∞∞∞
LEIGH
I’m busy with my rounds and checking on Marcus while Sebastian is giving him a sponge bath.
I hear a slap and tear my eyes away from the monitors to see what they’re up to.
Marcus is covered from the waist down, and Sebastian keeps trying to push the material lower so he can wash Marcus.
“Stop it,” Marcus growls as he pushes Sebastian’s hand away again.
Sebastian shoves his hands into his sides and glares down at Marcus with a raised eyebrow.
“Darling, if you have a problem with me washing your ding-dong, I can always let Leigh do it.”
Marcus opens his mouth and closes it again a few times, clearly at a loss for words.
“I don’t mind,” I say, just to tease Marcus.
“Hell no, woman! You want Jaxson to kill me? I just made it through one life-threatening event.”
“What’s it gonna be, babe? Are you gonna keep still or are you taking your chances with Jaxson not finding out you made his woman touch your ding-dong?”
“I can do it myself,” Marcus wines.
Sebastian starts to laugh and holds the sponge out to him.
“Fine. Let’s see you do it.”
Marcus freezes, and after a few minutes, he glares at Sebastian.
“You want it to rot and fall off?” Sebastian adds.
“Fuck, you’re worse than a woman,” he snaps.
“Thank you, babe,” Sebastian exclaims. “I’ll take it as a compliment coming from you because you’re being a real dick.”
“Just fucking get it over with.” He hisses while shutting his eyes.
I watch as Sebastian keeps it professional and quick, and moves on to wash Marcus’ legs.
The door opens, and Rhett walks in.
“Hey, bro,” he says, then he looks up, and he freezes. His eyebrows shoot into his hairline. “Dafuug?”
I suck both my lips into my mouth to keep from laughing out loud.
“It’s not what it looks like,” Marcus defends as he tries to move his leg out of Sebastian’s reach.
“I’ve heard that one before,” Sebastian mumbles.
Rhett tilts his head, and when it’s clear that he can’t figure out what he’s seeing, he points to the door.
“I’ll… I’ll come back later.”
“Rhett,” I cry as I start to laugh. I bend over and place my hands on my knees to keep myself up. “It’s just a sponge bath.”
Rhett’s eyes grow huge. “You give those here?”
Sebastian rolls his eyes. “Not the kinky kind you’re obviously well acquainted with. I swear, the postal address for that dirty mind of yours is smack bang in the middle of the gutter. Instead of standing there like a lost fart, come hold him still so I can finish. I still have other patients to see to. Some of them happen to appreciate my sponge baths.”
“Damn, woman,” Rhett whispers as he carefully moves closer to the bed. “Is it that time of the month?”
“Don’t you go and bring the bitch out in me,” Sebastian warns while wiggling a finger in front of Rhett’s face.
I bury my face in my hands and laugh until tears drip from my fingers.
I wish I could’ve recorded it.
When Sebastian is done, he gives Marcus a pointed look.
“Payback’s a bitch, darling. As soon as your ass is mobile again, you have to sing karaoke with me. I won’t take no for an answer. Keep that in mind next time you sass me.”
When Marcus opens his mouth, I quickly cover it with my hand.
“It’s going to be fun,” I say.
As soon as Sebastian leaves the room, I look down at Marcus.
“Don’t mess with his karaoke. He held your hand for over five hours. The least you can do is sing one song with him.”
“I’m starting to wonder if I didn’t die. I’m sure this is what hell is like,” Marcus mutters.
Rhett sits down and props his feet on the side of the bed.
“If this is hell, I’m all for it. I can’t wait to see you sing with Miss Sebastian. I’d pay good money for that.”
Marcus glares at Rhett. “As soon as I’m out of here, I’m going to kick your ass.”
Rhett wags his eyebrows. “You love my ass.”
Rhett’s the male version of Sebastian. I have to remember to never leave them alone.
As I move onto my next patient, I can’t help but feel sad. As soon as Marcus is better, they will all leave.
I’m not sure what will happen with Jaxson and me then.
Chapter 16
JAXSON
Now that Marcus is out of danger, Carter is heading back to New York. I’ve asked all the guys to meet me in Marcus’ room.
Rhett walks in and pretends to look around for someone. “What? No sponge bath today?”
“Shut up,” Marcus hisses, giving him a glare of warning.
Rhett starts to chuckle which makes me ask. “What did I miss?”
“Nothing,” Marcus says way too quickly, which means there’s definitely something I’ve missed out on.
Rhett wags his eyebrows. “Miss Sebastian has been giving Marcus sponge baths.”
“Fuck you, Rhett,” Marcus grumbles, but I can see the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Carter and Logan walk into the room, stopping me from making a comment.
“Thanks for meeting me here guys,” I say as soon as they’re all settled. “I want to discuss either opening a branch here or if you’re prepared, to buy me out of IIP.”
They all stare at me blankly, as if I’m not making any sense.
“I’m going to stay here with Leigh,” I explain.
Carter looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “Jax, in all the time we’ve known each other, have I not had your back?”
Now I’m confused. “What does that have to do with me staying here?”
“It’s already done. Logan and I put in an offer to purchase a building, which we hope you’ll like. Logan will stay here with you to help set up things and hire top management. I’m heading back today, but Rhett is staying for another week. Right, Rhett?”
Rhett glances away from the TV for a second. “Yeah, sure.”
“You all fucking knew? Assholes,” I laugh at them, relieved that they’re okay with me setting up a branch for Indie Ink Publishers in California.
“If that’s all you wanted to discuss, I’m going to go. I miss my girls.”
Logan walks out with Carter while Rhett’s eyes are glued to the TV.
“So, it’s the real thing? You and Doc,” Marcus asks.
“Yeah. Are you okay with staying here?”
“Of course he is. He loves Miss Sebastian way too much to leave her,” Rhett answers.
“I swear to God, Rhett,” Marcus says as he starts to laugh, but immediately stops and winces in pain.
“Tomorrow is the big day,” I say. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I can’t wait to get out of here. Fuck, I’m dying for pizza, or a burger, or buffalo wings… shit, I’m going to stuff my face.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” I glance at Rhett. “Don’t make him laugh.”
I leave the guys and walk up to the nurses’ station.
“Hey, Miss Sebastian. Have you seen, Doc?”
When we heard Rhett calling him Miss Sebastian, we all started. I’m actually impressed with Rhett. He goes out of his way to treat Sebastian like a woman. I’ve even caught them flirting. I swear there’s nothing on this planet that can catch Rhett off guard.
“Over there, lover boy.” Sebastian tilts his head to where Leigh is coming out of an office.
“Thanks. Are we still on for Friday night?”
“Oh, hell yeah. I’ll drag Marcus up on stage in a wheelchair if I have to. He owes me a song.”
Fuck, I can’t wait to see that. I chuckle as I walk to Leigh.
“Are you ready?” I ask.
“Yes.”
I wrap my arm around her waist and press a hard kiss to her mouth.
“Let’s go. I have something I want to show you.”
As the cab drives to the address I gave, I keep Doc busy by asking about her day. When the cab pulls up to the apartment block, I pay. I take Doc’s hand in mine and walk into the foyer where the agent is meeting us.
“Mr. West, thank you for meeting with me.”
“Jill, this is my girlfriend, Dr. Baxter.”
They shake hands and Doc gives me a questioning look.
“Shall we go up?” Jill asks.
We get into the elevator, and Jill swipes a keycard before pressing the number for the floor. When the doors open and we step out, Doc’s eyes widen.
“Wow,” she breathes as I walk her into the living room.
I’ve arranged with Jill to wait while I talk to Doc.
“Do you like it?”
Doc nods as her eyes dart all over the place.
“It’s stunning. I love the wide windows. Are you looking for a place for you and Marcus?”
I take hold of her chin and bring her face back to me.
“I was hoping you’d move in with me.”
I watch her face closely as my words sink in. Her eyes widen, and a beautiful smile spreads across her face.
Her eyes start to sparkle and her chin trembles as she asks, “You want us to live together?”
“My love for you is infinite, Doc. When I look into your eyes, I see my future. You’re my home, and if you don’t like this place, we can keep looking. As long as I get to be with you, I don’t care where we live.”