by Jill Downey
“You can’t buy happiness, but it sure helps.”
“And you? Are you able to see beyond the billionaire trappings?”
“You know you can’t have it both ways. Buying expensive flowers, perfume, trying to buy me, then complaining that people only want what they can get from you.”
“Touché. But was I wrong about you?”
“In what way?”
“I thought you were different. I didn’t take you for being materialistic.”
“I’m not.”
“How can you say that when you demanded such a high price for your services? I must admit that I was disappointed. I’m usually a pretty good judge of character.”
“Excuse me, but what did you expect me to do? You manipulated and coerced me into accepting a job I didn’t want. Of course, you’re going to pay.” She was a little taken aback by the hurt in his eyes.
The wine, along with the atmosphere and his vulnerability were softening her edges…careful Ella.
“Maybe I’m being obtuse, but I still don’t understand why you’re so upset. I’m paying you a more than generous salary and you get to go back to your old job.”
“Just when I was softening you have to open your mouth and say something idiotic,” she said. “Perhaps we should change the subject.”
“Fine.”
The silence was deafening, neither wanting to be the first to give in. Finally, Kyle caved. “Tell me about your life outside of the hospital,” he said.
“It’s pretty boring.”
“I doubt that.” He stared at her intently, his eyes felt like they were seeing into her soul.
“Really, it’s true… work, water sports, occasional dinner with friends.”
“You said your parents were both gone?”
“Yes, my biological and my adopted parents have all passed.”
“I’m sorry. I do remember you telling me that. I apologize if I ask you to repeat anything. I was pretty out of it for a while.”
The waiter surreptitiously appeared, placing a small dish with a variety of olives next to the breadbasket with a warm baguette nestled inside the cloth. He poured a generous portion of olive oil onto a small plate and added ground pepper and freshly grated parmesan cheese for dipping. “I’ll be back with your first course and salads.”
“Thank you.”
They both reached for the bread at the same time, their hands brushing. Kyle’s eyes burned with intensity, “You do realize that you are an exquisite creature, don’t you? How could you not?”
“I don’t know how to answer that.”
Kyle devoured her. As if hypnotized, she couldn’t look away. Ella couldn’t decide what made him sexier, his chiseled features, his dark designer stubble, or was it his sinfully thick dark lashes? She was caught in his web, mesmerized. He was the sexiest man she had ever laid eyes on. And damn it to hell…she wanted him.
Kyle could see his own desire reflected in her expression. Her eyes big pools of shimmering green, her lips plump and sumptuous…inviting him. Damn his body! His fractured ribs, his broken arm, not to mention his fucked up leg, were major barriers to him having what he wanted. His lack of control wasn’t something he was used to or patient about. He was used to taking what he wanted, when he wanted it—instant gratification.
“Why do you have to be so damned sexy?”
“Kyle, stop. The rules,” Ella said in a whisper.
“The rules suck.”
“Kyle…”
“You do know what I think of your rules don’t you?” He grabbed her hand his thumb rubbing her inner wrist. “I’d like to shove everything off this table and take you right here and now.”
She laughed at that, breaking the sexual tension, “Your waiter would really enjoy walking in on that I’m sure.”
He grinned, “You’ve got a point.”
Their exchange was interrupted by the salad and first course, which was a welcome distraction. “You’re getting quite good with that left hand of yours,” Ella commented.
“Desperate times, desperate measures.”
“I’m betting there isn’t anything you can’t do if you put your mind to it.”
“Arts and crafts?”
She choked on her wine, snorting with glee at the image of Kyle sitting over a needlepoint loom. “That image slays me,” she said.
“As it should.”
“What other hobbies does the mysterious Kyle Bennett do in his free time?”
“I have my pilot license and I own a small Cessna. My father’s company also has a small private jet at our family’s disposal. I love sailing, taking my boat out. I’m trained classically in piano.”
“That sounds like a billionaires guide to fun,” she said withdrawing her hand from his caress.
“I can travel 1200 miles in two hours just in my small Cessna. Opens up your options for date night.”
“I’d say. Do you do sports?”
“I played baseball in college, almost went pro.”
Ella sipped her wine, getting a nice little buzz. She felt more relaxed than she had since she had arrived. “What stopped you?”
“Dear old dad.”
“That sucks. I’d have thought he’d have been proud to have a son so accomplished.”
“He thought it was foolish. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps and take over the family business. I went to law school instead… my other dream and a little less risky. My younger brother opted out as well. Sis too. Father got screwed by all three of his offspring. Except now the company retains my legal services, so in the end I still work for him.”
“I can totally see you as a baseball hero. Women throwing themselves at your feet. What do your sister and brother do besides travel?”
“Griffin, he’s the youngest, is a playboy, lives off the family fortune. Hell of a golfer, was on the pro-circuit for a while, but that took too much of a commitment. Faye same, she flits around the world, a free spirit, and she is actually a very talented artist with an artist’s soul to go with it.”
There entree arrived and since it was fish Kyle easily tackled it without any help from Ella. “This is delicious,” she said.
“I have an amazing chef. Speak of the devil.”
“Bonjour, Mr. Bennett. Mademoiselle,” he said bowing slightly as he held out his hand to Ella. She grasped it and he placed a kiss on the back of her hand. “How are you enjoying your dinner this evening?”
“Splendid, really. One of the best meals in my entire life,” Ella said sincerely.
“You are too kind. I will leave you to it.”
“Thanks, Jacques,” Kyle said.
“My pleasure. If you’re ready we’ll bring out your dessert, crème brûlée.”
Ella putting her hands on her stomach said, “Oh no, my favorite.”
“This is a problem?” Jacques asked confused.
“Yes, because I’m ready to explode. I don’t know where I’ll put it.”
He smiled, “Maybe you could save it for later, penses-tu?”
“I’m going to have to take up French if I hang around Mr. Bennett much longer,” she said giggling.
“You are enchanting. Please, bon appétit.”
“Now that I understand, thank you so much.”
“I think you have another conquest,” Kyle said after the chef departed.
“He’s just a flirt.”
“I’ve entertained women here before and have never seen that kind of reaction. Jacques is usually a pretty cool character.”
Flustered Ella quickly changed the subject, “Back to our previous conversation, you and baseball and career choices, and siblings.”
“Enough about me and my fucked-up family. Will you teach me to paddle board after this broken body heals?” Kyle asked.
“You remembered," she said.
“Are you kidding me? I couldn’t get the visual out of my brain. It gave me something to fantasize about while I was confined to my hospital bed. You in a bikini, standing on a board,
smokin’ hot!”
Her eyes lit up at the compliment, “I’d be happy to teach you.”
“Deal. This near-death experience has given me a new perspective… or maybe just reminded me that there are other things besides work. Finn needs more of his dad even if I suck at it.”
“I’m sure you don’t suck as bad as you think you do. Kids just need to know they’re loved. And love is a verb. That’s all I have to say.”
“Jemma, his mother, was the best mom. She was straight-out-of-a-sappy-movie kind of mom. He was her world. She blossomed after Finn was born. Unfortunately, I wilted.”
“It’s daunting that’s for sure.”
Kyle stifled a yawn and said, “I’m embarrassed to say I’m exhausted.”
“I’m not surprised. Get it through your head this is a marathon not a sprint. You almost died. Your external bruises have healed but you’re still healing on the inside,” Ella said.
The waiter entered with their dessert and Kyle asked for it to be wrapped for them to take back to their rooms. Kyle had difficulty standing after sitting for so long. Ella could tell he was in quite a bit of pain.
“I’m sorry I should have reminded you to stand up once in a while.”
“I’m a big boy Ella, that’s not your job.”
“It kinda is.” She muttered.
Returning with the packaged crème brulée, the waiter handed it to Ella. “Thank you so much. Everything was perfect,” Ella said.
“You’re welcome. I will see you soon I am sure.”
“Night.”
Kyle was wincing in pain as he took his first steps. “I would almost welcome a wheelchair.”
“As painful as the exercise is, you need it. Let’s go.”
“There’s that sadistic nurse I’ve come to know.”
“She’s baacckk!” Ella joked.
“Tomorrow is a big day; my son arrives home.”
“I know. I can’t wait to see him.”
“He’s pretty damn cute, equally matched by his precociousness. I can’t even take care of my fucking self; how the hell am I going to be able to keep a six-year-old entertained?”
“I can help. I’m feeling pretty useless most of the time. I’ll feel less guilty, like you’re getting your money’s worth.”
“A surrogate nanny?”
“Kinda sorta,” she said smiling.
She had rested her hand on his lower back as guided support as he hobbled along, his limp much more pronounced that it had been on their way to dinner. “We’ll get you tucked into your comfy bed and I’ll tell you a bedtime story while we eat our dessert.”
“What kind of story? Little Engine That Could?”
She hooted with laughter, “And you’d be referring to what exactly?”
“As if you didn’t know.”
11
Kyle let out a sigh of relief when they finally reached his quarters. He sat on the bed reclining his upper body.
“Here let me get your shoes,” Ella said, pulling off his loafers one at a time. She sat next to him on the bed in order to reach the buttons of his shirt. Kyle thought he would lose his mind as her fingers feathered against his skin, arousing him further. He tried to reach for her, but she stilled his hand and said, “No.”
He dropped his hand and watched her through eyes blazing with a passion ready to combust. He loved the smell of her… musky… sexy, her soft hands, her playfulness, her confidence. She was wild, exotic, a woman comfortable in her own skin. Her hair, an unruly mass of cascading dark curls, made him fantasize of burying his fingers there while ravaging her mouth. As she unzipped his pants and tugged them off, he had to keep reminding himself that this was Ella the nurse not Ella the temptress.
The air crackled and Ella, with difficulty, ignored Kyle’s large erection straining against the fabric of his underwear. The intimacy of the moment was nearly her undoing. She wanted to kiss and lick her way down his hot body, starting with the curve of his sensuous lips and slowly continuing the whole way down until she reached his manhood.
As if Kyle read her mind he said, “Ella, you’re driving me crazy. I want you under me, on top of me, behind me, in front of me, legs wrapped around my neck, limbs tangled.”
Ella bit down hard on her lip. When their eyes locked, molten fire met unapologetic carnal lust.
Breathlessly Ella said, “Kyle I…”
“Ella, don’t think, feel.”
“I have to think!”
“Why? We’re two consensual adults. Ella, I have to have you.”
Those were exactly the words Ella needed to hear. It was as if she’d been hit with a bucket of ice-cold water. A timely reminder that what Kyle Bennett wanted he always got. She was his desire of the moment, and she was certain that her allure was her unwillingness to fall into his bed simply because he snapped his well-manicured fingers.
“No,” she said forcefully. Kyle grabbed and held her wrist firmly as she tried to pull away.
“You know that’s where we’re heading. Make no mistake, before this is all said and done I’m going to feel your naked body writhing underneath mine and you’re going to be begging me for it,” he trailed his hand up her arm and used his fingers to grab her chin, forcing her to look at him, his eyes glittering like faceted gems.
He was casting a spell and it was working. She had to force herself to remember who she was dealing with, but that voice of reason became weaker by the minute.
“I’m going to bed. Thanks for dinner.”
His eyes still glazed with passion he said, “I’ll be here if you change your mind.”
“Not going to happen.”
“You never know.”
“Give it up and get some rest. Oh! Your pain meds. Sorry, I forgot,” she went into his bathroom to retrieve them.
Handing him a glass of water she shook out the pills into his open palm, “Goodnight Kyle.”
“Goodnight Ell.”
As tough as he talked, there was a quality of loneliness that tugged at her heartstrings. He’d probably never admit it, but she could see it in his eyes. He wanted her, yes, but she also thought he needed to feel connected and alive instead of like an isolated invalid. She had to steel herself from giving in. God this man was complicated! How could he look so lost and vulnerable and so commanding at the same time? … I’d better get the hell out of here…rules! Work only… remember Ella?
“See you in the morning. What time are they bringing Finn home?”
“Around ten.”
She stuck her thumb up in the air then closed the door behind her. She was restless and tempted to do some laps in the indoor pool but felt too full after the food and wine. She’d watch a little TV and hopefully settle down enough to sleep. Geesh, she was going to have to make an effort to leave the house occasionally. She felt like she was getting sucked down the rabbit hole. What had happened to her safe boring life from a month ago? That restless itch she’d been aware of since she met Kyle, rather than diminishing, was full on…and demanding to be scratched.
12
Kyle was reading the New York Times online when he heard loud commotion coming down the hall in the form of a six-year-old ball of energy…close on his heels was Faye.
“Finn slow down! Remember you have to be careful not to roughhouse with your dad.”
“I know. Daddy!” Finn ran towards his father at full speed coming up short when he reached Kyle’s side.
“Hey buddy!” Kyle found himself fighting back emotion. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Me too. Grandma wouldn’t let me come back to the hospital to see you again,” he said.
“I know. Hospitals aren’t for kids, but we did FaceTime.”
Kyle reached out his good arm and held on to his son’s hand. “Can I have a hug?”
“Faye said not to hug ya account of your ribs.”
“It’s okay as long as you don’t squeeze too tight,” Kyle said. He gathered him in for a hug and felt Finn melt into his arms.
; Finn’s eyes suddenly welled with tears, “Dad, I was scared.”
“I know buddy, but everything is going to be all right. Your dad is going to be as good as new.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.” Kyle wiped a tear from Finn’s cheek, then kissed the top of his head.
Kyle’s voice was thick with emotion as he changed the subject, “What did you and your grandparents do for fun?”
“Lots of stuff.”
“Like what?”
“Zoo, water park, games.”
“A man of few words,” Kyle said smiling.
Winking, Faye piped in, “You didn’t tell him the biggest news of all!”
“What news?”
“Grandpa says he will buy me a puppy!”
Kyle tried to hide his irritation. This was not a new topic of conversation; they had discussed this on many occasions. “I thought we had already talked about this Finn. I said it’s not a good time for a puppy.”
“Please!”
“Finn,” he said in a voice that brooked no argument.
“But Grandpa said…”
“Knock knock, am I interrupting?” Ella said entering the den.
“The more the merrier,” Faye said warmly. Kyle and Ella exchanged an intimate look which did not go unnoticed by Faye.
“Finn, remember my nurse Ella?”
Finn looked up shyly at Ella, “Yes. You don’t look like a nurse.”
Ella squatted down to be eye level with Finn, “Oh? What does a nurse look like?”
“Not like you,” he replied. “You look like a princess.”
Ella’s eyes widened as she unconsciously put her hand against her heart, “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
He grinned displaying the gap where his two front teeth had once been. “It’s true, just like Belle from Beauty and the Beast.”
Ella laughed delightedly. “I’ll have to find a beast I guess,” she said, glancing sideways at Kyle.
“Daddy did you ask her?”
“Ask her what?” Kyle said.
“If Ella can be my new nanny.”
They all laughed causing Finn to look a bit crestfallen.
