Forever My Home (The Aster Lake Series Book 1)

by Unknown

  “He’ll be in and out all night,” the doctor said, startlingly me. I dropped Rudd’s hand, like I was in trouble. I wasn’t sure if I could hold it or not. It wasn’t his bad shoulder.

  “It’s okay to hold his hand. And to make sure Scott doesn’t call my mom, I can get you a rollaway bed for the night. They aren’t comfortable though.”

  I stood up. “I’d like that very much.”

  “Alright, I’ll have a nurse bring it in soon.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll let the other two visit for a few minutes, and I’m here all night, so I’ll be checking in on him along with the nurses.”

  “Okay.”

  I felt better knowing he would be here all night just in case something happened. Madi and Scott stayed long enough to make plans for tomorrow. I had the day off, so Madi said she would bring me a change of clothes and Scott said he would go talk to Bailey and bring her by.

  The nurses brought in the rollaway bed and I put it as close as I could to his bed. I wasn’t able to sleep, so I texted Madi throughout the night and watched TV. Rudd would stir and mumble, but never fully woke up. At some point, I fell asleep, and didn’t wake up until much later. I rolled over and saw a nurse walking into the room.

  “You’re awake,” she said with a huge smile on her face. Her black hair was bouncing behind her in a ponytail and she wore pink scrubs that looked like they were two sizes two big. She was holding a tray of food that she set down on a small mobile table and moved it towards me. “Here’s some breakfast.”

  I sat up halfway on my arm. “I didn’t order breakfast.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” she said pushing it over the bed so it was in my lap. “There are always leftovers,” she said dramatically, “and I didn’t want you to starve.”

  I was trapped. She sat on the end of the bed waiting for me to eat. I sat up more, and looked over at Rudd. He looked the same as last time.

  “He’ll probably wake up soon.”

  I looked back at her and she was flipping through the TV channels. I found it odd she brought me free food and was now watching TV, but I didn’t work here. She didn’t have any badges on, nothing to identify who she was. I should be a little worried right now, but she wasn’t paying me any attention. Her focus was on the TV and I was indeed hungry. I took the lid off the bowl and inside was oatmeal. I saw the steam come off the bowl and was glad it was still hot. I added a little butter, opened the sugar packet, and dumped it in. I ate the rest of my oatmeal while she watched TV. I didn’t think nurses were allowed to sit around, but maybe she was on a break. I was tired and had other things on my mind, so I really didn’t care what she did.

  “There you are,” a woman’s voice said and the girl jumped off the bed, and tossed the remote down.

  “Hey, Shirley.”

  “Don’t ‘Hey Shirley’ me,” she scolded her as she walked across the room. She was much older than we were, probably in her sixties, with short gray hair. “How did you get out this time? And whose scrubs are those?”

  “Like I’m going to tell you my secrets.” She then turned and winked at me. “It was nice meeting you!”

  “Ok, Anna,” Shirley said grabbing her hand, “playtime is over.”

  “Bye!” she yelled as she walked out the door with Shirley.

  That was weird.

  I got up, used the bathroom, and then pushed the tray and the bed over to the other side of the room where the window was. I pulled a chair up next to Rudd when Shirley came back into the room. “Sorry about that.”

  “It’s okay,” I said sitting down in the chair. I still had on my clothes from yesterday so I pulled my phone out of my purse and sent a text to Madi. I couldn’t remember if she worked today.

  “No, it’s not,” she said, typing away on the computer. “She’s up on the second floor.”

  “Oh.”

  She was silent for a minute. “Normally it’s against the rules, but everyone knows Anna. Archer’s even met her a few times.”

  “What’s on the second floor?”

  “Psyche-ward.”

  “Oh.”

  “Don’t worry,” she laughed, “she’s not harmful, but she keeps getting out and we can’t figure out how.”

  I said nothing.

  “She does this often,” Shirley continued like she was lost in thought. “We’re used to it.”

  “Maybe she just needs some fresh air,” I suggested.

  “There allowed outside every day. She won’t go though.” She stopped typing and pushed it to the side. “It’s the TV she wants.”

  I started at Rudd but asked her, “They don’t have a TV up there?”

  “They do, but she has to share it with other people and they never want to watch what she does.”

  “Oh.”

  Shirley grabbed Rudd’s arm and checked his blood pressure.

  “Everything is fine. He’ll be more awake today, probably coherent enough to chat with you. New doctor is making his rounds, you can call him Lucas.”

  After she left, I stood up and whispered in Rudd’s ear, “I’m not leaving. I promise I’ll be here when you wake up.”

  I waited for Madi to text me back, flipped through the TV channels a few times, then passed out in the chair at some point.

  I heard someone calling my name but I was tired and didn’t want to wake up.

  “Adalyn,” they said louder and I popped my head up. I scanned the room and remembered where I was.

  “I’m Doctor Whitts, but you can call me Lucas.” He looked too young to be a doctor, and in his white lab coat, he almost resembled a kid playing dress-up.

  “How old are you?” I blurted out. His baby doll face broke out into a soft laugh.

  “I get that a lot. I’m thirty.”

  “Wow,” I said wiping my face making sure I hadn’t drooled all over myself. “I never would have guessed.” I sat up and looked at Rudd.

  “He’s awake, for the most part.”

  I jumped out of my chair and leaned over Rudd. His eyes were shut. “Rudd?”

  “Hmmm.”

  Tears pricked my eyes, and I blinked a few times making them go away. “Hey,” I said softly and his eyes slowly opened.

  He gave me a lopsided grin. “Hey,” he said, his voice dry and raspy.

  “Would you like something to drink?” I asked softly.

  “Just some ice chips for now,” Lucas cut in and handed me a cup of them.

  I gave a few to him.

  “How do you feel, Rudd?”

  It was weird hearing someone else call him Rudd. If my memory is right, I’m the only one that does.

  “Archer,” he grumbled.

  “Okay Archer, how do you feel?”

  “Like some asshole shot me.”

  Lucas and I both chuckled at that and I lifted the cup up to see if he wanted any more ice chips. He shook his head no, so I set it back down on the side table.

  “If you want more pain meds, just hit your nurse button. We gave you some about two hours ago, so you won’t get any more for another two hours unless it’s unbearable. Then I can give you some early.”

  Rudd kept his eyes on me and I did my best not to cry. He was going to be okay.

  “I’ll let you two have some time and I’ll come check on you again later.”

  After the doctor left, Rudd reached up with his good hand and caressed my face. “My mom would have loved you,” he slurred and I was afraid he was falling asleep again.

  “I’m sure I would have loved her also.”

  He dropped his hand and closed his eyes then muttered, “I do.”

  At least that is what it sounded like and probably why I started to cry.

  Rudd loved me?

  Chapter 15

  “It’s only been two days, Rudd.”

  “Not staying here, Adalyn,” he said through gritted teeth and continued to sit up in his hospital bed. The stubborn man; he’s clearly in pain, yet passionately denies it. “I hate these fuc
king places.”

  “Someone shot you.”

  “Thanks for reminding me,” he said with a weak smile.

  I watched him stand from the bed, still wearing his hospital gown. “Rudd,” I said softly at his side. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay another day or two?”

  He reached around to untie the back of his gown. “Fuck no.”

  He fumbled with it so I told him to turn around and I untied it for him. I had brought a change of clothes earlier that day, but I didn’t think anything of it at the time. I guess I shouldn’t have brought them. He wouldn’t be able to leave without any clothes.

  He was naked and I briefly saw the top of his ass before I turned around, embarrassed.

  I heard him grunt a few times before he told me I could turn back around. I did, and he had his pants on, with his shirt hanging in his hand. I reached for it, he sat down on the bed, and he lowered his head so I could slip it on him. He put his good arm through the hole and didn’t bother with the injured one currently in a sling. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me to him. He buried his head in my chest and I put one of my hands on the good side of his back.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked.

  Instantly he replied, “Will you stay with me?”

  I had already been thinking about that and I wanted to stay. He helped me when I was hurt and I wanted to be there for him. I would be upset if he didn’t want me there.

  “Yes,” I whispered and he dropped his back. I stared into his eyes for a few seconds then leaned over and brushed my lips across his. “I missed you.”

  He let out a soft moan and I kissed him. The last few days our kisses were merely just a peck of the lips. But not this time. I wanted a real kiss. Deep and rough. He gave that to me, pulling me closer until we were interrupted.

  “What are doing?”

  I stepped away from Rudd and left him to deal with the doctor on his own.

  “What’s it look like, Doc?”

  “Not that,” he said glancing at me then back to Rudd. “You shouldn’t leave.”

  “I’m done.”

  “You haven’t even started physically therapy.”

  “Don’t need it,” Rudd said standing up from the bed. He grabbed his wallet off the side table and shoved it in his back pocket.

  “You do need it.”

  “I’m fine, Doc.”

  “I’ve treated all of your other gunshot accidents and-”

  “Accident?” he growled. “The mother fucker wanted to shoot me, it wasn’t an accident.”

  “Okay,” Lucas said and at the same time I yelled, “Rudd!” He was being rude.

  Rudd took a deep breath and turned to Lucas. “You know I hate hospitals.”

  “I know, but this is a serious wound.”

  Rudd cleared his throat and held out his hand for me. “I’ll get therapy in Aster Lake, Doc.” He nodded and Rudd said, “Can we go now?”

  Lucas shook his head, but smiled. “I can’t make you stay.”

  ***

  “You are impossible!” I yelled at Rudd while watching the nurse walk out the door. She shuffled down the driveway, shaking her head in defeat. She had only come to the house a few times and Rudd hated it and was not afraid to vocalize his distain. We both knew Rudd needed the physical therapy; I even called the doctor yesterday to reaffirm his orders. The nurse made him feel like a child, and to be honest, he acted like one around her. I knew he was only allowing her to come because I had asked him to at least try it. However, today Rudd was at the end of his rope. He couldn’t take it and he fired her within the first ten minutes of their session. Maybe she wasn’t the best therapist, I could admit that. But still, Rudd should have just asked for a different therapist.

  “Have I told you how sexy you are when you’re mad?” he asked walking around the kitchen island and coming to stand in front of me.

  I put my hand out to stop him from getting to close. “I’m being serious.”

  He gently pushed my hand away, pushed his hips into me, and ran his thumb over my lips. “So am I.”

  The tingle from my lips spread throughout my body and I gripped the counter behind me.

  “It’s only been a few days,” I breathed.

  His eyes were full with lust and need. “Kiss me,” he whispered and ran his hand down my neck and over my breast. I was putty in his hands. I had been careful with our kisses, not to let them get carried away, because I knew his shoulder hurt despite what he told me.

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Just kiss me,” he growled.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and he leaned down so I could kiss him. I didn’t hold back. Our kiss was fierce as our tongues glided against each other’s. He tasted like coffee. I moaned, already turned on, feeling myself begin to ache between my legs. I wanted him to touch me. I waited for Rudd to move his hand lower but he didn’t. He slipped his hand under my shirt and pushed my bra up. He played with my nipple, our kiss getting a little out of control. I’ve been dreaming of him touching me, making me come, and making love to me. For some reason, I just couldn’t voice my needs.

  “Come with me,” he ordered after breaking out kiss. I held onto his hand and we rushed to his room, and into his private bathroom. He shut the door. “Hop on the counter.”

  I did but asked, “Why?”

  “I’m giving you what you need, baby.”

  Oh my.

  I was already breathing hard but now I felt like all the air had deserted me.

  “Feet on the counter,” he demanded and I quickly lifted them up. I had on a pair of loose fitting shorts that were riding up my thigh.

  “Why not the bed?”

  “The first time we do anything in that bed, you’ll be ready for all of me. I want it to be special and with my arm like this, it won’t be. We both need to be ready.”

  “Oh,” I said as his hand slid from my knee to the inside of my thigh. I moaned when his thumb rubbed over me.

  “Beautiful. Everything about you is beautiful.”

  I smiled and his hand slipped into my shorts. “Fuck,” he growled when he realized I had gone commando.

  I sat up. “Please kiss me.” I put my arms around his neck, trying to be careful about his shoulder. This kiss was so much more. My body ached for his touch. He ran his thumb slowly between my legs, then up and over my clit.

  “Christ Adalyn, you’re wet.”

  My hips pushed forward and he slid a finger into me. “Oh God,” I panted, my fingers digging into his arm, as the pleasure of his touch spread throughout my body slowly.

  “And tight.”

  He pulled out and this time pushed two fingers into me. It was an overwhelming splurge of pleasure. He pulled them out and then rubbed his thumb over my clit when he pushed back in.

  “Hang on, baby.”

  “Your shoulder,” I said looking into his eyes.

  “It’s fine. I want to see your beautiful face come.” He thrusted into me harder. This is what I’ve been craving for weeks. I rocked against his hand while he picked up the pace. I wasn’t going to last much longer. Every muscle started to tighten up; my hips more tense with my orgasm building. Every thrust, every rub, brought me closer to the edge. I wrapped my legs around his waist and tipped my hips back.

  “Rudd,” I said between quick gasps of air. “Oh God.”

  He started into my eyes and went faster. “Jesus,” he whispered as I started to come.

  My eyes shut on their own, a burst of light flashing when I did. He pulled his fingers out but continued to rub my clit while I came. My only focus was the intense orgasm that had rocked my body. I was holding onto Rudd with everything I had.

  “Oh…my,” I said opening my eyes to find him still watching me. “I’ve never…”

  “Good,” he said with a grin, pulling his hand away and sucking on his fingers. I found that a bit erotic but I blushed at the same time.

  “Sweet.”

  I let go of
his good arm and leaned back. I dropped my feet so I was now sitting on the bathroom counter normally. Tingles were still coaxing through my body and I felt high as a kite.

  He washed his hand and grabbed a towel. I couldn’t help but noticed his buldge in his pants. Even though I wasn’t a virgin, I’ve never touched a man before. I kept looking at it, wondering how big it actually was. I was hoping larger than the tutor-

  “Adalyn.”

  I jerked my head up. “Hmmm.”

  “Next time.”

  “I was just…It’s doesn’t hurt?”

  “I’ll be fine, besides, you’re not ready.”

  “What if I am,” I said sliding off the counter and fixing my shorts.

  He studied me for a minute, and then tossed the towel on the floor behind him. “You couldn’t even look at my ass.”

  “I always look at your ass!”

  “At the hospital.”

  I looked away. “Right.”

  “Babe,” he said and tipped my chin up. “I love watching you come. Priceless.”

  I blushed but accepted the compliment. I knew we should wait until his shoulder was fully healed, and for when I was completely ready to go to the next step. However, his sweetness wasn’t lost on me. I wanted it to be just as special the first time we made love.

  “Tomorrow?” he asked as we left the bathroom and headed back to the kitchen. Bailey wanted to visit Margie so she wouldn’t be back until later.

  “We leave around seven. I want to make sure we have enough time to get there, considering it’s a three hour drive.” I grabbed the pan off the stove and put it in the sink with the rest of the dishes we had used for breakfast. I turned the water on and Rudd came up behind me and kissed my neck.

  “I’m going to watch TV.”

  That was code for Rudd was in pain and he’d take his pills and pass out in bed. He didn’t sleep very well at night. Hoping I hadn’t made his shoulder worse, I just nodded and with one more kiss to the neck, he was gone.

  The last few nights that I stayed, I slept in his bed and made sure I was awake before Bailey. She knew I was staying, but for some reason I still hid it and I didn’t want her to catch us in the same bed. Rudd slept on a few pillows so he was propped up a little bit, but he was still very uncomfortable. He wanted me curled into his good side, and despite the grunts and wincing, he never complained. It must be a guy thing.