My back arched in response. “Mmm-hmm.”
“And what about this?” He planted a kiss between my legs, blowing a gentle, heated breath through the silky fabric.
I bit hard on my lip to stop the whimper hovering in the back of my throat. I grasped at his shoulders.
“Tell me,” he urged. “Tell me what you missed.”
I was sure it was the flames from the fire, but his eyes danced with a devilish expression.
“I missed you,” I breathed. “I missed your body too.”
Releasing the words unleashed a recklessness in me. All I could think about was being with him again, every part of him. I sat forward, pushing him on the other side of the blanket. I wiggled out of my panties and crawled toward him. As my hips straddled his waist, I kissed him roughly, feeling the sensation that was taking hold of my body.
His cock was hard and pulsing. My pussy ached for it. To be joined. I rocked my hips over his shaft, dragging my juices over his length, wanting him to know how turned on I was. That I was wet for him. Ready to be fucked. He gripped my hips and I slid backward, sucking him inside me.
I thrust my hips forward. “Oh, God, Scott,” I whimpered, remembering how much I loved his cock this way.
His hands steadied me, guiding me back and forth until there was no going back. The sparks inside me coiled tightly. I rocked deeper taking him with me over the edge of a spell there was no breaking.
He pushed forward, sending his steel shaft home. We were out of control. Rocking and fucking with abandon. It was wild and intense. When our climaxes met, I swear there were fireworks in the Texas sky glittering around us.
* * *
Scott’s fingertips ran along my arm. I rested against his chest, watching the flames bounce around what was left of the logs.
“I probably should get up and throw another log on.” He leaned forward.
I shook my head. “No, don’t move. I don’t want anything to change.”
“But, darlin’, it’s going to get cold.”
Night had settled around us and the air was chilly. The only warmth was from the dying fire.
“Just another minute.” I clung to his arm, pressing my cheek against his chest. Like this, I could hear his heart pounding.
He settled back on the pillows, moving his hand to stroke my back. I closed my eyes. There had to be a way to make time stand still. To bottle this moment and keep it sealed forever. The minute I let him get up and throw another piece of wood on the fire was the minute the magic would dissolve. Decisions had to be made. Damn it, I didn’t want to decide anything but to lie here with him. Couldn’t that be enough?
“My leg’s falling asleep,” he whispered. “We can go inside, you know?” He squeezed my shoulder, adjusting me off his leg.
“We can’t go.”
“All right, but I need to get this going again, or we’ll freeze to death out here. That and I don’t want any coyotes creeping up on us.”
I sat up. “Coyotes?”
He chuckled. “Haven’t you heard them howling at night?”
“That’s what that sound is?”
He reached for a nearby log. “Yep. Fire seems to deter them.”
I looked at the camper. “I guess we can move inside.”
He draped a blanket over my shoulders. “Come on. I’ve got the heat on in there.”
He led me through the door and turned on a small nightlight. Neither of us was ready for bright lights. Our eyes were used to firelight.
I pulled the corners of the blanket across my chest, connecting them with my clenched fist.
“Scott, I—” I tried to think of how to start again. To tell him I loved him, but I was scared. All I could see ahead of us was more of the same problems in the press, more time apart because of our careers. But, God, I loved him more than anything. It hurt to think the words. How could I say them again?
“Baby, I know we have a lot to figure out…” His phone started vibrating on the table. He let it go.
“Don’t you need to check that?” I looked over his shoulder.
“No, there’s nothing more important than this.” He grazed my ear with his lips.
“Scott, wait.”
His phone vibrated again.
“Maybe you should see who it is this time,” I urged.
He shook his head. I could tell he didn’t want to, but we both knew whoever it was would probably keep calling.
He snatched the phone off the table. “Hello? Mama? Ok, Mama, slow down. What’s going on?”
I searched his face for an explanation. Something was wrong.
“All right. Is Erica with you? Ok, Ok. I’m on my way. I’ll be there tonight.”
He hung up the phone and looked at me with utter panic in his eyes.
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
He buried his face in his hands.
“Scott, what is it?” I thought about picking up his phone and calling Patty back.
“It’s Dad. He’s in the hospital. I have to go.”
“Oh my God. What happened?”
“They think it’s a heart attack.” His eyes scanned the camper. He looked lost.
“Ok, I’m going with you. Wait right here.”
He didn’t move. I raced out of the camper and gathered our clothes next to the fire. I dared a coyote to come near me.
I darted back through the door, and shoved the clothes in his lap. “Put these on. I’ll call Bud to come get us.”
Looking at Scott, I doubted he could drive right now and I still had no idea how to navigate out of this secret clearing.
I tapped Bud’s number on Scott’s phone and explained the urgency of the situation. I called Nan and asked that she pack bags for both of us. We would need to leave the house in fifteen minutes. I glanced at Scott. He was dressed, but his expression hadn’t changed.
“Bud will be here in ten minutes, ok?” I pulled my shirt on over my head.
“I can’t believe it.” Scott’s eyes misted with tears. “He’s strong. He’s healthy. I can’t believe this would happen to him.”
I took both of his hands. “We will get there. If your father is half as strong as you are, I know he’s going to be ok. We’ll be there.” I didn’t know what else to say.
I saw the golf cart lights through the window, and tugged on his hand. “He’s here. Come on.”
Twenty minutes later, our bags were in the back of the car and we were pulling out of the garage. Scott seemed to snap out of his zombie state. He was on the phone with the hospital, trying to get the latest information on Joe. He was already talking about having premiere cardiologists flown in. It seemed to give him something to focus on.
Shiner, Texas, was just like Scott had described it—two stoplights and fifty churches. We drove through the center of town on our way to the next city over where the closest hospital was.
We parked near the front entrance, and Scott ran through the doors. I struggled to keep up. Cardiology ICU patients were on the fifth floor. If the elevator hadn’t opened fast enough, I had a feeling he would have started running five flights on his own.
Erica and Patty were in the waiting area. Scott hugged them both.
“Darlin’, I can’t believe you got here so fast.” Patty looked at her son. I recognized the worried look in her eye. The same one hadn’t left Scott’s face.
“What are they saying? What’s going on?”
I stood next to him, not wanting to butt in, but desperately wanting to help.
Erica took over. “They said it was a mild heart attack. They are putting a stint in right now, and he should be out any minute. We’re just waiting on an update from the surgeon. They told us to wait here.”
“Mild? What’s mild about a damn heart attack?” Scott raised his voice.
I grabbed his arm, trying to calm him. Everyone in the waiting room was looking at us.
Patty laughed. “You know you sound like your father right now.”
I felt a bit of the t
ension ease from my shoulders. If Patty could make light of what was happening, then Joe must not be in imminent danger. Or maybe having her son nearby was a comfort to her.
“Avery, thanks so much for driving up here.” His mother pulled me into an embrace. I squeezed her tightly, hoping to absorb some of the worry from her. I felt so helpless watching them.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” I looked up at Scott. “Why don’t I go get drinks or coffee for everyone, and you can talk for a bit?”
They all nodded. I left in search of the cafeteria. In the frenzy to make it to the fifth floor, I thought I remembered signs for it in the elevator. I didn’t know what they would serve in the middle of the night, but it looked like the express section was open. I grabbed four cups and filled them to the top with coffee, and placed them in a cardboard carrying case. I added a few pastries to a white paper sack and checked out.
By the time I returned to the fifth floor waiting room, everyone was smiling.
“What did I miss?” I handed out the goodies.
Patty beamed. “Good news. The surgeon just gave us an update. Joe is in recovery and everything went just fine. I’m headed back now to see him.”
“Oh, that’s great news.” I sat next to Scott, trying to read his expression. The worry lines had faded. He looked stunned.
“It sure is.” Patty squeezed my shoulder as she walked past us. “Scott? Erica? You coming?”
I looked at Scott. For a second, he hesitated and I wondered if I should offer to go with him.
“Yep, we’re coming.” He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “Thank you for being here. I’ll be back soon.”
“I want to be here. Take your time. I have an entire bag of croissants to eat. Don’t worry about me.” I grinned.
I watched him follow his mother and sister through the ICU doors, as I bit off the end of the flaky roll. The moment they were out of view, exhaustion hit me all at once. From the idea that Scott and I weren’t meant to be together, to the incredible campfire makeup sex, to the mad dash to drive four hours to be at the hospital thinking Scott’s father could die—I was wiped out. I had scaled every emotion possible in one day.
I let my eyes close under the fluorescent lights and waited for Scott.
Twenty-Five
Scott
He didn’t look the same. He looked small and pale lying in that hospital bed. I let my mother go in first. Erica stood next to me outside the window.
“Do you know what happened?” I asked her.
“Mama said they were getting ready for bed when he fell. She called 9-1-1, and they brought him here. She called me on the way. That’s all I really know.” She looked tired. Hell, we all looked tired.
“I just can’t believe it.” I watched my mother fuss over my father. Joe smiled up at her weakly, and she kissed his forehead.
My father was the epitome of strength. I would go so far as to say the man was unstoppable, that was until a heart attack barreled through his life.
“I know. I always thought Dad was too strong for something like this.” Erica watched the same scene I did.
“At least he’s going to be ok, right?” I slung an arm around my sister’s shoulder. The room was full of machines with lights, and we could hear beeping. Several plastic bags filled with clear liquids hung near the bed and ran through a drip into Joe’s arm.
“Yeah, he is. But can you imagine the struggle Mama’s going to have when she gets him home?”
We laughed, sharing an inside bond. Joe Sullivan would be a stubborn recovery patient.
Mom waved us in through the glass. Erica turned to me. “You ready for this?”
I nodded. A few hours ago, I thought I might not ever see my father again. I thought the man was getting ready to leave this life disappointed in his son, never fully understanding how much I looked up to him. Never understanding that I was doing something I loved.
I slid my hands into my pockets. We walked into the room.
“Dad.” Erica rushed to the other side and hugged him.
“Hey, Dad.” I stood next to our mother.
“Come here.” Joe Sullivan raised his arm.
For the first time in years, I hugged my father.
* * *
I hated to wake her. She looked peaceful in the waiting room. “Hey, killer. It’s time to go.” I nudged her shoulder. Everyone else had cleared out for the night. We were the only ones left.
Her eyes fluttered open. “How’s your dad?”
I smiled. “He’s getting some rest, but he’s going to be fine. Mama’s staying with him tonight, and Erica is going back to the house to pack a bag for her. I think everything’s taken care of here. You ready to go?”
She adjusted her body in the seat. “You sure? I can take turns or something.” She let out a yawn.
“That’s real sweet, but we need to get some rest too. How about we get a room at the hotel across the street, and we can see him in the morning? I want you to meet him.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I do.” I helped her up from the chair. “I know he’d like that.”
I didn’t want to think about how I had almost missed my chance to introduce my father to the woman I wanted to spend my life with. I wouldn’t make the mistake of letting things like that slide again. I had learned a hard and painful lesson tonight.
I led Avery to the car and checked us into the hotel. I was grateful she had thought to have Nan pack bags for us.
I dropped the luggage on the second bed in the room. I cranked up the AC, stripped down, and climbed into bed. Avery emerged from the bathroom a minute later and climbed under the covers next to me, her bare body pressing against mine.
It wasn’t a penthouse suite like I had in L.A., but I couldn’t think of a time I had ever slept so soundly with Avery tucked under my arm.
* * *
The hospital didn’t seem so grim the next morning. When I parked the car, I looked up at the brick structure. My father was inside, alive, breathing, and probably barking orders at nurses.
Avery smiled. “So, this might be weirder than the girls’ day trip introduction.”
“Yeah, this probably is the weirdest way you could ever meet my dad, but you’re here. He’s here.” I opened the door. I didn’t want to finish the last part of that sentence. Ever since I had seen my father hooked up to machines, I got choked up when I thought about what almost happened.
Avery squeezed my hand as if she could read my thoughts. Knowing her, she probably could.
My mom and Erica were walking out of the room, as we rounded the corner.
“Good morning, Mama. How is he today?”
She shook her head. “Ornery and difficult. But what did you expect?”
I chuckled. “Sounds like he has made a full recovery already.”
Erica rolled her eyes. “You have no idea. We’re going to get breakfast. Good luck, you two.”
I gripped Avery’s hand. My father was going to be like a penned bull, but we had to seize the moment. No more letting time slip by.
“Are you sure this is a good time?” She looked worried. “Should we wait awhile?”
“Aww, don’t worry. He’ll be fine.”
I knocked on the door. “Dad, brought someone for you to meet.”
His scowl dropped the instant he saw Avery. “And who is this? Come in, come in.” He motioned us closer to the bed.
She walked to the side of the railing. “Hi, Mr. Sullivan. I’m Avery. I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well.” She took his hand lightly.
He looked at me over her shoulder and returned her smile. “Well, darlin’, I sure do appreciate that.”
I chuckled. He might be a bull, but he was also a charmer. I noticed my father had placed his free hand on top of Avery’s.
“Is there anything I can get you while we’re here?” she offered. “Do you need some water? Extra pillow?”
“No, no. That’s what the nurses are for. How about you sit down and tell
me what’s going on with you. Patty tells me you write songs. I’d like to hear about that. You can keep my mind off all this beeping and buzzing they have me hooked up to.” He motioned to the machines on either side of the bed.
Avery nodded and pulled up the closest chair. “I can do that.” She smiled. “Do you know who Reagan James is?”
“I don’t know much about who’s on the radio these days, but tell me.”
“I can do even better than that.” She pulled out her phone and hit a few buttons. She positioned the phone on the edge of the bed. Within seconds, Reagan’s voice filled the room. “That is Reagan singing. I’m on guitar.”
“Well, I’ll be.” Joe tapped his fingers on the side rail. “That’s impressive.”
“We wrote this one together.” She moved on to the next song. “They sound a little rough. I just recorded them on my phone while we were in the writing room. We’re going to add the band once Reagan gets in the studio, but at least you can hear a little bit of our work.”
“So, I’ll be able to hear that on that radio soon?” he asked.
“Yes, sir. Not all of them. The label has to decided which songs will be released for radio play, but I’ll be sure to send you a CD if you want one.”
“I would like that.”
“Maybe Scott and I could deliver it to you in person.” She turned toward me.
“Yeah, I think we could do that.” I smiled, trying to decide who had out-charmed the other. My father was noticeably smitten by Avery.
I listened to the two wrapped in a conversation that lasted another thirty minutes until a nurse popped in the room to remind my dad he needed to take his medicine and get some rest. Visitors could come back in an hour.
Avery hugged him. “I think that’s our cue to go and let you get some sleep. I’m glad I got to meet you. I hope you feel better soon.”
“This is a hell of a way to meet the new girl, but I appreciate it.” He squeezed her hand. “And I’ll be looking for that music delivery.”
The Hottest Deal Page 20
