Bennet rushes into the room. “I caught him and knocked him out. I found a zip tie and I tied him up,” he says before his eyes land on Valerie laying lifeless, bruised, and bleeding.
“Go outside and direct the EMTs,” I order, but he doesn’t move. He’s frozen, eyes locked on his sister’s beat-up body.
“Go!” I yell, snapping him out of it. He nods, turns, and runs for the door.
It feels like hours go by, but it’s only minutes before the EMTs are rushing into the room. They check her over quickly and load her up onto the gurney. As I’m walking out to follow them to the hospital, the police walk in and cuff Decon.
One of them looks up at me. “Did you have probable cause to enter this residence?”
I nod. “I heard her scream.”
They both nod and lift a bloodied Decon from the floor. I guess Bennet took a couple hits for himself.
“We’ll have a few questions for you later, but right now, you can go to the hospital.”
Bennet and I follow the ambulance to the hospital, but we’re told to wait in the waiting room while she’s examined. Bennet calls Maddie and his mother while I pace back and forth.
I’m so engrossed in my thoughts and worries that I don’t notice him leave, but he comes back and hands me a coffee.
A nurse walks up. “Are you the family of Valerie Windsor?”
“Yes!” we both jump to say.
“We’re moving her into surgery now due to internal bleeding. I’ll update you when we know more.” She rushes back through the swinging doors before either of us can ask any questions. We both collapse into the chairs, neither of us talking. I think we’re both in shock at tonight’s turn of events. We’re both sick with worry, anger, and sadness.
Maddie and Valerie’s mom both rush into the ER waiting area and up to Bennet. He explains what happened and how they’ve moved Val into surgery. Everyone is now panicked, anxious, and worried.
I slide back into my seat and lean my head against the wall while my eyes drift closed. All I see is her. Her smile; her shining green eyes. I can feel her soft skin against mine. I can smell her sweet scent. I can taste heavenly lips against mine. I pray that she’ll be okay, that she’ll return to me.
19
Valerie
I hear a soft beeping sound. It goes on and on, never stopping. My body is flooded with pain, and all I want to do is give in to it, let it pull me back under so I no longer have to feel it. But that damn beeping sound keeps growing louder and louder. My eyes flutter open, and I find myself in a hospital bed. I let out a sigh, happy to see that I’m out of Decon’s and still alive. I turn my head and find Callan, asleep at my side.
“Callan,” I say softly, unable to make my voice any louder. My throat is dry and sore. It feels like I’ve had a red-hot branding iron shoved down it. “Callan,” I say again, a bit louder.
He jumps awake, and his eyes lock on mine. His mouth drops open as he moves closer to me. He picks up my hand and gently squeezes it as he falls to his knees beside my bed. “You’re okay, Val. Everything is going to be okay,” he tells me, over and over. I’m not sure if it’s for my benefit or if he’s trying to convince himself.
I nod. “Drink?” I motion toward my throat.
“Of course,” he says, getting up and grabbing a Styrofoam cup with a lid and a straw. He holds it to my lips and allows me to swallow down a big gulp of water that burns my throat even more, but it’s cold and wet, so it relieves the pain I feel.
“They said your throat might be sore after the surgery from the endotracheal tube.”
“Where’s the doctor?” I ask, trying to get myself pushed up in bed.
He places his hand on mine. “Don’t move. You don’t want to rip open your stitches. I’ll get him; just don’t move.” His eyes are wide and serious as he turns and runs from the room.
I nod and stop trying to get myself up.
Moments later, Callan and a doctor walk into my room.
“How are you feeling, Valerie?” the doctor asks as Callan kneels back at my side. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, but I’m starting to wonder if he’s left my side at all.
I nod. “I’ve felt better,” I admit.
He chuckles but grabs the chart at the foot of the bed. “I’m sure you have. It appears that you will be fine. You had some internal bleeding from the stab wound, but everything has been cauterized and stitched up. We’re going to keep you on fluids and antibiotics for a couple of days. We don’t want you getting an infection, and you were rather dehydrated. All you need is time, and you’ll be as good as new.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
His eyes scan the chart one last time. “Oh, and it appears the baby is fine and healthy.”
“The what?” Callan and I both ask at the same time.
The doctor seems surprised by our confusion. “Yes, it shows here that you are about eight weeks pregnant. You didn’t know?” he asks with a raise of his brow.
We both shake our heads, but I think back eight weeks. That must have been our first weekend together, the time that we both woke in the middle of the night only to have unprotected sex and go back to sleep.
“I’m…we’re…?” I stutter, unable to form words due to shock.
The doctor nods. “That’s right. You’re going to be parents. Congratulations.” He smiles wide before setting the chart down and leaving the room.
I look up at Callan, and he looks down at me. “Did you know about this?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I had no idea. I mean, I’ve been on birth control since I was fifteen.”
“You didn’t miss a period?” he asks, sitting on the edge of my bed.
“My periods have never been regular. It’s completely normal for me to go two or three months without having one at all.”
We both grow quiet as we think about the information we were just given.
“How do you feel? What do you think?” I ask Callan when he doesn’t speak up.
He falls back onto his knees as he picks up my hand and presses a kiss to the top. “I’m just glad you’re okay. I was so scared that I was going to lose you.” His blue eyes begin to fill with tears.
I smile. “I’m fine, but what do you think about being a father? We never talked about it before.”
He smiles wide. “I already knew I wanted to be with you for the rest of my life. Having a baby, it just makes everything better.” He stands up and pulls me in for a long, slow kiss.
The door opens, and he pulls away to see Bennet, Maddie, and my mom come walking in. They all rush to my bed, gathering around me.
“Are you okay?” Maddie asks.
“Honey, how are you feeling?” Mom asks.
“I’m fine. Sore and tired but fine,” I assure them.
“Should we tell them the good news?” Callan asks from behind them. He walks around the bed and stands at my side.
I look at my mom. “Mom, Callan and I have been carrying on a relationship for a couple of months now.”
Her mouth drops open, and the corners turn up into a smile. “Oh, well that’s wonderful, honey.”
I nod. “And we just found out that I’m pregnant.”
Everyone gasps and smiles and talks all at once—all of them equally excited.
Hours pass, and everyone stays by my side until the sun goes down. Finally, Maddie and Bennet offer to take my mom home for the night. Callan shuts the door and pulls a chair up next to me. He holds my hand as he sits down.
“You’ve had a busy day. You need to get some rest.” He presses his lips to my hand.
I smile. “I can’t wait to get out of here and back home with you. I want you to lay with me, hold me.”
“That we can fix,” he says, climbing next to me in bed. I curl into his side with his arm beneath my neck. I roll to my good side, my hurt side facing the ceiling.
“Was Decon arrested?” I just now think to ask.
“He was. And I don’t think he’ll be released any time
soon. He has charges against him for abduction, assault, bodily harm and endangerment, and attempted rape. The police also found drugs. He won’t bother you again,” he promises.
“I can’t believe this. It’s all so mind-blowing. I mean, I’ve known Decon for a year. I guess it goes to show you how little you can know about a person.”
“Everyone shows their true colors eventually,” he mumbles, pressing his lips to my forehead.
I take a deep breath and breathe him in, letting his familiar scent soothe and relax me into a deep, dreamless sleep.
A couple days pass, and I’m finally allowed to go home. While I’m still stiff and sore and in pain, I couldn’t be happier to get out of the hospital. Callan has stayed by my side the entire time, and I think we could both use some rest and relaxation—something you can’t get in a hospital. He drives me back to his place and helps me inside. He carries me up to his room and places me in bed gently. He sits at the foot of the bed and begins removing my shoes and jeans. When I’m in nothing but a loose-fitting shirt, he strips himself and crawls up beside me. His hot skin touches mine, and it feels like he’s burned me. It’s funny how even in pain, a simple touch from him has me begging for more.
I cup his jaw and he rolls to his side, giving me a long, slow, soft kiss. He pulls away, and something in his eyes changes. “Don’t do this to me, Val,” he pleads.
“Do what?” I ask.
“I see that look in your eyes. We can’t. You’re hurt.” I giggle but stop quickly because of the pain in my side. “I need you, Callan. I thought I’d never get to touch you again.”
He presses a kiss to my forehead. “No, Valerie. I love you, and I want you just as badly as you want me, but I won’t hurt you. You need to take it easy and rest. Are you hungry? I’ll get you something.” Without a reply, he stands from the bed and rushes out the door.
Even though I’m annoyed at being turned down, I smile at how much he loves and cares for me.
He comes back several long minutes later, and he has a bag full of stuff and a breakfast tray. He sits the tray over my lap, and there’s a bowl of soup, a grilled cheese, a piece of chocolate cake, and a glass of iced tea. He beings unloading the bag that holds soda, water, magazines, books, and a coloring book and crayons.
I laugh as I pick up my chocolate cake and begin eating it. “Don’t want to get back out of bed today?” I ask.
“This way, you’ll have everything you need without having to ask.” He comes back around the bed to lay back beside me.
“What about a toilet?” I joke.
He shrugs. “I’ll just carry you to it.”
I shake my head. “I think I can walk, Callan. You don’t have to do all of this.” I hold out my fork that has a bite of cake on the end.
He takes it and swallows it down. “Yes, I do. I’m staying right here, by your side, until you get cleared by the doctor. I’ve already talked to Bennet about taking medical leave.”
“You can’t do that, Callan.”
“I can, and I did. So don’t even try to argue. Oh yeah, and Bennet and Maddie picked up your car and brought it home while you were in the hospital.”
“I can’t believe I forgot about my car.” I put down the empty plate and lay my head back.
“Krista is supposed to come visit you too. I think she feels a little guilty.”
“Guilty about what?” I ask, confused.
“She said she had to talk you into going to that party. If she wouldn’t have done that, you wouldn’t have been there, and you would’ve been fine.”
I nod. That does sound like Krista. “It’s not her fault. Actually, it’s probably a good thing it happened the way it did. I mean, Decon is off the street now. He can’t come for me or any other girl for a long time. There’s no telling how many women we saved.”
He kisses the top of my hand. “I’m sure you’re right, but I wish you didn’t have to get hurt in all of this.”
I wave him off. “Want some of my grilled cheese and tomato soup?”
He smiles and props his head up with his fist, where I feed him after taking a bite myself.
Hours pass, and the sun begins to fade. I’m wide awake, unable to sleep because I’ve done nothing but lay around and sleep for what feels like a week. But what I am able to do is watch Callan sleep beside me.
His blond hair is pushed back away from his face, and his blue eyes are shut. His blond eyelashes are fanned out on his cheeks, and he has a scruffy five o’clock shadow growing on his jaw. It’s easy to see how much stress he’s been under these last few days, but while he sleeps, it all fades away. He looks so relaxed and worry-free. His hard chest is rising and falling slowly with his deep, even breathing, and his basketball shorts are low on his hips. Even though he’s dead asleep, his hard six-pack is still visible, and every second I stare at it, it only teases me more. I want to run my fingers across them, feel them as they tense and ease.
I reach out and place my hand on his stomach, and they instantly tighten with my touch. His breathing gets louder and more rushed.
I can’t help myself as my hand descends lower, beneath the waistband of his shorts. My hand wraps around his growing erection, and I slowly pump him up and down. He lets out a soft moan and my eyes jump up to his, but he still seems like he’s asleep. Maybe he thinks this is a dream.
I push myself to keep going, gaining speed with each pump. Finally, he lets out a moan, and his eyes pop open just as warm stickiness spills out over my hand. He’s breathing heavy as his eyes lock on mine.
“You’ve been a very naughty girl, Valerie,” he says, trying to remain serious, but I can see the grin he’s holding back.
He sits up and urges me back until I’m lying flat on the bed. He crawls between my knees, gently pulling my panties down my thighs.
“I’m going to punish you for that one,” he says, lowering his mouth to my clit, making me see stars with one sweep of his tongue.
20
Callan
ONE MONTH LATER…
* * *
“What’s the first thing you want to do now that you’ve been cleared by the doctor?” I ask her as I slide behind the wheel.
She grins. “I bet you can guess.” Her grin turns into a coy smile.
I shake my head. “Are you serious?”
“We haven’t had sex in a month, Callan. You’d think you’d want it worse than I do.”
“Oh, I do,” I agree, sliding the keys into the ignition. “But, after you assaulted me in my sleep, it’s not like you haven’t gotten off at all. I’ve been a slave to your body for weeks now.”
She giggles. “I loved every second of the touches and kisses that have pushed me over the edge, but I want you back inside me where you’re meant to be.” She pulls her seatbelt across her chest. “Take me home, Callan.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I agree, shifting into drive and leaving the doctor’s office parking lot.
As I drive us home, her hand is resting on my dick. Every once in a while, she’ll move it up and down, and for kicks, she adds in a nice squeeze. Needless to say, by the time we make it home, I’m painfully hard.
I slam on the brakes, shift into park, and pull out the keys as I step out onto the concrete. I practically run around the car, opening her door and pulling her out into my arms. Her mouth lands on mine as her arms wrap around my neck. I pick her up against me, walking us inside without breaking our kiss. I press her back to the front door while my hands travel her body. She begins pushing my shirt up my chest but freezes when we hear a loud, “Surprise!”
My mouth stops, as does hers. She slides down my body, and we both turn, awkwardly, to face the people that are now crowded up behind us. My eyes take them in: Bennet, Maddie, Jazz, Damon, Krista, and Val’s Mom, who’s holding a cake.
“What is all this?” Val asks, pushing her shirt back down her stomach.
“It’s your surprise baby shower,” Kris says.
“But we don’t even know the sex of the baby yet,�
� Val says, face growing redder and redder.
Maddie laughs. “And it’s a party to celebrate getting back on your feet. Callan told Bennet that the doctor has released you for work. That’s great news!”
My eyes flash over to Bennet, who’s hiding his smile behind his fist. “Thanks, man. This couldn’t have waited a few hours?”
Everyone begins to head out to the back patio. He shrugs. “I can honestly say I never considered you’d be hopping into bed the moment you got home.”
“I haven’t been able to touch my girlfriend in a month,” I point out.
He laughs. “Ouch.”
“Yeah,” I agree.
“Well, you’ve waited a month; what’s a couple more hours?” he asks, slapping me on the back and leading me into my office where he knows the good drinks are.
He pours us both a drink and Maddie walks in. “I knew I’d find the good stuff in here. The only thing out there is sparkling cider.” She picks up a glass and holds it out for Bennet to pour her some.
“So, Mads. When are you two having kids?” I ask, taking a sip and sitting down on the leather sofa.
Maddie’s eyes grow wide, and she nearly chokes on her drink. “Never,” she coughs out.
“What? Why?” I ask, leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees.
She rolls her eyes. “Ask me that question again in six months.” She laughs before walking out and leaving us alone.
Bennet walks over and sits at my side. “Cal, I have something for you.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box.
“I’m sorry, man. But I can’t marry you,” I joke.
“Haha, fucker,” he says, handing me the box. “It’s my Mom’s wedding ring. She gave me my grandma’s for when Maddie and I got married, but this one was hers. She wants Val to have it, but that doesn’t mean you have to ask her to marry you. Or maybe you have a family ring of your own you’re wanting to use one of these days.”
My Boss’s Sister: Make Her Mine Series-Book 3 Page 13
