“Don’t be so insecure, stud. You know that our last night was both memorable and special.” The things he’d made her feel that night! She’d go to her grave remembering all the ways he’d coaxed her body to climax.
“Thanks, Campini. You know I aim to please.” And she sure had pleased him, all night long. “Where are you headed next?”
“Nebraska, I think. It’s all starting to look the same to me. I knew this part of the country was mostly flat farmland but this is getting ridiculous. I spent the afternoon listening to Murray read his homework to me. It’s amazing how interesting a story about a dog that always gets into trouble can be when you’ve been staring at wheat fields for three days. Chris keeps telling me that it’ll get better as we move further north. At this rate, I’d settle for a broken-down tractor.”
“Aw, poor Pix. Why don’t you try picturing how happy my body will be to see you when you get home?”
“I’m travelling with a seven-year-old!”
“I’m not suggesting you tell him about it. I was just trying to help.”
“And keep your naked, hard bod fresh in my mind.”
“You can’t blame a guy for trying. I’ve been seeing yours in my dreams every night so it’s only fair.”
“You don’t have to try so hard. Didn’t Brett tell you what he gave me?” Not to mention the set of pictures she brought with her that he had posed for that day they’d spent in her studio.
“No, what was it?”
“A sketch of us, handcuffed, with a smaller one of you looking at me like you did when I showed up in the bar in your jacket. He drew you perfectly so I don’t need to imagine your chest. I can see it.”
“Hmm, I guess I should tell you that I got one too. And he made you look just as hot as you did in person. I also have your photos of us in case I start to think I’m imagining how good we look together. I thought, or should I say hoped, that you packed a few of them.”
“I did,” she admitted wistfully. “I’d better say good night. There’s a front rolling in so Brian says we need to head out early tomorrow. I’m taping Jordan’s show so I can listen tomorrow. I don’t mind country music but it’s getting a little tiresome, day after day.”
“I bet. Thanks for calling, Pix. Pleasant dreams. I hope you have the same one I’ve been having.”
“Maybe you should tell me about it, just in case.”
“I don’t have to. You already know how it goes. Remember our last night together? Well, my mind keeps letting me re-experience it every time I fall asleep. Too bad I wake up holding air instead of you.”
“That’s why they invented cold showers, McKade,” she teased. “Tonight, when you make me come all those times like you did, let your mind tell you that I’m feeling it all over again too.”
“You’re killing me, Pix.”
“Aren’t you the one who called it anticipation? Night, stud. See you in your dreams.” She could hear his groan as she hung up. Why had she let the conversation take that direction? Now she’d be up all night, horny and wet, as she always was when she thought of the ways they’d made love. Made love? Where the hell did that thought come from? They’d had sex, just sex, nothing more than that!
Chapter Fifteen
“Thanks for joining me. I’m Jordan McKade, your host and I’d like to welcome you to the show. Before I take your calls, I’d like to remind you that I’m looking for interns, so if anyone from the college is interested, please stop by the station and pick up an information packet. It has everything you need but if you still have questions, just give us a call. I’d like to thank those who have already expressed your interest and let you know that I’ll be in touch soon. I’d also like to tell you how much I appreciate your enthusiasm for this show. It’s as new to me as it is to you so let’s make it into something we can all enjoy.
“On a more personal note, my wife, Kiley and I are overwhelmed by the friendship you’re all so quick to extend. We both think this is a great town and look forward to getting to know all of our neighbors. If you see us around town, please take a minute to introduce yourself to us. This town is our home now so please, don’t stay strangers.
“Getting back to business, let’s open the phones and see what’s on your minds tonight. Please remember that this is a family-oriented station. Even though it’s the middle of the night, I’d still appreciate it if you could keep your comments on that level. I will, however, consider any topic, controversial or not, as long as you return the same respect that I’ll be showing you.
“Tonight’s first caller is…” Total silence. “Well, this is certainly a surprise. We have my good pal, Max, who is up way past his bedtime. Hi, Max. I’m glad to hear from you. What’s up?”
“Hiya, Jor.” Max giggled, unable to contain his excitement at calling his friend. “I’s really on a radio?”
“You sure are. For those of you who don’t already know Max was the best man at my recent wedding.”
“I was good.”
“You were great.”
“It’s okay that I’s up now. Wan made me has a nap today.”
“Whew! That was a good idea that Wanda had. I guess that means that your mom and dad know you’re calling me too.”
“Yeah, they’s listening in a kitchen. Penn’s dere too.”
“Wow, the whole family stayed up to hear you on the radio. I always knew you were an extra special guy, Max.”
“I has sumpin’ I hasa say.”
“All right, Max. What can I help you with tonight?”
“Well… I… Dad says I should jus tell you what I tinks.”
“Your dad is right.”
“Okay. Jor, is you an Ki come a see me tomor?”
“Absolutely. You know we always visit you on Fridays. Do you have a special request for your treat?” Jordan looked up, startled, when the door to the broadcast booth opened and Kiley slipped in. There was something on her face that made his heart skip a beat. “Guess what, Max. My beautiful wife just got here. Maybe we can get her to talk to us on the air.”
“I calls her first. She proms she sit with you when I asks my quest.”
“All right, she’s here so why don’t you tell me what is so important that you had to give up your afternoon in the park for a nap?”
“Jor, you hasa take Bear home tomor when you go.”
“Max…”
“Jor, you hasa! I can’t play with him and he wanna run so he needs you an Ki. Penn says Shane’s gonna takes her for a kitty. I wanna see it before I’s dead. Kitties don like Bear so you gotta takes him. Please, Jor? I love Bear an we has lotsa fun but he hasa be yours now. Tans for letting me has him las year. He’s a bes pooch in the worl.”
Jordan understood why his wife had joined him. She knew how Max’s request was going to affect him. When she slid her chair closer in order to hold him, he didn’t resist.
“Ki, tells him.” Max was pleading and Jordan could hear that he was about to cry.
Sensing that Jordan was too choked up to respond, Kiley flipped the switch that he had showed her on her previous visit that would open the microphone for any guests. “Hi, Max. I’m here to help. Please don’t cry or you’ll get me started too.”
“Tells him, Ki.”
“I will, Max. Jordan knows you love Bear. You wouldn’t be asking him this if you weren’t ready to give him up. We have a really great yard that I know he’ll love to run around in. We’ll take good care of him, just like you did. But how about if we bring him with us when we come to visit you?”
“Tans, Ki. I loves you.”
“I love you too, Max. I’m so glad you’re my friend. You really are the best.”
“I’s hap you mar Jor. He’s my bes fren. We has lotsa fun an Jor brings a bes treats.”
Jordan forced himself to swallow the lump in his throat and talk to the little boy who had become so important to him over the past few years. “Okay, Max. You win. If you really want Bear to come home with us tomorrow, he can. But, if you change yo
ur mind, all you have to do is call and I’ll bring him right back to you, no matter what time of day it is.”
“Okay, Jor. Penn’s gonna be real hap ta gets her kitty.”
“It so happens that I have some good news for her. My brother, Shane just called on another line and left a message for me to have you tell her that he’ll be by Saturday morning so they can start looking for her kitty.”
Max laughed with excitement. “She’s gonna has fun!”
“Yes, she will. My big brother, Shane, will make sure they find her the greatest cat there is. Don’t you worry.”
“I’s not wor. He’s her fren jus like you’s mine. I loves you, Jor.”
“I love you, Max. You’re the greatest kid, you know that?”
“Nah, I’s jus me. You an Ki’s gonna has great kids.”
Kiley took over when Jordan had trouble controlling his emotions again. “Hey Max, I think it’s my turn to ask you a question.”
“What?”
“Since you were our best man and you are such a special friend, I was wondering if you would mind if we named our first child Max? I’d be so honored if you shared your name with us.”
“Cool!” Max giggled. “Ki, I’s sor that I’s not gonna be here a play with your kid.”
“Me too, Max. But don’t you think for one minute that our child isn’t going to know all about you. Jordan and I will make sure he knows where his name came from. I know Brett has lots of things to say about you and my cousin, Alyssa gave us all those pictures she took of you.”
“What if it’s a girl?”
“You can name girls Max,” Jordan spoke up. “Would you mind if we gave a girl your name?”
“Tha’s cool too.”
“Thanks, Max.”
“Oops, Mom says I hasa go bed now. I sees ya tomor, Jor. Bye, Ki. Tans for letting me on a radio.”
“Thanks for calling. We’ll see you tomorrow and I promise we won’t forget your treats.”
“Night, Max. Sleep well.”
Mark, the show’s technician, instantly cut off both microphones and switched to a series of commercials. While his boss had been talking to his young pal, he had called a buddy who was hoping for an internship in the fall and had him rush over to the station while Jordan was still on with Max.
“Jordan,” Mark interrupted, bringing his friend into the booth with him. “This is Greg, my buddy who applied for the internship. I think this would be a perfect opportunity for him to show you how well suited he is for the position. Why don’t you introduce him and let him take a few calls for you, just until you are ready to talk? We already have all the lines full with reaction to your friend wanting you to have his dog.”
“Thanks but I don’t know…” Jordan hesitated even though he could barely speak.
“Jordan,” Kiley interrupted through her tears. “Let him do this.”
Greg spoke up. “All I need is a little background and I promise, I’ll handle the next half hour for you.” He looked steadily at Jordan. “You and your wife need a minute alone, not a bunch of other people, no matter how well-intentioned they are.”
Jordan finally agreed and told him what he could of Max in the next two minutes. When the commercials ended, he barely managed to say, “We’re back. I’m sure you can all understand why Kiley and I need a short break, so I’m going to trust the instincts of my right-hand man on the show and turn you over to one of our potential interns. This is Greg Grayson and he’s all yours.”
* * * * *
Kiley closed the door to Jordan’s office behind them. Her husband was leaning dejectedly against the edge of his desk, clearly lost in his own thoughts. Wordlessly, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as he let the pain he was feeling out. Eventually, Jordan composed himself. Brushing the tears from Kiley’s cheeks, he sighed deeply. “That was about the last call I expected to get tonight.”
“I’m sorry, Jordan. I knew he was going to ask you to take Bear at some point. He made me promise to help him get you to agree. I should have warned you.”
“You didn’t need to. I knew he was going to want this at some point too. I’m just not ready to let him go.”
“I know. None of us is.”
“How can his parents deal with this the way they do?”
“They don’t have a choice, do they? You told me Max was born with this condition. They’ve always known that he’d only have a few years. His mom said that he’s already outlived the doctor’s estimates. Every extra day they have him is a gift that they cherish. I’ve been trying to think of our time with him like that too.”
“I do understand that and I agree with the thought. Damn, I hate this! Why isn’t a kid who’s so great granted a full life?”
“He has a full life, Jordan. It’s just not going to be as long as some others. His family and friends have given him the best years possible. Do you honestly believe he thinks he’s lacking in any way?”
Jordan considered her question. “I suppose not.” He ran his hand over his face. “I need to be more like the rest of you. I have to stop thinking of losing him and enjoy the time we do have.” He pulled her back against his chest. “Thanks for coming down here now. He was right to think that I’d need you with me for that conversation.”
“He’s more worried about you than he is about himself.”
“Yet another reason I need to change my attitude. I know I upset him sometimes and I don’t want to keep doing that. I’ve got to be stronger around him.”
“Jordan, he’ll know if you’re just acting.”
“Then I’ll have to convince myself that I really believe it. You’ll help me, right sweet?”
“Oh,” she sighed as she tightened her arms, “you know I will. In any way I can.”
“Kiley, have I told you today how glad I am that you decided to keep me?”
“Yes you did but that’s something I never mind hearing. I love you, Jordan McKade. You’re truly the kindest, most caring, best man there is. Just remember that you don’t always have to be strong for me. You have to let me take care of you too.”
“I will. I’m going to need you to hold me a lot when Max goes.”
“I’ll be right next to you.”
Jordan cradled her against him for a few moments in silence, letting her comfort him. “I should get back.”
“Can I stay?” Kiley didn’t want to let go of him just yet. “I promise I won’t be in the way.”
“Kiley, you are welcome here whenever you want to come. You’re welcome to participate too, if you want to. I love you, sweet.” He kissed her gently. “Thanks for understanding.”
Chapter Sixteen
“Hi, Pix. Find Oz yet?” Shane asked when Alyssa answered. He had just taken Penny and her new kitten home and had the urge to tell Alyssa about their adventure.
“McKade?” Alyssa sounded confused.
“Yeah,” Shane grunted, wondering why she sounded so surprised that he was calling her. “Is this a bad time?”
“No, we’re actually settled for the day. Brian thinks the fronts coming through might collide behind us so he wants us ready to go either way. We’re positioned in the center of possible tracks so we can react quickly.”
“Sounds like you’re getting into this whole weather watching expedition.”
“It’s impossible not to. The whole team is so intense when they discuss what’s going on. I can’t help being sucked in by their enthusiasm. It’s contagious.”
Shane listened to the excitement in her voice. “You still coming back sometime, Campini?”
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily, McKade. I’ll be home as soon as I do what I was hired to do.”
Shane decided to change the subject. “Did you hear Jordan’s show Thursday? Max called.”
“I know. I taped it and played it in the car yesterday. Man, that must have been hard for Jordan.”
“It was. I was so glad when Kiley showed up. My brother is having a tough time with this.”
“He’s very attached to Max.” She paused. “Did you take Penny to find a cat?”
“I most certainly did. We started out with breakfast so we could strategize. Our next stop was a pet store where we got all the necessary supplies. I figured we should get that out of the way so I could take her right home if we found a cat that she had to have.”
“I can’t quite picture you shopping,” she laughed.
“I’ll have you know that I’m as excellent at that task as I am at everything else. Perhaps I’ll take you when you get back.”
“Shopping? I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t shop.”
“Yes, that’s very evident now that I’ve seen your wardrobe. I used to think you dressed down to try to fit in on the streets while you were working on your gang and the homeless. Now I know better.”
“Watch it, McKade,” she tried to sound threatening but couldn’t stop chuckling.
“Hey, just stating the obvious. You kind of gave it away when you wore my sweats even though they’re miles too big for you.” He had been more than surprised when she’d added the clothes he loaned her to get home in that first day to her wardrobe. Even more amazing was the way she managed to look like a kid playing in someone else’s clothes and incredibly hot and desirable at the same time. He groaned as he felt his body reacting to the thought of her. “I think you’d like shopping with me.”
“What makes you think that?”
“First of all, I know you find me irresistible so anything we do together would please you. Second, I’d take you somewhere that sells lingerie. I’ve noticed how you don’t neglect that part of your attire like you do the rest of your things. It’s so sexy, knowing that underneath all those ragtag outfits you try to pass off as clothing, is something skimpy, made out of lace or silk. We’d go to the shop and you’d let me pick out things for you. I’d hold my choices up to you, so I could picture how you’d look wearing them once I had your body flushed with desire.” Shane heard a hitch in her breathing and wondered if Alyssa was getting as turned on as he was. “Finally, I’d take you and my choices home so you could model them for me.”
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