by Rhian Cahill
Her phone vibrated in her hand. Opening the message, she braced herself for West’s anger. But it never came. Instead, he gave her something she hadn’t realised she needed. Acceptance.
Do what you need to. Ring me when you’re done. Doesn’t matter how late. I’ll wait up.
It was already after eleven and Kelsey wasn’t sure how long the sedation would take to work, but she didn’t think she’d be home before midnight. She stifled a yawn as she replied.
It’ll be after twelve.
Funny how she hadn’t wanted to face West after this morning and now she wanted to cling to this connection with both hands.
I’ll be here.
She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wall. Exhaustion had dug its claws in hours ago, but seeing Marjorie in full-blown panic when they’d arrived and not being able to do anything to calm the older woman had ripped what was left of her energy away. Kelsey had to admit she was glad Bry had talked her into riding over with him. At least now she wouldn’t be a hazard on the road on the way home.
“Kelsey?”
Her eyes popped open and she jerked away from the wall, turning in Bry’s direction. “Is she okay?” She rushed forward—if dragging her feet could be called rushing.
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “Yeah. She’s already drifting off. I was thinking it might be better if you don’t go back in there.”
“Oh?”
“You can just tell her you came back after getting a coffee and found her asleep. If we’re lucky, she won’t remember anything. She certainly didn’t recall last night or seeing you this morning.” Bry’s shoulders sagged and Kelsey couldn’t stop herself from reaching out to touch him.
“If you think that’s the best way to deal with it.” She gently squeezed his arm before letting go.
“Mr. and Mrs. Newman.”
Kelsey glanced over Bry’s shoulder to see the doctor she’d met earlier coming out of Marjorie’s room. She almost stumbled over the stab of fear that sliced through her chest when she saw the concern creasing his face.
“Is Mum okay?” Bry asked as he turned to face the doctor.
“Oh, yes, yes, she’s sleeping soundly now.” The other man walked towards them, his steps no more energetic than Kelsey’s had been. “I just wanted to remind you that Marjorie has a routine doctor’s visit tomorrow. I’m a little worried about her recent increase in confusion and anxiety, so I’ll be talking to her specialist in the morning about getting her in for a CT scan.”
“Why? What are you looking for?” Bry asked, his posture suddenly alert.
Bry slipped his hand into hers and their fingers tangled together naturally. Kelsey tightened her grip to offer her support but didn’t say a word. She might be here as his ex-wife and Marjorie’s ex-daughter-in-law but she had no real right to ask questions or demand answers.
“I’m not sure. I just want to rule out a few things,” the doctor explained.
“Like what?” Bry’s grip grew painfully tight and Kelsey wiggled her fingers until he loosened it. “Don’t keep me in the dark.”
“I’d rather not say anything until I have some solid evidence either way, Mr. Newman.”
“Cut the crap, would you? It’s been a long day—a long few months—and I’d rather not be blindsided tomorrow.”
Kelsey could understand Bry’s need to know, but if the doctor was only running on a hunch… “Bry, the doctor’s right. It’s best not to worry until you have to.”
“I can’t possibly get any more worried, no matter what he tells me.” The strain and exhaustion of dealing with Marjorie’s condition were clear in Bry’s voice.
The doctor let out a sigh. “Look, I’m running on a tiny bit of instinct here, and I wouldn’t normally say a word to the family of a patient, but I know how difficult the last few months have been for you. It’s possible, and I stress I’m not sure and won’t be until we see medical evidence, but I think you’re mother may have suffered a mild stroke in the last few days.”
“A stroke? But she doesn’t appear to have any symptoms,” Bry pointed out.
“Not all strokes are obvious. Unfortunately, a minor one can lead to a major one, and again I’ll stress, I just want to rule this out, but I have seen it in elderly patients before.”
“What happens if she has had a stroke?” Kelsey couldn’t stop herself from asking.
“Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it. We’re monitoring her closely, and if there’s any change in her condition or if I, or one of the staff, are concerned at all, we’ll have her transferred straight to the hospital.”
Bry let go of Kelsey’s hand and extended his to the doctor. “Thank you. And I’m sorry I snapped at you. It’s been a tiring few days.”
“Totally understand.” They shook. “Go on home and get some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
They watched the doctor walk away and it struck Kelsey as strange that she couldn’t remember his name. They’d been introduced earlier, but for the life of her she couldn’t recall the man’s name. She covered her mouth to hide a yawn she was unable to suppress.
“C’mon. Let’s get you home before you fall asleep on your feet.” Bry tugged on her hand, pulling her away from Marjorie’s room and towards the front entrance. “Thanks for coming tonight.”
“Any time.” Another yawn cracked her jaw. “Gosh. I really am tired all of a sudden.”
“Sorry about tonight. I should have given in earlier and let them sedate Mum instead of spending hours trying to calm her down. Especially when she doesn’t even recognise me.”
“How long has her memory been this bad?” She didn’t want to say it, but basically she was asking how long since his mum had forgotten him.
Bry pushed open the front door and ushered her through. “I had five minutes about two weeks ago. Other than that, it’s been well over a month.” He pressed his hand to the small of her back and steered her across the parking lot to his car.
“I’m sorry.” The sentiment seemed inadequate even if it was genuine, but there wasn’t anything else to say in a situation like this.
Bry remained quiet as he unlocked his car. He opened the door and held it while he waited for Kelsey to get settled before speaking again. “I think I have to face the fact that Mum is essentially gone now. The woman we both knew isn’t coming back.”
Kelsey had no chance to reply before Bry shut the door and circled around the bonnet. He slipped into the driver’s seat and started the car without another word.
Talking seemed pointless, so Kelsey leaned her head back and closed her eyes. What felt like seconds later but had to be at least forty-five minutes, she was jolted from a light doze when Bry pulled into her driveway.
“Thanks again for tonight,” he said as he put the car in park and pulled on the handbrake.
“You’re welcome.” She faced him in the dark. The only light came from the glow from the dashboard and it made his tired features appear even more haggard. Kelsey felt ineffectual in her limited support. “Do you want me to come with you to Marjorie’s doctor’s appointment in the morning?”
“No. And I know we planned for us both to go in tomorrow night again, but it might be better to wait and see what her doctor says.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I’ll call you.” He leaned over and kissed her.
It was a quick brush of lips. A kiss between friends, and Kelsey was reminded again of the lack of passion between them. They’d never fired sparks off each other, and the thought made her sad but also made her crave West in ways she’d never wanted her ex-husband. Uncertain in Bry’s presence for the first time since their separation and subsequent divorce, Kelsey reached for the door handle.
“Ring me tomorrow if you need me,” she said as she pushed the door open and swung her legs out.
“I seem to be saying it a lot, bu
t thanks, Kelsey. You’re more generous than you should be.”
“Nonsense. This is what friends are for.” She tried not to put emphasis on the word friends, but that kiss had set off some warning bells. Kelsey didn’t think he had any ideas of them getting back together, but in the three years since they’d gone their separate ways, he’d never kissed her. Not on the mouth. It felt like a line had been crossed. Then again, maybe that was because a small part of her saw that kiss as a betrayal of West.
Before her chaotic thoughts got the better of her, she slipped out of the car and closed the door. Without looking back, Kelsey walked up the path to her house. She retrieved her keys from her pocket and slipped the key into the lock. Giving Bry a quick wave, she opened the door, ducked inside and locked up before making her way to her bedroom where she collapsed onto the bed in complete exhaustion.
West let himself into Kelsey’s house. He knew he shouldn’t. It was two o’clock in the morning. But she hadn’t called him like she’d promised and she hadn’t answered her phone the numerous times he’d rung in the last few hours either. No lights were on and he didn’t bother with them as he made his way down the short hallway to her room. Moonlight streamed in through the open blinds illuminating the woman sprawled across the bed. She still had her shoes on.
Smiling, he shook his head as he put his keys, wallet and phone on her dresser and walked over to the bed. With care, he picked up one foot and eased her shoe off. She didn’t stir so he repeated his actions with the other foot. Shoeless, Kelsey murmured something he didn’t catch before rolling over onto her back. West eyed her jeans and debated whether or not to rid her of them. She’d be more comfortable out of them.
But she’d probably pitch a fit if she woke without her clothes, and while he didn’t mind getting her riled up, that wasn’t the kind of reaction he wanted from her. He dropped to his knees beside the bed. Using his fingertips, he brushed the hair from her face and studied her. In sleep, she looked younger than her twenty-eight years. She reminded him of the girl he’d fallen for in high school.
“Kelsey.” He moved his hand to her shoulder and gave her a gentle shake. “Kels.”
“Mmm.”
“You need to get out of your clothes.”
“Mm-kay.”
West grinned when she reached for the hem of her shirt and dragged it up her torso. She didn’t open her eyes, and while he was okay with receiving an impromptu strip show, he didn’t think her intention was to tease him. Before he could say anything to stop her, she’d whipped her top off and went to work on the button of her pants.
“Whoa. Kelsey.” He stilled her hands. “Let me get out of the room first.” West might have seen her naked already, but it felt as though he’d be crossing a line if he stayed while she undressed. He didn’t think she’d be too pleased about it once she was awake enough to comprehend what she’d done either.
“Ss-okay.”
He thought she was agreeing with him, but when she continued to undo her jeans and shove them down her hips, he realised she’d meant something completely different.
“Kelsey.”
“Can’t.” She tugged on the denim, revealing a pair of pink lace panties. “Help me.” She opened her eyes and the slumberous blue depths met his.
“I…” West couldn’t finish the thought never mind the sentence.
“Please.”
God help him, he wasn’t going to be able to refuse her. He hadn’t come here for this. He’d been worried when she hadn’t called and had just wanted to check she was all right, not get her naked. West gripped the waistband of her jeans and pulled them down her legs and over her feet while trying his best not to look at the miles of flesh revealed. When he glanced up, she was already working on the front catch of her bra. In the blink of an eye, all that stood between him and her lush curves was a single strip of flimsy pink lace sitting low on her hips.
West swallowed, his constricted throat making it difficult. “Kels.” He wasn’t sure what he meant to say, but her name fell from his lips a little too pleading for his liking. Clearing his throat he tried again. “Kelsey, you need to get into bed.”
Her eyes drifted closed as she reached her arms out towards him. “You too.”
“No. I should go.” He managed to avoid her by standing, but that left her groping hands right near his groin—the one with the hard-on straining to get out of his pants. West grit his teeth when she grabbed a handful of his sweats—her fingers brushing along his length—and yanked.
Distracted by her touch and surprised by her show of strength, he lost his balance and toppled forward. Throwing his arms out, he caught himself on his hands before he crushed her beneath him. When he looked down, it was to find Kelsey staring at him with eyes soaking in need. And not the kind of need pumping blood into his cock either. What he saw in her eyes was a whole new level of wanting that he’d waited a lifetime to see Kelsey aim his way.
“Please, West. I need you to hold me.”
He had no idea what was going on. Why the woman who’d avoided, ignored and rejected him at various points over the last few months suddenly wanted him on a level he’d craved, but he didn’t care. His one weakness had always been Kelsey, and he could no more deny her this than he could live the rest of his life without breathing.
Toeing off his shoes, he let them drop to the floor before moving to the centre of the bed, taking her with him. He turned her so she lay wrapped in his arms, her head cradled on his shoulder, and held her while she slid back into a deep sleep. West was pretty sure she’d regret this in the morning, whatever the hell this was. But for now, he’d bask in her acceptance. It might not be the confession of love he wanted—needed—from her, but he wasn’t above taking whatever he could get.
Chapter Ten
For the second morning in a row, West woke tangled with Kelsey. And Kelsey attempting to make a quiet getaway without much success. Unless her aim was to inflict physical harm. Then she was definitely doing an okay job.
West moved his leg to shield his groin. “You’re going to do some real damage if we keep this up,” he murmured.
“Shit.” Kelsey jolted. Her elbow grazed the side of his head and her knee dug into his thigh.
“Ouch.” West grabbed her leg to hold her still. “Don’t move.”
“Oh, God, I’m sorry.” She froze in place, saving him from certain injury.
“I’m not sure why you think you need to sneak away whenever you find yourself wrapped in my arms.” He rolled to the side, taking her with him so they were lying face to face. “Why the panic?”
She wouldn’t meet his gaze, so he tipped her head up with two fingers under her chin. She sucked in a deep breath before she raised her eyelids, locking her gaze on his. “I don’t know what to do with you.”
West laughed and waggled his eyebrows. “I can think of a few things.”
Kelsey’s lips twitched before turning upwards and West couldn’t resist leaning over to plant a kiss on her sexy mouth. He expected her to pull back, to push him away. He never expected her to meet him halfway. Their mouths meshed, their lips clinging for long seconds before Kelsey slipped her tongue out and pressed against him, urging him to open. West wasn’t about to deny this woman—or himself—anything. He let her in.
The kiss started slow. Not a frenzied dance of need, but a gentle waltz of two people who were comfortable with each other—who’d danced this dance before. He let Kelsey lead. Let her take them on the tempo of her choosing. His body—specifically his groin—might be screaming for him to dive deeper—go faster—but he knew she needed to be in control for now. He’d pushed her enough in the last few days and realised the best way to get what he wanted was to give Kels a turn at the reins. Let her come to him.
West tangled his fingers in her hair, his grip loose but firm enough for her to know he was there. He wanted her aware of who she was kissing. Wanted
to be sure she wasn’t thinking about her ex while her tongue was tangling with his. She moaned into his mouth and need rocketed through him—had him tightening all over including his grip on her hair, making him pull on the silky strands. Kelsey surprised him again by reacting to the slight tug in a way he never expected.
She clawed at his back, thrusting her hips against his while she drove her tongue deeper into his mouth. It was like he’d flipped a switch. One minute they were on a leisurely stroll down the path of seduction, the next they were at a flat-out run. Her hands were suddenly everywhere. In his hair. Sweeping down his back. Cupping his arse. The sweat pants he wore didn’t deter her. With ease, Kelsey slipped her hand inside his pants, beneath his briefs, and wrapped her fingers around his straining erection.
West tore his mouth from hers. “Slow down,” he panted.
“Don’t want to.” She squeezed him as she stroked up his length and his eyes crossed.
“Jesus.”
Kelsey laughed as she set a mind-numbing rhythm. “Nope. Just me.”
Before West could utter another word, Kelsey pushed him to his back and crawled over the top of him. Her face hovered over his, the blaze of desire burning in her eyes hot enough to incinerate any protest he might have. “Kels.” He brushed his fingers down her cheek and cupped her jaw. He’d give her anything. Everything. “You do me in.”
She smiled. “There is a certain part of your anatomy I plan on doing.”
The smile on her lips turned downright devious as she moved down his body, her hand still working him. He’d have to be an idiot not to know where she was headed, and as much as he wanted to feel that mouth of hers wrapped around his cock, he had to stop her before she took him past the point of no return.
“Kelsey.” West slid his hands under her arms and tugged her back up. When he had her face above his, he kissed her. He didn’t let himself linger too long though. His hold on control was thin already. And there was still that hand wrapped around his dick. “We have to stop now. Before we can’t.”
