Wild: Savannah Heirs

by June, CoraLee

  Luis laughed lightly and pulled out the barstool. “Come on. Sit. I’ll catch you up.” He went back to the stove and started stirring again.

  Having dinner was probably crossing the line from friendly client to something else. “That’s okay, Nurse Anabelle went over everything already, so I should go check in on your mom.”

  “Relax. She just fell asleep about thirty minutes ago. You have time to eat.”

  Torn, I bit my lip. It did smell amazing. When he started fixing a plate for me, my stomach growled audibly. Dammit. I knew I shouldn’t have skipped lunch earlier, but I’d been so busy trying to catch up with the duties at the hospital and avoiding Aaron, that I just hadn’t had time.

  After Luis fixed a plate for himself too, he sat beside me at the kitchen island, and we ate in companionable silence for a couple of minutes until I spoke up. “So, do you do that a lot?”

  “Do what?” he asked, draining his glass of water. I tried not to watch his throat bob up and down, but his dark skin and black stubble made it look entirely too good. No man’s throat should be that attractive.

  “This,” I said, motioning around the kitchen. “Cook. Handle your mother’s business dealings. Do you handle everything?”

  He gave a nonchalant shrug. “Well, yeah. Ma can’t handle anything these days. If I let her actually run things, she would’ve spent all of our income on blow.”

  I winced at his bluntness. “I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with all of that. Isn’t there anyone else who can help? Other family?”

  He shook his head, making his black hair flop over into his eyes slightly. “No, I have no other family. My dad left us when she was pregnant. It’s only ever been us. But I have the Heirs.”

  I suddenly felt grateful for that fact. At least he had them. My brother might be an asshole, but when it came to the Heirs, he was different. Loyal. Protective. Just like he was with me.

  I wiped my mouth with a napkin. “Well, you sure can cook. But you should probably wear a shirt next time. In case the oil spits or something.”

  Did I really just say that?

  Amusement lit up his face. “Nah. I have this hot nurse chick who can rub burn cream on me. It’d be worth it.”

  He moved to set the empty glass down, purposefully brushing his arm against mine in the process. Just that small movement made my entire body light up with electricity.

  “Enough about me being a badass, how was your day?” he asked before scooping up food and putting it into his mouth.

  A drizzle of sauce collected on the corner of his mouth, and without thinking, I picked up my napkin and dabbled at the corner of it. He smiled and grabbed my wrist, swallowing his food while keeping his eyes on mine. It seemed like all of my nerve endings were only concentrated on the part of my wrist he was holding. It was all I could feel.

  He twisted my hand and lifted it to his mouth, placing his soft lips to it while I watched, unable to breathe. He lingered in the touch and moved his other hand to brush along my thigh, his finger running up and down and making the fabric bunch slightly. The way his brown eyes watched me, and his simple movements—his touch held me hostage without hope for ransom. And one thing became abundantly clear.

  I was so fucked.

  I coughed because this was definitely crossing the lines of professionalism.

  I had to run away, get out of Savannah as soon as that seventy grand was deposited into my account. And Luis? He was tethered here with more responsibilities than I could count.

  There was no time for games. There was too much harm in flirting and pretending that we could enter into a relationship.

  Snapping my hand back out of his grip, I quickly went back to eating before answering his question, my eyes focused on my plate. “It was fine. Dr. Carmichael updated me on her treatment plan.” I didn’t mean for my voice to come out strained, but Aaron had that sort of effect on me.

  Luis picked up on it immediately. “Is he giving you a hard time?” he asked, dropping his spoon.

  I didn’t turn to immediately face him, so he pushed his hand higher up my thigh and leaned in. “Your Majesty, I’m waiting,” he purred. When I turned to face him again, our noses brushed. Any closer, and I could have tasted his lips.

  I cleared my throat and looked away again. “Of course not,” I lied.

  My thoughts immediately went back to today in Aaron’s office. I pushed away my plate of dinner. Just the thought of that had my stomach roiling.

  “What are you not saying?” Luis asked, his eyes darting between mine. “Did something happen back in Ecuador?”

  My heart was beating way too fast now. He was too close to the truth, and I was too bad of a liar. Everyone in Savannah knew—you didn’t pull one over on an Heir. But I was going to try anyway.

  I shook my head. “We just...don’t see eye to eye, that’s all,” I hedged. “But he’s a good doctor,” I admitted.

  The last thing I wanted was for Luis to start digging. Or maybe just get leery and fire Aaron on the spot. If that happened, I had no doubt that he’d punish me for it.

  Luis didn’t look convinced. He trailed his hand up to my waist and turned my chair, scooting closer. My legs were now positioned between his hard, athletic thighs. He leaned in close, making my breath catch. “You know you can trust me, right?”

  I had trouble holding his warm, open gaze, so my eyes dropped to my plate. “I’m a big girl, Luis. You just worry about choosing a college to go to and picking out spring break spots for next year.”

  It was a bitch move. Totally condescending, and one he didn’t deserve. But I was purposely pushing him away, using his age as an excuse to not feel the connection between us. But he didn’t take the bait any more than I had. Instead of getting pissed, he leaned in, his hot breath feathering across my face.

  Oh God.

  I tilted my head, my body readying for his lips even as my mind was telling me that I was a dumbass.

  His dark eyes darted down to my mouth, and he bit his teeth into his bottom lip like he wanted to take a bite out of me. The sight was so fucking erotic that my thighs pressed together. Once again, I was being pulled down to his orbit, like a tether trying to ground me. He was so beautiful, even this close up, it almost hurt to look, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I wasn’t ready to get away from his solid warmth. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel his tongue against mine, and I wanted to give in. I wanted him to erase every disgusting touch Aaron had polluted me with.

  I think he saw that desire in my face because the corner of his lips quirked up. His hand slid up my waist, almost skimming over the edge of my breast, and my breath got hooked inside my chest.

  Slowly, so slowly that it was almost brutal, he started leaning in more and more and more.

  My eyes fluttered closed, waiting for the inevitable clash. I was anticipating his soft lips on mine. Expecting the sparks of our collision. Luis closed the last millimeter of distance and then he...licked my nose?

  Startled, I reared back and blinked at him with wide eyes. My hand came up to check, and sure enough, the tip of my nose was indeed wet from his tongue. “Did...did you just lick my fucking nose?”

  A huge grin took over his face, showcasing his bright white smile. “Yep. You have a fucking adorable nose.”

  My eyebrows pulled together in a frown. “Don’t lick my nose, Salvador.”

  He just laughed harder. “Why? Is there something else you’d like me to lick? I’m all ears, Majesty, and I’m open to requests.”

  He might’ve been all ears, but I was all embarrassment. His words colored my cheeks and got my palms sweating. I’d just been about to kiss him. I’d practically been about to crawl into his lap and demand it. My libido was ringing with needy bells, obnoxiously trying to get me to give in to its demands.

  “I love that,” Luis said quietly, interrupting my thoughts. With the hand still holding my side, his thumb traced over my ribs in a circular motion that somehow seared into me like a flame.


  “Love what?”

  “The way your cheeks go pink when you’re thinking about me fucking you. It’s pretty cute.”

  “I am not thinking about that.”

  I was, but he didn’t need to be so goddamn cocky and call me out on it.

  “No?” he asked as he leaned back in his chair slightly. “Then what are you thinking about that has you all hot and bothered?”

  “I…uh… ” Flustered, my words trailed off into a bumbling pause.

  “Thought so,” he said with a twinkle in his damn eye.

  “I’m going to check on your mother now, Mr. Salvador,” I snapped, getting to my feet and out of his grasp.

  “Oh. Mr. Salvador, huh? You’re taking this whole older woman thing to the next level. I like it.”

  I snatched up my nursing bag. “I don’t like you like that.”

  He grinned. “You’re a bad liar.”

  Pissed, frustrated, and admittedly horny, I turned and walked away as quickly as I could, ignoring his chuckles as I raced through the living room and into the hallway that led to the bedrooms. The first door I opened was a bathroom, but door number two was the one I was looking for. I knocked lightly and let myself in, finding Mrs. Salvador already awake, sitting up in bed, her tired eyes glued to the TV.

  “Hi, Mrs. Salvador. I hope you remember me, it’s Royal Taylor.”

  She glanced over and gave me a weak smile. “Course I remember you. My Luis has always had his eye on you.”

  I had no idea what to say to that, so I ignored it completely. These damn Salvadors were going to be the death of me.

  I walked up to the bed and set my bag down on the nightstand, then dug through it to get my arm cuff and stethoscope. “May I?” I asked, motioning toward her arm.

  She lifted it lazily, her eyes going back to the screen. My throat clenched at the sight of her. This was what was so hard about nursing. It was all on me right now. It was my responsibility to care for her, and that meant more than just her physical ailments. I was her emotional and mental support too, but I didn’t know if I was up to the task. If I failed, Luis would hate me. I’d lose my job. Aaron would add it to the things he’s holding over me. My family would lecture me about yet another failure. I wouldn’t get paid, and I wouldn’t have a way out.

  But seeing her the way she was now—gray, dull, sluggish—it hurt my heart to know that Luis was seeing her this way too. I wanted to help her beyond my own selfish reasons. And that meant that I had to finally be what I’d been trained to be. No more feeling sorry for myself. No more doubting. I needed to help the Salvadors get through this.

  So, with new determination, I mentally pulled up my big girl nursing scrubs and got the fuck to work.

  I wrapped her arm with the cuff and took her blood pressure, and then took note of everything from the sound of her lungs to how dilated her eyes were.

  “It’s time for your medicine. You want to take it with water or some juice?”

  “I want more painkillers.”

  I checked the notes from Anabelle. “We aren’t due for more of those for a few hours,” I told her gently.

  Mrs. Salvador started scratching at her arms. “That shit they’re giving me for the withdrawals isn’t working.”

  “I know it’s a struggle, but you’re getting through the hardest physical part of it right now.”

  She cursed in Spanish and then started picking at the bed sheets, writhing as she tried to get rid of a scratch that just wasn’t there. “Did...has anyone checked on that family? You know, the one I hit.”

  I nodded. “I think Bonham has been taking care of it.”

  I knew from my brother that Bonham had acted on Luis’s behalf and paid for the family’s medical expenses, making sure they had the best care.

  Mrs. Salvador nodded with both relief and pain flashing over her expression.

  “How about we get you up and out of that bed so you can walk around for a bit? I could change your sheets, and we could sit out on the balcony to enjoy the summer air. I saw you have a nice view at the back of the house that overlooks the city.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  I looked around the room. It was nice, but just like the rest of the house, it was cold. Generic. All chrome and black and white. “Have you eaten anything today?” I asked her.

  She gave a throaty laugh that ended up as a cough. “No. That other nurse tried giving me some crackers, but I don’t like those things. They stick to my teeth.”

  Noticing the sheen of sweat on her brow, I walked into the en suite bathroom, returning with a wet washrag. I sat on the edge of the bed and gently wiped her face. “I don’t like crackers much either. I’m more of a chip girl,” I told her as I did my best to gently wipe the sweat away.

  “Sí. The salty ones with the vinegar. Those are my favorite.”

  “Tell you what,” I said, moving her tangled hair out of the way so I could wipe the back of her neck. “You take your meds, and I’ll get you some of those chips.”

  She gave me a bored look. “You’re terrible at bribery, mija.”

  I chuckled. “I’ll work on that.”

  “But you’re a good nurse.”

  Shock stilled my movements for a second as my eyes flicked up to hers. “Thanks,” I said awkwardly.

  “You’re a good girl, mija. Take care of him.”

  “Who?” I asked, my throat closing with emotion.

  She gave me a pointed look. “You know who. I might not be the best mother in the world, but I know things. See things,” she said with a sigh as she settled back on the bed. “I don’t want him to get hurt.”

  I couldn’t tell her that one of my reasons for leaving Savannah was to prevent that very thing.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Luis

  She was here. So fucking close.

  I didn’t want to press too hard, but I was finding it hard not to. I knew doing a good job and keeping things professional was important to her, probably because that fucker Dr. Carmichael made her question herself. I didn’t like the way he looked at her, but I did owe him one.

  Thanks to him, Royal would be spending every night here for the foreseeable future. Couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to get closer to her even if I’d tried.

  I glanced at the clock. Three a.m. I hadn’t even managed to close my eyes for more than a second.

  Knowing Royal was so close was fucking with me, and watching her take care of Ma made my chest bloom with affection. I’d been taking care of her for so long on my own that it was nice to know I didn’t have to hold the burden of this episode alone.

  A light knocking on my door made me shoot up out of bed and stumble over to open it. Twisting the handle, I was greeted with a wide-eyed Royal, her brown eyes raking up and down my naked chest. I’d purposely gone to bed in my boxers, hoping I’d get an opportunity like this. She liked what she saw, even if she tried to deny it.

  “Yes, Your Majesty?” I asked while leaning against the door frame and feigning tiredness. I hoped she didn’t see how wired I actually was, how on edge.

  She swallowed and continued to stare for a beat longer before responding. “Um, your mom. Your mom needs more towels. She’s sweating a lot. Do you, um, have any?” she rambled shyly in the cutest fucking way. Once again, I found myself wanting to wrap my arms around her and kiss her until she couldn’t see straight.

  “Yeah, let me get them for you.” I turned around and headed towards my connected bathroom. She followed behind me, and I caught her trailing her long fingers along the top of my dresser, pausing when she got to the picture there.

  Once in the bathroom, I stopped to check the mirror, flexing a bit before smoothing my hair. I had to check the goods to make sure I could entice the sexy nurse in my room.

  Grabbing a stack of towels from the cabinet, I made a mental note to order more of them and sheets too. I knew how these things went. Detoxing was a brutal bitch. Ma usually alternated between excessive fatigue and an anxious agitation
. She wanted to run the itch out of her system but was too tired to actually do it. One time she puked so much she had to have an IV of fluids. I’d had to buy her a new mattress that time too.

  When I came back into my bedroom, Royal was still standing there, staring at the framed photo on my dresser.

  “You still have this?” she asked before spinning around to face me.

  I had the photo seared into my brain. It was taken before she left for South America. We’d had a small going away party, and she’d kissed me on the cheek. Bonham joked that I wouldn’t wash my face the entire time she was gone, and I’d punched him in the dick. But then I really hadn’t let the water hit in my face for my shower the next morning. I know, fucking pathetic. But that was what Royal Taylor did to me.

  “Course I still have it,” I said, looking down at the photo.

  It was the three Heirs and me, with Royal standing between Godfrey and me. We were at the Kelly Estate near the pool, and it had been Scarlett who had taken the picture. I remembered that because Scarlett was the one who had actually gone to the trouble of printing a copy and slipping it into my locker one day.

  Royal wasn’t smiling in the photo. She wasn’t even looking at the camera. But that was because her eyes were locked on me.

  I was being an idiot like usual in it, probably made some fucked up joke to get everyone to laugh. All of us were smiling, even grumpy ass Rogue. But Royal? There was no amusement in her face. She looked like she was so full of regret that it was about to start puddling at her feet and wash her away.

  It was my favorite photo of her, not because she was in her bikini—which was a real fucking bonus, lemme tell you—but because I liked to imagine the longing in her eyes hadn’t been about the fact that she was getting shipped off to Ecuador the next day. Instead, I liked to imagine that the longing had been for me.

  “I didn’t want to go,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

  “I know. You shouldn’t have felt like you had to.”

  “Not like being home with my dad would’ve been much better, but I was so pissed when they sent me away.”