by Francis Ray
“No,” she said, and waited until he lifted his eyes to hers. “But nothing could burn as much as the need to have your hands on me.”
In the blink of an eye, his body changed. Frank desire stared at her, his breathing accelerated. His hands softened; then he lifted them to tenderly cup her cheek. The pad of his thumb grazed her trembling lip.
She bit.
Air hissed through his teeth as he sucked in a breath. With a quick fierceness that might have startled her if she hadn’t wanted him so badly, he pulled her into his arms, his mouth replacing his thumb, his tongue thrusting into her mouth, plundering, taking, giving. Celeste grabbed a fistful of his hair and held on, riding, feeding the storm of the kiss.
She felt his calloused hand on her waist, gliding up to close over her breast that had begun to feel heavy, to ache. She burned with the heat of desire.
Suddenly he released her. She cried out in protest until she realized he’d done it so he could jerk her knit top over her head. Her bra dropped to the floor. His breath gushed through his slightly parted lips as he stared as if mesmerized at her.
A man had never seen her before. Instinctively she crossed her hands over her breasts.
“Please, no,” he said, the words guttural. He moved her arms aside, then brushed the backs of his hands across each nipple. She shuddered. “Exquisite.”
Unable to breathe, she watched him slowly lower his head toward her nipple. The heat of his breath, then the moisture of his mouth, the gentle clamp of his teeth, the swirl of his tongue against the turgid point, caused her knees to give way.
He caught her to him. “You’re the most perfect thing I’ve ever seen.” Picking her up, he started out of the kitchen.
She knew what he searched for. “Last door on the right.”
In her bedroom, he didn’t put her down until he’d tumbled with her into the unmade bed. She wanted to feel him against her. Grabbing the hem of his shirt, she pulled it over his head just before his mouth took hers again.
The assault of the glorious weight of him, the heat of his skin, the drugging taste of his kiss, filled her with a consuming desire. She wanted, ached.
His hand swept under the short skirt, on the inside of her thigh until it reached the junction of her legs. She moaned when he cupped her woman’s softness, trembled like a widetossed leaf.
With trembling hands, she fumbled to unbuckle his belt, and became frustrated when she couldn’t undo the thing. He took over, easily doing what she couldn’t. It had required him to remove his hands from her, but when she felt the full naked length of him on her, pinning her to the mattress, she counted the cost worth it.
He stared down at her, his beautiful midnight eyes glazed with desire. “I want you, need you.”
Tenderness and love welled inside her. “I’m yours.”
His mouth claimed her, fierce and tender at once. His calloused hand palmed her breast. Her body was on fire. She squirmed against him, held him tightly to her.
His hand swept down her stomach; his fingers lifted her thong, finding her damp and needy. Moaning, she arched into him as intense pleasure spiraled through her. The lazy sweep of his tongue matched the motion of his fingers.
His mouth moved to the curve of her cheek, her ear, unleashing a new stream of need. “I want to be inside you more than my next breath.”
Celeste moaned again, wanting the same with each quaking breath. He slipped her thong from her. Gloriously male, he towered over her. “I can’t wait.” The urgency of his voice caused her to shiver anew.
His mouth lowered to begin a maddening foray over her heated body. A nip here, a swirl of his tongue there, a suckle here, until she quivered with need.
She was dimly aware of him putting on a condom; then above her again, he began to ease into her. The fit was tight, but her desire eased his entry until he filled her. Her arms held him tightly, as she knew that he’d shown considerable restraint and care of her. The slight pain had been worth this. She wanted more.
She arched her hips. Alec answered. He kissed the side of her neck and began to move, slowly at first, then faster. She was caught up in a frenzy of ecstasy with Alec. She let herself go, tumbling, reaching. When she fell, Alec was there with her.
NINETEEN
Gina was five minutes from her home when her cell phone rang. She picked it up from the console and flipped it on. “Rawlings Travel Agency, carefree travel for a carefree vacation.”
“Gina Rawlings, please.”
“This is she,” Gina answered, turning into her street.
“This is Nurse Radford calling from Mercy Hospital.”
“What?” Gina’s euphoria evaporated.
“Robert Rawlings was brought by ambulance to Mercy Hospital’s emergency room this morning. He asked that you be notified.”
Gina threw a quick look at Gabrielle in the passenger seat. “What’s wrong with him? What happened?”
“All I can say is that it’s serious but not life threatening. The doctor will tell you more when you get here. Good-bye.”
Gina hung up, then pulled over to the curb and shut off the motor. “Your father is all right, but he’s in the hospital.”
Gina didn’t want to be in the emergency room searching for Robert. He had no part in her life, but she only had to look at the frightened faces of her children to know the connection would always be there even if he ignored it.
“I don’t see Daddy,” Gabrielle said, her hand clasped tightly with her brother’s.
“He’s probably in a room.” Gina went to the busy desk, waiting behind an elderly woman in a wheelchair until it was her turn. “I’m looking for Robert Rawlings. I was contacted by a nurse who said that an ambulance had brought him here.”
The heavyset African-American woman glanced down at a clipboard in front of her. “Cubicle Ten through that door.” She inclined her head and slapped a name tag that said “Visitor” on the counter. “Return it when you leave. I’ll buzz you through to the door on the right.”
“Thank you.” Gina went back to the children, their eyes wide and frightened. “I’m going back to see your father.”
“I want to go.”
“Me, too.”
She wasn’t letting them see their father until she learned how badly he was hurt. “I know. I’ll just go back and see how he’s doing. Gabrielle, take care of your brother.”
She nodded, her arm going around his trembling shoulders. “You’ll tell Daddy we’re here.”
“Yes.” Her fingers unsteady, she ran her hand over Gabrielle’s head, touched Ashton’s damp cheek. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Wishing she didn’t have to leave them alone, she went back to the patient cubicles. Various moans, soft conversation, and loud laughter came from behind curtained walls. Those less fortunate were on stretchers in the hallway. She heard Robert’s curse before she located his cubicle.
Unsure of what she’d find, she eased back the curtain.
“My leg is killing me. I want something for pain,” he demanded. His elbows dug into the mattress, he tried to raise himself up. His left leg, propped on two pillows, was bruised and swollen from the knee to his ankle.
“We can’t give you any more medication at the moment,” a robust redhead in a scrub uniform said. “Your leg is broken. We’re going to put on a soft cast.”
“Dammit, I want a pain shot!”
“Robert,” Gina said, stepping farther into the room. “How did this happen?”
“That’s a stupid question even for you, Gina,” he spat. “It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I’m in pain.”
Chastised in front of the woman, Gina said, “Then I won’t stay. Gabrielle and Ashton wanted you to know that they’re here.”
“Go. You’re useless anyway,” he snarled. “My leg hurts like a bitch.”
Gina had a perverse urge to bump the bed as she turned to leave. Common sense prevailed and she went back to the waiting room. Gabrielle and Ashton were huddled on a leather sofa looking l
ost and afraid. She quickly went to them. “Your father broke his leg. They’re going to put on a cast.”
“Karin in my class broke his leg. We all got to write on the cast,” Ashton said.
“Daddy is going to have a cast, too,” Gina said. “He’s going to be fine.”
“You’re sure?” Gabrielle asked, her lips trembling, her eyes filled with tears.
Sitting beside Ashton, Gina reached past her son and hugged her daughter. “I wouldn’t lie to you. I tell you what. Why don’t we find the vending machine to get you something to eat?”
“What if Daddy needs us?” Gabrielle asked.
If only her father was as concerned about her. “I’ll tell the receptionist where to find us.” Standing, Gina started toward the desk. Her cell phone rang. Reaching inside, she got in line again to speak with the busy receptionist. “Hello.”
“I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Max.” Her voice trembled.
“What is it?” he asked sharply. “Are you and the children all right?”
His first thought had been for them. She had finally gotten it right. “Robert broke his leg and is in the emergency room.
We’re here now.”
“Which hospital?”
“Mercy.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Don’t worry. Bye.”
Gina slipped the phone back in her purse. “Max is coming, but we have time to get you something to eat at least.”
“I’d rather stay here in case Daddy needs us,” Gabrielle said. “You can go.”
Gina brushed her hand over her daughter’s hair. She deserved a father who loved her and put her first. “I don’t want to leave you.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, but her lower lip trembled.
“We’ll all wait.” She led them to a seat in the waiting room with a clear view of the sliding glass door of the entrance. “When Max gets here he can take Ashton to get a bite to eat.”
“You think Daddy’s hungry?” Ashton asked in a soft whisper.
“No, sweetheart, he’s not.” She pulled him into her lap. “He’s not hungry at all.” What he is, is selfish.
Fifteen minutes later the steel double doors leading back to the cubicles swung wide. A slender black man in green scrubs came around the corner pushing Robert, his left leg extended on the raised footplate of a wheelchair.
Gabrielle jumped up and ran to him, stopping by his side, tears in her eyes. “I was scared.”
“Your father is going to be fine,” Gina said, unsure whether Robert remained in a surly mood. He grimaced in pain, his left hand clutching his upper thigh.
Awkwardly Robert patted her hand. “I’m hurting now. I just want to go to bed and take another pain pill.”
“Are you the family?” asked the man standing behind the wheelchair.
“Yes,” Robert answered before Gina could say otherwise.
“I’m Nurse Harris.” He handed her a sheet and a prescription. “Mr. Rawlings fractured his left tibia. He’ll be in the soft cast until the swelling goes down enough for a permanent cast. Keep the leg elevated as much as possible. He has an appointment to see the orthopedic doctor again Friday.” He handed Gina a pair of crutches.
“Whoa. Wait a minute.” Gina held up her hands, not taking the crutches. “You should be talking to someone else. We’re divorced.”
Nurse Harris silently stared at Robert.
“We’ve onyly been divorced a short time.” Robert briefly shut his eyes. “I can’t believe you’d be so petty as to refuse me coming home when I’m in such pain.”
“You can’t come home with me,” Gina said, aware they were drawing attention and not caring.
“Mama, you have to let him come home!” Gabrielle wailed, her voice carry ing, tears running down her cheeks.
“I’ll help, Mama,” Ashton said.
Despite the pain Robert said he was experiencing, he looked smug. “At least my children have compassion.”
Gina gritted her teeth. She’d never wanted to do bodily harm so badly to any person as she did now to Robert. He was using the children, but she wasn’t letting him get away with it. “More than you have.”
Her words wiped the smugness from his face, but her children stared at her, their hearts in their eyes. This couldn’t be happening; then she saw the entrance door open and Max was there.
“Max,” she breathed the word, but he heard her and quickly came to her side. He threw a glance at Robert. “Hi, Gina. Hi, partner, Gabrielle.”
“What are you doing here?” Robert asked, his voice surprisingly strong for a man in pain.
“Gina needed me,” Max said, curving his arm around her shoulder.
“We don’t need you,” Robert said hotly. “Or is he the reason you don’t want me back?”
“You left—”
“Gina,” Max said softly.
With difficulty, Gina reined in her temper. “There must be someone else you can call.”
Robert bowed from the waist and put his face in his cupped hands. “I’m in so much pain, I can’t think.”
“Mama, please let him stay,” Gabrielle pleaded. “I’ll take care of him. I’ve been doing good with my chores.”
“Mama.” Ashton edged closer to his father. “I’ll help you, Daddy.”
Gabrielle swiped tears from her eyes. “I can go stay with you, Daddy, and help take care of you.”
“No!” Gina shouted, feeling the situation slipping out of her hands. “You can come back, just until we figure out an alternative.”
Robert lifted his face, reached for Gabrielle’s hand, and put his arm around Ashton’s shoulder. “I knew I could count on my children. You haven’t turned your backs on me.”
“We love you, Daddy,” Gabrielle said, clutching her father’s hand.
Gina was trapped unless she wanted her budding relationship with Gabrielle to take a nosedive. In Gina’s presence Robert had never held Gabrielle’s hand or hugged Ashton before. He was playing this for all that it was worth. “My car is parked out front.”
By the time Gina pulled into her driveway she wanted to stuff a sock in Robert’s mouth. He complained constantly—she stopped too quickly, hit every bump in the road, turned a curve too quickly. It wasn’t any better by the time she and Max managed to get him inside and on the sofa.
“I need a drink.”
“I’ll get it, Daddy.” Gabrielle and Ashton both took off for the kitchen.
“You can go now.” Robert glared up at Max.
Max turned to Gina. “Have you and the children eaten yet?”
“Didn’t you hear me?” Robert snapped.
Gina had had enough. She leaned down to within an inch of his face. “This is my house. Max is an invited guest. If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to leave.”
“Here you are, Daddy.” Gabrielle handed him a glass of water. “Ashton has iced tea.”
Robert’s lips pressed together in a hard line. Gina didn’t know if it was because he wanted alcohol or because of what she’d said; she didn’t care. “That was nice of them to think of giving you a choice, wasn’t it, Robert?”
He traded glares with her and Max before taking the tea Ashton held and took a sip. “I want to go to bed.”
Gina’s gaze snapped to Max. His jaw clenched, but he remained silent. “Gabrielle, could you start fixing sandwiches for lunch? Ashton, please help.”
“I want to stay,” Gabrielle said, stepping closer to her father.
Patience, Gina reminded herself. “I know, but we have to eat. You said you’d help if he came here. That means doing what I tell you the first time.”
She didn’t move.
“I could use some food,” Robert whispered.
Gabrielle took off with Ashton on her heels. Robert folded his arms, a little smile on his lips.
Gina planned to wipe it off. “You’re in your bed.”
“What!” He jerked, then grimaced. “You can’t be serious.”
“I
am.” Gina glanced toward the kitchen. “Surely you didn’t think I’d give up my bed for you.”
Robert shot a defiant look at Max. “You wouldn’t have to give it up.”
Gina gasped. Max clenched his fists. “This sofa makes into a bed. You’re not that far from the half bath off the kitchen. If this isn’t agreeable—” She picked up the phone on the end table and held it out to him. “You can call someone else.”
“I never thought you could be so mean.” His head fell forward until his chin touched his chest.
She replaced the phone. “You know what, Robert? I really don’t care what you think. If it weren’t for Gabrielle and Ash-ton, you wouldn’t be here.”
“What about my prescription?” Robert lifted his head and moaned loudly. “I need my medicine.”
“I’ll go,” Max said.
Gina held out her hand to her ex. “Your credit card and insurance card.”
Robert picked up the plastic bag the hospital had put his tennis shoes and socks in, took out his billfold, and extended the cards to Max. “Just my medicine.”
Taking the cards, Max faced Gina. “You need anything?”
“No. I’m glad you’re here.”
He reached out his hand toward her face, only to let it fall before making contact. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Robert waited until the front door closed. “Be careful, Gina. Men can be users.”
She fixed him with a hard gaze. “That’s one of many lessons you taught me that I don’t plan to forget.” Leaving him with his mouth open, she went into the kitchen.
Max had met few people as selfish and manipulative as Robert Rawlings. Gina’s ex alternated between complaining, having Gabrielle and Ashton wait on him, and shooting Max killer looks. It might be un-Christian, but Max wanted him gone. He said as much when Gina walked him to the door and they stepped outside later that evening.
She shook her head. “You can’t want him gone any more than I do, but you see how Ashton and Gabrielle are worried about him, can’t do enough for him. He might not have been there for them, but they’re going to be there for him.”
