by Jill Downey
“Well, well, well, I’m surprised you came back.”
Ella’s lips tightened and her eyes narrowed, daring Ms. Deplorable to go there. “You called me in for a reason I presume?”
“Yes. Tonya called in sick, so I need you to fill in for her today.”
Her voice shaky Ella said, “You’re pulling me from my nursing duties to be an aide?”
“Exactly.”
“Are you sure this isn’t punishment for my time off?”
“Don’t be dramatic. You know, six weeks is a long time to go short-handed. We had to hire a replacement and she is just starting to catch on. I would hate to pull her when she is still learning the ropes.”
“I would think with my seniority, you would! She could learn quite a bit as an aide. I’ve paid my dues. I have the most seniority on this unit.”
“And I am your supervisor. As my subordinate I expect you to comply without argument. End of story.”
Delores continued, “I’m sure you’re not going to like this either but tomorrow I’m transferring you to another floor. They had someone quit unexpectedly. Better prepare yourself, you could be floating for a couple of days or it could even turn into weeks. Their unit needs you and ICU doesn’t.”
“We’ll see about this!” Ella said seething.
“I hope you’re not thinking about running to your billionaire lover to rescue you.”
Tears shimmered in Ella’s eyes as she said quietly, “Is that all then?”
“One more thing…I had better not hear any gossip come back to me that you’ve been complaining to your peers; we want to keep morale up and disgruntled employees have no place in nursing. Do we understand one another?”
“Completely.” Turning on her heel she stormed out of the office and headed to the restroom. Locking herself in, she let the tears come. She felt humiliated and outraged at the same time. That bitch! But Deloris had called her bluff when she brought Kyle into the equation. She knew Ella wouldn’t lower her pride and ask Kyle to intervene on her behalf.
She stopped in to inform Mr. Fogarty that she had a change of duty and she wouldn’t be his nurse, but she’d still be in and out as an aide.
“You’re telling me that witch demoted you to emptying catheter bags and bedpans?” Mr. Fogarty said incredulously.
“Now Mr. Fogarty, it’s not so bad. Aides are a very important part of a patient’s care. I’m happy to serve.”
“I may put in a complaint.”
“Please no!” she said sounding panicked.
“If you don’t want me to I won’t.”
“Please. It would only make the situation worse. But thank you. Let’s just keep this between you and me, okay?”
“I will.”
Ella erased her name from the white board and entered the new nurse’s name. “Your new nurse’s name is Sarah. She’ll be in soon to check on you. Get some rest. That’s an order,” she said with a smile.
As Ella turned to leave Dr. Thompson entered the room.
His eyes widened when he saw her. “Ella! Great to have you back. How is my patient here doing?”
“Ornery,” she said smiling.
“How do you feel Mr. Fogarty, on a scale of one to ten what is your pain level today?”
“I’d say a three.”
“I’m leaving for the day and had to check on another patient, so I thought I’d stop in to see you on my way out.”
“Thanks Doc.”
“Ms. Palmer, could you join me in the hallway?”
“Sure. See you later Mr. Fogarty.”
As they exited the patient’s room, Andy smiled warmly at Ella and said, “Will you walk me to the stairwell?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve missed you Ella. I’m glad you’re back. Please don’t take this the wrong way…you know how hospitals are, but I have to ask, are you involved with somebody?”
“Not anymore.”
“But you were? The patient you were caring for?”
“It wasn’t like that…”
“I’m not here to judge, I just thought we had something…I thought you were attracted to me. Was I just imagining that it went both ways?”
“No, I was… am attracted to you, it’s just that I don’t date doctors anymore, remember?”
“Only patients…”
Ella winced, “That’s not judging?”
“I’m sorry. I really, really like you, Ella. If you tell me nothing’s going on, I’ll believe you. Please consider letting me take you out. You won’t regret it.”
“Andy lets revisit this another time. I’m having a very bad day. I promise I’ll get back with you.”
“As long as you promise.” He reached out and tenderly brushed a loose tendril of hair from her cheek. That simple act of kindness almost sent her over the edge.
“I’ve got to go; I’m subbing for an aide today and its one of me to ten patients.”
“I’ll check back in with you soon.”
“Bye Andy.”
His eyes were bright, and it seemed like he wanted to say more but stopped himself. “Bye Ella.”
25
Ella was exhausted after running up and down the unit all day caring for ten patients. The ratio of aides to patients sucked. She didn’t know how they did it day after day. Her feet were killing her, and her low back ached after having to do several transfers of larger patients at the end of her long day.
As she turned the corner onto her street, she spied a cherry red sports car sitting in her drive and her heart skipped several beats. Her stomach roiled and she hoped she didn’t throw up. She pulled in and saw Kyle sitting on the top step of her front stoop holding a bouquet of flowers.
Turning off her jeep, she sat there for a minute, taking several calming breaths before getting out to confront her unwelcome guest. His tie was undone and hung loosely around his neck. He had taken off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt halfway down his chest. His hair was unruly, and he looked tired. She softened for a moment until she recalled the day she had just spent at work, thanks to him.
He stood up, hesitantly offering the flowers, which she ignored. Walking around him she stuck her key in the lock. She went inside leaving the door wide open. He hesitantly stepped inside unsure if it was an invitation or not.
The atmosphere was icy. Ella put her bag down and turned to face Kyle, glaring, with hands on her hips, “Well?”
“Ella why won’t you return my calls?”
“What’s the point? We’re miles apart. This is a one-sided relationship. It’s all about you!”
“No, that’s not true.” He approached, setting the flowers on the counter as he reached for her hand. She jerked it away.
“Don’t touch me!”
Kyle took a deep steadying breath. “We had a fight. Couples do that you know. Why are you making this out to be more than it is?”
“Let me tell you a little story. You know what I was greeted with today, thanks to your intrusion into my life?”
“No but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.”
“I was assigned to sub for a nurses’ aide who called in sick, despite my seniority. That means instead of one to two patients I had ten. Instead of using my nursing skills to save lives, I changed catheters and bedpans. I changed bedding, I cleaned up vomit. Not that I’m above any of that—it’s an important job, but this was assigned out of spite just because she can!”
“Ella…”
She held up her hand, “I’m not finished! You know what I’ll be doing tomorrow and for the foreseeable future? I’ll be floating, which means I’m being pulled from ICU, and moved to another unit that needs me. Completely new routine, I’ll have to deal with the hierarchy and cliques, I’ll get the crappy assignments and the difficult patients—you know, the whiners and complainers, the ones whose call lights are going off continuously. Floaters aren’t typically treated that well.”
“Ella, I’m sorry, I had no idea…” Kyle trailed off unsure of what to say next.
“No
of course you didn’t, because you’re a spoiled self-centered man who always gets his way. You plow over anyone in your path.”
“How could I know my request would lead to all of that?”
“That’s not the point. If you had respected me and listened to the word no from the beginning, none of this would have happened.”
“You know what, I’m going to say something that will get me further in trouble, but what the hell! I’m not sorry.” Her eyes widened. “If I hadn’t insisted you come work for me, I wouldn’t have gotten to know you. I would never have held you in my arms, made love to you, kissed that tiny mole next to your sumptuous breast…so no, I’m not sorry.”
Ella looked away as he continued, “I am sorry that you’re being punished for my actions. I never saw that coming. How could I?”
This time when he reached for her hand, she didn’t pull away. He brought it to his lips and kissed her palm. “Ella, I’ve missed you. I’m lonely without you. I need you in my life. So does Finn. Please forgive me. I promise not to pressure you anymore about moving in with us.”
Tears filled her eyes and she squeezed them shut, causing her tears to spill out and run down her cheeks. Kyle groaned and pulled her to his chest. He kissed the top of her head, “Oh baby, I’m so sorry. I never meant for you to get hurt. I’ll talk to Joe; I’m sure he’s unaware of what a bitch your supervisor is.”
Her hands rested on his hips, sniffling against his chest she said, “No please, it would only make things worse. I’ll get through this. I’m tough. It was just a rude reentry. I love my unit and working in ICU, but I’ll adjust and hopefully I won’t be a floater forever.”
He tilted her chin up and used his thumbs to tenderly wipe the tears from her cheeks. Then he kissed both eyelids, the tip of her nose, finally settling on her lips. He didn’t press, his lips rested there, the sensation of hers full and soft under his, enough for the moment. She parted her mouth, and still his lips remained motionless. His hands burrowed into her thick mane of hair. Her breath quickened. She reached up and wrapped her hands behind his head as she pressed her tongue against his mouth.
That was his undoing. He had to have her.
The inferno within erupted and he began to ravage her mouth. He drank of her with an unquenchable thirst. Separating long enough to pull her scrubs over her head and unclasp her bra, he inhaled sharply when her voluptuous breasts spilled out. Pulling her pants down he kissed her flat belly… her mound… her thighs…she steadied herself, hanging on to his shoulders as she stepped out of her pants. She stood before him in a skimpy lace bikini bottom, and he almost lost it. He roughly pulled them down and tossed them aside.
Still squatting, he ran his hands up her inner thighs and pressed his thumb against her labia, she pressed into him as she braced against the counter behind her. He replaced his thumb with his mouth, his tongue flicking quickly then lapping at her moist center. Ella panted and moaned his name.
Standing, he ripped off his dress shirt and unbuckled his pants. He kicked them aside and turned her around to face the counter. She willingly bent over as his eyes hungrily took in her perfectly rounded ass and long slim back. Reaching for his discarded slacks he pulled a condom from his pocket and ripped it open.
He gripped either side of her hips, entering from behind. She cried out with pleasure as he filled her wet center. Holding her steady he plunged deep inside, slowly at first, then faster and harder, pounding against her buttocks. He used his foot to spread her legs further and pulled her tighter into him as he rode her. His muscular thighs and buttocks contracted with every thrust.
With each push he stimulated her G-spot. When he reached around and pinched her nipple she exploded. She threw her head back and cried out. Grasping the counter-top she rode wave after wave as she spasmed against his cock.
“Oh baby, you feel so good. I love how warm and tight you are.” Ella’s pulsating warmth shattered him. He erupted violently, coming inside of her, pumping wildly into her receptive womb. His chest and brow glistened with sweat as he grunted with each contraction. When the storm calmed, he withdrew and turned Ella to face him, pulling her into his arms.
Ella, still feverish from their passion, didn’t respond. Instead she sucked and nibbled his neck as her breath returned to normal, her palms stroking his chest. She practically purred when he ran his hands down the length of her back, settling only when he reached her buttocks, cupping them.
Ella found her voice. “Kyle, that was…the best makeup sex I’ve ever had.”
He smiled into her hair, squeezing her tightly against him. “Promise me you’ll never leave me again.”
She cradled his face between her palms and peered deeply into his blue eyes. “I promise. Kyle I…”
“You?”
“I… I’m crazy about you.”
“I’m more than crazy about you, you know that don’t you?”
“Yes, I think I do.”
“Unfortunately, I’ve got to get home and relieve the nanny, who by the way is working out well.”
“I’ve been wondering how that was going. I’m relieved to hear it.”
“Finn is already becoming attached. But that doesn’t let you off the hook, he misses you terribly.”
“I miss him too.”
“He’s spending the weekend with Faye; she is picking him up Friday afternoon and he’ll be there through Sunday. Wanna come over and stay with me?”
“Yes!”
He picked her up and swung her around. “Good answer. Maybe you can drop in to see Finn one night this week. He’d really like that.”
“I will.”
While Kyle got dressed, Ella went to grab a robe before seeing him out. She stood on her tip toes and pecked him on the lips.
“You’re so beautiful,” Kyle said.
“You are looking pretty hot yourself. See you soon,” she smiled shyly before closing the door.
26
Kyle was completely immersed in the work piled on top of his desk when his father stormed in without warning. “Why the hell didn’t you call me about this latest clusterfuck?”
“Hello to you too Dad.”
“I’m considering dumping the whole damn development. It’s costing me way too much and the local law enforcement doesn’t seem to be concerned about solving it.”
“There is only so much they can do. They assure me they’re on it.”
“Don’t you have any connections?”
“Yes, but it takes time. It’s not like pulling a rabbit out of the hat.”
“As our attorney I’d like your opinion about my best course of action here.”
“After the last round of vandalism, things have been quiet. The Earth Saviors are still picketing but have backed off since development ground to a screeching halt. Have a seat,” Kyle motioned to a chair.
Kyle thought his dad was looking old and haggard. When had that happened? He’d always been virile and as healthy as a horse. He stayed in shape, golfed five days a week, lifted weights, walked regularly, he and his mother always on the go.
In a moment of weakness, he let his guard down with his father, “Dad, everything okay? You look tired.”
“Why wouldn’t it be? Other than the fact that my oldest son can’t seem to manage one tiny aspect of the family business, it’s all just hunky dory.”
Kyle’s mouth twisted and he forced himself not to go for the bait. “Dad what would you have me do?”
“Now I’m supposed to tell you how to be an attorney? Why in the hell did I pay for you to go to an Ivy League law school? So I could hold your hand?”
Despite his father’s browbeating, Kyle still sensed something was off with him. “How’s Mom?”
“She’s fine. Spending money like there’s no tomorrow.”
“She has to get something out of it for putting up with you.”
“I would agree.”
Kyle raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Wow, did I hear right? You agreed with something I said. That�
�s a first.” He looked at his watch, “It only took thirty-four years, six months, twelve hours and three minutes for that to happen, very impressive.”
His father waved his hand impatiently, “I asked for your advice. Cut my losses and pull out or move forward?”
“For now, I’d say lay low and see if things settle down. Stop everything temporarily and reevaluate in a month.”
“That’s what we’ll do then.”
“Did Mom fly in with you?”
“No, I flew solo.”
“Why not? Is she feeling okay?”
“Yes, why the sudden concern about us?”
“You’re my parents.”
“That’s never held much weight before.”
“Maybe I’m softening,” Kyle said.
“Doubtful. Regardless, your mom is fine. So am I. I’m just under some added stress. I needed some time alone, but nothing I can’t handle.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help,” Kyle offered.
“I don’t know what that would be.”
“Are you staying with Faye?”
“No, I booked a hotel. I’m here on business.”
“You know you’re always welcome to stay with me and Finn. It’s not like there’s a lack of space.”
“I appreciate the sentiment.” Standing he said, “I’ve got to get going. I’ll notify the foreman of my decision.”
“I think it’s your best course of action.”
As he reached the door, Kyle’s father turned, his brows drew together and he said, “You know Kyle, I love your mother, I always have.”
Kyle waited for him to say more but instead he turned and left, leaving Kyle to ponder that obscure statement. Where the hell did that come from? He’d have to call his mom later and check in to see if everything really was all right.
Kyle dove back into his case load and the moment was quickly forgotten.
27
Kyle came down the staircase just as Lindsey was leaving. Since Finn was gone, she had the entire weekend off and had informed them she’d be gone until Sunday evening. A man stood waiting just inside the door next to Richard. Kyle gave a salute and continued on to his office. He would have to check with Richard to see if Lindsey had obtained security clearance for her guest as he had instructed her to do. The man had seemed to be staring rather boldly at Kyle, almost challengingly.
