Seducing Lauren(79)
“You deserve to die, you selfish whore.” Jack grips my shoulders in his hands and pushes me over the side of the balcony. I fall and fall and fall in slow motion, my arms and legs flailing.
“Tyyyyy!”
“Lauren!”
I gasp and then cry out as the pain in my ribs shoots through me. Ty wakes me, calling my name and gently pushing his fingers into my hair. I’m sweating, my eyes are wide, and I’m panting uncontrollably.
“You’re here.” My eyes search the room, looking for Jack.
“Of course I’m here.” Ty takes my hand in his, but I pull away and cower from him. “Baby, you had a nightmare.”
“Jack was hurting me.” I look around the room once more and then begin to cry as Ty pulls me back into his strong arms, rocking me gently.
“He can’t hurt you, baby.”
“Oh, God!” I turn my face into Ty’s chest and cry, trembling and afraid. “He pushed me over the balcony.”
Ty glides his hands soothingly up and down my back, kisses my head, and comforts me. “He’s not here. He’ll never be here again.”
I lie in Ty’s arms for long minutes, relishing his strength. My heart and breathing calm until finally we’re just lying together, comforting each other.
“You scared the fuck out of me,” he murmurs against my hair. “Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry I scared you.”
“I’m sorry you had the nightmare.” His voice is hard and I pull back to search his face.
“What is it?”
“I’d very much like to kill him right now.”
“That won’t solve anything.” I lay my cheek back on his chest. “You already beat the shit out of him. He’s not worth it, Ty.” I’ll never forget that day in the hospital when Ty, Zack, and Josh returned from being gone, and Ty’s hand was swollen, his knuckles bloody from beating Jack.
I groan a bit as I shift my position. My ribs are screaming again. The ibuprofen doesn’t last as long as the other pain medicines.
“Sore?”
“Always,” I mumble grumpily.
“Why don’t you just take the stronger medication at night? It’ll help you sleep, and then you can stick to the ibuprofen during the day.”
I consider his suggestion, then nod reluctantly. “Maybe that should be the plan for a few more days.”
Ty slips from the bed and brings back some water and a small pill, which I accept gratefully.
“I love you for all of this,” I murmur as he takes the water and sets it aside, then comes back to bed.
“Just for this?” he asks with a crooked smile.
“Well, you’re hot too, so that helps.”
“So you love me for the nursing skills and my body. I see how you are.”
“I might also love your culinary skills and how bossy you are sometimes.”
“Good to know.”
I grin and press a kiss to his chest. “I miss making love with you.”
His body stills before he sighs deeply and his heartbeat picks up beneath my cheek. “I miss you too, sweetness.”
His fingers glide lazily up and down my back, soothing me from the pain in my ribs and my head. From the pain of the nightmare.
He is my solace.
He is my home.
CHAPTER
Twenty
“I can’t believe it’s been a month since the incident.” Jill navigates carefully through the snow, driving me to my doctor’s office.
“I can,” I reply grumpily. “I’m fine. I don’t know why you had to drive me today.”
“Because until he releases you today, you’re not supposed to be driving.” She grins over at me. “I’m so happy you’re feeling better.”
“Me too.” I nod. “I’m horny as hell and Ty won’t touch me until the doctor says it’s okay. If he doesn’t say it’s okay today, I’ll maim him.”
Jill laughs as she pulls into a parking space. “That sounds like Ty, always living by the rules.”
“He’s driving me crazy. I’ve felt good enough for sex for weeks.”
“Just think of all the hot fun you can have tonight.” Jill wiggles her eyebrows at me, then grimaces. “Wait. That’s my brother. Ew.”
I lead her into the office building with a laugh and sign in, then take a seat and wait to be called back.
“You should do something special,” Jill whispers to me as she thumbs through an old People magazine.
“That’s what I was thinking.” I purse my lips in thought.
“Lauren,” the nurse calls with a smile.
“You think about it, and I’ll think about it, and then we’ll chat when I’m done.” I stand and remove my coat, leaving it on the seat beside Jill before joining the nurse to be led back to a room.