire lower back was the color of the rainbow all jumbled up into an angry mass of pain. Realizing how much she must be hurting made my eyes tear. I tried to school my shock, and looked for ways to best help Bee.

  “Bee.” I tried to explain calmly, though I didn’t feel one bit of calm inside. I wanted to holler in pain and frustration for her. “Your back doesn’t look good. Let’s call 911.”

  “No!” For some damn reason, this was the second time she refused an ambulance. I could only crouch so low, and she couldn’t lift her head, so I laid on the ground with her, with my cheek to the cold floor and I asked her why. “Shop opens…tomorrow…” She struggled to get those words out. “Don’t want inspector here.” Finally, I understood. She was afraid of her warehouse being closed down because of a random accident.

  “Hold that thought.” I stayed on the floor and called my dad to make sure he was still at the clinic. I explained the situation, and he told me to bring her in immediately.

  “What?” She asked.

  “This is going to hurt, but I need to get you up. Once you feel stable enough, I’ll drive you to my dad’s clinic and he’s going to take a look at you.”

  “OK,” she barely let out. I could tell by the determined look on her face that she was expecting this to hurt.

  After thinking through how best to pull her up, I flanked her body and placed her between my legs. As deftly as possible, I pulled her up as though I was picking up a 2x4 wooden board. Once she stood safely, I rounded her body and put my arms around her.

  “Did that hurt a lot?” I whispered, and kissed the top of her head. “Can you walk to my car?”

  “I can walk.”

  “I’d carry you, but I don’t think I can do it without hurting your back.”

  “It’s OK. I’ll walk.” I sensed Bee attempting to push away so I let her go somewhat, but still kept my arm around her shoulder. “My purse…” she asked.

  We arrived at the clinic and Dad told us that though the bruise was bad, there was no permanent damage. He outfitted Bee in a back brace and gave her a prescription for the pain.

  Once I picked up the medicine and had her take a dose, I drove back to my parents’ so I could take care of her.

  “Why are we here?” By the sound of the strength in her voice, the painkiller was working.

  “You can sleep in Jake’s old room tonight. He has a large bed.”

  “Please take me home. I’d feel more comfortable in my own bed.”

  She was right, but I wanted her on the cul-de-sac with three doctors at her disposal if she needed them. “I would like for you to stay here where we have access to help if something should go wrong. I talked to Dad, and he agreed that you should stay here tonight.” I could tell she wanted to disagree. “Your brother is out of town visiting Becky, and Donovan and Laney are at the beach house. Do you want me to call Donovan and ask him to wake up Laney and come home at this hour? Would you prefer to stay there instead?” I knew she wouldn’t inconvenience them.

  “But…”

  I cut her off. “No buts. Let’s get up to the room, and let me see how I can get you comfortably settled.”

  For the first time, I encountered a scared and submissive Bee. She stopped arguing and she stood in the middle of Jake’s old room, watching me run around, trying to make this night easier on her.

  “Can I take a shower?” She asked with much hesitation. “I feel gross.”

  “Can you manage that? Is the painkiller working?”

  “Yeah. I’d like to wash up before the medicine wears off.”

  “Let me get you something of mine to use as sleepwear before you hop in the shower.” I ran to my room, took out a t-shirt and pajama bottoms, and quickly ran back into the room. “This is going to sound highly inappropriate, but do you want me to hop in the shower and help you? I can wear my swim trunks.”

  Bee looked at me and started laughing. She held onto her back as she laughed hard. “Shit, don’t make me laugh!” She scolded, still with a guffaw. “It hurts.”

  My high-strung body let go of every last ounce of tension as soon as I heard Bee laugh. Though she would be in pain for a while, I knew her spirit wasn’t broken.

  “It’s not as though I haven’t seen your body before. And you’ve definitely seen all of me.” I, too, chuckled at the craziness of my own suggestion. “Let me help you. I promise, I’ll wear swim trunks and I won’t touch any of the places you like to be touched.” I kidded.

  She shook her head and cl
osed the bathroom door behind her.

  This was going to be a long night, but I was happy she called me for help. I’d do anything to keep her safe.

  May 5, 2014 BEE: “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” ~James Taylor

  I made it to the shower, laughing at this entire night. What started as a scary night turned into a comical one where I was back in Nick’s arms. In the morning, I’d thank Dr. Reid for his hospitality, call Nick and thank him for all his help, and have either Donovan or Laney drive me home. For tonight, I’ll stay in the safety of the cul-de-sac.