I was not going to allow us to be a complication.
Our connection was simple.
Sex.
We were not a couple.
As soon as he opened the door, I scurried into the hallway still trying to convince myself, he didn’t mean anything other than a good time. The door behind me slammed and in a blink, he had me by the arm and jerked me into his rock-solid chest. He shoved his hands into my hair and backed me against the wall behind us.
Unmerciful, he kissed me as if making a point to either me, him, or both. My arms cradled his head and a whimper escaped my throat.
“You’re the only one. Are we clear about that?” He breathed the words against my mouth.
I struggled to pull oxygen into my lungs as he slowly withdrew the touch I craved more of.
“Good to know, but anytime you want to try and convince me, my mouth is all yours.”
“We better go because I’m holding onto a thread trying to do the right thing. Because I want to fuck you right here, right now, in the hallway.”
“Hallway sex. That would be a first for me.”
“You have no idea what you do to me.” He groaned and his jaw clenched.
He pulled away and laced his fingers with mine. I held onto the feel of him because I knew as soon as we were in the lobby, or if anyone else joined our elevator car, that would be the end of his touch until I had him alone.
He wasn’t like anyone I’d ever met and certainly not like any of the inexperienced high school boys from my past. Chad was fierce, cocky, arrogant, and a skillful lover. He knew how to make my toes curl, make my panties wet, and my inner core sob in pleas.
When we reached the entrance to the hotel, he stopped and locked his gaze onto mine. “You’re all I’m going to think about today.”
“I like that,” I whispered.
People rushed around us, some in scrubs, some appeared to be visitors, others in business attire.
“You have my cell number. Call me later.”
“Are you leaving?” I wasn’t ready to let him go.
“You two need some alone time. I’ll walk you to his door, then come by later.” The space between us felt like miles.
Drawing closer to Dad’s room, his voice bellowed into the corridor. Chad let out a chuckle and gave me a wink before whispering, “Good luck with that one. See you later, Tiger.”
“Mr. Wright, you simply cannot work today. Per Doctor’s orders, you are on strict bed rest and to be kept free from any stressful situation.” The nurse appeared frustrated and as if she were about to lose all patience with his demands.
“Either you bring me the phone, or I’ll get out of the bed and get it myself.”
The alarms on the cardiac monitor began beeping and large red numbers flashed indicating a high blood pressure. A strip of paper depicting his heart rhythm started printing out of the side of the machine and after at least twelve inches coiled out, she tore it off to review.
I stepped forward to squash the situation and rushed to the bedside. “That’s enough, Dad. Do this for me and listen to them. She’s trying to save your life!”
“Leah.” He sounded hoarse.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better since that damn tube is out of my throat and even better now that you’re here.” He reached for my hand and I squeezed his gently.
“I’m so thankful you’re doing better. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you.”
“I’m going to be fine.” He squeezed my hand harder.
The nurse pushed her glasses to the top of her head and wore a serious expression. “It’s imperative to keep your blood pressure within normal limits and the more you get worked up, the harder it is to control. Anything that causes increased stress, we need to eliminate. All this arguing about working has to cease immediately.”
“I think I need a new nurse.” He folded his arms across his chest, his voice thick with annoyance.
Unphased, I watched her shove a pen behind her ear while silencing the continued alarm on the machine. Then she smiled politely wearing a very matter-of-fact expression.
“We can arrange that. You’ll end up with Delores, an old-school military nurse who won’t put up with your bulldozing attitude. You’ve already pulled out one of your IV’s and managed to make a spaghetti bowl mess out of the cardiac leads. You’re the first patient in my career to call me an ass—not to mention, only an hour into my shift. Now what do you say, we start this day over. I’m Casey and I’ll be taking care of you for the next eleven hours. Is there anything that I can get for you… other than the office files because those are out of the question?”
“Dad,” I whispered, urging for him to comply.
“I’m Harry Wright. Nice to meet you.” He wasn’t happy in the least but weighed his nurse alternative and extended his hand knowing Casey was the sweet one.
“Nice to meet you Mr. Wright. It’s a pleasure to be your nurse.” She untangled the wires and reassembled them in an organized fashion. “Let me get your bandage changed since it’s soaked in blood. This time, let’s work hard on not pulling out your IV, or I’ll have to start another.”
“Dad? Really? I can’t believe you pulled out your IV,” I scowled.
“I only wanted to call my secretary. She said no, and it didn’t set well.”
“You only got off the ventilator a little bit ago.” I rolled my eyes. “I can’t even believe we’re having this conversation.”
“There are millions of fans depending on a win—expecting a World Series win this season. I have things I need to do.”
At that moment, Chad appeared from the doorway, taking me by complete surprise. My knees almost buckled but I kept holding dad’s hand and leaned against the rail.
“You’re on leave Harry. When you have a release from the doctor in your hands, then and only then, will you work. Per my instruction, Pauline will not be responding to any of your instructions. Bivens is interim until you return. He will be leading the team while you’re out. And it’s temporary. Your job is waiting for you.”
Chad was the first person I’d ever witnessed put my father in his place. “The team needs you to get well, but we all know it’s going to take some time. Stop arguing with the staff here and let them do their job. I need you to get well and get your ass out on the field. But until you do, none of this is negotiable.”
“Daddy listen to… Mr. Mitchell. I almost lost you and I can’t bear to even think of that.”
His expression softened and his eyes watered. “I’ll be back in no time. Probably a couple of weeks.”
“A release, Harry. It’s not negotiable,” Chad reminded him.
According to the doctors the night he had the bypass surgery, it wasn’t going to be this season, but that wasn’t a road I wanted to travel tonight.
“I’m going to leave the three of you alone, but if you start alarming again, everyone has to leave.” The nurse held onto a clipboard.
“I’ll do what I’m supposed to do. I may go a little batshit crazy with boredom, but I’ll do it.”
“Let me know if you need anything.” She patted the blanket covering dad’s legs before exiting the room.”
“It’s good to see you looking better, Harry. After getting to know Leah, I can see where she gets her stubbornness.” Chad’s eyes wondered over to me.
“What have you been stubborn about?” Dad shot me a frown.
“Me stubborn? Mr. Mitchell is exaggerating,” I teased but when he cut a sharp gaze toward Chad, I forgot to breathe.
Had he caught onto something?
Did he speculate?
“She came here stubborn. I apologize if she’s caused you trouble. But she gets that from her old man.” Dad nodded with a proud twinkle in his eyes.
“You’re a lot alike.”
“What did she do?”
They talked like I wasn’t even there.
“I made arrangements for her to
stay in the penthouse at Garrett’s hotel. She took it upon herself to make reservations for a standard room. What’s your motto for the team? We only give and do our best. I believe that to be true and since she’s your family, she gets the best.”
One side of Chad’s mouth curled upward playing fire having this conversation. His smoldering eyes penetrated what felt like to the depths of my soul and my heart contracted tightly.
A loud clatter sounded outside in the hallway breaking the moment. I swallowed hard and peeled my gaze off of that devilish grin. Dad rolled his eyes, oblivious to anything going on between us.
“I’m going to have to cut out, but if you need anything, I’ll be at Mitchell Oil for the rest of the day. It is so good to see you doing so well.”
“Thank you for taking care of Leah.”
“It was my pleasure.” This time, my inner core clenched at the way he huskily stressed the word pleasure and a wave of heat penetrated my cheeks.
Dad would go into cardiac arrest if he knew I’d become a booty call for the man who signed his paycheck. I didn’t miss the cocky grin before Chad blessed me with a nice view of his ass as he left the room.
Chapter 15
I sent Anita a text updating her on Dad’s status while staying glued to his side. At first, the silence was awkward, and I passed time adding music to my different playlists. Some were for running, some for the feels, and others reminding me of passionate nights with Chad.
Finally, he broke the ice, “When I get out of here, you and I are going to spend a lot of time together.”
“I’d like that.” I grinned.
“I can’t undo my mistakes, but I’ll never stop trying.”
“I have my fair share of the blame in what happened between us. There were so many opportunities for me to have handled things differently.” Slowly, I moved my hand from my lap to his lying at his side on the mattress. He rolled his hand over palm up and laced his fingers between mine squeezing gently—and we kept talking.
By mid-day, exhaustion had caught up with him. Each time he blinked, he struggled to keep his eyes open.
“Take a nap, dad. I’ll be right here.”
“I’m not tired.”
“Of course, you’re not and I’m still five. Go. To. Sleep,” I whispered.
A few minutes later, he closed his lids and surrendered to sleep. Everything felt so calm and peaceful and I was so grateful for a second chance. Our relationship was nowhere near healed, but we were less fragmented, and I was less fractured. My past no longer owned me, and I owed it to one man—Chad Mitchell.
My mind shifted to the beautiful man who intoxicated me like the finest whiskey. I wondered if he thought of me—if he felt the same anticipation of spending the night together—again.
My blood buzzed and my spine tingled remembering how his hands felt and how his mouth worshiped every inch of my body. How my heart fluttered this morning when he kissed me right there in the hotel corridor.
He made me feel flirty and like the old fun Leah. Wearing a wide grin, I pulled out my phone and scrolled down to Chad’s name in my contact list and boldly typed out a text.
Me: Looking forward to that shower at your house.
Immediately he was responding and my heart beat wildly in my chest.
Chad: That’s on your terms. Say when and we go...
Me: Soon...
Chad: I will own your body tonight...regardless of where.
I stared at the promise in his words and a surge of heat spread through my blood. Closing my eyes, I remembered the power of his hands and how they possessed me every time he so much as looked at me. I reveled in the thought of how the hard planes of his body felt against mine. My toes curled feeling the sensations of how his mouth licked a trail all the way to the juncture of my thighs—and how he’d given me the stars in the universe so many times I’d lost count.
Shaking my head, I let out a soft giggle.
Needing to catch up, I sent Carli a text.
Me: Are you up?
Carli: Yep! Everything okay?
Me: Yes! Dad’s doing well. We spent a little time this morning talking and working on our relationship.
Carli: That’s so freakin’ good. I’m so happy for you.
Me: Thanks girl. What are you up to this morning?
She sent a selfie with her hair foil wrapped for highlights and wearing a zebra robe at the hair salon.
Carli: Still in Galveston. I wanted to get my hair done so Zane took me to a salon. Can you believe that? I think he might be a keeper.
Me: Definitely...next he’ll be getting a mani/pedi with you.
Carli: We’re doing that after lunch.
Me: Brazilian too? LOL
Carli: I have an appointment this afternoon...not him...LOL I’m going to a conference with him tonight in Houston. We’ll be there for 2 days. What about your Mr. Hot and Sexy?
Me: It’s...going. Not a lot to tell.
Carli replied with rows wide eyed emoji’s with a few ears.
Carli: Dump him if you’re not happy.
Me: I’m happy. I promise.
Carli: Shit! It’s time to rinse my hair.
Me: Have fun on your trip. TTYL :)
I hadn’t realized I’d dozed off until Anita marched inside pulling a rolling suitcase behind her.
“You spending the night?” I asked playfully.
She rolled her eyes. “I brought a few of his own personal toiletries and pajamas.”
“You’re so good to Dad.”
“He looks like he’s resting pretty good.”
“He’s been asleep for a little over an hour.”
“How are you holding up?”
“I’m good.”
“You look a little more rested than you did yesterday.”
I bit back the laugh bubbling in my chest at how Chad had tossed me over his shoulder carrying me through the hotel last night. Then three orgasms later, I slept like a baby.
“Well, well, well.” Anita eyed me carefully.
“Well what?”
“You’re smiling like a Cheshire cat and I’m all ears as to why.”
I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth. There was no way I was going to tell her I was sleeping with the owner of the damned baseball team.
“Carli’s been on my mind a lot. Did I tell you, she ended up meeting a pediatrician by mistake while she was in the ER and just like that they are dating? And then there’s me and Dad. I think we finally have a chance to have a relationship. I’m happy, Anita. Really happy.”
There was truth in what I’d said, but it wasn’t the cherry on top.
“I love that you’re happy, my sweet girl.”
“I’m also glad Dad and I have you, Anita. I don’t know what I’d do without you or if I’ve ever told you that.”
“You’ll always have me.” She looked away, turning her gaze in the direction of the window, like she had a million things on her mind.
“What is it?”
“One of these days Harry is going to terminate my employment. You know as well as I do, he doesn’t need a live-in housekeeper. He needs someone to occasionally cook, do his laundry and tidy up his house maybe on a weekly basis. Since you’re all grown up, he doesn’t need me full time.”
“He’d never let you go.”
“You know, Harry and I have not always gotten along.” She stared at him for a moment.
“I remember some of the arguments. I used to hide in my room, afraid he was going to send you away. But as I got older, I wondered why you stuck around when he was in a bad mood. I mean you moved all over the country with us.”
“I wouldn’t have left you for anything in the world. Do you remember when you turned thirteen and told him you didn’t care if he wasn’t going to be home for the father-daughter winter formal dance because you didn’t even want to go with him? Harry came to me that night and for the first time thanked me for being there for yo
u. He no longer resented my relationship with you.”
“Resented?” I peeked over at Dad to make sure he was still asleep before continuing our conversation.
“He hired me when you were a baby and it didn’t take long for him to take notice of how you clung to me. When he came home, you preferred me... to feed, bathe, rock, and play with. By the time you turned five, things only got worse, and by the time you were a teenager... well you know the hellion you became. I stayed because you needed me. Harry could have replaced me with anyone, but he kept me because of you.”
“I’m sorry he treated you the way he did all those years ago, but I’m so glad you stayed.”
She let out a small laugh. “It wasn’t so bad. I thought he was born in a bad mood. But don’t let that foul temper of his fool you. He was also exceptionally good to me. I’m glad he hired me because I needed you as much as you needed me.”
“I love you, Anita.”
“I love you too. And I’m glad you and Harry are working things out. He’s a good man and he may not have shown you, but he’s always loved you.” Tears welled in the bottom of her eyes.
Around noon the cardiologist popped in, “Tomorrow we’ll move you to the intermediate floor and if you do well after that we’ll move you to the medical-surgical floor before going to rehab.”
“What’s wrong with going home?” Dad grumbled.
“Rehab will improve your strength and ability to function with your daily living routine. You had one hell of a heart attack, Harry. In fact, it’s a small miracle you’re alive. Let us keep getting you on track and you’ll be better in no time.”
“That’s wonderful news.” Anita beamed.
“Since I’m doing so well, maybe someone will bring me the files from the office.”
“No!” Anita, myself and the doctor all said in unison.
The three of us sat together the remainder of the day while Dad intermittently slept. He looked pale and still appeared a little swollen in his face. Chad hadn’t text or called, but I hadn’t expected him to since I was in the room with Dad.
Through the windows, the sky was dark with night. Anita stood at the glass looking down at the street in deep thought. I knew she loved dad, and this had taken a toll on her as well.
Keeping Wicked (The Mitchell Brothers Book 3) Page 11
