“I’m not teasing you, April. I want you and the children, I’ve told you that. As soon as you’re ready to take the plunge, I’m here for you all.”
“How did I get so lucky?”
“I know what you mean.” He ducked as she pretended to swipe her hand at him. “No, seriously, April, I want to be with you and the children.”
“Ready to order, folks?” The waitress broke the moment as she stood at their table waiting for them to make their decision.
After a romantic dinner, Drew led her outside to the car. The evening had turned chilly so he took off his jacket and slid it over her shoulders before she climbed in and buckled up. April leaned against him as he drove away from the marina toward his house on Point Piper Road. “That meal was divine. Thank you for taking me out tonight.”
“I’m glad you finally let me spend some alone time with you. I have every intention of proving to you that I mean what I say.” Drew smiled, satisfied he’d finally got her alone.
“You hardly have to prove yourself to me. I’ve known you forever.”
“I’d be happy to give you anything you want, April. We have a lot of years to make up for.”
“No we don’t. What’s past is past. We need to make new memories, not try and bury the old ones. They’re what made us who we are.” She sighed and snuggled in closer.
“That’s not exactly what I meant, but you’re right. We’ll make new memories with the children.” He reached for her hand. “I know I said I was taking you to the lighthouse but would you mind going to my house instead? I wanted to show you how gorgeous it is at night and we never did get the full tour last week.”
“I’d like that.” She leaned her head on his shoulder as he drove up to the house, her perfume teasing his nostrils and tantalizing his senses.
***
The moon shone over the water, a ribbon of light threading like quicksilver over the waves. As they rounded the bend, lights peeked from among the trees that hid the house from the road. Drew pulled up on the driveway and walked around to open her door. She took his hand and got out, her gaze on the house. “It looks so beautiful at night.”
“Wait until you go around the front.” He led her up the steps to the back door and used his key to go in. Lights came on as they stepped into the room. “Automatic sensor lights so you never need to walk into a dark house.”
“You remembered.” She’d always had an irrational fear of the dark, no thanks to her upbringing. Drew had always been the one to hold her hand and lead her through the darkness, even if it was only supplying her with a small flashlight when she was young.
“I’ve forgotten nothing about you.” He led her through the mud room into the kitchen, flicking on main lights as he walked in. “Go and stand at the door and watch the view.”
April let go of his hand and walked over to the big glass doors that led out onto the front deck. Lights twinkled from under the timber edges throwing a soft glow over the gardens. A flash of light and the whole garden was awash in brightness. She could see all the way down to the path that led to the beach. No more stumbling in the dark along the path that they once knew step by step.
He walked up behind her and pulled open the bi-fold doors. April stepped out, the ocean breeze shimmering over her skin. The taste of salt stung her lips and a memory flashed past her eyes. Images of the two them down by where the first light now shone, snuggled under a big blanket, a bottle of cheap wine in plastic glasses as they shared their dreams for the future. Drew had placed a stone love seat in their special spot facing the ocean.
It’d been one of the most intense and scary times of her life. Both acting like grown-ups thinking they had this love of theirs under control. How wrong they were.
“Do you remember how we made love just around the bend by the lighthouse? How we almost got caught when it became known as the spot to be with your love interest?”
Heat prickled her skin as his breath broke over her neck and her body took notice of the man beside her. “Yes.” She struggled to keep her voice even. That’s when they’d gone searching for a new secluded spot. They’d found this cove and made it their own. Giggling like small children, he’d taken her hand and guided her around the rocks and through the bushes until they found what was to become their spot.
“I’ve never forgotten it. I was terrified I’d let you down or hurt you that first time. I don’t know how on Earth we managed to keep a straight face afterwards when I think about it.”
“It was magical.”
“For me too, but we grew up and it got better. I wonder how we’d feel now?”
April swallowed, her breath coming in tiny gasps. “I don’t know.” She closed her eyes and gripped her thighs together. Why would it make her so needy for him being here alone at their not so secret place? She hadn’t thought of sex for years and now she couldn’t get it out of her mind. “Things are moving too fast, Drew.”
“I know it seems like it, but to be honest, it doesn’t scare me. If you like, we can slow it down until you feel more at ease.”
Is that what she wanted?
“We’re not strangers, April. We’ve known each other for years, and we have history that neither of us have forgotten. I love you. I was hoping you felt the same way or was I reading your body language all wrong over dinner?”
She closed her eyes, tried to steady her breathing. “Was it that obvious?” God, how she wanted him. It’d been such a long time since anyone held her the way Drew was right now. Should she take what they both wanted or should she wait until her life was more ordered, more stable?
“Only to me.”
She held her hand to her chest and sucked in a deep breath.
“I have a blanket.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for sex outside, Drew. I’ve grown up somewhat since those days and while I might enjoy the thought, I have no intention of performing under lights.”
He took her hand and led her back inside. “Let me show you the rest of the house.”
What on Earth was she thinking? He seemed intent on picking up where they’d left off years ago and she wasn’t even trying to discourage him. If anything, she was urging him on and she knew it. That’s what you get for letting down your guard because you haven’t been laid in years.
He drew her up the stairs. “This is the upstairs lounge. The children’s rooms are that way and the parents retreat and bedroom is in here. Most of the furniture is in. Its only downstairs that needs finishing off.” They stepped through the door into a large open room. “Bathroom and dressing room through there.”
“It’s beautiful, Drew.” April tried to ignore the ready-made bed and chaise lounge and walked into the bathroom, marveling at how he’d put everything together to give a warm comforting setting. He’d thought of everything in his attempt to remodel the house into something that would suit the two of them.
She was in no denial that he had her in mind when he did his planning. Aggie had since told her as much. It made her feel cherished, but it didn’t make her feel indebted to him and it wasn’t the reason she was going to let him make love to her tonight. That was for her own selfish benefit. She’d thought of him often and wondered if he would still make her cry out in pleasure like he used to.
Her nerves fluttered at the thought of being with him again.
“What do you think?” He stood at the door, an almost shy smile on his face as she explored.
“It’s perfect. Who knew you had such good taste.” Her hand ran over the honey-colored Egyptian towels that matched the marble tiles. He’d even put soap in the half shell sitting on the edge of the bath.
“I chose you. That has to account for something.”
She saw the uncertainty in his eyes. He was terrified she was going to say no and ask to be taken home.
“It would be such a shame to let such a room and all of your hard work go to waste, wouldn’t it?” She reached behind her and pulled down the zip on her dress.
***
“Drew. Are you okay?” She crossed her arms across her breasts and he felt a stab of loss.
“Fine.” His voice sounded strained. He cleared his throat. “I’m fine. Honestly.” He reached out and moved her arm down, giving him the view he desired. Her nipples puckered under his gaze and his own body throbbed with need.
“Because, you know, if you don’t want to, we don’t have to do this.” There was genuine dismay in her gaze. “I might have come on too strong.”
Drew slid his hands up her arms, tilted her chin up so their gazes locked. “Never. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you sitting in Liam’s office.”
She smiled. “You had a funny way of showing it. I thought you were going to throw me out.” Her fingers reached for the buttons on his shirt and she began to undo them.
“I was shocked to see you there. Understandable after all this time, but it was the best thing that’s happened to me this year. Thank goodness I left the employment side of the business to Liam. If I’d seen your name on the application, I might have chickened out and refused you an interview.”
April slid the shirt from his shoulders. “Really?”
“Really. After the way I let you down and didn’t fight for you, I figure you might not have appreciated seeing me interview you.” He kissed her softly on the lips. “But we’re not here to talk about work. This is time for you and I. It’s been far too long since I’ve made love to you, so I don’t promise this won’t be over before it starts.”
“We have all the time in the world.”
Lights twinkled in her eyes as her hands went to his belt. When she pulled down his zipper, Drew stepped out of his trousers and walked her backwards to the bed. Her legs made contact and he eased her down, her knees over the edge touching the floor. Drew settled on his knees between her legs so he could gaze down at her. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”
“Hmm, if you say so.” Her smile was sexy and his body reacted accordingly. Having her so close and almost naked was doing insanely crazy things to his body. He’d never felt so fired up for meaningful sex before.
“I do. I haven’t wanted anyone as much as I want you right now.” He leaned down so her could reach her breasts. With his tongue, he licked at the lacy bra focusing on her tightening nipples. She moaned, straining against him when he nipped with his teeth. Her eyes closed as he travelled downwards, dropping kisses on her stomach, his hands smooth against her skin.
When he got to her hips, Drew slipped her panties down her legs, and her thighs parted for him. He knelt in front of her and ran a finger down the seam of her sex feeling her quiver.
April cried out when his mouth touched her, his tongue flickering over the small tight bud of nerves. She reached for his head, clasped her hands through his hair, and held him in place as she trembled. Another swipe of his tongue and she came undone, bucking underneath him as her orgasm took hold.
He held her up to his mouth, sucked and licked to drag out every second of release from her. Eventually, the trembling slowed and she became still. He looked up to see her lying motionless with her eyes closed.
A smile curved her cheeks. “I don’t think I can move after that.”
“I aim to please.” A warm glow settled in his gut. “We can do that again as soon as you’re ready.”
“I’m thinking of trying something else if you don’t mind.” She held up her hand and crooked her finger. “Come closer.”
April sighed as he leaned over her. “I want to feel you inside me, Drew. Make love to me like you used to.”
“It would be my pleasure, my darling.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Drew ducked his head around the door of the treatment room where April weighed a baby. “She’s putting on weight, Linda. You’re obviously doing the right thing. She’s simply adorable.”
The smiling baby reached up and grabbed April’s hand, pulling it down to her mouth.
“Sorry to interrupt, Linda. April, I’m off to do house calls. If you need me, I have my cell on me, but Liam should be fine to take care of anything that pops up. Back later.”
“No problem.” Her cheeks heated as his gaze bored into hers. Their date the other night had ended in a bout of sex that still had her toes curling every time she looked at him. The door shut and she tried to concentrate on the baby she was checking over. “Her immunizations are all up to date. Anything worrying you about her health?”
Linda took her baby and dressed her. “Not really. I’d love her to sleep better at night, but I don’t think that’s going to happen for some time. It’s a bit hard with her in our bed if you know what I mean.”
April glanced at her. “I see. Don’t you have a crib for her?” She watched the young woman try to wrangle the romper suit on her baby.
“Nope. We live in a tiny trailer. There’s barely enough room for us as it is.” She did the buttons up and put the baby on her knee.
“I’d advise against co-sleeping with the risk of SID’s. Is there any way you can fit a crib in?”
“I understand and we’re doing everything we can to rectify that, but it’s impossible right now. David’s great, really he is. On his days off he’s helping Joe renovate the old house on the property for us, but right now is busy season on the honey farm. They have to get the bees settled before it gets too cold. Mr. Hope comes and helps when he can too, so it shouldn’t be too long and we can move in.” She tickled the baby’s tummy until she squealed with laughter. “Until then, she sleeps with us, don’t you, Honey bear?”
“Oh, right. So that’s where she gets the name from. Honey. I like it, suits her.”
“Thanks. It was David’s suggestion.”
April made notes on the baby’s file. “I don’t need to see you for another three months, gorgeous Honey, unless you have problems that need my attention. Like a cuddle perhaps.” She chucked her under the chin, getting a toothless smile in return. “She’s perfectly fine, Linda. Call me if you have any problems or pop in. I’m here during school hours every day and do your best to get her into a crib sooner rather than later.”
“Thanks, April.”
The door burst open and Nancy burst in. “April, treatment room two, immediately.”
“Sorry.” She hurried out, down the hall and into the next room. Sally Fraser lay unconscious on the bed, her face pale and her husband gripping her lifeless hand. “What happened?” She reached for her stethoscope and listened to Sally’s heartbeat while her husband tried to find the words.
Liam ran in and she rattled off what she knew. “Heartbeat slow and thready, blood pressure through the roof. Skin cold and clammy.”
“Mr. Fraser, I need to know what happened and fast!” April pulled the ultrasound machine over and lifted Sally’s shirt. Blood pooled around her on the bed and Liam swore. “I’m calling the Care Flight. She needs to be in a hospital.”
“I don’t think we have time.” April squirted gel on the pregnant belly and rubbed the wand over it, her gaze on the screen. “Damn, I was hoping for better than this.” She looked at Liam. “Her placenta has come away from the womb.”
“She fell down the stairs. I offered to carry the washing basket for her, but she told me to stop fussing. Sally wanted to get one last load off the line before we went to stay at her mother’s on the mainland.” He wiped at the tears streaking down his cheeks. “She hates leaving it out overnight this time of year, you know? Says she’ll only have to wash it again if she does that.” His voice hitched as a sob rose in his throat. “I heard her scream and found her down in the bottom of the garden. She’d tumbled down a full flight of stone steps and I didn’t stop to think. I put her in the car and drove here.”
“You did the right thing, Paul.”
April grabbed Liam’s arm. “We have to operate. If we don’t, that baby will die and so might Sally.”
>
The distress was clear to see on his face. “We can’t. We don’t deliver babies here. You know I only do small surgery, everything else goes to the hospital.”
Nancy hovered by the door and April yelled in her direction. “Call Drew and tell him to get here now, then call Care Flight and see when they can make it. There’s no time to waste.” Nancy hurried away to do as April asked. She turned to Liam again. “We have no choice, Liam. We have to try. If we can deliver the baby and stop the bleeding, they can deal with it on the mainland but trust me on this, we cannot wait any longer. I’ll prep, you get ready to administer the anesthetic.” She attached a drip and hooked Sally up to monitors to watch her vital signs while her husband watched.
Nancy hurried out and came back minutes later. “The chopper is already out on a call and won’t make it for at least half an hour.”
Drew came running through the doors. “What are you doing? We can’t deal with this here, April.” He looked at her, his face blanching as she exposed Sally’s stomach. She’d wrapped a fetal monitor on and was monitoring the irregular heartbeat of the unborn infant.
“We have to do it, Drew, we can’t get her to the mainland in time. I have faith in you. Go prep now!” She pushed him out and left Liam with the patient. Together they stood at the basin scrubbing up for the operation.
When April held out a gown, Drew looked at her with panic in his eyes. “I’m not the right person to do this. You have no idea what you’re asking of me.”
“I’m asking you to use the gift you have and save that baby and its mother.” She turned him around and tied the gown before giving him a shove into the treatment room where Sally lay. “I won’t leave you, Drew. I’ll be right there beside you, I promise.”
“Paul, please go and sit with Nancy. We’ll let you know how things are as soon as we can.” April moved him from his wife’s side toward the door.
“Please, please don’t let them die.” He gripped her arm as she walked him out. “I’m begging you.”
“Paul, listen to me. I haven’t lost a patient yet and I have no intention of changing that track record. Liam and Drew have this. I promise we’ll do everything we can to save them. Go sit and wait for news.”
Forever This Time (Hope Harbor) Page 12
