by Dace Everan
Sam nodded. The Dom in him screamed out not to leave her alone. This was not how aftercare was. You were to sit and hold your lovely pet and praise her for a job well done, not race to the next floor and fix her a fruity drink to keep her from going into shock. He obviously had to reevaluate her aftercare treatment and adjust himself to leaving her for a moment. Next time he would have to have drinks already made and get what kind of snacks it was she ate.
Paula sipped on the fruity drink. Sam went about the room straightening things out, cleaning off the equipment. She relaxed, releasing a heavy breath, her mind going over what had happened. He had actually put an average-sized dildo in her and it didn’t rip her, didn’t hurt. The bigger one she had wanted more.
Her gaze landed on Sam, watching the muscles in his back flex as he wiped everything down. She could feel her body already taking in the nutrients from the drink he had given her. “What’s in here?” she asked.
Sam glanced back at her. “Special drink, cranberries, blueberries, and a root we use for aches,” he informed her.
Paula furrowed her brows. “You put a medicinal root in here?” she uttered, looking at the drink. Was he not aware how bad that could fuck her up?
Sam crossed to her, feeling her forehead. “Are you feeling bad?” he asked, concerned. The thought that it could hurt her had crossed his mind, but his mother had given it to him growing up. It always took pains away. Any aliment he had, it resolved it.
Paula shook her head. “I feel fine.” She scrunched up her nose, wiggling her ass. No pain. She assessed her whole body. “Good.” She looked at him. “What root?”
Sam shrugged. “Some old native medicine. You know I can’t share that with you.”
Paula slumped. “Your mom gave this to you, then?”
Sam smiled, nodding.
Paula nodded. She would go talk to Silvia, then. She gulped the rest of it back. He took the glass, observing her for a moment. She smiled up into his concerned face. “Feel all better,” she assured him.
He nodded. “You need to let me know the kinds of food you usually eat when you get to feeling like that,” he ordered. She gave him a nod, hugging the blanket around herself. He reached for her, hesitating. He didn’t like not knowing if he could touch her.
Paula nodded at the questioning look in his eyes. She let the blanket fall. She had seen him hold the women he had brought to a state of bliss, knew it was part of what he did. The aftercare was as important as him bringing her to bliss.
Sam pulled her into his arm and rearranged her till she was sitting snuggly in his lap, pressing light kisses over her face.
Paula giggled at the feather-soft kisses. She would unquestionably love aftercare with him.
* * * *
Paula glared at the Keepher brothers. All stood, arms crossed over their massive muscled chests. They had her trapped in the waiting room. Her arms crossed over her heaving breasts, eyes flashing with anger. How dare they corner her! How dare they keep her away from Lila!
Ty chuckled. “Come on, Aunty, let’s go grab a coffee,” he offered.
Paula glared at him. “No. I want to be with your mom,” she whined in a shrill voice. She started pacing again, her anger refueling. Stupid jerk Jared wouldn’t let her go in with Lila! Gave her his Dom look—and she knew it was his Dom look—and ordered her to wait! Motherfucker, when he got out, she was going to kick his ass. Keep her away from Lila! Already she had been kept away from her for the last fucking year.
Kyla hugged her from behind, resting her head on her back.
Paula sighed, relaxing. She turned and hugged Kyla close. “You’re going to lose your stepdad and I’m really sorry about that,” she mumbled.
Kyla laughed. “Are you telling me so I can warn him?”
Paula laughed. “I’m smaller and can run longer, only because I have less weight to haul around. He can run all he wants. I will catch him and kill him for not letting me in there.”
Everyone stood to attention when a nurse burst into the waiting area, a worried look in her face. “Paula?” she asked.
Paula nodded.
“She’s screaming for you, refuses to do anything.”
Paula crossed herself “Thank fuck,” she uttered, kissing Kyla’s forehead. “Be good,” she glanced back at Ty. “You, too!” She used her mother tone that she had developed over the years with the two.
Jared held one hand while Paula held the other, coaching Lila through her breathing, making her look at Jared and focus, with soft encouraging words. She coached Jared on when to offer a drink, when to wipe her sweat-drenched brow. Paula yelled at the nurses when she thought they were not being careful enough, and most importantly, she made sure to take pictures of Lila’s baby girl when they plopped her fresh from the womb onto her belly.
She took a snapshot of Jared and the look of awe on his face. She marvelled at the pride in his eyes as he gazed at his new daughter. The pride in Lila’s that she had been able to give such a beautiful gift to Jared. She then took a picture of Mommy, Daddy, and baby snuggled together. Paula made a mental note to get back in when the kids came in to meet their little sister and take more snapshots.
Jared carried the pink bundle out to the waiting room. Paula offering to stay and make sure they took good care of Lila for him. He did so knowing she would make sure his wife was well taken care of. He had to remember to give the woman a hug after.
Hours later Paula stood in front of the maternity ward window. Little girl Keepher was the only baby in the room. Sam appeared next to her. “Told you it would be a girl,” she whispered.
Sam smiled. “Beautiful girl,” he whispered, peeking at the sleeping bundle. She had lots of hair. “Fur ball,” he mumbled, grinning.
Paula glanced at him. “Jared did well in there. I thought for sure he would faint when he peeked at his daughter coming out. Damn, I saw him sway. I didn’t think that was possible for that man.”
Sam laughed. It was choked. “I suppose he would.” He couldn’t imagine watching a child come into the world, the miracle of it all. “Lila’s good?” he asked. No one had been in her room. Only her kids had gone in.
Paula nodded. “Smiling, wants to hold her baby. The nurses want her to sleep. I think they gave her some meds to knock her out.”
Sam nodded. She had been in labour a long time. He inhaled a heavy breath. He would never have this with Paula. Did he want this with Paula? He furrowed his brows, his heart wrenching. Paula deserved to have a bundle all her own, to bring her own little baby into the world and watch it grow. The lump in his throat grew and he fought the raging emotions whirring through him. That was one thing he could not give her, one thing he could not do to her. Put that pain on her. Risk her life in that manner.
Chapter Fifteen
Paula knocked on the heavy front door. Motherfucker! She was going to kill him! How dare he make her trust him enough to get naked and shove things in her then disappear for a friggen’ week! No calls, no texts! Nothing! He wasn’t allowed to do that.
She banged on the door, her hand screaming out in pain. She growled, turning away from the door and stopping at the sight of the little blonde-haired girl standing at the bottom of the steps. Paula glanced around. Where in the hell did this child come from?
“He’s camping, I think,” the little girl murmured in a soft, squeaky voice.
Paula raised her brow. “How would you know that?” she asked, taking a seat on the steps.
The little one smiled sweetly. “He always brings me treats when I go to the little house. He hasn’t all week…and his truck is gone. He always takes the truck if he’s going camping.”
Paula chuckled. Observant little one. “All right then, I suppose I should stop banging on his door then, eh?”
The little one nodded. “Yes, your hand looks really sore.”
Paula looked down. Eww, nasty blue bruises already discolored her skin and it was swollen. “I should go. Thank you, little one.”
The little girl
smiled and skipped off.
* * * *
Silvia hugged her lightly. “Well, if it isn’t the she-devil on my very own doorstep.” She looked back in the house. “Leon! It’s for you!” she yelled.
Paula giggled, lightly slapping Silvia’s frail arm. “Oh, you shush yourself, Sil. I would never dare touch that sexy man of yours. You would kill me,” she declared, waving at Leon as he carried himself—rather well, for an elderly man—toward her. Paula couldn’t believe how old they were getting.
“And what do we owe the honor, sugar?”
Paula’s insides responded to that single word. She missed Sam. “Well, apparently that one son of yours…you know, the second oldest, the big, mean, jerky one?”
Leon chuckled. Sil closed the door and led them to the kitchen.
“Well, turns out he up and ran off on me. I would like to know why,” she shared.
Sil frowned. “Sam run away from you? Not like him to do that.” She looked at Leon. “What’s up with him?” she demanded.
Leon shrugged. “Hasn’t said anything to me,” he answered honestly.
Paula sighed, taking the cup of tea Sil offered. “Don’t suppose you all know where he goes camping?” she asked, taking a drink of the bitter tea. She tried not to gag.
Leon chuckled at the disgusted look on her face.
Sil smirked. “That will fix what ails you…for a bit,” she offered.
Paula harrumphed. “Your son, where is he? Tell you right now, if I have to hire a detective, I’ll be putting to use my shooting skills.”
Leon chuckled. “Spitfire, up the old fork road, go west on the fork and you’ll see the cabin,”
Paula nodded. “Thank you. That was nice and easy.” She dared take another drink of tea.
Sil rubbed her shoulder. “You will drink it all, sweetie. You don’t and I’ll kick your sweet little ass,” she threatened.
Paula grunted, gulping the drink back. Her eyes watered. Shit, it was really bitter when a person did that.
* * * *
Sam watched her car weave up the long, twisting driveway. How the hell had she found him? Had she actually gone to his parents? They would be the only people to know where he was.
He met her by her car. She sat for a moment and he guessed it was to calm that pissed-off look on her beautiful face. He deserved her anger. He should have let her know he was going away. He justified it with needing time alone.
Seeing little Anne the day she was born had made him think of his own family. Of Paula, and how he loved her. Fucking loved her! He would do anything for her that he could, and it scared the crap out of him.
His parents had prepared him and his brothers and sister for anything life would throw at them. They made sure all their children were strong and able to do whatever it took to face life. His mother had once told him love would sweep him off his feet and knock him on his ass, and he wouldn’t know what the hell had hit him. He was pretty sure he knew what was hitting him now, because yeah, he was down on his ass in the most vulnerable state he had ever been in his life.
Paula stepped out, looking around the area. Lots of trees. She inhaled deeply, her eyes closing. Wood smoke welcomed her with a hint of Sam, evergreens and musky woods. She loved all the smells that assaulted her. She looked at him and pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes on him. She had nothing nice to say right now. She would stay silent. She slammed the car door and headed to the cabin.
Sam raised a brow. She must be really pissed.
Paula looked around the homey-looking cabin. A single bed sat in the corner, neatly made. An inadequate little kitchen. Was that seriously a bowl serving as a sink? She was sure that stove was older than her and oh goodness… It was run by fire. This was not a kitchen she could cook in. A sofa against one wall and a huge stone fireplace.
“The only nice thing here would be the fireplace,” she said, crossing to it, turning her back to the warmth. Middle of friggen’ summer and he had a fire going? But damn, it felt wonderful! Autumn evenings out here would be gorgeous and utterly romantic with this man.
Sam nodded. “Outhouse ain’t bad,” he offered.
Paula’s jaw dropped. He had to be fucking kidding! She would definitely be going home today. No way did she do outhouses.
Sam chuckled at the look of shock on her face. He plopped back on his old couch, legs out in front of him and an arm draped over the back. He waited for her to start yelling, screaming, calling him names. He was sure she had a few good ones lined up for him.
Paula stared at him, smug little bastard, looking way to comfy for her liking. She crossed to him, leaned over, and kissed him on the cheek. “Good to know you’re still alive,” she whispered, standing and heading for the front door.
Sam sat shocked. What the fuck? He scrambled to his feet to follow. He was on the bottom step when her car started. She smiled, gave a small wave, and drove away.
* * * *
Jared held his daughter in the crook of his arm, glancing up at the heated discussion Lila and Paula were having. He hadn’t expected her to show up, not at this hour. It was near eleven at night. Lila had assured her she wasn’t keeping them up, which she wasn’t. Little Anne always fed at eleven-thirty.
“Jared, you ever think to leave for some alone man-time, you had better let Lila know! Fucking hunt you down and kill you!” she uttered. It irked the ever-loving hell out of her that Sam thought to leave her just hanging, but she couldn’t hate him. She understood the need to be alone and to think. Now it was her turn to carry it out!
A whole fucking month and she was getting quite irate with herself. Her inner stubborn bitch was not budging on his move last month. Any sane woman would have moved on! Obviously, she was not sane! Of course she wasn’t. She was in love with the oaf! And now her ego was bruised and there was no way she was going to give in!
Anne jerked in his arms, face scrunching at the threatening voice.
Paula sighed, crossing to him, kissing little Anne’s forehead. “Sorry, sweetie. Forgot no loud, booming voice yet with you,” she purred, returning to Lila.
Lila sighed. “Come on, Paula, you can’t be mad forever.”
Paula shot her a disgruntled look. “Not going to be mad forever!”
Lila snorted. “He’s been back for like a month now. You keep on ignoring him.”
Paula shrugged. “I told him to leave me alone, that I needed my time now.”
Jared chuckled. Sam had no idea what he had gotten himself into. Paula was one stubborn, irrational woman, the perfect mate for his brother.
Paula glared at him. “‘Kay, I’m going to leave now. Your precious husband is the closest I’ve gotten to a Keepher boy in the last week and he’s looking rather…like a giant bull’s-eye,” she finished.
Lila giggled. “Oh, come on, Paula. Go home, get some sleep. Call Sam tomorrow, give him what he deserves, and get on with it,” she advised, covering the yawn, looking at Anne. “She had better sleep at least a few hours.” She had forgotten how tiring the beginning was with these precious little gifts.
Paula sighed. “Fine.” She hugged Lila, crossing back to Jared and Anne. “You look handsome with her in your arms,” she praised, kissing Anne’s chubby cheek, touching her hair. “Maybe next time I’ll hold you, little one.”
Jared smiled. Paula was scared to hold the little one. She hadn’t once attempted to pick her up. “You want me to kick his ass for you, Paula?” he asked.
Paula chuckled. “Yeah, I do, but your mother would find out I made brothers fight and kill my ass,” she replied.
* * * *
Sam looked around the dark room. Her bed was empty. Her car was out front. Where the hell was she? He went back downstairs and went to her other room. A shiver crept down his back. He didn’t like this room. The dim light stopped him.
Blain’s head popped up, surprise on his face at the sight of Sam. “What the hell?” Blain uttered. Was he seeing things? What…how the hell had Sam gotten in here? He hadn’t heard the
door.
Sam looked at the hospital bed. Paula lay asleep, an intravenous hook to her left hand. “What happened?” he asked, voice choking at the sight of her.
Blain cleared his throat. “She was out at Jared’s the other night, hit a deer on the way home. She managed to fumble with her cell. I got her call and went in search of her.”
Sam paled. She had been stuck all by herself, hurt and alone! This was his fault. He knew it was his fault, had to be. Why else would she have gone to Jared’s?
Blain stood and stretched. “Wanna sit for a while? I’ve been up for three days now.”
Sam nodded, crossing to the chair Blain had occupied. He was never going to leave her side again.
* * * *
Paula groaned when she woke, eyes blinking in confusion. Her mouth opened and a scream pealed from her. Her hand grasped her chest and she inhaled sharply.
Sam bolted up and, in seconds, had her hand clasped in his. “Paula, hon, right here,” he soothed.
Paula sobbed, shaking her head. Why was she always ending up in this stupid room and him being here? Her eyes searched the room frantically. Her dad had been here. Where was he? Why would he leave her?
Sam shushed her softly. “Your dad’s sleeping,” he assured her.
Paula shook her head, mouth too dry to speak.
Sam reached above her for her water, slipping the straw between her parched lips. “Drink slow,” he ordered. She did, cringing. Sam caressed her forehead. She flinched and he took his hand away.
Paula pulled away from the cup and straw, wincing. She relaxed, assessing her pain. Her chest hurt, her arms hurt. She looked around the room, at the IV. “How long?” she croaked.
“Four days now,” he whispered, setting the glass down, pulling the chair closer, sitting next to her.
“What happened?”
“You hit a deer on the way home from Jared and Lila’s.”
