“Don’t worry,” Seth reassured Jacob and turned the car off. “I know your mom is excited to see you,” he said and got out of the car, heading around to the passenger side so he could get Jacob from the back.
“I know,” Jacob replied after he’d gotten out and reached for Seth’s hand. “I just hope she’s feeling better.”
Suddenly inspiration struck like a bolt of lightning. As they headed through the automatic double doors of the front entrance, Seth spotted the gift shop.
“How about we stop at the flower shop and get your mom some flowers?” Seth suggested and laughed when Jacob grinned up at him.
They shopped long enough for Jacob to pick out some yellow daisies, which he claimed was his mom’s favorite flower and then they rode the elevator to the fifth floor. Seth made sure to keep a firm grip on Jacob’s tiny hand lest they get separated. He feared Lucy’s wrath should anything happen to her son while in his care.
Jacob, clad in his superman outfit, stepped off the elevator gripping the slender vase of flowers with both hands. Seth tucked his finger in the neckline of Jacob’s red cape and turned him toward the nurse’s station when his little red boots veered off to the left.
“We’re here to see Lucy Conlay,” Seth spoke softly to the young blonde-headed nurse when she smiled up at him.
“Visiting hours is for family only,” she announced and continued to smile up at him. “Are you family?” she asked and Seth didn’t miss the salacious gleam in her eyes. Realizing the pretty little thing was asking if he was Lucy’s boyfriend or husband, a cocky grin spread across his face and he leaned one arm on the waist high partition between them.
“I’m an old friend of the family,” he explained and then nodded down at the superhero-clad boy. “This is Ms. Conlay’s son, Jacob.”
The nurse, Samantha, her nametag read, stood and peered over the counter to inspect Jacob. The little boy tucked his chin and stepped closer to Seth, partially hiding himself behind Seth’s large leg.
“Are those flowers for your mommy?” Samantha asked and flashed a genuine smile at the child. “I bet she’ll love them,” she praised and turned back to Seth. “Ms. Conlay is in room 507, just down the hall on the right.” She pointed them in the direction.
“Thanks,” Seth drawled and pushed off the counter after shooting a wink at her.
“My shift’s over in ten minutes,” she called and Seth tossed her a flirty smile over his shoulder.
A major part of Seth wanted to dump Jacob off with Lucy for a few hours and take the hot little nurse for a ride in his rental car. Tall, curvy and busty, she had all the assets he appreciated in a woman. Glancing down at his watch, he realized he had enough time for a quickie.
“C’mon buddy,” he murmured to Jacob. They turned toward the door marked 507 and Seth reached down to push the handle. The large door slid open on a whoosh and he inhaled sharply when he saw Lucy’s frail form snuggled beneath a thin blanket atop the hospital bed.
A multitude of tubes ran from her little body to the machines sitting around the bed. She smiled through squinted eyes and raised a hand riddled with IV tubes. Apparently her eyes were sensitive to the harsh hospital lights because he noticed they were blood shot and swollen from all the way across the room.
“There’s my baby boy,” she murmured. “I’ve missed you so much,” she added and tried to sit up. But no matter how much she struggled or wiggled, she didn’t have enough strength to move her body even a fraction of an inch.
It was in that moment that Seth truly realized just how bad Lucy’s health was. If she wasn’t strong enough to survive chemo or radiation, then she wasn’t strong enough to survive at all. He glanced down at the little boy he’d grown fond of and smiled when Jacob ran to his mother’s bedside, his outstretched arms offering her the flower arrangement.
“Look what we got Mommy.” He shoved them toward her and she scrambled to catch the vase before both flowers and water spilled on the bed.
“My favorite,” Lucy exclaimed and brought them to her nose. “They’re beautiful, thank you,” she beamed at her son and then turned an appreciative glance on Seth.
“I dressed myself, Mommy,” Jacob added, prompting her attention back to him and moved back to show off his attire. Lucy giggled when she took in the superman garb.
“I see that,” she responded. “You look like you’re ready to save the world.”
When the child started rambling about everything they’d done the past couple days, Seth stepped back toward the door and raised a hand to draw Lucy’s attention.
“I’m gonna step out for a few,” he murmured. “Let you two catch up, I’ll be back,” he added and hastily escaped when Jacob shrugged his shoulders and turned back to his mom.
He slumped back against the closed door and inhaled sharply. He didn’t understand the feelings running rampant in his gut. Never one to get caught up on just one woman, Lucy was taking up entirely too much of his attention for his liking. Both her and Jacob. It was time he sought some different company.
Shoving off the wall, he sauntered back down the hall, approaching the blonde at the nurse’s station. She looked up and then grinned.
“How ‘bout we go somewhere quieter?” Seth drawled and grinned at her in return.
Lucy
Lucy frowned when Seth hastily retreated. It wasn’t like she’d expected him to fawn all over her or anything, but she would’ve liked an update on what he and Jacob’s activities these past couple of days.
But from the look of her son’s choice of attire and his high spirits, she knew it couldn’t have been all that bad.
“Come,” she invited and patted the bed. “Sit with Mommy and tell all about your time with Mr. Seth.” She scooted over, although it wasn’t really necessary.
The little boy clambered up onto the bed and snuggled down against her. Lucy knew he needed the nearness of her body after spending a couple days apart. They’d never spent the night apart and it almost killed her to have done it now. After her parents had disowned her, Chris had been all she had left.
When Jacob was born, she swore an oath before God. She’d never go anywhere her child couldn’t go and she’d never let him go an hour without knowing how much she loved him. He was her world and she knew she had to fight with every bit of strength she could muster if she wanted to stay alive long enough to see him reach adulthood.
Wrapping her arm around the little wiggle-worm, she pulled him as tight against her as possible and smiled as he chattered away about his time with “Uncle” Seth. Some details dismayed her, but in the end, she’d been impressed with the level of care Seth had managed to give Jacob. He’d gone above and beyond to make sure her son was comfortable, happy, safe and well cared for; even if that had included soda and potato chips.
“So, you like spending time with Uncle Seth?” Lucy prompted softly when Jacob had finally run out of things to tell her.
He nibbled on his lower lip for a few moments and then looked up at her, pure admiration shining in his bright, blue eyes.
“He’s a nice man, Mommy,” Jacob declared. “He’ll make a great daddy someday.”
Lucy’s breath hitched at her son’s decree. How a child so young could interpret so much was beyond her. Pride and fear warred for prevalence within her. She was proud of her baby for being so smart and intuitive, but feared what would happen if or when he learned the truth. At least she could take solace in the fact that he admired his biological father.
Seth
Seth drove to the nearest parking garage and paid for entry. He’d no more than driven to the topmost level when the smoking-hot blonde started palming him through his jeans. Of course, his body responded, his cock hardening immediately at her ministrations, but a small niggle in his gut kept rearing its ugly head.
For some reason, this would-be tryst just felt wrong, but merely on a mental level. Physically, his body was more than ready and willing to give the little gal the ride of her life.
The b
reath huffed from his chest when she launched herself from her seat to straddle him, her healthy rear crowding the steering wheel, which in turn, blew the Mustang’s horn. She merely giggled and leaned down to release the latch to recline his seat. When he lay flat, she crawled up and down his torso, rubbing her crotch seductively across his erection.
With surprisingly deft fingers, she released the buttons on his shirt and lowered her mouth to his beefy pecs. Throwing his head back, he groaned deeply in his throat and gave himself over to the tantalizing pleasure. But the moment he closed his eyes, it was Lucy’s face he saw. Her beautiful brown eyes smoldering with passion and it was her lush lips that nipped at his erect nipples.
He suddenly sat up, knocking the girl back into the steering wheel, again causing the horn to blare and the offensive sound to bounce loudly off the concrete columns surrounding them.
“What’s wrong?” she asked and wiggled her ass to fit more comfortably against him. Instead, he grabbed her around her small waist and hoisted her from him lap, replacing her in her own seat. Running his fingers through his hair in frustration, he hastily set about righting his shirt, groaning slightly when he noticed that she’d pulled one button loose in her haste to get him naked.
“Look, Sharon –” Seth said, turning to face her. His mind raced with a plausible explanation for why he’d reneged on something his body so desperately – and plainly - wanted.
“My name is Samantha,” she snapped angrily, insult marring her face.
Seth cringed and cursed himself for failing to pay better attention. He didn’t mean to be so callous. He was usually much smoother than this but all of a sudden he found that he really didn’t care if he’d angered her or not. It wasn’t like she was in love with him and he’d rejected her.
“Samantha,” he corrected himself. “I can’t do this,” he explained. “I’m sorry. I’ll take you back.” He finished and readjusted his seat. Turning the key, he put the car in the reverse and exited the garage. He cursed himself all during the drive back. Was he insane? Sliding his eyes toward the seething nurse in the passenger seat, he couldn’t help but wonder why a woman of her caliber would be single at all.
She was gorgeous; tall, long legs and tits to die for. Why the hell would she be angling for a one-night stand? And how the hell could he throw away a perfectly good roll in the hay so easily?
Shaking his head to dispel the thoughts jumbling around, he pulled into the hospital employee parking lot and absently nodded his head in farewell. The woman lurched from his car and slammed the door forcefully. Bending down, she gave him the middle finger and turned to saunter off, her sneakers squeaking on the wet asphalt.
“Jeez,” he muttered and shifted gears to head back to the visitor’s parking area. It wouldn’t matter if he lived to be five hundred years old, he’d never understand women. Apparently the only talent he had when it came to the opposite sex was pushing that “O” button. He was great at making them squeal, but it appeared as though he needed some work in the whole platonic department.
His thoughts shifted to Lucy and Jacob. He’d spent the past two days with a little person and found he’d actually enjoyed himself. The kid was smart, resilient and even showed some talent with tossing the old baseball around.
Seth parked and locked the car and headed into the hospital. It almost mortified him to realize he looked forward to seeing both Lucy and the kid.
Lucy
Lucy heard her door whoosh open, but after being in the hospital for a while, she’d gotten used to the nurses, lab techs and others coming and going. They checked her vitals every four hours and her I.V. bag was changed every six. It was strange how being in a hospital was supposed to make a person feel better, when in fact, it made things much worse. She’d gotten absolutely no sleep, every bone in her body ached like the fires of hell was burning inside them and now Jacob had fallen asleep against her and she needed to pee.
Expecting to see a nurse, she uncovered herself and tucked the blanket underneath Jacob so he wouldn’t roll when she got off the bed and then she gingerly eased her feet onto the floor.
“Can you help me to the bathroom?” she called softly and inhaled sharply when Seth walked up. He offered her his hand and all she could do was shake her head in argument.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I thought you were a nurse, I can make it myself,” she explained and moved to push herself to stand. The physical therapist was riding her hard about continuing her daily exercises. But no matter how many times she walked the halls, she still felt weak. The chemo and radiation were sapping what little strength she had.
“Nonsense,” Seth argued and made a noise of disapproval when she stood and swayed on her feet. Reaching forward, he caught her by her upper arms and righted her. She froze and merely stared up into his eyes. Beautiful blue, crystalline eyes stared back at her and she didn’t miss the underlying hint of lust.
“C’mon,” he murmured. “I’ll help you to the bathroom. There’s handles you can hold on to in there. I’m sure you’re strong enough to manage, if not, I’ll go hunt down a nurse.” He slipped his arm around her waist and she felt him take the majority of her slight weight against him as he shuffled beside her.
“And how would you know what a hospital bathroom looks like?” she asked to advert some of the growing tension between them.
Seth chuckled at the drollness in her voice and smirked down at her.
“I’m a professional athlete,” he reminded her. “I’ve had my fair share of breaks, fractures and wounds. I even had to have surgery on my shoulder once,” he informed her. “They had to pin my bones after resetting them. I slid into home plate and met with the catcher’s cleat instead.”
Lucy winced when she thought about the pain he must have felt. She knew he had to love his job to endure such danger and risk of injury. But then she remembered the millions he made and figured it was an even trade-off.
They’d managed to make it to the bathroom and Seth paused, allowing her to push open the door and move across into the tiled room. She waved him away and pushed the door closed against his nose.
She managed to make it deeper into the small confines of the bathroom and work herself around to sit on the toilet. She cursed herself for not letting them put in a catheter when they’d first suggested it. No, she’d refused out of pure stubbornness and pride. She’d had no idea just how weak the treatments would make her.
Looking down at her hands, she wasn’t surprised to see them shaking. Reaching up, she wiped the slight sheen of sweat from her forehead. She contributed both to the level of exertion it had taken to get to the bathroom. Now, she faced the task of getting her bottoms and panties off and doing the actual deed.
“You alright?” Seth called from outside the closed door. “Do I need to get a nurse?” he added, his voice laced with a bit more panic. “Did you fall? Lucy, please answer me,” he asked. He didn’t wait for her to respond before the door swung open and he stood, framed in the doorway.
His dark hair was spiked and disheveled and his blue eyes were wide with worry. She couldn’t help but notice how his wide shoulders almost filled the entire empty space. His body was built more for football than baseball. She couldn’t stop the pool of lust that bloomed in her belly. Memories, long buried, rushed to life inside her and she was powerless to stop them. Sadly, she finally admitted to herself that it wasn’t lust she felt for Seth Landers; it was love.
She’d fallen in love with him the first time she’d met him. But being the shy, bookworm little sister she was, she couldn’t summon the courage to tell him. So when he offered her a night of passion, she’d surrendered to him everything she had.
She let her eyes roam from his feet upward to the rest of his body before they finally came to rest on his face. The light smattering of scruff only added to his overall appeal. Full, black eyebrows – matching his hair’s dark tone – framed his blue eyes and a strong nose, slightly crooked from a long ago break, led down to full, thor
oughly kissable lips.
She blinked her eyes sheepishly and offered him a weak smile, thankful he couldn’t read her mind. She watched his shoulders relax once he realized she was alright and not sprawled unconscious on the floor. His apparent concern touched her deeply. But she couldn’t afford to think it was anything more than friendly care that prompted his uncontained panic.
She cringed at the thought of just how pitiful she looked; sitting atop the closed toilet seat, completely clothed, her face sweating and her hands shaking. Without saying a word, he squatted down in front of her and took her hands in his.
“You shouldn’t be doing this alone,” he scolded angrily and her heart sank. She missed her mom and dad so much. “Your family should be here. You deserve much more than suffering through this by yourself.”
She couldn’t help it; the tears formed and fell, leaving treks of moisture down her cheeks. All the years of pain, grief and guilt surged to the surface and she finally broke under the pressure. Once she started crying, she couldn’t stop. Great big, loud sobs of agony racked her weak body and suddenly she realized that both Seth and Jacob were holding her. Her baby running his hand up and down her prominently exposed backbone thanks to the harsh weight loss.
“It’s ok, Mommy,” Jacob whispered. “Uncle Seth and I will fix it,” he stated matter-of-factly. “Won’t we, Uncle Seth?”
“Damn straight, little buddy,” Seth agreed and Lucy shot him a disapproving glare over his choice of language. Momentarily at a disadvantage, she merely nodded her head and pulled her hand from Seth’s grip to embrace her son. She couldn’t leave him. No matter how bad the cancer got, no matter how badly it ravaged her body, she refused to give up. Her son needed her. Even if he seemed to be getting along with his father for the time being, there was no way she could know how their relationship would go if or when she told them.
Daddy’s Fiancée Nanny : A Single Dad & A Virgin Romance Page 21
