by Nikki Duncan
His hunger fed her own and awakened deeper longings. Everything about Ryland excited her. His touches, his kisses, reached the darkest corners of her soul. He lit her up and showed her the stars.
Lifting her again, he sat back in his chair so she was again straddling him. Their first time he’d taken control. The next time they’d met as equals. This time he was allowing her to set the pace.
She wanted the pace to be fast.
Bracing her hands on his shoulders, she raised herself a little, adjusted her feet for balance and then sank onto the length of him. The early grip of orgasm screamed through her, blinded her momentarily.
Instinct and the familiarity with his body drove her to a steady cadence. The initial shock of him entering her subsided a fraction, but only enough to keep her from erupting instantly. Each time she rose and fell, easing off him and then taking him deep again, she carried herself closer to that orgasmic point.
Ryland’s breaths grew jagged and rushed. Sweat dotted his brow. He bit his bottom lip and dug his head into the top of his chair.
Two more thrusts and they were both flying over the cliff. Heat swarmed, cocooning them. Tension throbbed and then eased in a rushing release.
Ryland was fun. And dangerous.
Chapter Sixteen
A tuxedo-clad, top-hat-wearing carriage driver guided the black draft horse with four white socks to the curb as they exited The Oceanaire Seafood Room. The subtle glow of clear lights lining the rail and canopy of the white carriage bathed the royal purple upholstery in softness. Any other time of the year Ryland would say the mood of a carriage ride was suited for a man trying to seduce a woman. He’d never wanted to put that much effort into a seduction, but in late December, with the wreath on the front of the carriage and small poinsettia blooms on the horse’s bridle, and with Jennalyn at his side, he found himself wishing they were alone. He found himself wishing for a Christmas seduction.
The night wasn’t for him and Jennalyn, though. They were together for Preston, the nearly six-foot-tall fourteen-year-old who had beaten Ryland to every door all evening. Jennalyn hadn’t even lifted a hand to pull her own chair out before or after dinner.
While Ryland would like to be the one holding Jennalyn’s doors, the boy’s courtesy was refreshing in today’s society. That he’d survived a lung transplant had gotten him on Ryland’s list of possible miracle recipients. It was the things the staff had said about him, the way he treated others, always thinking of how his actions impacted those around him, that had made giving him a special night a treat.
Ryland handed his ticket to the valet and smiled at the carriage driver who moved to help a couple into their chosen ride. If their next stop were closer, he would have suggested hiring a carriage, but two and a half hours in the chilled night air would be a little much.
“Your car, sir.”
Ryland pulled a five from his pocket and passed it to the valet. As expected, by the time he turned to open the door for Jennalyn, Preston was there. He took her fingers in his and offered her balance as she slid into the front seat.
When they were all settled in the car’s growing warmth, Ryland headed toward their next stop. The Christmas lights on the Circle reflected off windows and cars, bouncing their cheer everywhere. Preston may be a teenager, but he still looked out the windows, trying to take it all in.
Unlike the night of the movie, the light strands that stretched from the top of the monument to the ground to create a tree were shining. It was better than any Christmas tree the city could have erected, more powerful in the way the lights formed a shield of brightness around the memorial. For the month of December, the heroes being honored on the Circle shone unlike any other time.
Jennalyn turned in her seat to see Preston better. “I understand you’re in the National Junior Honor Society.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You must have had to work hard to keep your grades up enough to earn that honor. More than most kids because of the school you missed.”
“I did, but now that I’m able to participate more it was worth it.”
“Your mom was telling me that you’ve been looking for some volunteer work,” Ryland injected.
“Yeah. I’d really like to help out at the hospital, but my doctors think that since I’ve gone back to school that it’s best if I choose someplace a little less contagious for a while longer.”
“Have you given thought to what else you would like to do for hours?” Jennalyn asked, as if she wanted to help Preston find the perfect fit.
“I’ve spent some time in a nursing home, reading and playing cards with some of the residents. I’ve done some database entry for my dad’s office.” He shrugged as only a teenager could. It was half acceptance and half defiance. His pride in what he was doing was obvious though. So was his desire for his life to matter.
Ryland only partially registered the lights in the windows of the buildings they were passing. One building had covered some windows in green so that when the lights inside were on it looked like a giant Christmas tree. “You said you want to study astronomy when you go to college.”
“I do. I’m fascinated by what we could one day learn by studying the things beyond our own atmosphere.”
Glancing in the rearview mirror, hoping to see Preston’s face when he figured out where they were headed, Ryland turned into the main entrance of Butler University and headed toward Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium.
Preston sat a little straighter in the seat. “Where are we going?”
The excitement in his voice even as he asked the question confirmed his suspicion. Ryland grinned as he said, “Given your fascination with astronomy, we thought you would enjoy a private evening at the planetarium.”
“They’ll be opening the observatory for you,” Jennalyn added.
“Seriously?” Preston scooted forward on the seat, ready to burst out of the car before they even stopped. His voice became as animated as his face as they neared the building. “This is beast! I’ve been here on public tours, but have never actually gotten to look through the telescope.”
As they pulled up outside, a Chinese man stepped through the doors and waited on the porch. Ryland lifted a hand in greeting.
Preston’s jaw dropped. “That’s Dr. Sun.”
“He’s expecting you.”
“One of the head professors is expecting me?”
“Yes.”
The moment Ryland eased the car to a stop, Preston pushed open his door and jumped out. Ryland turned off the car and smiled at Jennalyn.
“It seems you’ve been replaced as his crush.” He couldn’t help laughing.
She was smiling too as she watched Preston stare up at the building before him. “You think it’s funny?”
“Yes.” Ryland turned off the engine and went to open her door. Holding her hand, he kissed her cheek. “I would never be so fickle in my affection for you.”
“Fickle or not, he holds a certain appeal.”
“Jailbait. Yuck.”
“Ugh. Gutter. Gutter, Ryland. As if I would consider a teenager.” She backhanded him in the stomach.
“I guess it’s good that you wouldn’t.” He nodded toward Preston and Dr. Sun. “You don’t exist in this world for him.”
Smiling, she slid an arm around Ryland’s waist and walked toward the planetarium with him. “This could be the best outing.”
“Certainly the most impactful.” If Preston worked the night right, he wouldn’t just have a great time. He could easily find himself with a volunteer position that would earn him hours for NJHS and potentially morph into something more lasting.
They followed Dr. Sun and Preston to the telescope in the observatory. Neither Ryland nor Jennalyn interjected themselves into the conversation between Preston and a man he obviously idolized.
“Preston,” Dr. Sun pointed to the telescope. “Can you tell me what part of the sky and which constellation is in view right now?”
Preston glanced in
the scope and then turned back to Dr. Sun. “We’re facing north, so the constellations we should see include Perseus, Cassiopeia, Drago, Ursas Minor and Major, and Andromeda. There are others, of course, but those are probably some of the more famous ones.”
Preston looked through the telescope again and considered for a moment. “I’m pretty sure this is Andromeda, the Chained Princess.”
“Very good,” Dr. Sun praised him. “Perhaps Mr. Davids or Ms. James would like a look.”
“Of course.” Preston stepped back and held a hand out for Jennalyn. The chivalrous young man was returning with the first blast of excitement having abated.
When Jennalyn was in position, Preston told her exactly what she was looking for. “Do you see her?”
“I do.”
“That bright star at the head of her is Alpha Andromedae.” Dr. Sun’s voice took on a teaching tone that soothed and informed. “That is the brightest star of Andromeda.”
“Down a little and to the left a little is another cluster of stars.” Ryland stepped up and spoke low. “One of those stars has been named Sabrina.”
Jennalyn straightened and spun. “What?”
“Sabrina was a princess to you. I wanted to somehow show you that she’s still with you. She’s watching you from the heavens.”
Jennalyn’s eyes watered with what Ryland hoped were happy tears.
“Dude. Sabrina James was your little sister?” Preston asked.
“Yes.” Jennalyn turned toward Preston with more surprise lighting her face. “Did you know her?”
“I met her in the hospital library a few times. She found me reading about stars and their planets and told me that it was crazy to believe mythical gods put people in the sky.” Preston laughed at something only he was privy to. “Her theory was that the fairies put them there.”
“She was needling you.” Jennalyn laughed a laugh that was lighter in mood than Ryland would have thought possible in the moment. “She loved to challenge people who made their opinions and thoughts well known. She always went for the shock factor.”
“Mr. Davids,” Preston turned to Ryland, “that is officially the coolest present ever. Does it come with a certificate too?”
Jennalyn’s smile grew wider. There was no sadness showing on her face. Only happiness, and it thrilled Ryland that he’d been the one to put it there. “It is a pretty cool present, Ryland.”
“I’m glad you like it. And it does come with a certificate, as well as a map that shows exactly which star is Sabrina’s.”
“I spoke with Mr. Davids earlier today.” Dr. Sun led them to one of the smaller telescopes. “This is already set to show you Sabrina’s star.”
“I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. You’re a sweet man.” Jennalyn kissed Ryland on the cheek. She turned and kissed Preston on his cheek. “And thank you for remembering Sabrina.”
“She was adorable. She is unforgettable.” He grinned. “And she would love having a star named after her.”
Jennalyn checked the list she’d been double-checking as they loaded the gifts into the new company van. “Chrissy, where are the iPods? We haven’t loaded those.”
“I’ve got them here.” Chrissy kicked the office door closed behind her and carried a large box to the van. “Are we missing anything else?”
“The stuffed animals were being delivered directly to the hospital to Child Life. We should be set.” The idea of missing a kiddo, or of running out of age-appropriate toys wasn’t acceptable. The kids who were spending the week of Christmas in the hospital deserved something special.
Jennalyn was still stressing that they’d miss someone when they pulled up to the hospital’s loading docks. Climbing out of the van, she headed into the mail receiving area where they would stage their deliveries.
A group of volunteers came to attention when she stepped inside. The firefighters and EMTs from Zack’s station, Preston and Gavin, several of the family members who’d helped decorate the Ronald McDonald House. They had lined up carts, enough for six for each floor, and were ready to take instructions.
Child Life was there with a list of all the patients, their room numbers and ages. After a few small bumps, they had the van unloaded and the carts were being stocked with the appropriate toys in accordance with where the cart would go.
The work kept Jennalyn distracted from where she was until the group pushed through the double doors and they entered the hospital halls. Rubber soled shoes slapped linoleum floors. Monitors beeped. Children and adults talked or laughed or cried.
Emotions slapped Jennalyn, had her stumbling in her steps. She’d loved the idea of delivering gifts to the kids in their rooms, but now that the time had come she wasn’t sure she could. She backed up two steps, retreating toward the mailroom. The van.
“Oh good.” Ryland’s voice cut through the fog clouding her mind. “You guys are ready.”
He closed the distance between them and smiled to the director of Child Life while talking to Jennalyn. “Jennalyn, we have your floor picked out.”
Gently bulldozing her toward the elevator, he took her hand and moved her away from the exit. She vaguely noticed that everyone hung back, giving them privacy on the elevator. The floor number he pushed didn’t register, not that it would matter. There would be patients in pain. Parents in tears.
“Ryland, I can’t do this,” she whispered through the panic gripping her throat. She’d barely handled the hospital visits when she’d stayed in the public areas. He was dragging her into the heart of agony. “I can’t be here.”
“Trust me.”
“I can’t. I can’t forget the sounds of loss that permeate these halls. I can’t forget the tears or the crushing weight of death.” She trembled as the elevator rose. “I can’t be here.”
“JJ.” He took her in his arms and hugged her. “I figured you would feel that way, but I also know you want make these kids happy.”
“I’m okay knowing someone else gave them the gifts.”
“I can’t allow you to hide out during all of this.” He kissed her head. “For that reason, I picked a floor where you don’t have to worry about those things.”
“It’s a children’s hospital. That’s always a worry.”
“You may hear some tears or complaints of pain. But we’re going to the orthopedic floor. The kids there have had surgeries to correct their joints and spines.”
She didn’t remind him that bone tumors were a big part of bone issues. Instead, she latched on to the idea that they were going to one of the least fatal floors in the place. Maybe she could make it through the day.
The doors chimed open. They stepped into a nurse’s station. Her hands shook as she fidgeted with the ring Ryland had given her, but her heart remained fairly steady.
The smells of medicine and disinfectants mixed with coffee and hospital food in a cacophony of misery. She’d always hated the smell of hospitals. She’d grown to especially hate it over her stay with Sabrina.
“Jennalyn. Ryland.” Rhea, the too-perky nurse who didn’t seem to know when to back off, rounded the desk. “Are you two going to be handing out the gifts on our floor?”
“Some of them,” Ryland answered, steering Jennalyn in the opposite direction.
“I’m not sure what’s greater. The gifts or that you two are getting together.” Rhea, as usual, was undeterred. She followed them into the sitting area where a couple of kids played. “You’re perfect for each other. You make great partners.”
A dad walked in pulling a red wagon.
“We’re not…” Jennalyn’s argument died on her lips. On the back of the wagon, in bold black letters, was Sabrina’s name.
Sorrow stabbed, deep and sharp. Tears burned her eyes. Buzzing obliterated her hearing. She stumbled. Swayed.
Ryland caught her and helped her to the closest chair. Jennalyn’s eyes stayed locked on the wagon and the smiling girl sitting inside it. She had brown hair and a smile so bright that it reminded Jennalyn of Sabrina.<
br />
Her mind jumped back to the night she’d surprised Sabrina with the wagon ride. They’d had so much fun, laughed so hard. It had been the last time she’d had that much fun with her sister.
I love you, JJ. Sabrina’s voice was a whispering hope in her head. Ryland is perfect for you.
“I’m so sorry.” Ryland wrapped an arm around her shoulder. He placed his other hand on her knee, massaged. “I had no idea that was up here.”
“I can’t do this. I can’t be here.” Shaking her head, staring at the red wagon she’d wanted desperately to see but now wished she hadn’t, she rose. “I can’t do any of this. Chrissy will help you finish today and the closing party.”
Standing before the elevator, not remembering walking there, she jabbed the down button. The only clear thought was escape. She had to get away from the hospital, from the kids, the smells, the memories.
Pressure whirled around her as if she was caught in a vortex of darkness. She’d have been fine if they’d only run into Rhea or if they’d only seen the wagon. The two together along with the memory of what Sabrina wanted for her and Ryland, and what she thought she might be feeling for him, pushed Jennalyn to her break.
The vortex of pressure spun faster.
Squeezed tighter.
Grew darker.
Then, there was only dizzying darkness.
Ryland caught Jennalyn as she began to fall. Fear had him carrying her unconscious body as he tracked Chrissy down to get Jennalyn’s purse and house keys from their van. Then he carried Jennalyn to his car and drove her home.
She moved in and out of unconsciousness the whole time, mumbling about the wagon, Rhea, the expectations. When she became aware of her surroundings for a moment she would clutch her head and faint again. It was as if the pain of her memories was too much to stand, but there was more to whatever was going on with her than seeing the wagon. Sure, that was a big part of it, but the shift didn’t make sense. She’d been handling all the events well, even those at the hospital.
A couple of times he’d noticed a hitch in her stride, but she’d moved past it and done what she needed. Something more happened at the hospital. Something he didn’t know about because it had been in her mind.
