“Kyle, what are you doing to me?” she whimpered as he slid a finger between her folds, finding her wet and needy for him.
“Making you mine, like I should have a long time ago.” His cock pressed hard against her stomach. “I need to be inside you. I’ve waited long enough.”
“Please, I need you so badly.” Steph whimpered, her nails clawing at the muscles of his shoulders.
“Not yet, beautiful girl. I have a little more pleasure planned for you first.” His words were filled with sensual promise.
She moaned beneath him as he slid one finger, then two inside her, slowly finding her g-spot, while working her body into a lustful frenzy of emotion and sensation. His lips left hers to trail down to her breasts, while his fingers slid in and out of her, dancing her closer to her climactic peak.
He enjoyed every sound, every shiver, every muscle twitch as she writhed and pushed against his fingers. His thumb zeroed in on the nub of her clitoris, making her dance in ecstasy for him. Her hands left his shoulders and clutched at his ass. His lips found the hardened buds of her nipples, and he alternated licking and sucking each of them.
Steph gasped, moaned, and cried out as she shuddered against his fingers, wet with her sex. He eased them slowly from her, and placed them to his lips, tasting her as she watched. Kyle licked his lips clean and smiled. He reached for his wallet and withdrew a foil-wrapped package.
“Kyle, please. I need you inside me.”
He rolled on the condom and positioned himself over her. He pushed her legs apart and aligned the head of his cock with her entrance.
“This is going to be hard and fast, honey. I need you like I need air. Let me know if you need me to slow down.” His eyes glistened, showing her his ultimate need to be balls-deep inside her.
She nodded, and Kyle thrust himself inside her. He hissed with pleasure as her tightness stretched around him.
“Oh, God,” she gasped, as he began to move inside her.
““Kyle” usually works, too,” he grunted with a cheeky grin as he picked up the pace.
Steph gripped his shoulders, holding on while he moved hard and fast, just like he’d promised. His hips thrust against hers, the bed rocking and shifting slightly with each movement until it had come away from the wall. Steph lifted her hips to meet him thrust for thrust, her gasping moans becoming cries of sweet, delicious bliss as she felt herself come undone beneath her former friend, now lover.
****
As she felt Kyle’s body respond, racing toward his own climax, she realized she had found what had been missing in her life. He moaned her name as he reached the peak of satisfaction. She milked him of every drop of his release. He fell beside her, sated. His body dripped with sweat, his breathing hard and fast as he lay sucking in air, matching her own panting breaths. Steph knew without a doubt, this was where she wanted to be, this was who she was meant to be with. Kyle was the man she was destined for.
“I love you, Steph,” Kyle turned his head to her. He folded her into his arms and she melted against him. “I always have.”
“I love you, too, Kyle. I wanted to tell you years ago, but I was afraid you didn’t feel the same way, then you left.”
“You are perfect for me. I wish you had said something before…” Kyle placed his fingers under her chin and lifted her face to his. He feathered her lips with kisses before crushing them with his own. Passion engulfed them.
Steph was drawn deeper into his soul. She now knew for a fact—Kyle was the only man for her. There had never been, and never would be, any other.
In the dusky light that shone through the curtains of their hotel room love nest, Steph asked that burning question.
“Kyle, why did you leave without telling us?”
He sighed, his arms around her. “I was given a scholarship to a college on the other side of the country. I was the second choice for it, and was offered it when their first choice was found lacking. Basically the guy got arrested for drug offenses, or so I heard.” He sighed, pulling her tight against his warm body. “I had barely enough time to get myself down there. My aunt and uncle, Clarissa’s parents, took me in. My uncle got my dad a new job working with him, so they moved within a couple of days. My parents lost a few moving boxes, which included Mom’s address books, so I lost your phone number. By the time everything was done, and I was settled at school, I never was able to find time to look up your number and call, though I thought of you, a lot.”
Steph looked up at him. “Not even on a weekend?” she asked.
“I worked weekends, I was wrecking myself between study and work, I even ended up getting Mono.”
“Then I heard from an old school friend of ours that you were dating, and, well, I figured you didn’t feel like I did about you.” He reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face.
“But I did,” she said softly. “But it’s okay, I think this is right, this here right now, this is how it’s supposed to be. We’re older, wiser,” she grinned as she ran a finger down his chest, over his stomach and down to his growing erection, “and definitely more experienced.” She gripped his cock and stroked a couple of times.
“Definitely more experienced,” Kyle growled as he rolled over the top of her, pinning her beneath his hardening body and attacked her with kisses.
Chapter Eight
Oncology Department, 3rd floor, the button in the elevator read. Steph’s mother stood beside her, frail and weary. She patted her daughter reassuringly on the arm. “Everything will be all right, Stephanie.”
It had been six months since Kyle had returned home to continue working on a big contract his company had accepted. They had kept in contact, calling or texting each other every day and Skyping at night, their bond stronger than ever, now that they had finally admitted their true feelings for each other. She missed him, though he’d managed to fly in for a weekend here and there. Their time was so very short—their lovemaking fervent and passionate—and each time she took him back to the airport, their goodbyes were heartbreaking and tear-filled.
Her mother had taken a turn for the worse, her body not responding to the treatments, which was why they were now heading to the Oncology Department. Clarissa and Stu were in the waiting area when they approached. Other cancer patients were also waiting for their appointments. Some wore colorful bandanas to cover their baldness from their chemotherapy. Others, like her mother, looked horrendously sick. Their skin was grey, eyes sunken, most without hope. Steph especially hated seeing the children who were so sick. Stephanie helped her mother to sit as they waited for the doctor to call them in for their appointment.
Their wait ended half an hour later. The doctor had a sad, knowing look. Steph introduced herself as it was her first visit here with her mother. Stu and Clarissa did the same. Up until today, their mother had insisted on coming alone. The doctor invited them to sit before speaking.
“Kathryn, I think it is time for you to consider palliative care, and then as the time draws near…” he paused as Clarissa broke down. “End of life care.”
Steph held her mother’s thin hands and wiped away tears as the doctor explained about the palliative care services and the end of life care services the hospital offered.
“When do you think she should go in?” Steph asked, holding back more tears as her throat choked up.
“As soon as possible. Make sure all your legal affairs are in order, Kathryn. Your will, power of attorney, both civil and medical, and anything else that needs your attention.” The doctor focused on Steph and her brother. “Your mother has signed a Do Not Resuscitate order and regardless of the medical power of attorney, this will be honored.” The Doctor leaned over and put a comforting hand over Steph and her mother’s clasped hands. Stu held Clarissa as she wept silently.
Kathryn nodded. “All right, I’m ready. Everything is already in place and the children have agreed to sort out my home. I have a bag packed.”
Tears slid down Steph’s cheeks. Her mother was
so graceful, even in preparing for her own death.
“If you’d like to go and have a coffee in the cafeteria, I’ll have the papers sent up to Palliative for your admission. I’ll send someone down to get you when it’s all ready. I’ll check on you later today once you’re settled.” He stood, Steph helped her mother to her feet.
“How long do you think I have now, doctor?” Kathryn asked.
“Looking at how it has progressed to this point, a month, maybe a bit more. It’s hard to put a time on this disease. It varies due to the attitude of the patient and their will to live.”
Kathryn nodded. “I’m ready to be with my husband again.”
Steph and Clarissa sobbed and held each other as Stu assisted their mother from the room.
“Let’s go and get you settled, Mom.” Steph noted the defeated tone in his voice and how he turned and smiled sadly at his wife. She wished Kyle had been here. She really needed her best friend, the man she loved, to help get her through this.
****
Hours later, after ensuring her mother was comfortably settled, Steph sat in her living room. Her laptop was open and the Skype app filled the screen. Kyle answered in seconds once she put the call through.
“Hey, beautiful, I miss you.” He smiled. Steph watched his smile disappear as he realized she was distraught. “Baby, what’s the matter?”
She fought hard to hold back her sobs. “Mom’s been put into palliative care. The doctor says she might have a month, maybe less.” Her heart broke as she spoke the words aloud. “The cancer spread, she stopped responding to the treatments.”
“Steph, baby, I’m so very sorry.” Kyle soothed.
“I wish you were here with me. I need you.” Her hands covered her face as she broke down and cried with hard, heaving sobs.
“Oh, sweetheart. Close your eyes, imagine I’m right there beside you, my arms are around you, my lips kissing your fears away.”
“It’s so hard.” She sniffled.
“I know, but I’m here for you every step of the way.” Kyle promised.
“I know you can’t be here with me and it hurts so bad. I love you, Kyle.” She plucked a few tissues from the box beside her and dabbed at her tears.
“I love you, too, baby, and I miss you so much. I hate that I can’t be there for you. Close your eyes.”
Steph did as he asked.
“Now, imagine I’m right there next to you, my arms are around you, my hands stroking your beautiful hair.”
Steph nodded, hugging herself while imagining it was Kyle. He watched from where he was on the other side of the country. “I’m right here with you, Steph. I love you so much, baby.”
“I love you, too.” She had other news for him, but would it be welcomed? She was losing her mother. She couldn’t risk losing Kyle, too.
When they signed off, she pulled a cushion from the sofa to her chest and sobbed hard as her heart broke.
****
Steph sat in the cafeteria of the hospital, her mother upstairs in her room, weakened by the cancer. Kathryn was a mere shell of the vibrant and energetic woman she’d once been. Stephanie and Stuart knew it was only a matter of days now until she took her final breaths.
Steph was dreading going through her mother’s death alone. Kyle was everything she needed, her best friend, lover, soul mate. She needed him desperately. She brushed at a tear as it rolled over her cheek.
Everything had been arranged. Her mother had insisted on planning her funeral. “I don’t want to be mourned, I want to be remembered, my life celebrated.” That was exactly what the funeral was planned to be, a remembrance of Kathryn’s life.
Steph couldn’t finish the bitter, terrible hospital coffee. She trudged back to her mother’s room where her mother’s voice spoke softly.
“…then I give you my permission and my blessing.” Her mother finished what she’d been saying as Steph entered the room. Stu and Clarissa glanced up as she entered, the room became strangely silent.
“Blessing for what, Mom?”
Kyle stepped from behind the door where he’d been hidden from view. “I’ve asked your mother for her permission to do this…” Kyle dropped to one knee and pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.
“Kyle! When did you get here? Wait. What are you doing?” Steph was elated and shocked.
Nurses entered the room on their rounds, but stayed still when they saw what was happening.
“I knew my best friend and the woman I love, needed me. I couldn’t stay away when I knew you were hurting. When you hurt, my darling, I do, too.” He cleared his throat. “Stephanie Regent…” Two other patients in the room leaned forward in their beds to watch. “For years I’ve known only one woman has held my heart. I thought I’d lost you when I left, but my heart wouldn’t allow me to forget you, or let you go. Coming back, finding you again, I knew we were meant to be. I need you like I need air. I love you with my whole being, heart and soul. Please, will you do me the honor of becoming my beautiful wife?” He opened the ring box to reveal a gorgeous princess cut diamond set in a band of white gold. The nurses gasped as the ring sparkled under the sterile white of the fluorescent lighting.
Stephanie smiled at her mother. She smiled back as she nodded her approval. It had been a long time since Steph had seen her so happy. Her heart erupted with joy. She turned her eyes back to the expectant gaze of Kyle.
“Yes, Kyle, I will marry you.” Tears of joy washed her cheeks as she lifted her hand and Kyle slipped the ring on her finger.
“I’ve been waiting for this for so long.” He gathered her in his arms and kissed her passionately. She sighed happily in his arms, as she enjoyed the taste of him against her tongue.
Everyone clapped and cheered which drew more staff curious about the disturbance. Stephanie looked up into the eyes of her handsome fiancé. She was so much in love.
Her mother spoke next. “I think it’s time you told your fiancé your news.”
Kyle pulled away slightly. “What news?”
“I… I’m…” she stuttered. “I’m pregnant, Kyle. You’re going to be a daddy.”
“What? You’re what?” Kyle dragged his fingers through his hair.
She nodded. “I took like a dozen pregnancy tests, I’ve been nauseous, and I’ve missed two periods.”
Kyle grinned and picked her up, swinging her around the room, barely missing a collision with the nurses and visitors.
“Kyle,” Steph squealed “Put me down.”
“I can’t believe it, a wife and child. You have made me the happiest man alive.” He captured her lips in a loving and heated kiss.
“Kyle.” Kathryn interrupted their moment. “Remember the deal.”
“What deal?” Steph asked.
“We need to get married tomorrow,” he said, looking from Kathryn to Steph.
“What?” She couldn’t possibly have heard him correctly. “To … to … tomorrow? But we haven’t planned anything.”
“Baby, we only need to have the legal ceremony tomorrow, we can have a formal one later.” Kyle held her tight.
Kathryn spoke softly. “I want to see my daughter married to the man she loves. “Sweetheart, I don’t have much time left, I was lucky enough to see your brother marry the woman he loves, now I want the same for my daughter—to marry the man she loves.”
“But, I want you to be here for me when I have a wedding like Stu’s.” Steph’s tears fell again. Her mother smiled.
“I will be, darling girl. I’ll be with you when the baby comes, when it throws up all over your last clean shirt. When it teethes, and keeps you awake all night. First steps, first day at school.” Kathryn wiped a tear from her eye. “I’ll be here.” She pressed her thin fingers against Steph’s chest where her daughter’s heart beat. “I’ll always be here for you.”
Steph put her hand over her mother’s. “I know.” She kissed her mother’s forehead as a tear broke free and trailed down her cheek. “All right, I need a dress, something borrowed,
something blue, something old and something new.” She was determined to fulfil her mother’s final wish.
“Let’s do it.” Clarissa shouted excitedly. “The boys can organize everything else.” She winked at the men who looked unsure what to do first.
“Oh, come on, if you can organize a bachelor party, you can organize a wedding. We’ll see you later, Mom.” Clarissa placed her arm around Steph and escorted her out of the room.
“Mom, can you help us?” Steph heard Stu ask before they ran excitedly down the hospital corridor like a pair of overexcited teens getting ready for a school dance.
“Clarissa, there’s something I need to do first.” She dragged her friend towards a sign that showed the way to the radiology department.
Chapter Nine
Stephanie peered at herself in the mirror. Her hair had been styled by a kindly woman who came around to do the elderly residents’ hair in the dementia ward. She had sat patiently while Clarissa worked her magical make-up skills.
“Wow, Steph, you look beautiful.”
Steph looked again, she looked totally different. There was still a slight puffiness to her eyes from the emotional tears that had fallen throughout the night, but Clarissa had managed to conceal most of it with makeup.
Her gown was of ivory silk. Full-sleeved, backless, and floor length. Clarissa knew the girls at the bridal shop where they had purchased the dress and they were able to have it fitted before closing last night. Her friend had stopped by the hospital gift shop and selected white roses for their bouquets.
The news of a proposal and wedding in the palliative care wing had spread like wildfire throughout the hospital. Women who volunteered at the hospital had already set up the small chapel with white and red ribbons and the hospital’s chaplain had agreed to the ceremony.
The Best Man (Romance on the Go Book 0) Page 4
