
An Ellora's Cave Romantica Publication
www.ellorascave.com
Have a Little Faith in Me
ISBN 9781419919183
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Have a Little Faith in Me Copyright © 2008 Nicole Austin
Edited by Shannon Combs.
Cover art by Syneca.
Electronic book Publication November 2008
The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora's Cave Publishing.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors' imagination and used fictitiously.
Have a Little Faith in Me
Nicole Austin
To all the healthcare workers who give a little piece of their abundant hearts and souls to those in need. Thank you!
Trademarks Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Post-It: 3M Company
Myth, magic or legend? There have been Hussies since before time was measured in days and minutes. Women who fought bravely alongside their mates with sword and axe, warriors whose courage changed the world around them. Led by the first Hussy, Danu, these fierce fighters discovered their inner strengths, summoned reserves they didn't know they possessed and passed into the fabric of legend with their daring exploits.
Since that time, myths have been spun around the Hussy Warriors---tales told by firelight, whispered from mother to daughter---eventually to take their place amongst the mystical fables that shape our souls.
But the essence of a Hussy remains strong in the hearts of so many women. Heroines who don't realize that within them lies the power to make a difference, to effect change, to use their passion every bit as skillfully as Danu wielded her sword so long ago. Warriors in different times and different places, who love as deeply and desire as desperately as any woman ever has, seldom knowing that their desire will impact not just one man, but so much more.
Therein lies the magic of a Hussy. To right a wrong, turn a frown to a smile---to positively change those around her. To love a man with every fiber of her body, to learn from that love and to grow stronger because of it.
Whether in the past, the future, or the here-and-now, there are Hussies around each corner. They may not even be aware of their Hussy destiny. But one thing is certain---when passion knocks on their door, lives will change for the better. And when it comes to their one special hero? Well, he's in for the ride of his life.
Which leaves one unanswered question...are you a Hussy?
"Okay, I'm trying to work here."
Andreana Costas shook her head, picked up the sheet that had fluttered off the table and once again prepared the exam room for her next patient. Working graveyard shift, she'd become accustomed to dealing with strange incidents. The "kids" seemed to enjoy playing with those who believed.
She put on her stern voice of authority. "You can play later...after I scan this next patient."
The spirits she encountered around the hospital were not malevolent. Same as any other kid, they seemed to be looking for a bit of fun and entertainment. Most of the time she didn't mind but when busy, it became necessary to let them know their timing was inappropriate.
Stepping out into the hallway, she had to chuckle at the antics of the spirits at play as the automatic doors flapped open and closed several times. "Darn kids love to push buttons," she muttered.
When the doors opened again, she got a good look at the pale child being wheeled down the corridor on a stretcher and any sense of mirth she'd felt evaporated. Her gut churned and instinct prepared her for what would be a heart-wrenching case.
"Aw, damn it! What's the story, Doug?"
She helped guide the stretcher into the exam room and got to work positioning the baby as the E.R. transporter told her an all too familiar tale.
"Babysitter claims Jamie Lynn rolled off the couch onto the carpeted floor. Changed her story when the cops arrived. Now she says another child hit the baby with a wooden block."
The CT images told a different story. Andi scrolled through the scan again to confirm what she'd seen as Doug crowded in close to the monitor.
"What is it, Andi?"
She pointed to a white streak, where it didn't belong, in the patient's brain. "She's got blood and a skull fracture here. This corresponds to the lump on the back of her head." Her finger moved to a spot on the image directly opposite of the injury site. "And there's blood here too."
"Two bleeds?" Doug's expression turned grim.
Andi nodded. "A contra coup."
"What's that?"
"Whiplash. The force against the back of her head caused her brain to slingshot forward, crashing into her skull and creating the second bleed."
"Okay...what's that mean for the baby?"
Doug's genuine curiosity prompted her to continue. "It's a strong indicator of abuse and disproves the babysitter's story. Both of them. For a contra coup injury to occur there has to be a substantial and violent impact."
"Aw crap!"
Andi nodded. She hated abuse cases. Thankfully, the E.R. staff never brought family or anyone else over with kids suspected to have been abused since she didn't have a poker face. Keeping what she'd seen in the scan out of her expression was difficult at best, especially when she wanted to inflict similar damage on those who harmed a defenseless child.
They moved from behind the controls and headed into the scan room where four-month-old Jamie Lynn lay listless on the table. "I'll take her back," Andi said. "I want to talk to the doc. Would you wheel the stretcher around to her room for me?"
"Sure thing, Andi."
Cradling the small bundle in her arms, Andi smoothed a tuft of fine black hair off the baby's forehead and stared into sapphire eyes that didn't seem to focus quite right anymore. "Such a sweet face," she cooed. Too bad you'll never come close to reaching your potential now because of some moron.
Andi knew the prognosis after such a severe trauma wasn't great. There would be long-term neurological and physical effects. The child might develop seizures, and there would be developmental as well as learning issues. "Poor kid."
Tears she refused to let fall gathered at the corners of her eyes. Keep it together, Andi. Crying isn't going to help her!
As she entered the E.R., trauma surgeon Darius Raines glanced her way, those quick eyes, darker than the strongest espresso, cutting right through the shields she tried to erect around her heart. He cursed under his breath and pulled out a chair, directing her to sit while he finished his phone call.
Andi hadn't expected to see the handsome surgeon. She'd planned to alert Dr. Walsh as to the severity of the injury and slink back to the CT control room to be alone for a while. The grave circumstances took her enjoyment out of the opportunity to be near the object of her desire.
She handed over the child to her nurse. "She needs to be monitored closely." The nurse nodded and crooned to the baby. As she dropped onto the chair, Dr. Raines covered the receiver with his palm.
"This will only take a minute, Andreana."
The corner of her mouth twitched upon hearing her name spoken in his sexy baritone and shivers of awareness raced down her spine. He was one of the few people who didn't use her nickname. For two long years she'd dreamed of hearing him say her name while making love to her, but the good doctor had always maintained a professional distance, damn him. What she wouldn't give to have his sensual lips moving against hers, to be held in his arms and know the pleasure his talented hands could draw from her body.
According to the grapevine, he was a loner and didn't date or socialize with anyone on staff. There were several stories going around as to why, all wrong according to her very reliable instincts. She knew he'd suffered a tragedy of a personal nature that had caused him to build such strong walls around his heart. He couldn't fool her though. She'd seen his playful nature and compassionate heart shining through when relating to patients and their concerned parents.
Glancing up, unable to resist temptation, she allowed her gaze to wander, soaking in the warmth of his cocoa-brown skin. God, how she longed to run her hands over his scalp, sensitive fingertips taking in the contrast between smooth skin and the fine shadow of dark hair before tracing the contours of his strong face. She wondered if the thin trail of hair above his upper lip would tickle her if they kissed. Saliva pooled in her mouth as she imagined running her tongue along the thick column of his neck, over the hard-packed muscles of broad shoulders and a solid chest.
Dr. Raines ended the call and turned toward her. "What've you got?"
Keeping her gaze lowered, Andi shrugged. "Looks like a contra coup, but I don't have the official report back from the radiologist yet."
"Andreana."
The sound of her name spoken in his authoritative doctor's tone made her head snap up and their eyes connected. His penetrating gaze saw through the tough veneer to the soft woman inside who silently wept for the battered child.
Without a word, he took hold of her shoulders in a firm grip, forcing her to rise with him, then turned her and began walking. He called out over his shoulder to the E.R. clerk, letting her know he'd be in the X-ray department going over some images. He led her to a small office, closed the door and pulled her into his arms.
"It's okay, Andreana. Lean on me. Let it out."
Too numb to resist---not that she would try---she almost laughed at the irony. Two years she'd wanted this and when it finally happens, she's hurting and unable to fully appreciate the experience. Didn't that just figure?
To hell with professional decorum, she was going to reach out and grab the prize, enjoy the moment, however brief, while it lasted.
Darius locked the door, took a deep breath and gave in to the desire he'd fought since the first time he'd seen Andreana. Initially, she remained stiff, but soon gave in and snuggled into him so sweetly, all those gorgeous curves fitting his body like a dream. He tucked her head under his chin, smoothed his palms over soft waves of light brown hair, breathing in the clean scent of herbal shampoo and woman.
Widening his stance, he eased back against the door and drew her closer. She stepped into him willingly, her soft body conforming to his hard contours. His cock, which had atrophied since his wife's tragic death three years earlier, took notice and rose to the occasion as her arms circled his waist.
Fuck, she'd think he was an opportunistic prick. "Andreana." He cringed upon hearing his deepened and raspy tone.
Darius reached for her hips, intent on moving her away from the hard ridge stretching out along her belly and making itself at home. The minx wiggled against his erection, shifting his cock to the right, then sighed. Her warm breath penetrated his thin scrub shirt to tease his nipple. Fire burned through his veins and his cock twitched.
Only two flimsy layers of cotton separated them. It wouldn't take more than a few seconds to be inside her, feel the hot walls of her pussy close around his randy cock. Turn, wrap her long legs around his waist and pound her right through the door.
Oh Jesus. The images racing through his mind were killing him but he couldn't act on his urges. Andreana was forbidden fruit. The hospital had all kinds of rules and policies governing conduct, prohibiting physicians from becoming involved with members of the staff.
"Andreana, sweetheart. We can't."
She lifted her head, looked up at him from under thick lashes with those soulful blue eyes, pupils dilated, heated by a need he understood all too well---the very human need for touch. The intense compulsion to reconnect after a horrible case, reaffirm life. Darius became lost in the depths of her intelligent, perceptive eyes.
Always brave and strong, giving so much of herself to others without taking anything in return. As long as he'd known her, he'd never seen Andreana lean on anyone. The fact she allowed him to comfort her now was humbling, and for some reason had a profound effect on his otherwise dormant sex drive.
"You lied to Angie." Her lips caressed his chest as she spoke, scrambling his thoughts.
"Huh?" What the hell was she talking about?
"You told Angie you were going to radiology, not the office."
"Oh." Too damn bad. Let them look for him. He had other things on his mind. Important questions. Like how wonderful her full lips would feel beneath his, and if he kissed her, would she kiss him back? "You plan on ratting me out?"
She gasped. "Me? No."
"Good, then Angie will never know."
She leaned back to meet his gaze and sank her teeth into her lower lip, seeming to fight back a smile. Hell no! He wanted...craved seeing a happy expression light up her eyes.
He pretended to shiver, dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "She's scary, that one. The residents all suck up. They think she has a whip hidden in the desk."
A gradual transformation took place. It started out shy and hesitant, a sort of half smile, before her lips spread into a wide grin flashing a row of straight white teeth.
"Yeah, the residents...right. That's probably some dirty fantasy of yours."
Watching the sparkle return to her eyes did something funny to Darius. His heart stuttered, did a back flip and started beating triple time.
This was bad.
Unprofessional.
He knew it but couldn't stop. Wouldn't stop! He had to taste her. Sip from her mouth just once.
Or maybe twice.
He stared into her eyes, descended nice and slow, giving her plenty of time to pull back. She held her ground and he paused, their lips a mere breath apart.
"Andreana?"
Darius closed the final distance, brushed his lips over hers. So hot and supple. Neurons sparked to life, firing off electrical pulses and sending them careening through his entire body to bring every nerve ending to tingling awareness. Every muscle stiffened and his cock throbbed. There'd be no turning back now.
Her eyelids fluttered closed, inky lashes fanning out over her cheeks, and Andreana pressed closer. The heat built between them, passion flared. He speared his fingers into her hair, angling her head to form a tighter seal between their mouths, fusing them together. God, he wanted to devour her, crawl inside her and stay there.
As her lips parted, Darius slipped his tongue inside her warm mouth. Her tongue twined around his and then she sucked, drawing him deeper, making their surroundings melt away. He could easily become addicted to her sensual kiss.
Andreana nibbled and sipped until his entire body burned out of control, a raging inferno ready to consume them both. She kissed like a dream.
Her body rubbed along his as if she were an amorous feline in heat. Fingernails clawed at the flesh of his back, the bite of pain making him burn hotter. They weren't close enough. Darius reversed their positions, trapping her between his hard body and the door. Her breasts flattened against his chest, diamond-hard nipples taunting him to take more. Everything.
Long repressed carnal needs surged to the surface, eradicating higher thought. He had to have her. All of her.
Darius moved his hands between them, grappling for the ties at her waist. A loud electrical hum penetrated the lusty fog surrounding his brain. The fluorescent lights overhead dimmed and a lamp on the desk turned on. A flicker of color drew his attention to the computer monitor as the screensaver scrolled through images of adorable children.
"What the fuck?"
Andreana smiled up at him. "It's just my conscience."
"Your conscience?"
"Um-hum." She laughed, the musical sound tugging at his heart. "It's the kids reminding me that I'm still on the clock and supposed to be working, not making out with a hot doctor."
Hot? She thinks I'm hot? The words stroked his ego. "Wait a minute. What are you talking about?"
"Oh come on." She shot him a playful grin. "You're no newbie, Doc. You've been around hospitals long enough to know about the mischievous spirits who haven't crossed over yet."
Doc? Fuck, he wanted his name on her lips, not some impersonal term. And what was she talking about, mischievous spirits? Did she really buy into all that paranormal stuff?
"Andreana---"
She placed two fingers over his mouth. "I've got to go back to work."
"When's your shift over?"
"Not until seven."
Damn, that was at least five hours away. "Fine, meet me after work."
"Doc---"
"Darius. My name is Darius."
"Darius, I can't."
His cock jerked and he groaned as his name rolled off red lips swollen from his kiss.
"Yes you can. You will. I'm not letting you go until you agree to meet me...for breakfast...at my house."
"Your house," she cried. "Doc---"
"Andreana," he spoke in a stern tone. "Don't push me, honey. What's my name?"
"Darius, be reasonable. We'll both be fired."
"No we won't. No one but us will know." He released her and moved to the desk, quickly scribbling his address on a yellow Post-It note. Taking her hand, he placed the paper in her palm and folded her fingers around it. "Come to my house after your shift."
Eagerness, reluctance and fear crossed her delicate features, but he knew if he got her to agree she wouldn't break her word. "Andreana," he growled. "Say yes, I'll meet you, Darius."
"I won't be your dirty little secret. I don't---"
"Ah, ah, ah. Wrong answer. Let's try again. Yes, I'll meet you, Darius."
Her lips parted, quivered, closed again. He wanted to shout in triumph when her expression changed, resolve filling her eyes.
"Okay. Yes, I'll meet you...Darius." She rose up on her toes, placed a chaste kiss on his cheek and headed for the door, pausing on her way out to smile back at him over her shoulder. "See ya later, Doc."
The door closed on his curse, which turned to amusement as he heard her tinkling laughter trailing behind her down the hallway.
Andi looked into the rearview mirror and glared at the beautiful blonde apparition sitting in the backseat of her car. "Why now? I haven't heard from you in years, Danu."
"Why ask questions you already have the answer to?" she shot back.
"I must be crazy," Andi complained. "Letting a figment of my imagination talk me into doing something that will get me fired."
"I understand your fears, Andreana, but would you not make even greater sacrifices to help him?"
Damn mind-reading pain in the ass.
Andi would subject herself to fates worse than giving up the joy of working with children for Dr. Raines...Darius. God, just thinking about him made her toes curl. And that lip lock...whew! Her vivid imagination hadn't done him justice.
"He needs you. The lives of future generations are depending on you, Hussy."
"Oh great. Heap on some more stress, why don't ya." She sighed heavily. "So what do I have to do?"
Andi met Danu's bright smile with a grumble. "Don't give me any of that crap about following my heart either. I need some solid guidance here, Danu."
"Your task is simple. Keep Darius Raines from going back to the hospital before sunset tomorrow."
"Simple," she scoffed. "Yeah, simple. How the hell am I supposed to keep a man who is bigger and stronger than me from doing something? He's a surgeon, for crying out loud. I checked the schedule. He goes on call in the morning. If the hospital needs him, he has to go."
"You will think of something, Andreana. After all, you're a Hussy."
She glared at Danu in the mirror while waiting for the red light to change and the woman faded away. "Great, thanks. You were a wealth of help."
A startled gasp drew her attention to the car next to hers, the driver gaping at her. "What? Never seen anyone talk to themselves before?"
The light turned green and the woman sped off. "Fuck, they're gonna lock me up in the loony bin for sure if I keep talking to imaginary friends and freaking people out. Won't be able to help anybody when that happens."
Andi gasped, startled as Danu's spectral voice filled the car. She clutched at the spot where her heart pounded against her ribs.
"Be strong. Complete your mission. Fulfill your destiny as a Hussy and you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams."
"I won't be able to do a damn thing if you give me a freakin' heart attack. Jesus! How about not sneaking up on me next time?"
Behind her, a horn honked and Andi looked up in time to watch the light turn red again. "Oh great," she muttered, and waved to the person behind her. "Sorry!"
Okay, pull yourself together, Andi. Think!
Since it was early spring the sun would not set until almost seven o'clock tomorrow night. She glanced at the dashboard to see the time and did a quick calculation. Just over thirty-five hours. How would she keep him distracted for so long?
Remembering the feel of his body pressing her into the door, she wondered if it was actually possible to fuck someone senseless. The idea brought numerous fantasies to mind---all starring her favorite hunky doc. "Wouldn't be any hardship, that's for sure."
When the light changed, she drove to his middle-class family neighborhood. Kids gathered on one corner to wait for the school bus. Adults walked dogs, pushed strollers and collected the newspaper from green lawns.
She watched the house numbers for the address the doc had written down, and stopped in front of a modest ranch-style house with an average sedan parked in the driveway. Andi scratched her head and figured she must be on the wrong street. Every doctor she knew drove exotic cars and lived in big, expensive homes.
Prepared to pull away, she felt her jaw drop when the door opened. Dr. Raines stepped outside, cup of coffee in hand, and waved to a neighbor. As he bent to pick up the newspaper their eyes met. With the most devastating smile stretching across his sexy lips, he headed toward her car.
A legion of butterflies started salsa dancing in her belly. "Oh crap. He's perfect...and you're screwed." Raise the white flag and toss in the towel. Like it or not, Darius Raines owned her heart.
He stopped at her door, bent down and arched his brow. "Plan on sitting in your car all day or would you like to come inside?"
Before she had the chance to work up a protest, he opened the car door and extended a hand. She reacted without thought, placing her trembling hand in his. Andi's mind failed to function as he drew her in close. She melted under the heat of his dark gaze and welcoming smile. "I'm so glad you decided to come."
She almost did, come that is, right there in his front yard with all the neighbors watching. As his head lowered she took a deep breath of his clean, fresh-out-of-the-shower scent and parted her lips for his kiss. His tongue plunged, twining around hers, filling her mouth with the taste of coffee and his own unique flavor.
The world tilted on its axis. Andi grabbed hold of his thick biceps and held on tight. They were both panting by the time he pulled back and stared at her intently.
"Get inside, Andreana...now. Before I no longer care who is watching and take you right here on the hood of your car."
Rough with urgency, his deep voice got her moving. Fast. Andi raced toward the door, not even slowing when a harsh sound of animalist need rumbled through his chest from behind her. She hurried, pushing through the door without pause. He was on her before she made it past the foyer, a strong arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her in tight.
Darius felt out of control. All his plans for romantic seduction buckled under the force of his need. To hell with cooking her breakfast, taking his time and slowly working her arousal. The woman did crazy things to his insides.
Their bodies met and his hard cock pushed between the lush cheeks of her round ass. Her muscles contracted, squeezing him tight. His jaw clenched as he fought against the hunger raging through him, screaming for him to take her. Hard. Against the closest hard surface.
He forced down the savage need, determined to at least make it to the bedroom where she'd be comfortable. He didn't take the time to explain or reassure. Grabbing Andreana, he slung her over his shoulder and charged down the hallway, not stopping until they landed on the mattress.
"I've waited too damn long for this, Andreana. I can't do slow."
Propelled by her own lust, she pulled at his clothes. Darius took her actions as agreement and let go. He had no patience for working Andreana out of her scrubs. Instead he grabbed the material in his fists and tore the scrub top down the center. He offered up praise to the inventor of front-clasping bras when her soft breasts spilled into his waiting hands.
Any remaining restraint he may have possessed escaped as he took in the erotic contrast of the creamy white globes overflowing his dark brown hands. He brushed his thumbs over her dusky rose areolas, mesmerized as they puckered and plump nipples lifted toward him.
"So fucking beautiful," he groaned and buried his face in her cleavage. Her back arched as he drew a pebbled tip between his lips. Darius licked, nibbled and sucked on her succulent flesh, intoxicated by her sweetness.
They both continued to work at removing the layers of clothing keeping them apart. He tasted each new section of skin he discovered, reveling in her sexy whimpers and moans. She had no choice but surrender as he made his way lower, shouldering her legs apart and diving into the pink folds of her sex. Flattening his tongue, Darius licked from the bottom of her slit to the top. He coaxed her tender flesh open, dipped the tip of his tongue into each niche, tasted everywhere, taking all the cream she gave and demanding more.
Andreana undulated beneath him, thrusting her hips, fucking his face with her pretty pussy. He slurped, drinking her in as if he'd been dying of thirst...for her. She quenched and intensified his need, taking him to a heightened state of lust beyond anything he'd ever known.
She keened as he lashed her clit with his tongue. So close. He was dying to make her come. "More, honey. Give me more. Come for me, Andreana."
Holding the tiny bundle of nerves gently between his teeth, Darius sucked and flicked his tongue to the beat of her pulse. She grabbed his ears and held him in place, bucking against his mouth as she crested the wave. He swallowed down the juices gushing from her body, humming his approval. When she screamed his name it was music to his ears, making his chest tighten.
Andi fought to regain control of her breathing, but Darius was relentless, never letting up. He allowed no time for her to recover, attacking her hypersensitive clit with his lips while thrusting two fingers in her spasming pussy. The thin strip of hair outlining his upper lip rasped her tender flesh, creating the most wonderful tingling.
She begged him to stop, pleaded for him to continue. Her back bowed until only her shoulders and heels touched the mattress.
His head finally lifted after she came for the third or fourth time, hell she didn't know. She'd lost count. Andi met his ravenous gaze over the length of her body, his mouth and chin covered with her fluids. "Darius, please. I need you in me."
"Say it, honey. What do you need?"
Feeling wanton and shameless, she gave him the words he wanted to hear. "I need your cock in me."
"How do you need it, Andreana?"
"Hard. Oh God, I need it hard and fast. Please!"
He crawled over her body, a gruff purring sound rumbling through him, not stopping until the broad tip of his cock rested at her slick entrance. Darius stared into her eyes, once again seeming to see right through to her soul. "Then hard and fast is what you'll get."
Without further delay, he filled her with one smooth thrust until his crown abutted her cervix. At the same time, his tongue plunged into her mouth. Andi didn't shy away from tasting herself on his kiss. She sucked on his tongue, greedy for him, and tilted her pelvis to sheathe his remaining inch. He slid behind her womb and stretched the small space no other lover had reached.
He broke off their kiss, muttering curses. She wrapped her legs around his trim hips, crossed her ankles and gave him everything, meeting each thrust, their sweat-slicked skin creating a wet slapping sound. His face hardened with determination and extreme pleasure, until he rested his damp forehead to hers.
His cock pistoned, fucking her with fluid power like a machine pounding away---steady, tireless and constant. He punctuated each drive with a moan. "Jesus...so hot...tight...wet...good."
The base of his cock ground against her clit. Andi undulated as tension coiled in her core, compressed then exploded in a mind-blowing orgasm she felt from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. His cock swelled impossibly bigger, stretching her spasming tissues, his movements becoming jerky. Her body shook and she screamed his name. Seconds later hot blasts of cum bathed her pussy.
He shuddered and he collapsed over her, pushing her into the mattress. Although she enjoyed the weight of his body against hers, she had to elbow him to move and give her room to breathe.
Lying on his bed, their damp and sticky bodies tangled, she couldn't envision anywhere more perfect.
When her stomach made a loud protest over its empty state, Darius rolled from the bed and she watched the flex and play of his fine ass as he strolled out of the room, returning a short time later with a snack for them to share.
"You look beautiful stretched out naked on my bed, wearing only that sated grin."
Something cold plopped on her breast, making her nipple pucker. Andi lifted her head to find him holding a squeeze bottle of chocolate sauce, his face serious as he concentrated, creating intricate designs on her skin.
"Darius! You're going to make a mess."
"So what," he shrugged. "We'll take a shower and change the sheets."
Next he used strawberry syrup, the red swirls creating an interesting accent next to the brown. He completed his masterpiece with juicy bits of fruit, feeding her small bites while he worked. When his art was finished, he set the bottles aside and rubbed his hands together.
"Dessert time."
Starting at her right foot, he made his way up one leg and down the other, saving her center for last. Darius licked and sucked, making sexy sounds of appreciation, feeding his voracious hunger until not a drop remained on her skin and she'd orgasmed twice.
Next on his list was a shower, where she got a bit of revenge. Andi relentlessly teased him with soapy hands. She strummed his nipples to hard points. Extra care was devoted to reawakening his cock and lathering his balls until the bar of soap slipped from her hands. She bent over to get it, and he clasped her hips to hold her still.
"Don't move, honey. Stay right there."
He slid into her drenched pussy in one easy glide and lifted her torso, fitting his chest to her back. She marveled at how well she fit into the curve of his body and relished the position, which generated incredible friction over her G-spot. Fucking under the warm spray of water as he plucked at her nipples was heaven, but she needed more to come and he didn't disappoint. As Darius swelled within her, he reached around her hip and settled her clit between two thick fingers, pushing her over the edge.
After putting fresh sheets on the bed, they made love, slow and tender, then lay in each other's arms talking for hours on end. She discovered that he had a great sense of humor and his silly jokes had her laughing so hard she cried. They compared stories of childhood antics, college partying and even discussed hospital politics.
"Tell me about this," she said and kissed a pale white scar on his thigh.
Darius chuckled. "My friend had one of those above the ground swimming pools and no diving board. His backyard was small so the pool was close to the house. We got the bright idea to use the roof as a diving platform."
Andi gasped. "You're lucky you didn't break your neck."
"Yup!" He nodded. "Very lucky. After about a dozen successful jumps, I miscalculated. My leg hit the metal edge. Got cut open on a rough seam. Damn pool filled up with blood and my buddy started humming the theme song from Jaws."
"Idiots!"
She moved higher, kissed the firm cheeks of his ass, pausing at another scar on his flank. "And this one?"
"A patient gave me that one during my rotation at an adult trauma hospital. It was my first day. We got a fourteen-year-old gang banger who'd been shot in the shoulder, superficial wound. Had to cut off his clothes, but I didn't check for weapons. I was facing his feet, cutting his jeans. The kid got scared and pulled a blade." He shrugged. "Learned that lesson the hard way."
She remembered a conversation when some nurses had spoken about him rather harshly since he never went to any social gatherings, like the E.R. Christmas party, which was a big deal. "What turned you into such a loner?" His body stiffened, but she continued. "There are all kinds of rumors about you flying around the hospital."
He clammed up on her after that, not saying much, and instead listening to her talk. At some point in the wee hours of the morning, Darius' breathing slowed with sleep. Andi's mind churned, refusing to rest. She paced the bedroom, casting worried glances at his supine form and wondering how the hell she would prevent him from going to the hospital.
She spied his pager sitting on the nightstand and knew that upon waking the first thing he'd do was check for messages.
"Aw fuck. How the hell am I supposed to prevent him from going to the hospital short of tying him down?"
Good idea, Danu's voice echoed through her mind.
"Oh thanks. Great advice, Danu. Very helpful."
She raked a hand through her hair in frustration. "I can't do this. There has to be another way."
Search your heart, Andreana. Draw on your inner strength. You are much stronger than you believe.
Andi racked her brain for another way but failed to arrive at any other plausible ideas. Her hands shook as she opened the closet to peruse its contents. "I can't believe I'm doing this," she breathed.
His expensive wardrobe offered exactly what she needed. Andi gathered several items and moved to the bed, placing a soft kiss at the corner of his mouth.
"I'm sorry!"
She stretched one arm above his head, cringing as he shifted position but thankfully did not awaken. To protect the skin, she wrapped a pocket square obtained from a suit jacket around his wrist, then used one of his silk ties and made a slipknot the way she'd learned at the hospital when restraining patients. After securing his arm to the headboard she repeated the process with the other, being careful to ensure his circulation was not impeded, and moved down the bed to secure his ankles.
By the time she finished the room had filled with sunlight. Andi stood back to survey his naked body, tied spread-eagle to the bed. A sharp pang of guilt sliced through her chest. "This is so fucked up! He's going to hate me."
To allow him some modesty, she pulled the sheet up over his hips.
She couldn't just sit and wait for him to wake up. Needing something to do, she borrowed his robe and headed for the kitchen to make some breakfast.
\*
The bold aroma of Columbian coffee filtered through the layers of sleep to revive Darius. He attempted to shift on the bed only to find his arms and legs wouldn't move. "What the hell?"
His eyes snapped open and were blasted with bright morning sunlight. Blinking in rapid succession, they began to adjust. Tilting his head back, he discovered the problem. Someone had tied him to his own fucking bed with his expensive silk ties. "Fuck!"
As the mattress dipped at his side, Andreana moved into his field of vision. Fear, guilt and hesitation danced in her eyes. "Good morning."
"Andreana...honey. Why am I tied to the bed?"
She sucked her lower lip inward and sank her teeth into the plump flesh. Her gaze darted to his hands then scanned his face before resting somewhere around his right shoulder, refusing to look him in the eye. "I...uh, thought it would be fun. Kinky, you know, like all that stuff about Angie having a whip."
"I'm not into bondage, honey, so untie me now."
"I made breakfast," she said, ignoring his request.
Darius pulled at the ties so hard the headboard banged against the wall. "Great," he gritted out from between clenched teeth. "Untie me and we'll eat."
She just kept chewing on her lip and staring at his shoulder. "I-I can't."
His hands were fisted so tight short fingernails dug into his palms. He gave another hard yank, shaking the headboard but failing to loosen the ties. His voice deepened to a gruff, authoritative tone. "Yes you can. Untie me, Andreana. Now!"
Instead, she placed a hand behind his neck and lifted him to put several pillows behind his head and shoulders. From the elevated position he looked down, noticing the sheet covering his lower body with another set of his neckties stretching out from under the sheet to the footboard. Andreana, wearing his robe, fussed with a tray of food sitting on the nightstand.
Softening his tone, he tried another tactic. "Honey, why can't you untie me?"
Her gaze stayed trained on her hands as she buttered a biscuit. "You wouldn't understand."
"Sure I will. Explain to me what's going on."
She shook her head. "No you won't. You only believe in things you can see, touch and explain through science."
Frustrated, his temper flared and he pulled at the ties several times, enjoying the violent banging created. "Damn it, Andreana. Unfucking tie me!" he barked.
Andreana continued on as if she hadn't heard him. "Since I was five years old, I've been preparing for the day I'd be called upon to help save someone important to the future. I don't know who or why, only that my task is vital."
Jesus, she was insane. How the hell had he not seen it? "Untie my---"
His rant was cut short as she shoved the biscuit in his open mouth and glared at him. "You wanted to hear this so shut up and listen." Grim determination hardened her features, telling him she meant business.
"All I know is that in order to save this person, I have to keep you away from the hospital until after the sun sets."
After sunset? Shit! She planned on leaving him tied to the bed all day? Darius spit out the food and yelled, "I'm on call."
Her gaze narrowed on him. "Do I have to gag you?"
"Are you fucking listening to what you're saying?"
"No matter how much you cuss, snarl and try to pull free, you're staying right here, Darius, so you might as well chill out."
"Fuck, Andreana. I'll get you some help. I have a friend who is a psychiatrist. I'll pay for a private facility. No one has to know---"
She shoved the biscuit back in his mouth and arched her brow. "Behave!"
Behave? She told him to behave? Darius seethed, shooting daggers at her with his eyes. He felt the muscles along his jaw bulge as he ground his teeth. Bile churned in his stomach. The woman was certifiable! Thoughts whirled through his mind. He'd have to listen to her, bide his time, wait for her to reveal a weakness he could exploit.
"I'll remove the biscuit if you will stay quiet and listen. Can you do that, Darius?"
He nodded eagerly.
When she reached toward his mouth, he forced his jaw to relax and spit the soggy food into her hand.
"For the rest of the day, you and I will be staying right here. As soon as the sun goes down, I'll release you but not before..."
Her words trailed off as his beeper began to vibrate, making it dance across the nightstand. Wary, as if the small device might bite her, Andreana picked it up and read the text message then dropped it in her pocket without a word.
"What? Is there an emergency?"
She stared at her hands, where they rested in her lap, and her voice dropped so low he barely made out the words. "It's nothing for you to worry about."
"Nothing to worry about? Jesus Fucking Christ. Andreana, stop playing games. You have to---"
This time she shoved a piece of cloth in his mouth. Darius worked frantically with his tongue to push it out. He froze as she picked up a roll of duct tape and cut off a piece measuring about six inches. She leaned toward him and he went wild, thrashing against the ties holding him down and screaming curses into the cloth, shaking his head from side to side in a futile attempt at avoiding having his mouth sealed shut. Once she smoothed the tape in place over his lips, Darius glared daggers at his captor only to find tears streaming down her face.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed and staggered away from the bed.
Blinded by her tears, Andi barely made it out of the bedroom. No sooner did she pass the doorway than she collapsed against the wall, sliding down the solid surface and curling up in a ball. She cried until there were no more tears left in her. The sounds of Darius' struggle for freedom followed her as she crawled down the hall to the guest bathroom.
After splashing water on her red, swollen eyes, she stared at herself in the mirror. "I don't think I can do this." She'd hoped Danu would show up and offer some encouragement or advice, but the warrior left her to deal with this mess alone. "Thanks a lot!"
The pager started shaking. Andi grabbed the damn thing out of her pocket, her chest tightening as she read the message.
9-1-1---SECOND PAGE---PLEASE RESPOND
6YR OLD BOY, VASCULAR INJURY RT LEG
OR TEAM WAITING. WHAT IS YOUR ETA?
Her hands shook so badly she dropped his pager in the sink. It took two tries before she managed to pick it up and get it back in the pocket of her borrowed robe. "Oh God. Please let this be worth it and help him find a way to forgive me when it's all said and done."
Needing some fortification, Andi stopped in the kitchen and drank a cup of the strong coffee. The telephone rang four times then she followed the sound of his voice to the answering machine in a small home office.
"Dr. Raines, this is the hospital operator. We have a vascular trauma patient who needs immediate surgery. Please respond."
"Fuck!" Andi rubbed her eyes with shaky hands and plopped down in the leather chair. No sooner had the message ended than the phone rang again. This time it was the familiar voice of Angie, the E.R. clerk.
"Hey, Doc, you gotta get in here. Nutley is on vacation." Andi hadn't known the other trauma surgeon was out of town. Oh damn, that poor kid. She came very close to picking up the phone but thought of her mission and held back. "Michaels is here trying to stop the bleeding and freaking out. They've asked an adult surgeon from next door to come help. Call me back ASAP!"
Andi choked back a sob. Michaels, a general surgeon, was trying to repair a vascular trauma. God, what a nightmare. She stood, intending to go cut Darius free, hesitated and dropped back down when her legs gave out.
She had to trust in Danu and believe in her own intuition, which told her it would be more important for him to be able to operate later. Why he couldn't go in now and still handle whatever would happen after sunset, she didn't know.
A pounding at the front door startled a squeak from her. Andi hadn't considered anyone showing up to look for him. She moved to the edge of the entryway, her heart in her throat as she listened to the masculine voice outside.
"Dr. Raines, this is the police." The man pounded again. "The hospital sent us to check on you, sir."
Oh fuck! She was going to be arrested. Once that happened, she'd never work in healthcare again. This was so fucked up. How would she explain having the doc tied to the bed, naked?
The officer talked to someone over his radio. "His car's in the driveway. The house is all locked up. Call the hospital back. Find out how big of an emergency this is and if we need to knock down the door."
Oh fuck! Oh fuck! Oh fuck! Andi's entire body shook with fear and indecision. Should she open the door, give herself up? Would the cops give up and go away? She held a hand over her mouth, praying she wouldn't make any sounds to alert the police someone was inside. She hoped Darius wouldn't bang the headboard either.
After the longest few minutes of her life, the officer's radio crackled. "No, don't break it down. They've worked out something else."
The officer pounded and shouted once more for good measure before she heard a car door slam. A motor started and he drove away. Andi's legs buckled and she dropped to the floor.
When she finally recovered and returned to the bedroom, Darius appeared to have calmed down.
"This is cold. I'll go heat it up and be back in a minute." She lifted the tray without meeting his eyes and raced out of the room. The long afternoon stretched out before her. Andi had no idea how she'd survive the day and manage to complete her mission.
She flinched when the pager vibrated again.
PLEASE CALL WITH YOUR STATUS
DR. WATKINS FROM STC IS SCRUBBING IN
"Thank goodness." Dr. Watkins, the adult trauma surgeon from a nearby hospital, had a great reputation. Knowing he was assisting Dr. Michaels eased some of her guilt. Feeling a little lighter, Andi dumped the cold omelet and made a sandwich piled high with ham. She cut up some fruit, adding it to the tray along with a cup of yogurt and a glass of sweet tea.
Darius watched her warily as she set the tray down on the nightstand. Andi debated telling him what was happening at the hospital but decided against it. "I brought you something to eat."
She peeled the tape from his mouth with as much care as possible then got some ointment from the bathroom to soothe the reddened skin before sitting down to feed him.
"I'm supposed to trust that you haven't poisoned the food?"
Andi sighed and rubbed at her temples where she felt a killer headache building. "If I wanted to kill you, there are plenty of ways I could have done so while you were asleep."
"Okay," he conceded. "Make me understand this."
"You have to be more open-minded if you're going to get it." Relying on her somewhat limited intuitive abilities, Andi closed her eyes, took a deep breath and calmed her thoughts. She focused on finding a way to convince him. After several minutes an idea came to her. He believed in what he could see and what was provable so she had to show him.
When Andi opened her eyes, she stared at the nightstand. She felt it contained something important and, following her urge, opened the drawer. Inside, she found an ornate picture frame and ran her fingers over the edge.
"That's private," Darius grumbled.
His reaction told her this meant something to him. She lifted the frame and turned it over to find a wedding picture, immediately recognizing a younger Darius smiling down at the beautiful bride. So much love shined in his expression it made her heart ache. What she wouldn't give to have a man look at her like that.
The grapevine at the hospital sure didn't have this dirt, which made it perfect. Andi's fingers traced the image of the woman's exotic face and a name tickled her lips. "Ah, now I understand. Sharon is the reason you've hardened your heart."
Darius gasped. "How could you know my wife's name?"
She ignored him, closed her eyes and watched the past unfold. "You lived in Atlanta, which is where you got the knife wound. Her father was against the marriage for many reasons. He thought you were both way too young."
The clear image of Sharon's parents was replaced by difficult years in med school when they had no money. She watched the progression of their lives. The day she died, Sharon was stressed after a visit with her doctor confirming her suspicion of being pregnant. Not paying enough attention, she stepped into the road as a bus turned the corner. "Oh no," Andi cried. Poor Darius. By the time he arrived in the emergency room she'd already passed.
"It wouldn't have made a difference if you got there sooner, Darius. The doctors did everything possible but her injuries were too severe."
"Stop it," he barked. "You don't know what happened. You can't."
When Andi looked at him, tears rolled down his cheek. She wiped them away gently. "You didn't know about the baby until later," she continued. "Your father-in-law acted rashly. He knows you couldn't save his daughter and regrets blaming you, but he doesn't know how to reach out to you now."
"Stop." His whispered voice cracked. "How?"
"The same way I know you can't go to the hospital before sunset, Darius. I feel it in my gut. Call it instinct, intuition, premonition...they all fit."
Darius struggled against the memories and pain. When he'd moved to Florida, he made a clean break, telling no one here about his past. The people he'd worked with for the past three years had no idea he had been married and certainly not about his wife's death.
How the hell could Andreana touch his wedding picture and know all these things? He didn't believe in psychics being able to see into the past or predict the future, called it a bunch of mumbo jumbo. Yet that's exactly what she'd done. "And why is it so important for me to stay here until after sunset?"
He opened his eyes and saw the doubt cross her delicate features before her gaze went empty as it had while she talked about his past.
"I'm not privy to all the details. All I know is you can't be tired from operating all day or working with another patient. You have to be available tonight to save a special child. It's a complicated thoracic surgery requiring your skill. None of the other docs would be able to save the child."
What the fuck? "Uh-huh, and what's so special about this kid?"
"I don't know."
She seemed distressed by not being able to fill in the blanks. Darius thought it all over as she fed him lunch. His arms ached from being tied above his head and his full bladder needed to be emptied. Perhaps he could convince her to untie him to use the bathroom. Then once he got free...
"Andreana, I have to use the bathroom."
"Yeah, like I'm going to fall for that."
"I'm serious. My bladder is beyond full. I have to urinate."
She sized him up for a minute, seeming to ponder the situation. "I'll be right back."
He watched her pick up the tray and walk out of the bedroom. The seconds dragged as Darius formed a tentative plan. When she untied him, he'd overpower her. Tie her to the bed and let her get a firsthand idea of how much it sucked. Then he'd quickly dress and get to the hospital. On the way he'd call the cops and let them sort out things here at the house.
When she walked back in carrying a large plastic sports bottle he groaned. "Fuck no. I am not peeing in a cup."
Andreana smirked. "Then I guess you'll have to pee in the bed."
"And ruin the mattress," he grumbled. "Come on, Andreana. This has gone on long enough. Cut me loose."
She moved to the end of the bed, gave him a sweet smile then grabbed the sheet and pulled, leaving his naked body bare. Her gaze heated his skin as it trailed over him, stopping at his groin. His traitorous cock jerked in reaction and her smile widened.
Darius had no idea how he survived the embarrassment of peeing in a cup while she held his cock in her warm hand. He had every intention of wiping the memory from his mind and never thinking of it again.
He listened to the sounds from the bathroom as she flushed the toilet. Water ran in the sink and he figured she was washing her hands. When she came back into the room, Andreana appeared exhausted. Lines of strain creased her forehead.
"I don't expect sympathy or understanding, but this is hard on me too." She glanced at the bedside clock. "Thankfully, this will be over in a few more hours."
"And what happens then?"
She shrugged. "I let you go. You play hero and save the kid."
"And you? What about you?"
"I go find another job since I'll lose this one when what I've done comes out."
"So I'm the hero and you're the bad guy, end of story?"
She wouldn't meet his gaze or answer the question. "Tell me what you'd like to see happen."
"Dream scenario?" she asked.
"Yeah. If this were a book, how would you write the ending?"
"You let me ease your pain...open your heart, and have a little faith in me. You make up an excuse for not answering your pages and no one finds out about this. We live happily ever after..."
She finally made eye contact and the emotions he saw in her blue eyes made his chest ache.
"You forgive me and we fall in love."
Hell, he'd already been halfway in love with her before they wound up in bed. She stirred long-repressed needs and emotions, but he wasn't sure he could trust her after this, even if things turned out as she predicted. Still, something existed between them and he couldn't just toss it away without exploring it first.
His heart softened. Darius shouldn't feel any compassion for her, but he did. The stuff about why she did this may be truth or fiction, but she believed it and the strain on her was obvious. He'd probably regret it later, but he couldn't be mean to her. Hell, he was a doctor. He couldn't ignore her fatigued condition.
"Jesus, Andi. You look like you're going to pass out. Come up here and lie down."
She shucked the robe and crawled up next to him, settling in against his side. "You've never called me Andi before."
He tried to come up with a response but failed. She was a beautiful woman and calling her by a masculine nickname went against the grain. Regardless of everything that had transpired, he cared for her deeply.
He was spared from answering when her breathing slowed, indicating she'd fallen asleep.
Andi woke to the steady beat of Darius' heart echoing in her head. She felt content and happy lying curled around him until she realized their time together would soon end. Judging by the shadows starting to form in the corners of the room, the sun was going down. Soon she'd set him free and likely never be in his arms again. Yesterday she'd been blissfully unaware of how much that would hurt. Today her heart ached and her body yearned. There was so much she still wanted to share with him, so many things they'd yet to try.
Her gaze drifted down his muscular body. She longed to spend hours learning him, memorizing every inch. She wanted to hear his sounds of passion, watch ecstasy fill his handsome face, bottle his heady scent, touch all his sensitive spots and taste him. More than anything, she regretted not having pleasured him with her mouth.
Even lying flaccid along his thigh, his cock was impressive. Careful not to wake him, she moved lower to get a closer look. The smooth skin of his shaft matched the color of the imported dark chocolate Andi had stashed in her locker at work. From the point where he'd been circumcised and over the crown his cock was a lighter, dusky shade of brown in its relaxed state. When he'd been erect and his cock filled with blood the tip had reddened.
She traced the circuitous path of a plump vein with the tips of her fingers from his thick root to the prominent ridge surrounding his glans, gratified the light touch made him swell. Returning to his base, she took the same path, only this time with her tongue. The tangy, slightly saline flavor of his skin had her mouth watering for more.
Darius shifted in his sleep as she slid into the space between his legs. With the tip of her tongue, she licked his plum-shaped crown as if it were a lollipop and lapped up the drops of salty fluid that formed at his slit. Andi watched his face and sucked just the head into her mouth. He groaned and tried to shift his legs. She gave a light suck and his eyes popped open, his hungry gaze locking on hers.
After making another circuit around the crown with her tongue, she sucked in more of his length, humming her appreciation. She breathed in his musky scent, filling her lungs with him.
"Mmm...what a way to wake up. That feels so good, honey."
She sucked harder, taking as much of his length as she could manage. The remainder, she stroked with silky tendrils of her hair. With her free hand, she reached between his legs to gently massage his balls.
"So good, honey," he praised in a guttural tone.
Wanting to make it last, she set a slow pace. Darius rolled his hips, matching her easy rhythm and never breaking eye contact while she ate at him, imagining how his dark cock would look as it disappeared between her pink lips.
His pleasure ignited a fire in her. Andi's skin grew tight and hot. Her nipples puckered, the hard points aching to be touched. Cream slicked her swollen pussy and trickled down to coat her thighs.
Dying for a taste of him, she increased her efforts. Darius pulled at the headboard and she knew he longed to sink his fingers in her hair, guiding her movements.
"Oh God, yes. Suck me harder."
She did, and was rewarded with his increased moans. His hips began to lift as he thrust into her mouth, pushing a little farther into her throat. Her jaw started to tire and became fatigued and she only sucked him harder, faster, starving for his taste.
"Andreana, I'm close," he warned.
Relaxing her throat with his next thrust, she took him to the root. Darius tossed his head back, tendons standing out along the thick column of his neck. He shouted her name as his cock jerked and hot streams of cum hit the back of her tongue. She swallowed greedily, the constriction of her throat extending his climax. After drinking down every drop, she continued to suckle and lick, gentling him.
He yanked at the ties, rattling the headboard and sighed in frustration. "Jesus, honey. I need to hold you."
She kissed her way up his torso, sifting his chest hair between her fingers and placed a tender kiss on his lips before curling into his side. The shadows grew longer as she absently brushed her fingers over the ridges of his washboard abdomen.
"Andreana."
At the sound of his voice, she tilted her head to meet his gaze.
"I need to be in you, honey. Hurry, there's still time."
Without a word she lifted to straddle his hips. Taking his renewed erection within her hand, she pumped him a few times before fitting him to her opening and sliding down to sheathe him. The position made him seem bigger and Andi reveled in how it felt to hold him in her body.
She rose over Darius and the drag of her clit along his hard length caused her breath to escape on a long hiss. When only his crown remained within her, Andi paused, met his gaze then slid back down, taking him even deeper. So deep she couldn't tell where one started and the other ended. "Oh yes!"
Damn it felt good. Very good. But she longed to establish a stronger, more intimate connection. Needed his kiss.
Leaning into his torso, she interlaced their fingers and brought her mouth down on his. She gave Darius all her love and passion, and prayed he understood the words she couldn't say. They moved together, sweat-slicked flesh in sync, rising to new heights. Her nipples rasped over his damp chest hair, sending fiery fingers of sensation straight to her core.
When the lack of oxygen became too great, she broke their kiss and they both struggled to breathe. Spurred on by rising desire, she began to ride him in earnest. Her breasts bounced as her strong legs pumped. She flattened her palms on his chest for balance. Restricted by the ties, Darius managed to power his hips to meet each of her thrusts.
Her head fell back between her shoulders as the coil of pleasure tightened. Tendrils of her hair cascaded along her back and over her buttocks in a silken caress. She felt wild and free, abandoned. A sensual being ready to take flight.
Not wanting to fly alone, Andi reached behind her, grabbed his thigh and used her arm to brace herself. The other hand went exploring between his legs until she cupped his sac in her palm, fingers extended to stroke the shallow indentation of his perineum.
As night settled around them the room darkened and Andi flew apart, the convulsions of her pussy bringing him along with her. She collapsed atop his chest until her breathing settled. The blissful sensations began to diminish, replaced with misery and dread. Her time was up. She had to set him free and face the fallout. Darius would never be able to forgive her, not that she could blame him. Knowing she'd never hold him again created a horrible, empty ache in her chest.
Darius was unable to make out the words she mumbled before placing the sweetest kiss over his heart. Andi sat up with his sated cock still clasped in the warmth of her body and pulled the trailing end of each necktie, releasing his bonds.
She kept her gaze averted as she lifted away to untie his legs. His chest tightened when she stood next to the bed and fished his pager out of the discarded robe, placed it on the nightstand and backed away.
He opened his mouth to say...something, what he wasn't sure, but the pager began its frantic dance. Darius grabbed the phone first, hit the speed dial and read the message as the connection went through.
"Hospital operator."
"This is Dr. Raines."
"Oh thank God. We've been paging you all---"
"Yes, my pager just went off. Tell me about the patient."
The operator's tone turned all business. "Eleven-year-old girl with a penetrating chest trauma from a car accident. She was ejected from the vehicle and impaled on a metal pole."
"Jesus." He rubbed a hand over his head and glanced at Andreana. She leaned against the wall, eyes downcast. He wanted to hold her, try to reassure her that this would all get sorted out, but his feet refused to move. "Have the O.R. team standing by. I'll be there in ten minutes."
He hung up, moved to the dresser and began pulling on clothes. "I have to go." Not knowing what else to say, he remained silent as he grabbed his keys and ran out to the car. He didn't worry about leaving her at his house. Andi would lock up when she left. Darius spent the drive trying to come up with a plausible excuse for not responding all day.
Once at the hospital, there was no time to think about anything other than the patient. Her injuries were extensive, requiring his entire focus and skill. He assessed her condition, viewed the x-rays and had a brief conversation with her parents before heading to the O.R. to scrub in.
His heart went out to the family. They told Darius all about their bright daughter, Melissa, who dreamed of one day being president. Her ideas for solving the homeless dilemma had won awards and she'd been invited to the White House to meet the president.
The surgical team was in rare form, everyone all aflutter with details of the car accident. The family had been hit by a drunk driver. Melissa was thrown from the car when her seatbelt failed and was impaled on a piece of lead pipe sticking out of the ground where road work had been occurring. The pipe had been sawed off and left in place. It was his job to remove it, prevent her from bleeding out and repair the damage.
He operated through the night and some of the things Andreana had told him fell into place. Darius knew that if he'd spent the day working on the cases he'd been called in for there was no way he'd have the stamina to handle this touch-and-go operation that required all of his skill. He also knew that while his peer, Dr. Nutley, was a damn fine surgeon, the girl's injuries would have been beyond his capabilities, even if Nutley made it back from his trip in time. Hell, it pushed Darius' abilities, and he'd specialized in cardiothoracic trauma.
When they finished, several members of the team patted him on the back. A few colleagues, who had viewed part of the lengthy procedure from an observation suite, commended him on a job well done. He stumbled into the locker room sometime in the wee hours of the morning, asleep on his feet, to be confronted by the chief of surgery.
"From what I hear, that little girl would not have stood a chance without you. Good job, Dr. Raines."
He nodded but didn't speak, knowing the man wasn't finished.
"However, your success last night does not make up for failing to respond to your pages all day. Mind explaining why I had a general surgeon handling a vascular trauma, and I had to coax an adult trauma surgeon over here to sub for you?" Deep lines from stress creased the chief's forehead. "And it better be good!"
Darius shrugged and started talking without knowing exactly what he was going to say. He went totally on instinct and protected Andreana, leaving her out of the explanation, taking the blame on himself. No way would he throw her under the bus for her part in saving Melissa. "I fucked up, Martin. Forgot I was on call and went horseback riding. Soon as I got back home and got the messages from the hospital, I hauled ass in here."
The chief seemed to size up Darius, his expression skeptical. Finally, he rubbed at his temples and mumbled a creative stream of curses. "Jesus, Darius. If you weren't such a damn good surgeon or if you'd fucked up before, I'd have to put you on probation. Since this all worked out, I'm going to let it slide, but I'm putting you on notice. Fuck up again and you're history."
"Thanks, Martin. I'm really sorry. It won't happen again."
He stood under the hot shower for a long time, trying to ease the ache in his shoulders. After dressing in a clean set of scrubs, Darius dictated his report for the patient's chart and went to visit her in recovery. He'd just finished writing orders for her care as the girl's big brown eyes opened and locked on him.
She was weak and unable to talk much, but he sat by her bedside for a long time, holding her hand. Melissa truly was an amazing girl---bright and caring. Despite her grave injuries and long surgery, she was full of life. He could easily see her growing up to have a major impact on the world.
Sometime just before dawn, Darius pulled into his driveway and carted his dragging butt inside. A hollow sense of emptiness hit him the minute he walked through the door. Suddenly, without Andreana here, it had become nothing more than some walls, a roof and furniture. When she'd left, all the life went with her.
In reality, the life went out of him too. Darius fell into a rut, spending as much time working as possible. He took on extra cases and pulled more hours on call than his peers. Anything to stay busy so he didn't have to think.
Sitting in a corner of the doctors' lounge a few weeks later, drinking stale coffee, he overheard a conversation that made him sit up and take notice.
"I don't feel comfortable putting any of the CT techs we've interviewed in Andi's shift."
The other man agreed. "The overnight weekend shift requires an experienced tech who can function independently. Someone able to decide if additional imaging is required for a diagnosis."
The first man nodded. "I can't tell you how many times Andi has pointed out something I completely missed when getting woke up in the middle of the night to read a scan. She is one hell of a tech. I don't know how we'll find anyone half as competent and willing to fight for the patients."
"I still can't believe she put in her notice. She loves working here with the kids. It just doesn't make any sense."
Darius heard more than he needed to figure out what was going on. Andreana was leaving the work she loved because of what had happened between them. He'd protected her position and she'd resigned anyway.
He gathered up his paperwork and got out of there, but being at home was no better. He missed Andreana and all the crazy emotions she stirred within him. Hell, he hadn't even wanted to change the sheets because they smelled like her.
How fucking pathetic. He had to pull himself together and stop dwelling on how wonderful it had felt to make love to her. Had to stop replaying every touch and kiss in his mind. Had to stop walking around with a semi-hard-on from thinking about her. And he had to stop sitting here growling in frustration, damn it.
A soft voice cut through his muddled thoughts. Darius looked up from his charts to find a gorgeous blonde woman talking to him from the doorway. He shot out of the chair and rubbed his eyes, hoping to clear away the figment of his imagination. When he opened his eyes again, heart pounding against his ribs, the woman was still there.
"What the fuck?"
"Hello, warrior."
Her soft voice sounded as if it came from a great distance and her body seemed to waver. She made him think of a hologram projection. Her long blonde hair floated around her as if she were outside and not within the hospital corridor.
"Who...wh-what?" he stuttered.
"Shh...none of that is important." Her expression turned stern. "I have done everything I can to open your eyes, but you refuse to follow your heart, Darius. I believe there is only one person you will listen to. Pay attention, warrior. Your time with her will be short."
The woman faded from view as another image began to coalesce out of empty air. As his dead wife appeared before his eyes, Darius' legs gave out and he fell to the floor. "Sharon?"
"Hello, my love."
His heart lodged in his throat, Darius sputtered and tried to talk to no avail. Sharon's very real hand caressed his cheek, soothing him as she'd done so many times in the past.
"I've been granted but a brief moment, so you must be quiet and listen."
He stared into her lovely face, dumbfounded.
"The time for me to move on is long past, but I can't. Not until you move on and begin to live again, love again."
He started to protest, but she placed her fingers over his lips.
"It's okay to move on, Darius. I want you to. Put aside the guilt. You didn't fail me and the baby. There was no way you could have saved us. It was our time to go."
Darius knew his mouth hung open in shock, but he couldn't do anything about it.
"Knowing what you feel for Andreana brings me peace. I want you to go to her. Start a new life. You have my blessing." She shot a quick glance over her shoulder and nodded before continuing. "I have to go now. Please, Darius. Stop running. Let her love you and love her in return."
The touch of her hand on his face began to fade along with the image. Darius cried out, feeling as if she were dying for a second time. "Sharon, no. Don't go. Please..."
"It's time for you to live again, without me."
"Sharon, no. I can't," he sobbed, but it was too late. She faded into thin air.
Darius woke up on his bed, gasping and reaching out. He rubbed a hand over his head and sighed with relief. "Jesus, what a dream. I've been working too damn hard."
He knew better though. Andi had tried to tell him the paranormal was real and that those who believed experienced things others didn't. He believed his wife had come to him. Of that, Darius had no doubt.
He sat up and looked around at the pigsty his house had become. Forcing himself to get up, he showered and cleaned the house, thinking about the dream the whole time. His subconscious, or perhaps something a bit more mystical, had delivered a powerful message. It was past time for him to pull his act together and stop going through the motions. Time to open his mind and heart.
During the mindless task of loading the washing machine, it hit him. Not only did the house feel empty, but so did he. The reason was obvious. Andreana had touched him somewhere deep inside, awakening emotions he'd long tuned out. When she'd been in his arms, he'd come alive. Without her, he was a mess.
All her talk about paranormal events and spirits of kids in the hospital wasn't so farfetched anymore. Seeing Sharon made a believer out of him.
Once he let it in, the truth began to fill him. Andreana hadn't had to tie him up. He would have done anything she asked. He'd been slowly falling for her since they first met and she already had his love.
His thoughts flashed back to asking her what would happen when she untied him.
I let you go. You play hero and save the kid.
And you? What about you?
I go find another job since I'll lose this one when what I've done comes out.
So I'm the hero and you're the bad guy, end of story?
She had refused to meet his gaze.
Tell me what you'd like to see happen.
Dream scenario?
Yeah. If this were a book, how would you write the ending?
You let me ease your pain...open your heart, have a little faith in me. You make up an excuse for not answering your pages and no one finds out about this. We live happily ever after...
The raw emotions he'd seen in her eyes had tugged at his heart.
You forgive me and we fall in love.
If only it had turned out with them winding up together. Instead, they were both alone, her leaving the job she loved and him hiding in his work.
Sharon's voice rang through his head, startling Darius. So change the ending. Rewrite a better one, a happy ending.
Determination filled him. He had to find a way to make this right.
The night dragged on forever. Andreana was happy to finish her last scan and start gathering up her things while waiting for the dayshift to arrive. Next week she'd be working at a small adult hospital and this place would be nothing but a fond memory. It had been a long couple of weeks, but she wouldn't leave the hospital short a tech without giving notice. At least she'd managed to avoid seeing Darius.
Thankfully, her co-workers hadn't made a big deal of her last night. Everyone had gone about their business even if the mood had been somber. In fact, the department was quiet, eerily so. Shrugging it off, she grabbed her bag and headed for the break room, finding it strange she didn't run into anyone in the hallway.
She swiped her card in the electronic lock and shoved the door open to be blasted by cheers from the jammed-to-capacity room. Andi stumbled back a step as someone pulled the door wide. The festive decorations, party hats and noise makers made her head spin. Looking around, she saw techs, transporters and doctors all happily talking at the same time and wondered what the hell was happening.
The department director pulled her into a hug, the woman's words only adding to her confusion. "We're so glad you've decided to stay."
Andi was passed from one person to the next for hugs and slaps on the back. Everyone had the same thing to say, they were glad she wasn't leaving them. Someone handed her a paper plate with a huge piece of cake. A cup of punch was pushed into her other hand. Shocked and astounded, she couldn't find the words to set them straight.
The chief radiologist stood on a chair and shushed the group. "Andi, I can't tell you how happy I was to get your email rescinding your resignation. Honestly, we were at a loss as to how we'd ever find another tech capable of filling your shoes."
Rescind her resignation? What the hell was he talking about?
"It's obvious how much you love working with the kids, and we're all thrilled you will continue to do so."
Her mind existed somewhere outside her body as she went through the motions of the bizarre party, opening card and gifts, accepting heartfelt hugs from the staff. Her co-workers gave her a hard time for not having shared her plans with them.
She had no idea how long the party had lasted when she walked into the hospital lobby in a daze, carrying a large box containing her gifts and leftover cake, fumbling in her purse for her keys.
"How did the party go? Did you have a good time?"
At the sound of Darius' rich voice, the box fell from Andi's suddenly lax hands. She stared at the things strewn around her feet for a moment, reluctant to lift her gaze and find he wasn't really there. When she finally looked up, Andi felt as if she were caught in a dream.
Dressed in a tuxedo, arms loaded with crimson roses, Darius Raines stepped forward as if right out of her dreams. Then again, maybe not. She'd never dared to dream him this way, smiling brightly at her and wearing his heart on his sleeve.
"Y-you sent the email?"
He nodded. "The hospital and the kids need you, Andreana." He closed the remaining distance and put the flowers in her trembling arms. "I need you, honey, and I couldn't let you go."
Cheers rose from behind her. Andi spun around to find almost everyone from the party standing a few feet away. Oh crap, what a nightmare. Now everyone would know what had happened, and this time she'd be fired.
When she turned back to Darius, he'd gone down on one knee and held a jeweler's box in his hand. "The hospital has strict rules about doctors dating staff members, but it's okay for a married couple to both work here in different departments. You're just going to have to marry me so we can both keep the jobs we love."
Andi's hand flew up to cover her open mouth. With her heart lodged in her throat she couldn't respond. Someone in the crowd shouted, "Say yes."
"I'm not going to rush you, honey. I checked with human resources. We can have a long engagement and still comply with the hospital rules. Whatever you want, Andi, just please...don't leave me. I need you." His voice crackled with emotion and he looked up at her with his heart and soul in his expressive eyes. "I love you. Say yes. Make me the happiest man in the world."
Her knees gave out and the flowers fell as Darius caught her in his arms, holding her close. She cupped his cheek and whispered her response against his lips. The hospital, along with the shouts and cheers, all faded, melted away as he claimed her mouth in a drugging kiss.
She surfaced sometime later as a stern-faced administrator shooed everyone back to work amidst groaned complaints of "What did she say?" and "Did anyone hear her answer?"
Darius lifted her in his arms and spun her around. He shouted, "She said yes."
Staff, patients and visitors were all still offering congratulations as Darius whisked her away to begin the rest of their lives...together.
\*
Darius Raines was sick and tired of waiting. Andreana made him wait six months to get married in a casual ceremony on the beach. And she'd left his bed two weeks ago, making him wait for their wedding night to make love to her again.
He'd given her everything she wanted, and now it was his turn. His ring shone on her left hand and she now bore his name.
"By the power vested in me by the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Done waiting, Darius claimed her mouth before the minister got to the part about kissing his bride. His tongue thrust between her lips, twining with hers, drinking her in. God, and now he was expected to suffer through a damn reception before sinking his throbbing cock into the tight, wet clench of her body.
To hell with that! No more waiting.
Andi shrieked as he tossed her over his shoulder and headed for the hotel. Their assembled family, friends and co-workers hooted and hollered, making him grin. At least they understood a man could only take so much.
He carried her through the hotel, not letting go until the door of the honeymoon suite slammed shut behind them. "No more waiting. I need you!" He had her unzipped and the dress over her head before she could protest.
Their hungry gazes met and he saw the same need reflected in her beautiful eyes.
"Yes, hurry, Darius."
She started pulling at his clothes until he captured her hands, stilling her movements. "You're not mad?"
Andreana shot him that amazing smile that never failed to make his heart do flips in his chest.
"Have a little faith in me."
Darius was on her before the last word passed her lips. "Always." He kissed her hard, walking Andreana backward toward the bed. He landed safe and sound in her arms. "I love you, Mrs. Raines."
"Mmm..." she muttered, fumbling with his pants. "I love you too, husband." His zipper slid down and his cock sprang into her hands. "Now hurry up and make love to me."
Thank God, the waiting was finally over. He tore the thin band of her panties, hooked her knees over his forearms and filled her in one smooth thrust. Darius held still for a moment, letting the perfection of their joined bodies wash through him. His eyes snapped open as her fingernails dug into his ass.
"Darius, now," she gasped. "Please!"
He stared into the beautiful face of his wife, the woman who'd saved him, and saw a fierce warrior staring back. She was more than worth the wait.
About the Author
Nicole Austin lives on the sheltered Gulf Coast of Florida, where inspiration can be readily found sitting under a big shade umbrella on the beach while sipping cold margaritas. A voracious reader, she never goes anywhere without a book. All those delicious romances combined with a vivid imagination naturally created steamy fantasies and characters in her mind.
Discovering Ellora's Cave paved the path to freeing them as well as manifesting an intoxicating passion for Romantica®. The positive response of family and friends to her stories propelled Nicole into an incredible world where fantasy comes boldly to life. Now she stays busy working as a certified CT scan technologist, finishing her third college degree, reading, writing, and keeping up with family. Oh yeah, and did we mention all the hard work involved with research? Well, that's the fun job---certainly a labor of love.
Nicole welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
Tell Us What You Think
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Also by Nicole Austin
The Boy Next Door
Ellora's Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis I anthology
Enough
Flyboy
Passionate Realities
Rakahnja's Haven
Restless
Savannah's Vision
Trip My Switch
Discover for yourself why readers can't get enough of the multiple award-winning publisher Ellora's Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic reading experience that will leave you breathless.
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