A Heart to Call Home

by Amanda Torrey

  Rogan assisted her in getting into the chair, though she kept swatting his hands away.

  “You were more pleasant when you were in shock.”

  “Keep it up and I’ll dock your pay.”

  “I’m not an hourly employee.”

  She clamped her jaw tighter than a vise.

  “I’ll take her from here. Thank you.” Rogan shook hands with the guy, then began pushing the wheelchair toward the parking lot before she could stand.

  “Good luck,” the young man said as he walked away, whistling.

  Reed gave the hospital employee the evil eye as he retreated, then turned it to Rogan.

  “I can walk.”

  “Yup. Save it for walking to your front door.”

  “I have so much work to do.”

  “You can do that when you’re better.”

  “I am better.”

  “Mmhmm.”

  The ride home was silent. She didn’t put up a fight when he helped her out of the SUV and up her front steps.

  “Do you want to rest in the bed or on the chair?”

  “Thank you for helping me get home and for telling the gatekeeper that you’d look out for me, but I’m all set now. You can get back to work.”

  “Not so fast, boss.”

  “I hate when you call me that.”

  “You don’t want to know the other names that are going through my head right now.”

  He had been kidding, but the sudden sadness in her eyes made him wish he could take back his cruel words.

  So the lady was vulnerable after all.

  “I’m sorry. I’m kidding. Come on, I’ll get you a fresh ice pack. Let’s get you into bed. You look tired.”

  “It’s the middle of the day.”

  “Yup, and you win a day off for all your trouble.”

  “I don’t take days off.” Though her words were strong, her voice was weakening.

  “Okay, CEO. How about we make a deal? You take a few hours to rest, and I’ll work late tonight to get extra done.”

  He could tell she was reluctant to agree, but the pain in her head must have caused her to finally relent.

  She nodded weakly.

  “I have to take care of those violations before the town comes for my property.”

  He helped her into bed, removing her shoes and trying to resist the urge to run his hands up her smooth calves. If he could trust himself to be a gentleman, he’d remove her clothes so she’d be comfortable. The sparring and the glimpses of her vulnerability, not to mention his budding curiosity at what made her the woman she was, had turned him on more than he cared to admit, so he decided the smarter choice was to back off and cover her to her neck with the floral comforter.

  “Thank you, Rogan.”

  Her eyes grew cloudy, dazed.

  “Can you—never mind.”

  “What? What do you need?” he asked.

  She rolled over, tucked her hands under her chin, and closed her eyes.

  “I’ll check on you in a bit.”

  Rogan leaned against the door frame, watching her breathing even out as she drifted off to sleep.

  With her face and posture relaxed, she looked younger. Innocent. Sweet, even.

  He smiled and went back to work, but the worry refused to let up.

  ***

  Rogan searched the kitchen cabinets for something to make for Reed. He found a box of whole wheat crackers, sliced up cheese he pulled from the fridge, and boiled water for chamomile tea. Assembling it all on a tray he found in the pantry (after scrubbing it free of dust), he delivered the snack to Reed’s room.

  He placed the tray on the end table and sat on the bed, gently rubbing her shoulders to wake her. She had slept soundly for a few hours, and he wanted to make sure she was okay.

  Her eyes drifted open and a smile filled her face.

  With her hair ruffled and the cloud of sleep enveloping her, she was adorable.

  “I know you.” Her voice, husky and playful, surprised him.

  “Yes. Yes you do.” He cleared his throat. “I brought you tea.”

  “You’re wonderful.”

  He should have studied the hospital papers to see if personality changes went along with concussions. She sounded like an entirely different person.

  “You’re concussed. Here, I’ll help you sit up. Slowly, Reed.”

  He assisted her up and helped her swing her feet to the floor.

  “There you go.”

  “I’m not an invalid, Rogan.” She paused and leaned forward. “I’m a woman.”

  He stopped and stared into her eyes. She was sending beacons of invitation. And he wanted to accept.

  Her head really got screwed up. Somehow his did, too.

  Hands suddenly shaking, he gestured to the tray of food.

  “Tea. Have some.”

  He excused himself and bolted from the room before he gave in to her nonverbal requests.

  Moments later, as he busied himself with cleaning up the crumbs he had left behind on the kitchen counters, Reed came stumbling into the room.

  She moved toward him slowly but intentionally.

  “Feeling better?”

  “I am.”

  “You look,” he gulped, “good.”

  “Do I?”

  He nodded, knowing he should stop watching the way her hips swayed as she walked. Knowing she was injured and possibly brain damaged. Knowing she was his client, his boss, and that he needed this job.

  Knowing that if he didn’t have her, he’d go insane.

  What the bloody hell?

  “Rogan.”

  She put her hand on his arm, branding him with her touch.

  “Need an ice pack?”

  “No.” Her finger swirled on his forearm, then tiptoed over his bicep to his chest, leaving a tingling trail in its wake.

  He stepped back, banging into the counter and becoming a prisoner.

  “Hey, boss. Are you seducing me?”

  “Am I?” She positioned herself so her hips aligned with his. He gripped the counter with his hands, though they itched to touch her, to pull her closer.

  Treacherous path. Dangerous liaison.

  Her hands moved to wrap around his neck. Her lips formed a seductive pout.

  Shit.

  His head leaned down against his will.

  Fireworks erupted behind his eyes when their lips melded together. His blood burned.

  Hot damn. His CEO was an arsonist.

  Her kiss was intense, demanding. Her hands urgently worked through his hair, pulling him closer.

  He growled and spun her around, pressing her backside to the counter as he became the aggressor.

  Lost in her kiss, her grinding, her moans, he almost didn’t notice her trying to push him away.

  With more force, she shoved him, breaking the spell. She rushed to the trash barrel and began heaving into it.

  He held her hair back, wishing her current activity would kill the feelings she had evoked in him.

  “I’m sorry.” She accepted the towel he handed to her and wiped her mouth. “I’m really sorry.”

  He kissed the top of her head and led her back to her bed, where he tucked her in and closed the door firmly behind him.

  Chapter Six

  “Good morning, sunshine.”

  Rogan laughed when Reed jumped. She had stumbled out to the front porch and hadn’t noticed him sitting on the chair, coffee cup in hand. The night had been long, but there was no place for him to sleep, and he couldn’t leave her unattended.

  His kids had stopped by last night with his mother to give him hugs and kisses. They had made pictures for him to give to Reed, but he figured he’d wait to give them to her until later. He wasn’t sure how well she’d receive such things.

  “What are you doing here so early? The sun is barely over the horizon.” She sounded breathless.

  “Someone had to watch over you.”

  He imagined daggers being flung from her narrowed, fiery eyes. So
much for being appreciated.

  He smiled.

  This was fun.

  “You were not supposed to stay all night. You told the hospital that as a formality.”

  “I take my jobs very seriously.”

  She hmmphed at him, then stormed into the house.

  “If you don’t mind, boss, since you seem to be feeling better, I think I’ll run home and grab a quick shower. Need anything on my way back?”

  She looked him up and down with scorn on her face.

  “I’m fine.” Clipped, curt, fully the CEO again. “And I’ve asked you numerous times not to call me that.”

  “If you say so.” He shrugged and finished drinking his coffee. He set the mug on the counter. “I’ll be back for that.”

  He felt her eyes on him as he walked toward the door.

  The desire to taunt her a little overwhelmed him. He paused in the doorway and smiled at her.

  “You know, boss, I mean, Reed, you were much more appreciative of my services last night.”

  She knew to what he was referring. He could tell by the way her eyelashes fluttered and she avoided eye contact. A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, too, though all of her embarrassment vanished as quickly as it had appeared. She pulled herself together quicker than he could blink, looked him dead in the eye, raised her eyebrows, and didn’t say a word.

  Her nonverbal dare was one he couldn’t resist.

  “You know what I’m talking about.”

  She straightened her shoulders and looked every bit the queen. Maybe he should buy her a crown to complete the look.

  “I’m thankful you helped me get home. I apologize if I didn’t say that before.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Without thinking, he stepped toward her. Her pupils dilated, but she didn’t flinch.

  His mouth began to salivate as he recalled their kiss.

  Her passion.

  No fucking way would he let her pretend it didn’t happen.

  “You’re playing a dangerous game, Reed.”

  Her gaze darted over his shoulder before settling back on his face, seemingly undaunted. He could smell her fear, though, her insecurity. It was there, though she tried desperately to hide it.

  “There’s no game here,” she replied, a nervous tongue flicking out over her bottom lip.

  She didn’t back away when he closed the distance between them. Toe to toe with her, he straightened to his full height. She looked up at him ever-so-slightly.

  He leaned toward her as if to kiss her. Her eyes drifted closed. Her mouth parted slightly.

  He resisted the urge to give her what they both wanted.

  Instead, his mouth moved to her ear, where he whispered, “You remember.”

  She visibly trembled. He pulled away, working hard to hide his limp and catch his breath as he walked away.

  ***

  An hour later, on the dot, Rogan’s annoyingly loud SUV pulled in. She put the finishing touches on her make-up and straightened her blouse, trying to remind herself that she didn’t care two bits what he thought of her. This was her regular daily routine, and make-up and nice clothes made her feel good about herself.

  She planned to pretend not to notice Rogan and let him get straight to work, but two of his kids came running ahead of him, a gift box in hand.

  “Hello, little Douglas children. Nice to see you again.”

  “Daddy wanted to bring you a present!” The blonde-haired little cherub held out a sloppily wrapped box.

  Reed took it from her hands with an uncomfortable smile.

  “Why do I get a present?”

  “Cuz you bumped your head!”

  “I didn’t know that was a special occasion.”

  Rogan caught up and rubbed the little girl’s head. He put his other hand on the older boy’s shoulders.

  “They insisted on checking on you.”

  “Where’s the baby? And the others?”

  “Dylan’s in the car finishing a game on his iPod. The baby and the four-year-old stayed home with grandma. These guys are my little caretakers. They wouldn’t take my word that you were okay.”

  “We didn’t want you to be hurted.” The little girl’s soulful eyes widened in concern.

  Reed’s icy heart cracked.

  “Can I look for more frogs?” the boy asked.

  “Only if you promise not to bring them near me.” Reed used her sternest voice. The boy nodded in agreement. “Since I suppose we are to be friends, we should probably introduce ourselves.”

  The kids nodded.

  “My name is Reed. And you are…”

  “I’m Matthew. I’m seven. Almost eight.”

  “Not for another nine months, kid.” Rogan laughed.

  “This is my little sister, Sophia. She’s five. But everyone thinks she’s a boy with long hair.”

  “That’s not nice, Matty.” Sophia stuck her tongue out at her brother.

  “It’s because you wear all boy clothes with dinosaurs and stuff. If you want to look like a girl, you should wear the pink princess stuff Nana gets you.”

  “I don’t like princesses.” Sophia crossed her arms over her chest. “Dinosaurs are better.”

  “I agree with you, Sophia. Dinosaurs are cool. And not every girl has to like princesses.”

  Sophia grinned.

  “Yeah, but she plays in the dirt like a boy, too.”

  Reed sat on the step, clutching the gift box to her belly. She hadn’t been around many children and didn’t know exactly how to handle this situation. Gender issues were dear to her heart, and if Rogan wouldn’t say something, she would.

  “Matt, lay off your sister. She’s perfect the way she is.” Rogan piped up.

  “Besides, everyone likes dirt, right?” Reed cringed inwardly, but kept a straight face as she took Sophia’s side. She didn’t particularly care for dirt. Or disorder. But if the little girl liked it, more power to her. “There aren’t really any boy or girl things, you know. That’s just what society wants you to believe.”

  “Nuh uh. Boys don’t play with dolls.” Matthew jutted his chin into the air.

  “Some boys do. And there’s nothing wrong with that.” Reed said.

  Matthew considered his argument for a moment, then decided to change course.

  “You should open your present.”

  She did as requested, smiling and rolling her eyes when she pulled the helmet out of the box.

  She glared at Rogan, who had a face-swallowing smile plastered on.

  “Very funny.”

  “You’re always supposed to wear a helmet, you know.” Matt shared. “Why didn’t you? That’s why you got a big bump.”

  “Obviously you are much smarter than I am. Now I guess I’ll be prepared. Not that I’ll probably attempt that foolishness again…”

  “I always wear a helmet, too!” Sophia smiled. “Am I smarter than you?”

  Reed tickled the girl’s belly.

  “I guess you are!”

  “C’mon. Let’s get frogs!”

  Sophia ran to catch up with Matt. Rogan continued to stare at Reed, making her wonder if her make-up had smeared or something.

  “Thanks for the helmet. Cute.”

  “Why’d you try to ride that thing, anyway?” He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the railing, looking very much like his kids. “Doesn’t seem like something you’d do.”

  “Oh, you know me so well, huh?” She smiled to soften the harshness of the words.

  “I think I’ve got you pegged for a certain type.”

  “Oh yeah? And what would that type be?”

  “I’d tell you, but I don’t want to lose my job.”

  Reed sighed.

  “It’s okay. I know how people see me. Anyway, my reasoning is pretty silly. I’m trying to change my type. New start, yada, yada. Figured I’d try something new. If the driveway had been smooth, I think I could have
done it.”

  He nodded, chewing on the inside of his lip as though he were considering something. “You’re not used to failing.”

  “I never fail.” She stood up, brushing off the seat of her pants with her free hand.

  “I don’t know if people can change their types.” Rogan leaned against the railing, distracting her with his bulging bicep.

  She straightened her back. She had faced doubters of every size. She had proved them all wrong in the business world, and she’d prove him wrong, too.

  “You’ll see.” She winked and opened the screen door. “I can do anything.”

  She closed the screen door, but turned back at the sound of his voice.

  “It means a lot to you, huh? Learning how to skateboard?”

  “I wouldn’t say that. It was just something I thought I’d try.”

  “I’ll teach you.”

  His voice was serious, and she didn’t want to laugh at him, but how the heck would he teach her with his leg injured?

  “Don’t look so doubtful. I was once a very experienced skateboarder.”

  “Was that around the time dinosaurs walked the Earth?” she joked. He didn’t look amused. “Seriously, though. I can learn on my own. Especially now that I’ll be protected.”

  She held the helmet up as a reminder.

  “Don’t let this limp of mine fool you. Like you, there’s nothing I can’t do.”

  She had wounded his pride.

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “Then you agree to allow me to give you lessons?”

  “If it means that much to you, then fine.”

  His smile made his eyes twinkle, and she realized immediately that she had been conned.

  “You’re an ass.”

  “You’re easy to manipulate.”

  “Not usually.” She said. “I guess you’re just that good.”

  “You bet your ass I am.”

  Was this what flirting was like? She didn’t have a ton of experience. She hadn’t dated much in high school or college. Her failed marriage had been sort of a whirlwind attempt at finding life outside of work. The experiment hadn’t gone as well as she had thought it should.

  She had read about these feelings—the bouncy feeling in her belly, the rush of excitement to her feminine areas, the swelling of her breasts, the urge to be near him even when he drove her crazy.