by Vonnie Davis
She didn’t want JJ to think she doubted his medical skills by pushing him away. “Oh, JJ? You did a great job removing the bullet from my leg. It still hurts, but I can manage with over the counter stuff. I’m moving well in short spurts.” She laughed. “No long walks for me for a few days though. I’m sure you did just as well with Zane. Thank you.”
JJ strode toward her, his smile rather shy. “I had some great help from ZQ2.”
“Yeah, good thing I’ve got some money put back. The way Quinn watched JJ work, I think I might be paying for medical school some day.” There was definitely pride in Zane’s words.
JJ leaned against the doorframe to the bathroom. “I had to cut away some of ZQ’s flesh that the poison had killed and ZQ2 wasn’t squeamish at all. He whispered questions and I answered them. Kid’s got a brain on him.” He slipped into the bathroom for a bit before returning.
“I have a couple washcloths folded together and placed in a plastic bag for you to tape over your bandage. Tape is lying on top. Don’t forget your next dose of antibiotics. Ashley and I will keep an eye on ZQ2. You two need some time alone and most of it better involve sleep.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.
An awkward moment passed between Ivy and ZQ. “So, you’re going to undress me?”
“Won’t be the first time, Zane. Now, lay back. I’ll start with your boots.”
His sexy mouth quirked. “What? No Master?”
“No. You’ll get Zane. Now that I know your real first name.” She kept her head bent as she untied his shoe laces, tugged off his hiking boots and socks, and came face-to-face with his fake foot. Her hands rubbed over it while her tears splashed the prosthesis. “Oh, my love.”
“Hey, hey! Why the tears?” Zane rose to a sitting position with a groan and scooted toward her. “Baby?”
“We’ve missed so much of each other’s lives. Rough times when our emotional support could have eased each other’s pain. Remember the day you texted me you’d arrived safely in hell’s half-acre?” Her gaze pinned his.
“Yes. I’d placed the cell on some rocks near the command tent where our communications gear was stored. Someone needed help and when I went to his aide, we were attacked. My SEAL was killed. I was wounded. And my phone blown to hell. I’d lost my way to contact you, especially since I didn’t know you’re real name.”
“I’d texted you I was pregnant. I guess the enemy took care of that message.” She wiped away tears. “I’ll help you get to the shower.” She opened his belt and unzipped his pants. Your mother put me in this room. I guess she wants us to sleep together.”
His hand ran over her hair. “She’s not the only one. I’m due for more antibiotics in an hour. Will you lay with me and talk until I fall asleep?”
“Okay. I suppose we need to start airing things between us.” One major thing was their son. She wanted custody and would have it. Quinn could come visit his daddy during the summer and over Christmas break, but the rest of the time she wanted him with her. She hoped they could come to an agreement as friends, as a couple who once adored each other.
She helped Zane shuck his cargo pants and underwear before he strutted into the bathroom. While he showered, she hurried to the kitchen to make him two fried egg sandwiches just the way he used to like them and grab a bottle of water. Her son plopped an apple on his daddy’s plate.
“Daddy told me he eats apples all the time because they smell wike you used to. Wike apple shampoo.”
“He did?” After all this time, the man remembered she washed her hair with apple fragranced shampoo and used apple lotion? She stared at the bowl of apples on the counter. Could it be he had thought about her all these years? Her glance dropped to the two scrambled egg sandwiches, each topped with a slice of cheese and crisp bacon on toast. How many sandwiches like this had she made for him during their time together?
“Quinn, be good for JJ and Ashley.”
“I will. Am I still in twouble?” His hopeful eyes so like his father’s were nearly her undoing. She set the plate down and dropped to her knees, her arms opened wide for him.
She hugged her son close. “You know I love you.” He nodded. “We’ll talk about it later after I’ve had a chance to cool down. Right now, I’m thinking five days without Spidey.”
“Mom, nooooo, not my Spidey!”
She stood. “Like I said, give me a chance to cool down. Sneaking off to where I didn’t know how to find you was a seriously bad thing to do.” She’d make it three days after he had a chance to think about his bad choice.
By the time she returned to Zane’s bedroom, he was out of the shower, dried, and naked. He pulled back the covers to crawl in, his prosthesis was off, and he used a crutch. “I thought maybe you weren’t coming back.” He eyed the plate she held. “Are those my favorite scrambled egg sandwiches?” He gave her a slow, sexy smile that nearly turned her knees to jello.
He sat on the bed and slowly ate. “No one can make these just right, but you. A bead of ketchup over the toast.” He chewed. “Man, I missed these.”
“Did you get your bandage wet?” She set the bottle of water on his nightstand.
“And suffer the wrath of JJ? He was already in here to make sure. The bastard.” He smiled with affection for his friend. “I understand ZQ2 was begging for your forgiveness while you were making my fav.” He shoved the last morsel of his first sandwich in his mouth and chewed. “And the apple was his idea?”
“Yes. I can’t believe you remembered the apple shampoo.”
He gaze took her in as if she were his favorite dessert. “Lioness, I remember everything about you down to all those sweet, sexy noises you used to make when I went down on you.” His cock started to thicken and grow.
God help her, she could recall how good that cock felt inside her. Heat bloomed on her cheeks.
“Did you lock the bedroom door?” She nodded. “Then get undressed and into bed. I want you close to me while we talk. I want you in my arms even as we nap.”
“No sex.”
“Yes, nurse, I know. We need a couple days to heal. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“We have big issues to work out first, Zane.” She walked around to the opposite side of the bed and toed off her sandals. “And I’m not crawling in bed with my clothes off.”
“Come over here and undress for me.” He used his low Dom voice and a wave of sexual need stormed through her. Oh, this is so not good.
She straightened her shoulders. “I’m not your submissive anymore. We’ve been apart too long. The trust is gone. You’re lucky I’m agreeing to lay down with you. Period.”
He chuckled while he finished eating and took his antibiotics. “You’re one badass woman. Someday, your Dom will paddle your ass for being so insolent. Because I’m bound and determined to win your trust again.” He slipped between the black sheets and sighed. “Damn, I hate feeling this weak. Lay down, Ivy. I imagine you don’t feel at your best, either. Not with all those bruises and a bullet wound.”
She lay on her side with her hand over his heart and her head nestled against his muscled shoulder. Lovers connected by emotional fibers that could be stretched, but never broken, or so it seemed.
They talked in detail about how they’d lost contact with each other. Her pregnancy. The loss of his foot. If they were going to begin a new relationship, they had to dissect the past and closely examine their feelings for each other. The question niggled at her constantly: was their love a memory or a substantial, living emotion that could still grow stronger?
Ivy had lost trust in him. Could she learn to believe in him again? It was so important that she did if they were going to begin a new relationship.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ZQ woke with tawny hair fanned across his chest. Memories of years gone by flashed through his mind and caused him to smile. The urge to roll Ivy over and make love to her was strong. Every cell in his body desired her, but he doubted she had a place on her that wasn’t bruised, except for maybe
her ears and fingers.
Even if he was slow and gentle the first time he made love to her, he doubted it would be enjoyable for Ivy. He wanted her to take pleasure in every touch, every bite, every plunge.
Wait. After this long without her, the sex can wait. I have her near. I can stare into her eyes and listen to her saucy voice. I’ve got my woman near.
He slipped out of bed and attached his prosthesis. Once he was in jeans and a t-shirt, he left her a note on his pillow. “I love you, lioness.”
Ashley was cooking when he walked through the kitchen. He poured a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter. “Is Mom still out cold?”
She nodded and laughed. “I expect her to come stumbling in here any minute, wearing sunglasses and trying to hide a hangover with one of her migraine excuses. If you’re looking for ZQ2, he’s out at the stables talking to gis pony.”
ZQ took another gulp of coffee before emptying the cup and putting it in the dishwasher. “Thanks. For everything, little one.” He strode to the barn, his practiced eye scanning everything to make sure all had continued as he’d ordered in his absence. Peeking in the stables, he watched his son stroking Diego and talking to him about staying here forever.
“Hey there. I was thinking of going for a horse ride and was looking for a boy to sit in the saddle with me. Know where I can find one?”
Minutes later, they were on his stallion as it walked across the meadows. “I’m weally high up, aren’t I, daddy?”
“This is a big horse, but I’ve got my arm around you, so you’ll be safe. Look around, son, this is all our land.” Their mount crested a hill overlooking a large grazing area with Longhorns. “See the cattle? Look at their long horns.”
Quinn looked over his shoulder at ZQ. “Are dey ours, too?”
He kissed Quinn’s cheek. “Yup. But they can be dangerous, so you’ll stay away. We’ll look at them only when we’re together. Okay?”
Eyes full of adoration focused on him. “Okay, Daddy.”
Slowly it dawned on ZQ he was in the middle of a ticklish situation. He didn’t want Ivy to think he wanted her to stay only because he wanted his son. On the other hand, he didn’t want his boy to think he was part of a package deal. They were both precious. Both his. Both owned a large part of his heart. How could he convince one without ignoring the other that the two of them were needed to make his life complete?
After their ride, ZQ wiped down his stallion, explaining to his son why this was important to the animal’s care. He showed ZQ2 how to use a brush. “Now that we’re done, why don’t we go inside and get some cookies and milk?”
“Do…do you know gwandma doesn’t buy cookies at the stoah. She bakes dem herself.”
“I do know that and they’re always the best.” He held the backdoor open and they walked to the sink in the laundry room to wash their hands. ZQ and half-pint stepped into the kitchen. Ivy was there, eating toast and drinking some of Ashley’s herbal tea.
She held her arms out for her son while ZQ fixed their snack. Aromas of a beef roast wafted from the oven. His mother had taught Ashley how to cook after she came to the ranch to heal from some of her PTSD, and she’d become excellent in the kitchen. She also became an excellent horsewoman.
“While you and Mommy talk, I have work to do in my office.” His gaze landed on Ivy. “I have to turn in a report on the last few days’ happenings. He gently grabbed her arms and pulled her out of the chair. Eyes focused on hers, he cupped her face and covered her lips with his, prolonging the kiss as long as he could with their son watching. When ZQ pulled back, Ivy moaned his name, her eyes fluttering closed in need.
The backs of his fingers sweeping down her satiny cheek. “Secret mission stuff, love, that I can’t tell you or I’d have to hogtie you to my bed,” he whispered. Did you get my note?”
Her golden cheeks were tinged a pretty pink when her green eyes with the golden flecks locked with his. “Yes. Thank you, Zane.”
Dear God, I love this woman’s eyes. I love everything about her.
Bedtime for Quinn that night was an emotional battle. Shrieks were heard throughout the house. “I want my Spidey!” Ivy had taken it away for three days as punishment for his sneaking onto the helicopter. ZQ made the mistake of going into Quinn’s bedroom to see if he could help settle his son.
The second he opened the door, his boy leapt out of bed into his arms. “Daddy, make hew give me my Spidey. She’s being mean.”
Ivy leaned over, both arms around her stomach and cried.
Oh hell, he was in a fix. ZQ stood his son on the floor and drew up to his full six-foot-six height. “Young man, look at me.” The gaze of dark eyes rose. “When Mommy makes a rule. I will agree with her. If she says you can’t have Spidey for three days, then that’s the law. Mom’s in charge.”
ZQ dropped to his knees and cupped Quinn’s narrow shoulders. “I don’t ever want to hear you speak a nasty word to your mommy again. Is that clear?” Tears pooled in his son’s eyes and ZQ’s heart nearly broke. But he couldn’t have the boy play one parent against the other. “Your mommy has done everything for you. She deserves an apology because you talked to her in a mean way.”
If a child could walk an inch at a time, Quinn did as he approached his mom. “I sowwy for being mean. I wove you.”
“I love you, too, Quinn. Now please get in bed.” She looked so worn out. The past few days were catching up to her.
“Do I get a hug, Mommy?”
Her arms opened and he dove into them.
ZQ wanted to drive home a point. “Here’s the thing. When you apologize, that means you’re going to try real hard not to do it again. Never talk to Mommy in a nasty way. Lots of kids don’t have a wonderful Mom like you do. Now do as she said and get into bed.”
Later, Ivy trudged out to the fire-pit where ZQ sat, enjoying a cup of coffee. Her limp was worse; no doubt she was exhausted. “Lioness, I hope I wasn’t out of line stepping into your area of discipline.”
“No. It was welcome, actually. He so rarely acts out like that. I just wasn’t up for it. Guess I’m more tired than I thought.”
Using the toe of his boot, he kicked a partially burned log further into the fire. “I remember once I mouthed off to Mom. Dad tanned my hide. ′Course we don’t do things like that anymore. But I showed Mom proper respect from that day on.”
She plopped into a chair next to him and blew on a cup of something steaming. “Yeah, spanking is out. I’ll blacken both your eyes if you ever try to get violent with my child.”
“Point taken.” He chuckled. “Are you drinking Mom’s special hot chocolate?” He sniffed the air.
“The woman will spoil me.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’d spoil you, too, if you gave me a chance.”
“You always did. Back then.” She sipped her hot drink, its vapor rising in curls.
“I’d like to talk to you about Quinn. What’s his last name?”
“Same as mine—Rosemoor.” She eyed him over the top of her cup.
He nodded. “Thought so. What are the chances of changing his last name to mine?” He’d just made his first step into Momma quicksand.
Her gaze whipped to his again. “Exactly what do you mean?”
He’d better make one step at a time into this topic—and gently. “Just a thought. I’ve already had my will changed and so has Mom that this ranch will one day go to him. It’s his heritage. This property has been in the Quinlan family for four generations and will one day be his. It would be nice if he carried the Quinlan name.”
“That would make his name Quinn Quinlan. He’ll be teased at school when he starts Kindergarten in the fall. The kids will call him Quinn Quinn.”
“Or QQ.” He flashed her a smile.
“My son? Oh, that is so not happening.” She took another drink of her hot chocolate.
Time to back out of the quicksand. She was going to be territorial about the child they shared. But they hadn’t shared
him, had they? She’d taken care of him since birth. Before, even.
“No biggie. These twenty-two-hundred acres will go to him no matter what his last name is. If you decide to continue your life in Tampa, I hope you’ll grant him time to come here to learn about the place. To fall in love with it.”
“I’ll have custody papers drawn up with the summers and Christmas break as your time with him. And, of course, if you travel to Tampa to visit, just contact me first.”
He patted his legs. “I’d sooner have both of you in my life. Daily. Come sit on my lap. We haven’t snuggled by a campfire since those times along the beach.”
Ivy moved to his lap and snuggled in his arms. “We have a lot of good memories. They’re what’s kept me going through the years.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Me, too, lioness.” In the fire’s glow, they brought up happier times. He asked her what Quinn was like as a baby. She asked if he’d been afraid to go back into combat after losing a foot. He shared his PTSD and the extended time of counseling he’d had since he retired.
“I learned to be more open about my feelings, my needs. Right now, I need my antibiotics, a shower, and you snuggled in my bed.”
“JJ told me to sleep without a bandage over the bullet wound from now on. Give it some air. I still can’t get it wet. I’m ready for bed, too. Gina’s coming out to give me some therapy tomorrow.”
“Good. While she’s here, Quinn and I will go into town and do some shopping. Write down your sizes and I’ll get you some things—sneakers, jeans, sexy lingerie. Enough to hold you for a few weeks while you’re here.”
Ivy straightened in his arms. “Oh my God, I need to call my boss in the morning.” She smacked her forehead. “I just now remembered my job. I can’t believe I totally forgot! Usually I’m so focused on work. There’s been so much going on I’ve lost track of clients, cases, court dates. I’ll have to explain where I was and that I was shot. Ask for a leave of absence to continue healing.”
“How long will you give me?” She was still planning on going back. He’d lose her again and his son, too. Acid rolled in his stomach. The familiar empty ache knocked at his heart. He’d been given a glimpse of joy, of contentment, of hope. Now his lioness was thinking of going back to work.
