by Ali Parker
“Oh, man. I thought he’d called you. He’s gone out of town and I’m not sure he’ll be back in time. He’s in New York.” It wasn’t like my brother not to take care of things, but with Harper doing a number on his brain he was a bit distracted. Must run in the family.
Steve scratched his head. “I hate to cancel on those kids. They look forward to it, but I guess I don’t have a choice.”
“I tell you what, I’ll do it.” I gave him a nudge and he looked surprised.
“You? I thought you gave it up years ago.” His smile widened as he nodded. “That would be great. Are you sure you’re up for it?” He gestured to my pink bandage. Very funny, Nora.
“Sure, it’ll be fun.” I used to love baseball, but it had been years since I’d played.
The guy held out his hand. “Tomorrow evening at 4:30.”
“I’ll be there and I’ll let Luke know. He must have bad reception on the road.” I shook his hand and gave a little shrug though my head was pounding. I sure hoped it got better before my commitment.
I got in my car and took my recommended dosage to speed my healing. Then I headed home as Nora had instructed.
By the time I got there, I was as sick as a dog.
Chapter 3
Nora
Mr. Guilt was no one’s friend and since I’d made that ugly remark to Jeremy I had been slow dancing with him; on broken glass; barefoot. I drove home and went straight to the back porch. There was no activity from Jeremy’s house and I knew I better go over and check on him. He’d taken a nasty fall and that injury was nothing to play with.
I decided to put on something more comfortable than my work clothes and head over.
As I approached the door I hesitated. Maybe I should leave him alone. It wasn’t like I did many follow-ups or personal house calls. Why should he be any different? Thinking of him standing there with that wounded look like some child that I’d bullied, had broken my heart. I had figured he’d give me that thick-skinned glare down his nose and serve it right back at me. It was kind of our thing. Maybe he was done playing with me. The thought made my gut twist. Maybe I was a glutton for punishment. I pushed the button for the doorbell and chimes rang out on the other side.
I was about to give up and walk away when minutes later the heavy front door opened. Jeremy was bent over like an eighty-year-old man and his face was pale with a hint of green. His mouth was set in a harsh scowl, his lips drawn back like a wild dog’s. “What kind of poison did you give me?”
I knew immediately what was wrong. “Opiates.” He was having a side-effect reaction to his medicine. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“I’ve been hurling my guts up for the past three hours. I’ve only stopped about twenty minutes ago, but I’ve still got the worst headache of my life.” He turned to go inside and I followed.
“I’ll get you something without codeine. It’s not uncommon that people have this side-effect. It’s worse for some than others. You must be sensitive to it.”
I followed him into the huge living room. “Yeah, that’s me, Jeremy Daniels, sensitive man.” He rolled his eyes and fell across the closest sofa. The room had three huge ones, all matching black leather.
“I’m sorry about earlier. I wanted to come and check on you and apologize.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about me dozing off, not with that pain medicine you gave me. That’s kept me up.” He glared at me and then buried his face against the couch, his pink bandage contrasting against the black leather.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t give it to you hoping you’d get sick. I thought it would be the best thing for your type of pain.” I sat down in front of him on the ottoman, one of five of them, and placed my hand on his arm. “Where is your medicine cabinet?”
“I keep all the good stuff in my bedside table.” He lifted an arm and extended a finger toward the stairs. “Third door on the left.”
I got up and walked across the room, looking back to see him still face-down on the sofa and I had the strong urge to take him into my arms and cradle him. To put my lips against his. I shook away the thought as I headed up the stairs and down the hall until I came to his door. His room was decked out in gray furniture with the biggest bed I’d ever seen and black and white accents. The contemporary style was most definitely something he had hired someone to do for him. His little nightstand didn’t match the rest of his furniture, but I opened the drawer and quickly closed it.
As my face turned red with anger, I opened it again not letting him get the last laugh. I grabbed a tissue and used it to move the various sex toys that were on top, including two vibrators in different sizes, and then there was a cock ring and a couple of pairs of handcuffs. One set was padded for comfort, but the other was cold steel. A soft heat crept to my core as I moved his box of condoms but there was no medicine there. I should have known when I opened the thing that he was messing with me. I placed everything back inside the drawer and joined him back downstairs.
“Did you find it?”
“Yeah, real cute. Quite an impressive collection you’ve got, but if you want that headache gone, you’ll tell me where I can find the medicine cabinet. Surely your brother has something for a headache around here?”
He lifted his head and then a flash crossed his eyes. “Did you look in the gray bedside table?”
I stopped a moment and realized I must not have looked in the right place. “No, I looked in the black thing.”
His head fell back down to the sofa. “That’s the toy box, not the bedside table.”
“Well, your fetishes are none of my concern, a lot of men like—
“Whoa, no— Wait a minute. Those things are for me to use on others, not myself. The only thing that’s mine is the ring and the condoms.” He sat up and pinched his temples. “Do you think you could just get my medicine please and then leave me alone? I’ve got to be better tomorrow. I’ve got Little League.”
I wanted to make another joke about his immaturity, but he wasn’t in a playful mood today. “Fine.” I ran back upstairs and on the other side of the bed, there was a tall, gray nightstand. Inside the top drawer, there was a bottle of what I was looking for. I hurried back down and went to the kitchen and got him some crackers and water.
“Here. Eat a few crackers and then take these. I don’t want you popping anything on an empty stomach.” I wondered if he’d even eaten before the last dose.
“It’s been long enough you can take these.” I handed him two pills and then grabbed the blanket off the back of the sofa. “Let’s get you nice and comfy.”
“I’d rather go back upstairs to bed.” He stood up and carried the things to the stairs where he stopped and took a deep breath before going up to his room. I followed, wishing his staircase wasn’t so large. I was still panting from the last time and by the time I reached his room, I was out of breath. I couldn’t imagine how hard it had been for him, but he didn’t seem winded.
He turned and took the crackers from me and put them on the nightstand. Then he climbed into his large bed and I put the throw from the sofa across his legs.
“I’m surprised you’re not hitting on me since I’m up here in your bedroom.” I kept waiting for him to do some of the crazy things he’d tried in the past. Like at his party when he walked right up and kissed me without invitation or permission.
“Maybe I’m not in the mood to be turned down. A man can only take so much, you know.”
I pulled my lips in tight to avoid causing an argument and decided to change the subject. “I didn’t know you coached Little League. I thought that was your brother’s thing.”
He let out a soft huff. “Yeah, it’s funny how no one knows a damned thing about me. Considering I’ve been around a lot longer than him and I’m the one who got him participating. He was a mess after his breakup, so I got him involved. Showed him there was more to life. He won the chili cook-off that year. We did lots of benefits back then, still do a few a year and attend charity auctions, but
he’s the hero.” He shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t mean to sound bitter. Turns out Luke and the coach couldn’t be at practice, so I’m filling in. I played baseball in high school.”
“Well, maybe it’s the bad boy reputation that puts people off.” I shrugged and leaned against his tall mattresses which hit me at the waist.
“Bad boy? Maybe, but sometimes it’s easier to live the life you want and let people make their own assumptions. It’s amazing how many people listen to gossip around here.”
“Especially when it’s true, huh?” I gave him a sideward glance. I’d heard all about his baby and how he’d abandoned its mother when she was pregnant.
“And really sad when it’s not.” He got a faraway stare in his eyes and then he looked at me as if searching for something inside me, but then he shook his head. “Anyway, thanks for coming to check on me.”
About that time, his phone rang and luckily he’d left it on his bedside table. I didn’t want to go back downstairs for it. I was seriously considering telling him he should put in an elevator.
“It’s Luke. Will you excuse me?” He got up and went into the bathroom with his phone.
I walked around the room and noticed a glass cabinet above a bar. Inside were all of his baseball trophies as well as some basketball and even one for a golf tournament. I had no idea he’d played anything other than women.
A closer look and I realized that many of the games were from charity events. His bright smile in the picture spoke a whole different story, but then again, the pictures were taken long before his scandal.
I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to his story. Perhaps I’d stick around and find out. After all, he did need someone to stay with him through the night.
Chapter 4
Jeremy
I leaned against the counter in the bathroom and examined my cut as I said hello to my brother, Luke. “You have the worst timing. And by the way, thanks for ignoring your phone calls. Now I get to fill in for your buddy, Steve at Little League practice tomorrow.”
“Hello to you too, Brother.” Luke’s amused tone sent a wave of annoyance over me. “I’m calling to check on you. Harper said you were at Nora’s office getting stitched up earlier. Are you okay?”
I wanted to gripe that it took him four hours to check on me, but I had a feeling I knew what he’d been doing and I couldn’t blame him one bit. “Yeah, I fell changing the fucking light bulb in the kitchen. Do you know how high the ceilings are in this place? Next time I’m hiring someone. It would have been a hell of a lot cheaper.” My brother groaned on the other end of the phone. He’s never wanted us to hire in help and thought that two grown men should be able to manage the estate alone.
“So, Nora’s over? How’s that going?” My brother knew more than anyone how my record with Nora Adams was. I’d struck out more times than I could count and even been slapped. I thought about the past few hours on my knees and praying to the porcelain god and decided I liked it much better when she hit me.
“She’s as cold as ever and her bedside manner is dismal. If I’m lucky I’ll get her to give me something for the pain that doesn’t poison me. I’ve been sick for the last four hours from whatever concoction she fed me earlier.”
“You probably can’t have codeine. I can’t either and we can both thank our mother for that one.”
“Well, at least I know who to blame. Thanks, Mom. So when are you coming back home or am I going to have to invest in a shirt that says, ’Coach’?”
“We’re looking at a week or so. I’ll call Steve and find out what’s going on with him and how long he’ll be out. I should be back before our first game. Thanks for pitching in. Those kids are going to love you.” I had heard my brother talk about his team and knew he had a group of decent kids.
“No problem, but thank me tomorrow. I have to make it through the night first.” I cleared my throat. “So, you and Harper, huh? Does this mean she’s moving in?” I didn’t have a problem with my brother having his girlfriend move in, but I wanted to know how serious things were.
“Yeah, I think she’s going to stay with Nora for a month or two and make a slower transition, but that’s the plan. We can talk about it some more if you’d like later, but we’re about to go to dinner.”
“Sure, but I’m good with it. At least one of us hit it off with the sisters. You got the sane one.” I chuckled and glanced over my shoulder knowing she was just on the other side of the door.
The very thought of it made my cock stand at attention and take notice. God, I wanted inside her. I wanted her to want it too. I never thought she’d darken my doorstep again and there she was in my bedroom. I thought about walking in there and taking her in my arms and kissing her good and hard, but then she’d pelted me the last time I’d been so bold. Nora needed a different style, a much gentler hand, but I wasn’t sure I could give it. It wasn’t my style with women.
Luke cleared his throat. “She’s a good girl, that Nora. I hope it works out for you.” He and Nora had a wonderful friendship and the two would probably be much better for each other but thank God she’d had a sister. I’d been jealous of my brother winning her smiles and attention before Harper came along. And it had led to a pretty ugly fight with him finally telling me what an idiot I was and that he didn’t have any romantic feelings for her.
“Thanks, man.” I hope so too, but I wasn’t dealing with a normal woman. Nora was different. Special. Impossible.
We said our goodbyes and when I walked out of the bathroom, I found Nora looking at my trophy case. I’d had it specially built to hold all of my awards and achievements.
I left my phone on the dresser and then made my way toward her.
She gazed into the case and then peeked over her shoulder. “Are things okay with the lovebirds?”
She took a deep breath and turned as I closed the distance between us. I was so close I could smell her hair and the slight scent of flowers. “Yeah.” She glanced over her shoulder back at the trophies, but I kept my eyes hard on hers. “You like my collection?”
“It’s a beautiful display, you must be very proud of your accomplishments.” She gulped and took another step back but she hit the case. I couldn’t say I had her right where I wanted her, but I was off to a good start.
“I am. It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. You of all people should know that. Look at all you’ve accomplished.” I was referring to the massive erection between my legs, but she wasn’t paying attention. Her eyes were set on mine and the tension in the air between us was so thick it was practically smothering.
She lifted a brow. “You should lie down.”
“You should tuck me in.” I stumbled back and she reached for me, pulling me toward her. I took the chance to press close to her.
She glanced down and her cheeks flared red, but then she lifted her chin. Even though I was about five inches taller than her she seemed to glare down her nose at me. “I should go and get you something else from the pharmacy.”
“I’m feeling better already now that you’re here.” I slipped my hand around her waist and she responded by placing one hand on my chest and the other on my arm. “Will you stay with me?”
“Of course. I’ll make sure you’re okay before I leave. I’m right next door and only a phone call away if you need me. I’ll just go and get your medicine and be right back.”
“You should probably stay all night.” I glanced down at her breasts which were heaving inside her blouse. They weren’t more than a handful but they were perky and turned me on. She was slim and petite and desire coiled in my gut as I thought of all the ways I could manhandle her. I could lift and kiss her so easily. It was all I could do not to kiss her. But I’d made that mistake before. No, next time she’d kiss me.
“I’m your doctor, I don’t think I should. It could be seen as an abuse of power.” Her voice cracked earning a smile. There was no way I was going let her go home for the night. As loopy as I was I had to
have her.
“So, you’re going to leave me?” I stepped back and sure enough, her gaze trailed down to my hips and more specifically my cock which bulged against my shorts.
“I’m sure I know what’s best and you need to rest. I’ll check on you.” She pushed past me and went to the door. “You hop into bed and I’ll be back in a bit with your new prescription.”
“I don’t think I can make it.” I held on to the case and held my head. Dizzy spells were easy to fake. She gave me a knowing glance and rolled her eyes. I fought to keep the smile off my face but the damned thing played around my lips enough that she rolled her eyes.
“Fine, let me help you.” She came back across the room and I held out my hand. She took my arm instead and led me to the bed and pulled back the covers. “Climb in. I’ll get you tucked in and then I’m going to try and hit the pharmacy. Is there anything else you need while I’m out? Could I bring you something to eat?”
There was only one thing I was craving but I knew my best bet would be to keep that to myself. “No, just hurry back. You know, because I’m not supposed to be alone at all.” I pursed my lips as I settled into my bed and then I placed my hand atop hers as she pulled the covers up over my chest. “Thanks for taking such good care of me.” I let my eyes smolder on hers, and the look she gave me in return made me feel like there might be more on her mind than my healing.
“I’ll be right back.” She headed for the door again and this time hesitated before she left, peeking back over her shoulder at me. “You probably shouldn’t get up until I get back.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Chapter 5
Nora
Jeremy Daniels must have thought I’d been born yesterday and graduated medical school an hour ago. His poor attempt at faking dizzy spells was amusing but he was crazy if he thought I was going to spend the night.
