by Smith, Wendy
“There’s such a thing as patient confidentiality.”
“You opened this can of worms. Even if it was by accident.”
I let out a breath. “You had better promise me that this goes no further.”
He nods.
“Do you know Cara Mitchell?”
A smirk spreads across his face as he nods again. “I know Owen screwed around with her.”
“She and her husband, Ryan, they tried for a baby for several years. She wanted to do IVF; he didn’t want her to go through the pain of having it fail.”
Drew’s lips curl. “So, my little brother …”
“Apparently the two of them had a fling, and she became pregnant. Ryan was so happy that it had finally happened that he never questioned where the baby came from. They’ve got a three-year-old daughter …”
“Who’s biologically Owen’s.”
I nod. “She was one of the first babies I delivered. Cara was a mess after the birth and told me, but she was my patient, and I couldn’t tell anyone.”
Drew smiles. “Your secret’s safe with me. Personally, I think Owen deserves to know, but if the kid’s got a stable family …”
“She does. You can’t tell Owen.”
“I know.” He places his hands on my shoulders, giving them a quick rub. “I’m going to run a bath. Are you joining me?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Drew leans forward and gives me a soft kiss that gives me tingles. “I love you being here. Hope you know that.”
“I do.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath of the steam rising from the bathtub.
Drew wraps his arms around me from behind, running his hands up until he cups my breasts. I lean my head back on his shoulder and let out a moan.
“You’re wearing too many clothes,” he murmurs. He nips at my neck.
My shirt is lifted over my head, and my bra falls to the floor.
“Nearly.” He chuckles against the nape of my neck.
I reach to unbutton my jeans, and his hands land on mine. The fly of my pants is peeled away, and he pushes them down along with my panties. “As much as I love your arse in jeans, it’s so much better without them. Get in the tub.”
Placing one foot in the bath, I moan with delight. After the day I’ve had, sinking into this will be amazing.
As I sit, I turn my head. Looking at a naked Drew Campbell is a treat. From his thick, muscular thighs, up to that eight-pack, and then onto those broad shoulders … Not to mention that happy trail from his navel headed south, and that deep V that leads places I’m now intimate with.
I sit up to let him climb into the bath behind me.
The water’s hot, the steam comforting, and I lie back in Drew’s arms as he runs the sponge over my breasts.
“Relaxed?” he murmurs in my ear.
“This is amazing. Just what the doctor ordered. I could go to sleep.”
He chuckles, sending tiny ripples of water against my back. “Well, this doctor thinks you can if you want. Today must have been tiring.”
“I’ve been on the go since early this morning. Do you know Aroha Clark?”
Drew plants soft kisses on my shoulders, which don’t help my drowsiness. “Her sister was in the same year as I was. I think she was a year younger.”
“She gave birth to a baby boy at five-thirty this morning.”
He pauses. “You’ve been up since then?”
“No.” I laugh. “I’ve been up since one-thirty a.m. It’s her third baby, so it was all over quickly.”
“You must be exhausted.”
I nod. “I am, but I think I’ve been running on adrenalin all day. First time in four years I’ve had to airlift a patient out. Margaret’s had a couple, but not me.”
“As stressful as it was, I’m glad it was you. I don’t want to have a bath with Margaret.”
I’m so tired, but I laugh. “I don’t want that either.”
His lips are up behind my ear, and I sigh, leaning into him. “I know we’ve only been together a few times, but being with you is different,” he murmurs.
“Different how?”
“It’s like you’re the missing piece to my puzzle.”
My heart beats faster when he says the words. They sum up how I’ve been feeling about this whole thing. Somehow, Drew makes me feel complete.
“Don’t puzzles usually have more than two pieces?”
He shrugs. “I guess that means there are more pieces to come.”
My heart explodes. He sees a future with me, and I see that future, too. If we can work through the one thing that’s a barrier to our happily-ever-after—the distance between us.
“How many more pieces?”
He chuckles, his lips against my skin. “I don’t know. Three or four?”
“That many?”
Drew lets out a contented sigh. “All I know is that I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the day we met.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
He groans. “Hayley McCarthy, I don’t know what you did to me, but I want this feeling to last forever.”
“Me too.” I turn on my side in the bath and lay my head on his chest as he leans back. Drew is safety and security, and it’s been a long time since I’ve had either. If we’re a puzzle, he’s the corner piece, anchoring me.
He strokes my hair. “How about we get out of this bath and go to bed?”
“I could stay here like this all night, or at least until the water goes cold.”
Drew chuckles. “Me too, but I think we’ll be more comfortable in a nice, warm bed.”
“That sounds equally good.”
I sit back up, and he pulls his legs back and stands, stepping out of the bath. He grabs a towel and wraps it around his waist, picking one up for me.
“Come on, princess. It’s bed time.”
It’s with great reluctance that I push myself up and out of the warm water. But then, Drew’s bed is incentive enough to move.
He stands beside the bath and wraps a big, fluffy white towel around me.
“Feel better?”
“I feel sleepy.” I yawn.
“I’ll keep you awake just a while longer.” He slips his arm around my shoulders as we walk to the bedroom, stopping at the end of the bed.
For a moment, we gaze at each other, and it’s enough. This isn’t just sex, and it never was, no matter what either of us might have thought. There’s something deep, and it’s just waiting to unfold for us. I feel it, and I know he does too.
“Drew,” I whisper before his mouth closes on mine. This is slow, sensual, and more tender than ever. Tonight is different; it’s like we hit a reset button.
He tugs at the towel, and it drops as his hand finds a breast to stroke. My breath catches as my nipple hardens beneath him. My body’s alive with the energy between us, and I close my eyes as he caresses my back.
“You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he murmurs as he nuzzles my neck. Tears sting my eyes because I know he’s being honest with me. Because I know him.
He scoops me into his arms, and carries me around the side of the bed where he lays me down with all the gentleness I’ve come to expect from him.
“I wasn’t sure when or if I’d get the chance to do this again.” He slides over me and to my side, cupping a breast with one of his hands, his body pressed against mine. As he caresses my nipple, his lips brush my neck. It leaves me sighing.
“Why wouldn’t you?”
He shrugs. “I thought maybe you might change your mind about this. About us.”
“Not a chance. Not when you touch me like this.”
Drew grins. “There’s plenty more where that came from.”
“Show me.”
He drops his mouth to my other breast, gently sucking on one nipple as his fingers lace a trail down my chest and stomach before reaching my clit. His hands are soft, surgeon’s hands, and with clinical precision he parts my legs and sl
ips two fingers into me.
I gasp as his fingers slide in and out, and he drops his thumb to my clit. I’ve never come so fast nor as hard as I do with Drew. That’s another talent my favourite doctor has and another reason for me to not want this to end.
“I’ve been thinking about this ever since I last saw you,” he murmurs. His lips are on my breast, my shoulder, my neck. Drew is everywhere, and my body’s getting the fix it needed. I’ve missed him.
“I’ve thought about you a lot.” My stomach clenches as I ride the wave, and a moan escapes my lips. I want more, but I don’t want him to stop what he’s doing. My head’s in a spin, and I’m so tired, but this could go on all night and leave me happy. By the time I get to sleep, I’ll be so relaxed, but I’m sure that’s not why Drew’s so persistent.
He takes me over the edge again before dipping his head and spreading my legs. Kissing my thighs, he plunges his tongue into me, his hot breath leaving my insides quaking. It doesn’t take much of his teasing for me to come again.
“Drew,” I cry out, running my fingers through his hair as his tongue flicks over my clit. It’s sensitive from the two climaxes he’s already given me, with no sign of coming up for a breath. “I need you inside me.”
He grins as he reaches for a box of condoms sitting in his top drawer. “I’m just trying to make the most of this. I don’t know when I’ll get you here next.”
“I’m not complaining.”
“You look tired. Don’t fall asleep on me.”
“I won’t. Don’t be surprised if I fall asleep under you though.” I laugh as he strokes the condom on and positions himself above me.
“Ordinarily I might be offended at that suggestion, but given the circumstances, I think I can handle it.” He slides into me, and I let my eyes roll back in my head at how good he feels. Drew’s touch sets me on fire, my body rising to the occasion despite my exhaustion.
When I’m with him, I feel like I can climb mountains.
And I know he’s there to catch me when I fall.
* * *
Afterward, I lie by his side, my head resting on his chest. His arms are around me, and I feel safe and relaxed.
“Why did you become an obstetrician?” I ask, running my fingers down his arm.
“Mostly because of Max. It was a toss-up between obstetrics and paediatrics, but I loved the idea of helping parents bring their children into the world safely.”
I plant a kiss on his bicep. “I like that. Lily told me about Max, that he was born early.”
“Yeah, complete with umbilical cord around his neck. Every time I see that kid I think about what a little miracle he is.”
Grinning, I bury my face in his chest. “He’s got so much character. I love how he always has a smile on his face.”
“Even when everything’s turning to shit around him. Yeah, that’s Max.”
“Have things been that bad?”
Drew rolls toward me. “Before Adam got back, Lily struggled. We all did what we could to help her, but Max never cared that he had to go without, or that they didn’t have all the gadgets and things other families did. They couldn’t even get internet on that farm except for the ridiculously expensive kind.” His eyes shine, full of happiness. “He’s like a pig in mud now. He’s got everything he ever wanted.”
“I’m glad. They’re such a nice little family. Adam clearly dotes on them all.”
“You have no idea.” He chuckles. “He spoils Lily and Max rotten, and they deserve all of it.”
“They seem very happy.”
“They are.” He sighs. “I want what they have, but I just never found the right woman.” My heart flutters as he fixes his gaze on mine. “Something tells me I’m on the right track now.”
I don’t know if I want to leave.
8
Adam
Ben.
My ears ring and everything moves in slow motion. I hold my hands either side of my head, trying to get rid of the sound that plagues my brain, but there’s only one thought nagging at me right now.
Ben.
I see him lying on the ground, and I crawl toward him. His eyes are open, as if he’s staring into the distance, but I know there’s nothing behind that stare.
No.
I make it to him, and ignoring any danger, I sit and pull him onto my lap. One of his legs is gone at the knee, not that it matters anymore. Ben’s dead.
Cradling him in my arms, I rock, tears rolling down my cheeks. He and his family welcomed me into their home when I was so lost. He’d become my best friend, my brother. Things might long be over between his sister and me, but nothing ever changed between Ben and me.
Pain rips through my shoulder, but I don’t care. The agony of losing my best friend is so much worse than any physical pain I could endure. He has a wife at home, and a baby on the way. This was our last deployment. We’ve both had enough.
It’s not fair.
Right now, I’d give anything to swap places with him.
I have nothing. No permanent ties to anyone. That all went when I left Copper Creek. I’ve spent years pretending for the most part that my family doesn’t exist, and hiding myself from any updates I might accidentally stumble across. Once I lost Lily, I lost everything.
There are times when I feel utterly empty, like my soul is lost and can’t be found. That emptiness is much worse with the loss of Ben.
My heart’s raw, and I barely notice gunfire around me as another team swoops in to pick up the pieces. I can’t let go of Ben—I won’t let go.
* * *
I wake to Lily’s steady breathing, and it calms me. I’d never confess this, but the lights we set up to help her through her fear of the dark also help me when I dream of Ben.
It’s the same dream, over and over. I go weeks without having it, and then he haunts me every single night for days on end at a time.
Maybe it’s payback for him dying instead of me.
* * *
Opening the garage is the best idea I’ve ever had, but it’s not easy.
I have two mechanics working with me now, one qualified, one under an apprenticeship. Today, I’ve been down one as my second mechanic has been working out on a farm on the other side of McKenzie’s Mountain.
It’s late when I walk around the garage and toward the house. Corey’s ute sits in the backyard, and I smile as I walk in the door.
Lily greets me with a kiss.
“Corey’s here?”
Lily smiles. “He hasn’t been here long. He’s—”
The sound of a gunshot echoes in the empty night. It’s close. Too close.
My head swims, and my vision blurs. Lily squeals as I grab hold of her and push her to the ground, shielding her with my body. Not Lily—anything but Lily. I’ll sacrifice myself before anything happens to her.
The taste of sand is in my mouth. The acrid smell of burning flesh fills my nostrils.
“Adam?” She’s scared, but so am I. The last time this happened, I lost Ben. I won’t lose Lily.
“Keep your head down,” I whisper, clutching her tighter. “Close your eyes.”
“You’re scaring me.”
“It’s okay, baby. Everything will be okay, I swear.” What about Max? Where’s he? The baby? My heart burns with the need to protect my children, but there’s no way to get to them without leaving Lily.
“That got the bastard.” Heavy footsteps land in front of us. I raise my head to see the butt of a rifle. My heart races. “Adam, what the fuck?”
“Don’t hurt her. It doesn’t matter what happens to me, but please, don’t hurt her.” My eyes sting with tears as I croak the words.
“Adam.” Her voice is soft, but I won’t let her sacrifice herself for me. I dig my nails in to keep hold of her.
“Dude.” A hand lands on my back, and I shake it off. All around me is death, and I can’t handle it. My shoulder aches where I was shot, as if it’s a fresh wound.
“Adam. You’re scaring Lily. You need
to get off her.”
“I can’t. I can’t lose her.” I’m a snotty mess, my nose streaming as my eyes do. I let her down once, and I’ll never do that again. I need her to be safe.
“I’m right here,” she says.
“Are you okay?” The voice is deep and familiar, but whoever fired that gun is a direct threat to my family.
“Not really. I twisted my ankle when Adam pushed me over, and my foot’s still stuck under him.”
I hear her voice, but my ears still ring. It’s as if I’m in a tunnel, and she’s outside and so far away from me.
“Adam, I’m going to move you. Lily’s hurt.”
No. My ears rush with blood.
“You might have to just do it, Corey.”
The hand moves to under my arm and is joined by another under my other arm. I’m lifted off her, and I struggle as Lily slips out from under me.
“No. You can’t take her. Take me.”
“You’re not going anywhere.”
Lily pulls herself to her feet and takes a couple of steps toward me. I reach for her, and she cups my face, bringing everything into focus with her. Her blue eyes search mine. “You’re safe. Adam, you’re safe. You’re here with me in our home with our kids. No one’s going to hurt me, or them. We’re safe.”
I let out a sob.
I’m on my feet, and she slips her arms around my waist. The movement grounds me, and I look around to see my older brother holding onto my arms. “Corey?”
Lily rests her head on my chest, and I breathe in the scent of her blueberry shampoo.
Corey retains his hold on my arms. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. One minute I walked in the door, and the next …”
“The shot set him off. He pushed me to the ground, and I think he was trying to save me.”
“Save you from what? He hurt you.”
Lily reaches to touch Corey’s hand. “Not deliberately. From what Adam was saying, I don’t think we were even in our kitchen anymore. Were we, Adam?”
I shake my head. “I can taste the sand,” I whisper.
“Shit.” Corey lets go of me, and I turn toward him.
