Wes set his mug aside. “No more for me, thanks.”
A constant stream of visitors had been invading their privacy at all hours every day since he’d come home from the hospital, and Carlie could see Wes had reached his saturation point. He wasn’t alone on that score. Exhaustion wore her thin. She’d need a vacation to recover from her vacation if things didn’t improve.
Between playing hostess to Wes’s visitors—which had included his siblings, their spouses and children, his parents—and being caregiver to her son, the dog and Wes, the two of them had barely spent two minutes alone together all week. And when they were alone, Wes mostly napped or groused.
She sorely missed the closeness they’d shared before he’d been shot—not to mention how much she missed sleeping with him in his bed. “It’s time for your pain pill.” Carlie opened the plastic bottle, dropped a pill into her palm and handed it to him. “Not too many left.”
“That’s OK. I don’t need them nearly as much as I did a week ago.” He turned to the guys. “One good thing about the painkillers, I sleep the sleep of the drugged, without dreams or nightmares. No wonder so many veterans develop a dependence on the things.” He glanced pointedly David’s way at that last remark, and the guy’s face turned red.
“I’ll be ready for bed in about ten minutes. The pain meds knock me out,” Wes hinted to the two men lounging in the living room. “Thanks for coming by. Sitting around all day is boring as hell.”
“No problem, Wes.” Miguel stood up. “Come on, David. Let’s go grab a burger before our shift starts. Thanks for the cookies and coffee, Carlie. We’ll let ourselves out.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, gathering napkins and the thermal coffeepot.
Wes got up to help her clear the table and bunched the mugs together by their handles and set them on the tray. “Let’s put a Do Not Disturb sign on the doors.”
“They mean well.” She glanced at him over her shoulder as she headed for the kitchen. “Your friends are glad you’re home and on the mend. We all are.”
“You’re right, and I’m grateful, but I need a break from all the company.” He placed the coffee cups in the sink.
“Did David have a problem with pain pills?”
“He did, but thankfully he’s drug-free now.” Wes stretched and yawned. “I’m going to go get ready for bed. Will you come tuck me in, Nurse Carlie?”
“Once I get everything squared away here I will.” She put the remaining cookies into the plastic container. “Go on. I’ll check on you in a minute.”
“Check on me, eh? Be still my racing heart.” He let out a long-suffering sigh. “Sounds sexy as hell.”
“You’re in no shape for sexy, and I don’t want to cause you any pain.” That got her a disgruntled look and a humph in response before he strode off in the direction of his room.
She shook her head at his surly tone. Taking care of him was like having a two-hundred-pound toddler, right down to pureeing three meals a day until his food had the consistency of a jar of Gerber’s best.
By the time Carlie went to look in on Wes, he was sound asleep. She got clean clothes ready for him to wear the next day and placed them on the bathroom counter within easy reach. Before she headed for her own room, she stretched out beside him, as she had every night.
“Stay,” he whispered, putting his arms around her. “I need to have you in my arms. Nothing more.”
He had no idea how much she longed to do just that. He’d been healing well and gaining strength. Still, he was a long way from being out of pain, and she was a restless sleeper. “Not until the staples are out, but I’ll stay until you’re asleep.”
He growled low in her ear, tightened his hold around her as if he meant to keep her there no matter what, and then he fell sound asleep. When she was certain he wouldn’t wake up again, she slipped away, regretting the loss of his arms around her the moment she left them.
Carlie returned to Wes’s apartment after dropping Tyler off at school. Slipping through the back door into the kitchen, she listened for signs that he was still sleeping. Everything was quiet, which meant she had some time to herself. She hung her jacket up and dropped her purse and the newspaper on the table. Today she intended to start looking for a new place to live, another house to rent or an apartment. It didn’t matter which, so long as the place was in town.
Her gut wrenched at the thought of leaving. She loved living with Wes, and moving was going to tear her apart. Still, the two of them hadn’t talked about a future. She hadn’t found the courage to tell him she loved him. Mostly it was fear that held her back. Things were great with Wes, and she hovered on the edge of not wanting to wreck what they had and needing to tell him. Besides, he hadn’t asked her to stay. She had to have a plan B in the works.
She started a pot of coffee brewing, grabbed the newspaper and set out for her room to gather her laptop, a notebook and a pen. By the time she placed her things on the table in the living room, the apartment smelled of fresh coffee.
Her laptop open and everything she needed beside her, she began her search. The blinds were open, and the bright sunlight pouring in warmed her as she scanned the housing ads in the paper. The sound of Wes’s shower alerted her to the fact that he was up, which meant she had a good twenty minutes before he’d need attention. She jotted down telephone numbers and addresses of a few places that looked promising.
Rex lay at her feet in a pool of sunshine on the rug. His tail flapped a greeting. Carlie glanced up to find Wes staring her way. Her heart flipped at the sight of him. His large frame was bathed in sunlight, making him look like some ancient warrior god. All he needed to complete the picture was a broadsword. She couldn’t suppress the grin that image provoked. His eyes widened a fraction at her smile, and the way his gaze roamed over her caused a rush of heat. Sleeping apart was becoming more and more challenging. “Good morning.”
“Morning. I smell coffee. Do you want some?”
“Sure.” She went back to scrolling on her laptop. “It’s fresh. I just started the pot a couple of minutes ago.”
“What are you up to there?” He scrutinized the things surrounding her, and his brow furrowed.
“I’m looking for a new place to live.” She bit her lip. “I can hardly make myself walk inside my old place, and I refuse to go there by myself. I can’t move back into that house, Wes. I just can’t.” She turned back to her laptop, not wanting to see the relief he might feel at the notion of her vacating his space.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t, and it’s a good thing. I talked to my landlord, and he’s letting me out of my lease early.”
“You can stay here.”
Forever? Her heart pounded and her palms grew moist. He couldn’t mean forever. More than likely he was doing what he always did, being a compassionate hero in light of her circumstances. “I appreciate the offer, because I’ll have to stay until I find a new place.”
She glanced at him, and the look of panic clouding his features brought a sting to her eyes. Even the thought of continuing to live under the same roof with her gave him the shakes? And now comes the heartbreak. She swallowed and averted her gaze.
“Don’t leave, Carlie,” he blurted, his voice barely audible.
What? Her eyes flew to his. “I’m not leaving Perfect, Wes. I’m just looking for a house or an apartment closer to town. It’ll be a few months before I’ll be able to move, and I won’t go anywhere until you’re completely healed.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He wiped his palms on his sweatpants. “This isn’t how I planned . . . things,” he rasped out.
“Things?” She’d never seen her big, strong Marine look so unhinged. The corners of his mouth turned down, and his jaw muscles twitched. Adrenaline pulsed through her veins. “What things were you planning?”
He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “I had it all worked out in my head. Once I was healed up some, I was going to ask you out on a real date,
somewhere fancy for a nice dinner.” He walked toward the couch. “Then, over candlelight and a very expensive meal, I planned to tell you what ran through my mind when I thought I was going to bleed out in your backyard.”
Images from that night filled her mind. She heard the gunshot, saw the man she loved drop . . . “I was so afraid for you.” She stifled a sob, not entirely successfully. “What . . . uh . . . what ran through your mind?”
“Mostly I realized what a fool I’ve been, and how I let my pride and fear get in the way of the best thing that has ever happened to me.” His gaze held hers. “That would be you and Tyler, by the way. Everyone knew the truth about what I was feeling long before I caught on. It took a bullet to knock some sense into me.”
Wesley eased himself down beside her. “Carlie, after I was shot, I prayed like hell that I’d live long enough to tell you how much I love you and Tyler. I don’t want you to ever leave me. I can’t imagine spending another day without the two of you in my life. Stay here. Let’s give us a shot, go all in, get involved . . . socialize.” He reached for her hand. “Let’s be a couple. What do you say?”
She burst into tears. Not the silent kind, either, but the noisy, sloppy-wet kind of weeping. Relief, elation, disbelief and love swirled through her with such intensity, she couldn’t speak, much less breathe. He loves me! She could hardly take it in. The object of her fantasies, the best man she’d ever known her entire life . . . Wesley loved her. She swiped at the tears flooding her cheeks with her shirtsleeve and sniffed a couple of times, trying to pull herself together enough to tell him what was in her heart.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He let go of her hand and pushed himself up.
“No!” Carlie gripped his wrist and tugged him back down.
He hissed out a breath. “Ouch.”
“I’m sorry. I . . . I didn’t mean to jar your side, but . . . but don’t go. Just give me a minute.” Inhaling deep breaths, she reached for calm. “Don’t you want to know what ran through my head that night?” She hiccupped. “I mean besides being angry with you for putting yourself in front of a bullet.”
“I don’t know . . .” He glanced at her askance, his expression battened down tight. “Not if it’s going to cause more crying.”
“I can’t help the tears, Wes, so you’re just going to have to deal,” she said, her voice shaking. “When I saw you fall, my entire world came crashing down. I didn’t know whether you were dead or alive, and . . . and it felt like my heart was being ripped right out of my chest.” She sniffed again.
“All I could think was that I hadn’t had the chance to tell you how much I love you.” She tightened her grip on his wrist. “While you were lying there, you said you wanted to surrender. Do you remember? What did you mean?” She turned tear-filled eyes to him. “I thought you were telling me you wanted to give up . . . that you wanted to die!”
“No, Carlie, oh, baby. That’s not what I meant at all.” He put his arms around her and lifted her to his lap, grunting from the effort. “I meant I wanted to give up all the baggage I’ve been carrying around, all the stuff from my past that was keeping us apart. I was trying to tell you that I’m ready to give you my heart—completely, no reservations, doubts or fears. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?” Wes rubbed her back.
Carlie nodded against him. “It is. I never believed something as wonderful as this could ever happen to me. You . . . you took a bullet for me, Wes. Why did you do that?” she asked, putting her arms around his neck, clinging to him for all she was worth.
“I swore I wouldn’t let Baumann hurt you, and I keep my promises. I only meant to distract him from going after you. I didn’t think the guy would shoot me.” He kissed his way down her temple to the place where her shoulder met her neck. “I’m sorry I put you through such a fright. Next time I’ll stay hidden, I promise.”
A sloppy laugh broke free. “I’d rather you promise there will never be a next time. How many women can say their boyfriend took a bullet for them?” She shivered and tilted her head for more of his kisses. “I never thought a man like you could ever—”
“Hold it right there,” he ordered, his voice gruff. “We’re not going to do that anymore, either.”
“Do what?”
“The whole I-don’t-deserve-you thing. We both have a tendency—”
“To take on blame we don’t deserve and to feel unworthy?” She let out a shaky sigh.
“Exactly.” He held her close. “I love you, Carlie, and it’s the kind of love that grows stronger every day. What I feel for you is a forever kind of thing, and you can take that to the bank.”
“I love you, too,” she said on a sob.
“Good. It’s settled.” He kissed her.
Her insides nearly exploded with desire and a giddy joy. Wesley ran his fingers through her hair, melting her bones and sending shivers of pleasure down her spine. Without a doubt, she could place her trust, heart and future in his hands. He’d never let her down. Wes was not a man who broke his promises, and he’d never hurt or abandon her.
He broke the kiss and cradled her head against his shoulder. She placed her palm over his pounding heart. He simply held her, giving her time to take it all in. They were a couple. Wesley Holt loved her! Never in a million years could she have foreseen her life taking such an incredible twist. If it hadn’t been for her ex . . .
Her gut wrenched at the thought of all she’d been through with Jared. The pain, terror and heartache from her past gripped her. No. Let it go—look what it led to. Look who it led to. Wes ran his hands up and down her back and nuzzled her temple. His warmth and strength, the steadfastness that made him who he was, seeped into her, filled her. In that instant, Carlie forgave her ex. Holding on to the anger and hurt would only pollute what she had with Wes, and she wouldn’t let that happen.
“Carlie, would you be my date for Cory and Ted’s wedding?” Wes murmured into her ear.
Happiness welled. She had friends in Perfect, the love of a good man, a job she enjoyed, a community and a place to set down roots for her and Tyler. “I’d love to be your date for their wedding.”
“And tonight . . . will you finally move back into our room? Please?”
Another shaky sigh escaped. “I will, yes.”
“Good.” He held her away from him, a lopsided grin on his beloved face. “I could really use a sponge bath about now, Nurse Carlie.”
She blinked at him through her tears. “You just showered.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “But I’m still . . . dirty.”
She laughed, stood and reached out a hand to help him up. Would he always turn her insides to molten lava with just a look? Lord, she hoped so. “Well, then, I just might have to lick you clean.”
“Yes, please. Do that, Nurse Carlie.”
She led him to his room—correction, their room—and stripped him bare, teasing with barely there skin-on-skin brushes. He played the helpless patient while she played the caregiving nurse. She helped him stretch out on their bed, touching and caressing him as she did. Then she stood back and did a little striptease for him.
“You have no idea what you do to me, woman.” His gaze raked over her, leaving her breathless and wanting.
She crawled across the bed to reach him, ran her tongue over one of his nipples and nibbled her way up to his mouth. “Tell me, Wes. What do I do to you?”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her to him and ravaged her mouth with a kiss. When he finally came up for air, he stared into her eyes. “Since the first day I laid eyes on you at the diner, you’ve held the starring role in a whole bunch of sexy dreams—a year and a half’s worth, in fact.” He nuzzled the tender spot behind her ear. “I’ll bet you had no idea, did you?”
She trembled in his arms, overcome with love for her big Marine with his gentle ways and quiet nature. “I didn’t. I thought I was the only one fantasizing about us. Your visits to the diner were the high point of my days, Wes. I’ll bet you had no i
dea, either.” She drew back to study him. “Did you?” She slid her hand down to stroke him, gratified by the sudden intake of his breath.
“Nope. But I like the sound of that.”
“Tell me what you dreamed about, Wes.”
“I’d rather show you.”
He put an end to their conversation as he showed her what she did to him and what she meant to him. Their lovemaking took on a depth and intimacy she’d never before experienced, and she knew she’d cherish these memories for the rest of her life. Opening herself up, she gave him all of her trust and all of her heart. He’d earned them, and deep in her soul she knew their love would only grow stronger with each passing day.
Together, they’d make a lifetime of memories to savor. Wesley was her dream and her greatest fantasy, and she planned to spend the rest of her life showing him just how much she loved him.
The wedding march began, and everyone stood and turned to watch the procession. Carlie had a place of honor in the turn-of-the-century redbrick church. She sat in the front pew next to the bride’s mother, because Wesley would walk Cory down the aisle, and she was his date. A frisson of pleasure at the thought brought a smile to her face.
The bridesmaids appeared. Brenda, the maid of honor, led the way on Noah Langford’s arm. Paige and Ryan were next, and then Ceejay with one of Ted’s brothers. Then the bride appeared, a vision of loveliness in her long white gown and veil. Cory was absolutely luminous and radiating joy.
Everyone’s eyes went to the bride, while Carlie’s were riveted to the handsome man escorting her. She’d never seen him dressed in anything but jeans before, and man, did he wear that charcoal-gray suit well. The red rose pinned to his lapel added just the right touch of dashing elegance. If he ever got tired of being a furniture finisher, he could easily turn to modeling. Carlie’s breath hitched at the sight of him.
The Twisted Road to You (Perfect, Indiana Book 4) Page 26
