by Amy Sparling
I laugh. “I’m pretty sure that’s just the morphine talking.”
Livi agrees. “Let’s get her off this bed.”
“I’ve got it,” I tell her and swoop in to grab Alexa and gently place her in a standing position on the floor.
“Can you walk?” I ask, inspecting Alexa because she looks a little wobbly on her feet. She’s like a newborn fawn trying to stand up for the first time.
Alexa snorts as if my question is preposterous. “Of course I can walk. I am Wonder Woman.” She and Livi exchange a look like they’re in some inside joke I don’t know about.
The second Alexa takes a step forward, she nearly topples over. “Okay, no.” I say, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “You’re getting help, Ms. Wonder Woman.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Alexa says and roars with laughter.
Livi glances at me as if she thinks the medications the doctor gave Alexa are making her crazy.
“Don’t worry about it,” I reassure her. “Morphine wears off quickly.”
“I like being silly,” Alexa counters.
“You’re doing a really great job,” I tease her and tousle her hair. We’re both adults now, but she’ll always be my baby cousin. “Now come on, let’s get you back to my place.”
Livi halts and looks alarmed. “Your place?”
I shrug. “Yeah, why not?”
Livi ponders my response. “I don’t know, I just figured you could drop her off at her apartment and I’ll stay overnight with her. Make sure she takes her meds on time and stuff.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” I nod and continue to hold onto a very unbalanced Alexa, becoming the sturdy foundation for her to lean against.
“Good,” Livi says and starts walking out of the room.
“I just think my house is the best place for us to take care of her,” I call out and Livi spins on her heel again, looking curious.
“Just think about it,” I say with a shrug. The truth is that I don’t want Livi to leave me, if only for a night or two. I want her around. And I wouldn’t mind helping take care of Alexa, either. “My place is bigger. Alexa’s apartment is like a tin can.”
Alexa interrupts me. “Yeah, let’s go to the lake house!”
“Okay,” Livi says, rolling her eyes. “The lake house it is.”
On the way back to the parking lot, Livi pokes me in the arm. “You don’t have to take care of her, you know. I’ll do the dirty work.”
I chuckle and look up at the moon as it makes its accent into the canopy of darkness. “I’m not a bad cousin,” I tell her.
“I never said you were,” Livi retorts.
“Let’s tag team it. We’ll both take care of her.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll keep track of her pain meds, and if she pukes, you clean it up.”
There’s a mischievous glimmer in her eyes that makes me weak in the knees. I like this. The playful banter, the laughing and joking. I guess, in her defense I haven’t exactly been the token charming guy that she’s probably used to being around, but it’s taking me a while to ease into a civilized relationship with her to where we can hang out and not get defensive or frustrated with each other.
When we get back to my truck, Livi helps me prop Alexa up to get her into the back seat. My truck is heavy duty and tall, even with the assistance of the running boards it’s difficult for the average healthy person to climb inside. It takes a bit of maneuvering and a tiny struggle, but we get Alexa into the truck successfully. Thankfully, her pain meds are still swimming through her veins and helping ease the brunt of the pain.
On the drive home, Alexa continues to be giggly and a little spastic. She keeps pointing to objects outside in the dark night that aren’t really there.
“Look!” She points out the window and looks excited. “Don’t you see that scarecrow?”
She glances over at me and Livi. “No sweetie,” Livi says apologetically. “I don’t see it. That’s just the meds talking.”
“Oh.” Alexa leans back in her seat, reclining her neck on the headrest, her lips dipping into a frown.
Livi apparently notices this because she adds, “But hey…I’m sure it was there…I probably just missed it.”
Alexa gives Livi a dreamy smile. “You are right,” she states dopily. “You just missed it, that’s all.”
A few minutes later we get to my house and I pull in next to Livi’s car. Her brand new tires shine under the moonlight. Livi still has yet to notice that they are there, and by this point in time it’s becoming a game to me to see just how long it takes her to realize her car has been upgraded.
I open the garage with my remote entry and we walk inside. I keep my arms around Alexa as her support, but she’s walking better now. Livi is a few steps in front of us, switching on the lamps and overhead lights to direct and illuminate our path.
Alexa is a little sluggish, but I patiently keep to her side. Livi turns around to glance at me. “Where are we going to put her?” she asks.
“Um,” I say and bite my bottom lip because I haven’t really thought that far in advance … but here we are. “I guess we can put her in one of the other guest rooms.”
“Do you have any other guest rooms downstairs?” Livi asks hesitantly.
“No.” I shake my head. “The rest are all upstairs.
“That’s not good.” She exhales as a crease forms between her brows. “I’m not sure she should go upstairs. What if the pain meds make her sleep walk or something?”
“One of the rooms has two beds in it for when my nephews stay over,” I say. “You could stay with her?”
Livi grins. “Perfect.”
“Sleepover!” Alexa squeals.
Livi rolls her eyes.
I chuckle. “Let’s go upstairs and get this crazy lady to bed.”
“Hey,” Alexa mumbles and I watch as her eyes flit around to me. “I resent that.”
I glance up at Livi. “We are losing her, doc,” I tease.
“Okay,” she laughs. “I’m prescribing sleep. Let’s get her to bed.”
We make it with somewhat of a struggle up to the landing of the second floor. Livi turns to glance back at me.
“Which way?”
I point down the hallway to the right, in the opposite direction of my bedroom. “That way.”
She finds the empty guest room on the left side of the hallway, right before we get to the game room from that fateful night that we once played air hockey together.
Livi glances into the room and I’m hit with a slice of nostalgia that bursts right through my soul. It’s a heavy burden to carry, especially since I can see the flicker of recognition in Livi’s eyes. She snaps out of it and walks into the room, flicking the light switch. “This is a nice room,” she says, gazing around. “Your nephews are lucky.”
“Thanks,” I tell her and prop Alexa against the dresser. “The sheets are clean.”
“Great,” she says and walks over to the bed to turn down the sheets. “It’s time for bed,” she tells her.
Alexa nods as her eyes roll back in her head. She’s becoming groggier by the second. I inspect Livi, watching with fondness as she tenderly fluffs the pillows and props them up until she’s satisfied that they will be fit for her friend. She takes a couple of the decorative pillows and places them on the side of the bed, making what looks to me like a little pallet.
“What is that for?” I point to the pillows.
Livi glances at the bed and frowns. “This? Oh, that’s for Alexa to rest her cast on.”
“That’s really thoughtful of you,” I admit.
She shrugs. “I don’t want her to suffer any extra pain if she doesn’t have to.”
I glance over at Alexa who is still leaning up against the dresser. Her eyes are fluttering closed and she’s borderline snoring at this point. I just have to laugh, even if it’s in poor taste.
“I don’t mean to poke fun of her,” I say, feeling the need to explain myself. “I think that for toni
ght, she could sleep on a bed of nails and be comfortable.”
Livi’s eyes shine as they glance up at me. “Yeah, what the hell did that doctor give her? He said it was morphine but are we really certain it wasn’t actually a horse tranquilizer?”
We both burst into a fit of laughter. I glance at her with longing. Not only is she witty and funny, but she’s also compassionate and sweet, too. She’s the total package, perfect for any guy. I don’t want to blow my chances with her, but I don’t know what my problem is. I need to snap out of it, if I want us to move forward in any favorable direction.
There’s something special about Livi and I need to wrap my head around that concept. She’s not self-absorbed or stuck up like my selfish ex-girlfriends. She has a kind heart and a free spirit. She looks at people as if she wants to help them and nurture them instead of just wanting something from them in return all the time.
Her ability to perceive the world in a tender, pure type of way is really rubbing off on me and I’m finding my heart swell with both desire and angst as I watch her delicately place Alexa into the bed, resting her cast on the pillows.
Damn, I admire this woman more each time I’m in her presence. It’s been a testing trial for me to be able to stay away from her, and the internal struggle has really ripped me apart. I want to grab her and kiss her, pressing her soft, petite body to mine every time I see her.
I feel like I’m gawking as she smiles and turns to face me again. “Alexa should be good for the night. I might grab her a bottle of water or something to place on her nightside table,” Livi offers.
“That sounds good,” I nod and swallow hard. She’s so sexy, every mannerism she makes gives me a tingle in between my legs that I can’t stifle, no matter how strongly I resist the urge to need her in a sexual way.
Livi shrugs and glances back at her friend. “I guess I’ll go downstairs and grab a water bottle for her now.”
All I can do is nod like an idiot and pray she doesn’t become uncomfortable by my staring, but she gives me a funny look. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” I immediately huff, but then toss her a coy grin. “It’s just…you’re really sweet,” I confess. “You have a real knack for helping people and making them think you care about them.”
Livi wrinkles her nose. “I do care about people,” she corrects me.
“No…right,” I shake my head. “Of course. I drag a hand down my forehead. “That’s exactly what I meant.”
There’s an awkward moment of silence between us as we stare at each other uncomfortably. I have a feeling that both of us are feeling the sexual tension in the air but neither of us is brave enough to call it out or approach the subject.
The chemistry between us swirls and slices through me. “Well,” I begin. “I guess we should let Alexa rest now.”
“Yeah…” Livi says and her expression is foggy, difficult to read. “That’s a good idea.”
She exits the guest bedroom first, and I’m only a step behind her before she treks down the hallway and stops at the landing of the stairs.
There’s a pull in my heart, a burning in my chest. I’m frozen, even though I want to call out to her. Then, my mouth speaks before my mind has the chance to falter or betray me by remaining silent.
“Livi,” I blurt out and my voice sounds distant, far away.
She turns around and meets my gaze. “Yeah?”
“Wait,” I tell her, although I have no idea what I’m doing. But I’m taking a chance here. And I’m going to let my heart and my emotions guide me on the rest.
Chapter 23
I can’t breathe for a moment. I’m frozen, and any words I want to say are suspended in my throat, captured by the very essence of the chemistry that swirls around Mason and pounces on me like gravy soaking a biscuit. He feels it too, I can see it by the way he’s staring at me. The electric, intoxicating energy cloaks us like a soft blanket. His gaze, and the intensity of it, doesn’t shift. It doesn’t falter.
I swallow hard, struggling to allow oxygen into my lungs. I am terrified and ignited with desire all at once. A warm, liquid feeling grows in the center of my stomach and spreads like wildfire until I feel as if my fingers and toes could shoot out fireworks at any moment.
The hallway light at the top of the stairs is dim, and it casts a soft yellowy shadow over his face, making him somehow even more attractive. Maybe it’s because I can’t see everything, and my mind fills in the parts that are too dark to see, making me want to run my hands over his well-defined muscles, exploring all of him.
All the words we want to say are caught somewhere in the realm of space and time, but in judging by the looks on our faces we don’t need verbalization of what our hearts want to communicate. Slowly, with excruciating deliberation, Mason approaches me. His steps are cautious, weary and guarded, but at the same time they are desperate and passionate.
Every muscle in my body tenses up in reaction, but not for lack of excitement. Every fantasy I could ever imagine having rushes through my imagination as I stare at his sculpted, perfectly carved muscles through his signature white t-shirt. If he touches me, even one finger on my arm, I will no doubt melt into a puddle. I will totally lose all self-control. I won’t be able to hold back anymore.
And yet here I am, hoping he does exactly that.
This isn’t just friendship. This is something more. Something all consuming. There is something magical here, something that only belongs inside of the two of us, people who can no longer control or hide their longing and compassionate burning for one another.
Right now, the world is fading away as Mason’s eyes sizzle through my soul. The atmosphere blurs and there’s nothing I can do but wait and see what happens. I haven’t left my place at the edge of the stairs, right in the middle of the grand balcony that overlooks the downstairs below.
My feet are deep rooted onto the carpet beneath my feet as if it’s quick sand, threatening to swallow me whole if Mason doesn’t make a move soon. He stands in front of me, and I inhale the scent of his rugged masculinity. It’s spicy, flavorful, and makes my pulse quicken.
Then, almost as if in slow motion, Mason extends his tan, muscular arm in a sexy, seductive way. His hand lands on my cheek and the heat burns me, rushing blood through my body.
My breath halts. I cease to exist, if only for the moment while his hand is on my cheek.
He cups my chin in his, stroking it delicately with a tender thumb. “There’s something…different about you.”
Finally, I am able to regain composure and I exhale and let out an unbalanced chuckle. “What does that mean?” I gaze into his eyes, hoping to find something I recognize…desire.
His eyes are like an open window, spilling in an island breeze that tickles my skin and billows through my hair. I’m not used to Mason staring at me this way…with so much longing. He’s usually a closed book. The pages written in a language I can’t read or understand.
But now, now I read him loud and clear, and I know he wants me as badly as I want him.
“It’s a…” Mason pauses and leaves me clinging to desperate hope. “It’s a good different.”
“Okay,” I sigh and close my eyes, absorbing the feeling of his hand still resting softly on my cheek.
“You are pure,” he says and smiles at me with the warmth of a thousand suns. “You’re compassionate and gentle. I didn’t want to believe it and I tried to stay away from you but instead of feeling better, I just suffered.”
I gaze into his eyes and feel a tingle spread across my body. I love how honest he is right now. How he’s letting me see the real him, one not hidden behind walls.
He bites his bottom lip for just a second. “I see the way you care for people…how you took care of Alexa tonight…you are a true angel.”
His words breathe new life into me. He could say anything after this and I probably won’t hear it.
“Really?” It’s a feeble response, but I am so lovestruck by his compliment that I can’t even
pretend to act like a normal person right now.
Mason’s eyes gleam and he flashes a perfect, million-dollar smile at me. “Yes. I don’t say stuff like this lightly. I seriously mean it.”
I grin like a giddy idiot. I know he’s being honest because Mason is not the type of person to put on a front or be fake with people. My heart is pulsing loudly through my veins, drumming in my ears. I want him to tell me more compliments. Say more nice things. I want him to wrap his arms around me and keep me safe.
Life has been so hard for me lately, and I just need something valuable, sturdy and strong to lean up against. Mason is the perfect person to fit that role and I want to shout it from the rooftops.
Mason gives me a tender look that I can’t figure out, but his eyes cloud over with what I can only imagine is the same desire that is pulsing through my veins right now.
“Do you…” He says, trailing off as his eyes drop to the floor.
I decide to help him out, because this desire is burning too hot in my veins. I nod my head before my lips are able to express what I’m feeling inside.
“Yes…” I whisper and frantically press my lips to his.
My mouth parts open, and before I know what is happening, my arms are wrapped around his neck, enveloping him in a tight embrace. I’m running my hands through his hair and we are panting, breathing onto each other’s necks with hungry impulse.
All the sexual tension that we felt before, all that frustrating horrible restraint is now free to roam. He nibbles on my ear, making me giggle and prickling my skin with electrifying volts of pleasure in the form of chill bumps.
Everything I ever wanted is all consuming me now. I have this gorgeous man who’s running his hands through my hair and rubbing my back as if he can’t get enough of me or is scared that if he stops touching me I’ll just disappear.
“You’re so beautiful,” he groans and showers my neck with delicate kisses that make me woozy and turn my thoughts fuzzy.
“You’re not too bad yourself,” I whisper back, savoring the moment as his lips caress my skin.
Mason scoops me up and carries me off to his bedroom. We both want this more than anything in the world. My heart is racing with ecstasy. My ultimate fantasy with Mason is about to come true. Holy shit, it’s going to happen.
