by Debra Webb
Then she remembered.
The tremor.
The other vehicle coming toward her.
Fear slid through her and her hand went automatically to her abdomen. She was in the hospital. The baby was fine. Everything was fine.
Lisa heaved a ragged sigh of relief. Thank God.
Joe.
She turned her head to see if he was still in the chair next to her bed. But it was Shannon who sat dozing there.
Lisa was glad to see her friend, but where was Joe?
He’d been there when she went to sleep. Later, when she’d awakened, Shannon had told her he’d stepped out for a bit. To take care of business, she’d said. Lisa had assumed that meant firefighting business. Her family had appeared about the same time but hadn’t stayed long. Shannon had probably told them that the doctor wanted to limit Lisa’s visitors.
Joe had returned, hovering around her bed like a mother hen, as if she was all that mattered to him in the universe. She couldn’t say she hadn’t enjoyed the attention, though it felt a little odd coming from Joe. It was true that he’d been more attentive in the past couple of weeks than she’d expected, but this went well beyond that. It was as if he was afraid that if he didn’t take care of every little thing, didn’t cater to her every whim, something disastrous would happen.
The behavior was just so out of character for the big guy. And the second time she’d awakened and found him sitting in the chair, he’d looked beat. She’d never seen him like that.
Joe Ripani was the Energizer Bunny, the Iceman. Nothing ever got to him or slowed him down.
Was his new haggard demeanor her doing?
She thought about the sexy lingerie she’d purchased yesterday and the big plans she’d had for her husband. It almost felt as if fate itself was against them. No matter what either of them did to try to make this marriage work, it always failed.
The sting of emotion burned her eyes. Were those cramps she’d suffered after the crash a foreshadowing of things to come? She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed that God would protect her baby from whatever bad karma she and Joe appeared to be plagued by. Her bleary gaze moved around the stark white room. She didn’t want to be here. She didn’t want to be sick. She wanted to be safe and happy and get back to work. Her mother had promised to call Greg and let him know what had happened. He’d probably drop by today. She felt terrible that she’d failed to do her part at the clinic lately. Somehow, some way she’d have to make that right.
“You’re awake.”
Shannon’s voice dragged Lisa from her troubling thoughts. She managed a wan smile. “Awake and aching like someone took a baseball bat to me while I slept.”
Shannon nodded knowingly. “The doc said you’d probably have bruises from the seat belt. That’s typical, though. You’ll be okay. Your new car is a whole other story,” she added with a wry twist of her lips.
Lisa uttered another sigh and stared at the ceiling. “Great.”
“Love the color, though,” Shannon said. “Also loved the goodies I found in there.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Had a hot date planned for last night, or do you always wear such skimpy underclothes?”
“I can’t believe you went through my stuff,” Lisa protested.
“It was either me or the cop who finalized the report. Had to make sure you weren’t transporting any drugs or anything. You should have seen him blush when I pulled that one teddy out—”
“Shannon!”
“I’m kidding. Chill. I merely took your personal belongings from the vehicle before it was hauled away to the repair shop. That’s all. No one saw those wicked undies but me. I wouldn’t have even seen them if the contents of the bag hadn’t spilled out all over the seat.”
Lisa shook her head, then winced and reached for the bandage on her forehead. “You’re sure no one else saw them?”
“Not a soul.” Shannon picked up the pitcher on the table next to Lisa’s bed and shook it. “You want something to drink? Breakfast? The nurse came by earlier but didn’t want to wake you. She left a tray over there.”
A covered cafeteria tray sat on a table on the far side of the room. Though she hadn’t spent much time in hospitals, Lisa had heard stories about the food. “Does it look and smell palatable?”
Shannon shrugged. “I wouldn’t eat it. Looks a little scary to me. Smells okay. The juice and the toast should be safe enough.”
Juice and toast would be better than nothing. She had to eat something. She couldn’t be sure what time the doctor would release her.
“Where’s Joe?” she asked as nonchalantly as possible.
Shannon considered the question before answering. Panic instantly rippled through Lisa. Maybe he’d decided she and this baby were just too much trouble.
No, she reminded herself. Not Joe. He would never say die. No matter how unhappy he was, he wouldn’t walk away from his child.
“To be honest,” Shannon said, “I don’t know where he is. He called and asked me to come stay with you about ten last night. He’s been gone ever since. The nurse said he called the desk every hour or so all night.”
Lisa had failed to give Joe the benefit of the doubt too often already. Wherever he was, he had his reasons for not being here. She had to believe that.
Or cry.
And she’d cried about all she could tolerate lately. Besides, her head hurt too much to cry.
“How ’bout that toast?” Shannon rolled the table over to the bed. “If we put enough jelly on it, it’ll be edible.”
WHEN JOE RETURNED to Lisa’s room to take her home, he found O’Shea force-feeding hospital food to her. That was just like O’Shea. She took her job seriously, whether it was fighting fires or caring for a friend.
“Good morning, ladies.”
Lisa’s gaze flew to him, her blue eyes filled with relief. She was glad to see him. That one look made him want to clear the room and climb into that bed with her. But he couldn’t do that. She was off limits for now. No excitement. Take it slow. He’d repeated those rules over and over again all night long.
O’Shea, on the other hand, looked anything but glad to see him. “What kept you?” she griped, eyeing him suspiciously. She was sharp. She knew he was up to something, and she didn’t like being left out.
“I had business.”
“In the middle of the night?” she grumbled good-naturedly, then waved her hand as if to erase the question. “Forget I asked.”
“Already forgotten.” He moved up to the other side of the bed and placed a gentle kiss just above the small bandage on Lisa’s forehead. “You feeling okay this morning?”
“Fine,” she said quickly. “Do you think they’ll let me go home now?”
Home.
A smile kicked up one corner of his mouth. “Definitely. Doc said I could take you home anytime now.”
Shannon pushed away the table holding the food tray. “I’m out of here, then.” She gave Lisa’s hand a pat. “Call me if you need me.”
Lisa assured her she would, and Joe gave her a little salute of appreciation. O’Shea was a loyal squad member and friend, he admitted. He wouldn’t forget all she’d done for Lisa.
And for him.
“You ready?”
“Past ready,” Lisa confessed.
Before they could get going, the doctor waylaid them, making a last-minute appearance and deciding to check Lisa out once more. Joe didn’t have a problem with that. Lisa was anxious to leave, but he would rather be sure all was as it should be. When he’d finished, Dr. Metcalf announced that Lisa could resume all normal activities.
As if to slow their departure a few minutes more, the nurse insisted on transporting Lisa to the entrance lobby in a wheelchair. Hospital policy, she declared.
Finally, they were on their way. Joe couldn’t wait to get Lisa home.
He had a very special surprise for her.
LISA FELT tremendously relieved, as if a weight had been lifted from her, as Joe parked in their driveway.
> If life were fair, she wouldn’t have to worry about another car crash for several decades to come. She was definitely due for a break.
“I have the rest of the day off,” Joe told her as he unlocked the front door and stepped aside for her to enter their home. “And Greg has things at the clinic under control.”
Greg? Not Seaborn? Had Joe actually spoken her partner’s name without grinding his teeth?
“When did you talk to Greg?”
Joe ushered her inside. The instant the door was closed, an unrecognizable scent tickled her nose.
“He came by the hospital to see you yesterday afternoon but you were sleeping.”
Her attention shifted back to Joe. “You talked to him?” She didn’t mean to sound so startled but, after all, they were speaking about Greg.
Joe made a sound that could have been a laugh but sounded more like a strangled sigh. “Yes. We actually talked for several minutes without coming to blows.” He shrugged. “We reached a kind of understanding. A truce.”
“I can’t believe it,” Lisa said.
Taking her arm, Joe guided her toward the hall. “Well, it’s true. You can ask him yourself when you go back to work.”
Overwhelmed. Shocked. Neither word accurately described what she felt at the moment. Joe and Greg reaching a truce? Incredible.
“I have a little surprise for you,” Joe said softly.
That smell teased her senses again. It wasn’t strong, not even unpleasant, just unfamiliar.
“Another one?”
“Funny. Now close your eyes.”
“What?” She looked up at Joe.
“Just close your eyes,” he said more firmly.
“Okay, I’m closing my eyes.” She did as he said, ignoring the anticipation clanging in her ears and along every nerve ending in her body. What kind of surprise did he have in mind? The pleasant feel of his arms around her made her want to play this game all day. She liked his strength, the warmth of his big body close to hers.
Moving slowly, he led her forward a few more steps then stopped. “Tell me what you think.”
Lisa opened her eyes and almost stopped breathing.
It was beautiful.
Unbelievable.
“Joe, when did you do this? How did you know?”
He’d bought every single piece of nursery furniture she’d admired the other day, including the bedding and accessories. He’d even painted the room a pale mint green that coordinated perfectly with the tiny dots in the comforter. That was the smell she hadn’t recognized.
“Shannon told me about your shopping trip. I wanted to do something special for you…and the baby.”
She turned in his arms and stared into those dark, smoldering eyes. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much this means to me. It’s…” She turned back to the gorgeous room. “It’s more beautiful than I imagined.” It was perfect. The perfect room for their child.
“I know I’ve made a lot of mistakes, Lisa,” he said, “but I want this to work. Not just for the baby, but for us.” He cupped her face in his big, capable hands. “I love you. I didn’t understand exactly what that meant until I almost lost you for the second time.”
She searched his eyes…uncertainty slowing her thundering heart. “Are you sure, Joe? I don’t want you to say anything that you don’t feel comfortable saying. I’ve decided that it’s okay if you don’t love me that way…. We’ll still make it work.”
“The thought of losing you makes my gut twist with agony. When I’m away from you too long I feel lost, as if I don’t belong anymore. I just didn’t know what it meant until yesterday. I love you.” When she still looked unsure, he added, “I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it.” He kissed her cheek and left a promise there. “For now.”
She fisted her fingers into his shirt and pulled him closer. “Sorry, big guy, but I like my guarantees in a more tangible form.”
His pupils flared at the implication. “The excitement might be too much. I…”
“Didn’t you hear Dr. Metcalf? He said I could resume normal activities.” She flashed him a wicked smile. “I can’t think of a single thing more normal than a man making love to his wife.”
“But—”
“I know I’ve been avoiding sex,” she said, her expression turning serious once more as she interrupted what he was about to say. “You have to understand that I was afraid. I was so afraid we wouldn’t have anything more in common. That we wouldn’t connect on any other level. Our lovemaking was always so consuming. But more than anything, I was afraid of losing you. If I let myself love you too much and then I lost you, I wouldn’t be able to bear it.” She closed her eyes and shook her head, but then those beautiful eyes opened to him once more. “I almost let myself forget that you—everything about you—is the man I fell in love with.” A shy smile teased her lips. “I should have trusted that you wouldn’t take unnecessary risks. That you would always do the right thing for me and for our child.”
Joe didn’t need any further provocation. He swept Lisa into his arms and carried her to their bedroom. He struggled with his mounting desire, with the need pounding in his body, but somehow he managed to undress her slowly, revealing her exquisite body with painstaking care.
When she was completely nude, he stood back and admired her. “You are so beautiful.”
She patted her tummy. “Not for long.”
He shook his head at the remark. “You’ll be even more beautiful then.”
She suddenly looked embarrassed. “I had bought some special lingerie to wear…for you…for our first time as a married couple.” Her slender hands fluttered nervously.
He opened the top drawer of the bureau. “You mean these slinky goods?”
Her eyes widened. “I thought—”
“O’Shea gave your things to me. Told me I’d better not open the bag, but I did.” He grinned. “I like this the best.” He pulled out the lacy teddy she’d picked just for him, then he tossed it back into the drawer. “But you don’t need any of it. You’re perfect just the way you are.”
His words gave her courage, and Lisa undressed him every bit as slowly as he had done with her. His powerful body bore the undeniable marks of his trade. Old injuries from fires and dangerous rescues. That was just part of what made Joe Ripani a hero. A driven man. One who would risk everything to save a single life.
“I love you, Joe,” she murmured as he lay down beside her on the quilt that had been in her family for two generations. Three if she counted the baby growing inside her.
“Yes, you do,” he said with a wink. “But—” he bent down and nipped her lips with his teeth “—I love you more.”
HE MADE LOVE TO HER with incredible patience and finesse. Lisa didn’t know how he held out. It had been so, so long. They’d wanted each other so desperately. Yet he pleasured her relentlessly before allowing himself the final moment of completion. He kissed her skin, every inch. His hot, hungry mouth suckled her breasts until she cried out his name. And then he moved lower. Making her plead for him to bring her to completion…making her admit that there was no one else for her but him. That she was his alone.
He was the only one who could take her to this special place. And then he gave her what she’d begged for, plunging into her over and over until the fiery sensations sang through her veins, cresting and culminating in wave after wave of exquisite pleasure.
This was the man who loved her.
The father of her child.
In that final moment of utter clarity before he thrust into her one last time, she saw the truth of the words he’d said to her, and then release claimed him.
He loved her.
This was the way it should be.
When their breathing had slowed, Lisa rose up onto her elbow to look at her satisfied hero sprawled across the tangled covers. Her husband. She loved looking at him. They’d both gone through so much, especially Joe, waiting for her to trust her heart. Maybe she should show him how she felt once mor
e…just to make sure he got it.
She smoothed her hand over his chest, reveling in the rich, masculine contours. Approval rumbled low in his throat like a primal mating challenge.
“That,” he said huskily, “was definitely worth the wait.”
He started to reach for her, but she pushed him back against the mattress. “You’re right, Ripani.” She moved up on all fours. He shivered in anticipation, sending a rush of intense need and delicious power through her. “And I think we need to make up for lost time.”
She straddled his lean waist. “Starting right now,” she purred as she sank onto his rigid shaft…
That’s where the thinking stopped.
JOE HELD LISA’S HAND as Dr. Metcalf pointed out the baby’s pulsing heartbeat on the ultrasound. His own heart kicked into warp speed. He smiled down at his wife and sheer happiness flooded him. Their child thrived inside her.
It was still too early to see much of anything else, but just looking at that heartbeat, hearing it, was treat enough.
“About eight weeks’ gestation,” the doctor commented. “Based on the date of your last cycle, I’d set the due date as early October.”
Lisa’s fingers tightened around Joe’s. The time would fly. Soon they would hold this precious life in their arms.
The doctor reminded Lisa to take her vitamins and scheduled her next visit. Joe could hardly wait for the next ultrasound, although it wouldn’t be for a while, the doctor had told them.
“Would you like to go somewhere for lunch?” Lisa asked as they loaded into her as-good-as-new SUV. The color still amazed him. It matched that sexy teddy she’d bought. Or maybe the teddy matched the car. Whatever the case, they both reflected his lovely wife’s wicked side. As reserved and mild-mannered as Lisa Malloy Ripani appeared, she was a tiger in his arms. And he loved every minute of it.
“There’s only one place I’d like to be right now,” he told her bluntly.
Judging by the knowing gleam in her eyes, she needed no further elaboration.
They had this communication thing down to a science. Just as if they had been born to be together.
