Touched (30 page)

“Awwww. You’re so sweet,’ I whisper.

“It’s true.” He looks down at our hands then back at me. “Can you keep calm if I tell you something?” My insides feel turmoil, but I need to be strong so our baby doesn’t suffer anymore. I nod and straighten a little. “I don’t know how much you remember of our conversation before you collapsed but… Maria? I have a restraining order against her. She is not, I repeat, she is not carrying my child. She’s just trying to get my money. It’s happened before with another woman I’d slept with, someone in my past, Angel. There could be more out there that will try anything to get my money especially now that you’re in my life. Jealousy is a mean bitch.” A tear falls from my eyes, and he quickly brushes it away. “Please know, all those women, I never cared about, never loved and really don’t even remember most of their faces or names. They were all a dream, a dream that meant nothing to me.” I swallow hard and nod. “Please believe that there is only you. There’s ever only been you.”

I manage to sit up, and he brings me into his strong arms. I silently weep into his chest. I cry for him, for us and for almost losing our baby. He moves me back until I am laying against the bed again. “Angel. You feel so warm. Let me call the nurse.”

My free hand moves up to my forehead, and I feel more than warm to me. “Yes, please. I really don’t feel well.”

It’s not long before the nurse comes in, takes my temperature and pushes another needle into the top of my IV. Before she’s even left the room my eyes close, and I feel weightless.

“Knox. My baby.” I feel weak and nauseated and so hot. I try to push the covers off, but something’s stopping them from moving. I slowly open my eyes a little and see Knox in the dim light, sitting in a chair beside the bed, his hand holding the top of the covers up, so I can’t budge them. “I’m hot.”

“I know, sweetheart, but the doctor said you need to stay covered. He was just in here checking on you a few minutes ago. He said your fever is starting to break and you need to keep warm.” He let’s go of the covers and reaches over to get my water, bringing it to back to me. Raising my head a little, with the help of his strong hand behind my neck, my lips envelope the straw and I drink until I can’t anymore and finally lay my head back against the pillow. “That’s my girl. Now, try to sleep. It’s good for you and princess.” I can’t help but smile at him, weakly. He’s so cute when he talks about his princess. I sure hope we do have a girl or I’m not sure what he’ll do.

I awaken this morning, feeling a ton better, almost like nothing had happened although I am a bit sore. Knox is still sitting by my side when I open my eyes, and his gleaming smile glistens in the sunlight coming in through the blinds. “Morning, my love. How do you feel this glorious day?”

His smile is contagious, and I can’t stop mine from forming. “I actually feel pretty good but a little sore. May I have a drink of water?” His smile grows even wider at my request, and as I push the button and raise the back of the bed a little, I’m rewarded with a fresh cup. I take it in my hands and push the straw into my mouth, sucking in the delicious wetness.

“You look much better today, my love. You’re skin has its pink glow back and your eyes have more life in them. I’m so glad,” he says as he takes my cup back and returns it to the side table.

“When can I leave?” I’m so anxious to leave and get back to normal. Now that I understand what Knox goes through with the women from his past, I feel so much relief and know we can conquer anything together. Next time anything happens like that I need to get my inner fighter out and defeat them and not run away. Never again will I not talk with Knox first before jumping to my own conclusions or those that the scamps try to convince me of.

He chuckles. “The doctor should be in shortly and we’ll ask. But Angel? Promise me you will try to keep calm when things stress you. You need to do it for yourself but mostly for princess, ok? I know you still have things with your dad that you need to tend to but you need to try. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay by your side the entire time you need me.”

“What about work and our castle? Don’t you need to get back for them?”

He takes my hand in his and rubs my palm with his thumb. “No. Work can be taken care of over the phone and our castle is in great hands but they can call me if needed too. My place is with you, always. I’ll never let you leave me again.” He leans up, his lips press against mine and once again, I’m lost in him.

We’re quickly interrupted by the door opening and the doctor walking in with mom hot on his heels. “Oh, Jade! You look so much better this morning. I’m so relieved.” She smothers me with kisses and hugs until the doctor asks everyone to leave for a few minutes while he checks me out. “Oh, fine but I’ll be right outside the door, dear.” I smile and nod briskly and look over at Knox, who still hasn’t moved to get up. He looks at the doctor and gives him a stern look.

“I’m not leaving her,” he says matter of fact.

The doctor only laughs. “Very well. If she’s agreeable to that I have no issues with it.” The doctor looks at me, and I only shrug. It’s no use arguing with Knox. He’ll just get his way anyhow, and it doesn’t bother me if he stays, in fact, I’d rather him not leave me either. I’m then poked and prodded, my temperature retaken, my stomach pressed on, and heartbeat listened to and only hear a lot of ‘Aha’s’ and Hmmm’s then he stands back. “Everything seems to be just fine. Would you like to break outta here?” I nod my head eagerly and smile at Knox, whose own smile is from ear to ear. “Very well. I’ll just go get the paperwork ready for your discharge. But Miss Morley?” I look back at him and tilt my head slightly. “You need to stay away from stress and if you can’t then you need to keep it under control. I don’t want to see you back here or know you’re at any hospital until it’s time to deliver that baby. Deal?”

“Deal!” I almost scream in excitement to be able to leave. He only laughs, leaves the room, and I turn to Knox. “I promise I’ll be more careful but I just want to go see Dad, make some amends and then go home.”

He leans over and kisses my mouth lightly and then stays there. “Ok but I’m always with you and you have to eat more and drink more water. I don’t want to lose you, Angel. I’m not sure my heart can take something like this again.” Now he moves back a little but my eyes follow as his head moves down, and he kisses my stomach through the covers. My heart just skipped a beat, and I’m trying not to cry. I’m sick of crying and only want happiness in my life now.

Mom picks that precise moment to walk back into the room and Knox looks up when we hear, “Awwwww!” He looks at me, winks and kisses my stomach again.

We decide on the way home that I wouldn’t try to see dad for a couple of days, to make sure I’m still feeling ok and trying to keep the stress down. I have to admit I’m really nervous. Mom told me he’s declining rapidly, and they have moved him from the rehabilitation floor to the floor where hospice comes in. I’m anxious to see him but scared at the same time. What if he remembers what happened between us and shuns me? I know I’d lose it right there. I have to be strong for our baby, but at the same time I still feel like such a child where my dad is concerned.

When we get to Mom’s house, I walk in, with Knox holding on to my arm of course, to a living room full of lilacs. The smell almost knocking me over but so heavenly. Mom’s making lunch as Knox and I sit at the kitchen table with him holding my hand. He has been unable not to touch me since I’ve been in the hospital. When she brings over a sandwich for me and a glass of water, she sets the paper plate in front of me, and I try to pull my hand from his, but he tightens his grip. “Knox, you have to let go sometime. I need my hand to eat,” I laugh.

He sighs, and I can tell he has a really hard time letting go. Finally, he releases my hand, and I pick up my sandwich, taking a huge bite while closing my eyes. When I open them, Knox is staring at me. His eyes full of lust as he watches my mouth chewing my food, and I know what he’s thinking and feeling. I almost choke on my mouthful at the thought and grab my water, taking a big gulp. “Stop it,” I half whisper, half giggle.

“Stop what?” his sexy grin making my legs move together inconspicuously under the table. He’s playing dirty and knows we can’t act on our desires until later. How weird will that be? Making love in the bed I had as a youth, in my mother’s house and with her in it. I watch as he licks his lips seductively and quickly glance over at Mom. She has her back turned while making a sandwich at the counter. Two can play at this game. Picking up my glass, I cover my lips around the rim, my eyes giving him a sexy look while I swallow a drink and then as I pull it away I lick my upper lip slowly then the bottom and clamp my teeth over the corner. I giggle when he shifts in his seat. The look of frustration clearly on his gorgeous face and his hand reaches under the table to adjust himself. My giggles erupt louder, and my mom’s head turns around so I quickly stop and look down at my plate as I pick up my sandwich.

“It’s good to hear you giggle in this house again,” Mom says as she brings her plate over and sits down in the chair beside me. I look up and smile. If she only knew why I was giggling. She looks at her sandwich and I see her chin quiver. Reaching my hand out, I lay it over hers on the table and she looks at me, her eyes wet with tears. “I know what he did to you was so wrong but I’ve never stopped loving him, even when he was being horrible. He always loved you, even though he didn’t show it often but he always has.”

My eyes are now becoming wet as I pat her hand. “I want to go over there in the morning.” I look at Mom and then at Knox and they both open their mouths to protest, but I continue. “I’ll be fine. I just need to see him, to touch him again and I need to know his frame of mind.” I look back at Knox, who is not happy with me. “I’m more stressed and worried not seeing him. I promise I’ll be ok. You’ll be there with me, holding my hand and giving me your support. I know I’ll be fine with you there.”

He takes my other hand and brings it up to his lips, kissing it softly. “I’ll always be there for you. We can go but any signs of stressing out and I’ll haul you out of there so fast…” My smile spreads and I look at mom who is smiling too. When I look back at Knox, he winks and releases my hand then takes a bite of his sandwich. Once he swallows he looks at Mom and then at me. “Tonight, we relax and watch a movie. I noticed you have some good ones in your cabinet there, Teresa.” He winks at her, and her smile grows.

“I think a movie would be great tonight. A comedy.” Mom takes a huge bite of her sandwich smiling the entire time she eats.

§ § § §

The movie’s almost over but I look down at my sleeping Angel and decide I’d better get her to bed. I look over at Teresa, and she winks at me and motions for me to follow her. Lifting Jade gently I carry her down a small hall and up some stairs, turning into the room that is the second door on the left. It’s small but at least it has a queen sized bed. Teresa creeps out of the room, closing the door silently behind her as I lay Jade down on the bed. Quickly, I grab my shirt from the back, pulling it over my head and remove her top then her bra and slip my shirt over her head. I pull her arms through and then pull the fabric down her body. I lift her legs and pull her yoga pants off and then pull down the covers and move them over her. She’s so out of it that all she does is sigh in her sleep. Once I’ve removed my jeans I climb into bed, and she immediately rolls over to me. Her arm laying over my stomach and my arm moves around her shoulder. She snuggles her head into my chest and sighs loudly. I lay there holding my Angel and all the feelings of having her in my arms again are overwhelming me as I stare up at the ceiling. To think something could have happened to her or our baby makes me cringe. Now I’m so thankful that she’s here with me, and I can hold her once again. I’m really nervous about tomorrow. I understand how she wants to see her dad, maybe to get some closure, but I also know she’s scared. I will be there for her and do anything I can to protect her.

Damn, I’m having the best dream. Angel’s mouth over my hard cock and sucking it like a Popsicle. The feelings stirring deep within me are so real and then my cock twitches, and I feel wetness seeping from the tip. Opening my sleepy eyes I look down and see Angel in between my legs, her luscious mouth covering my cock. Her eyes look up at mine through her long lashes and when she smiles around it then hums, I’m done. I sit up, grab her arms and lift her over and onto her back, and I’m buried deep inside her in an instant. I can’t contain the animal in me any longer as I thrust in and out, her hips meeting me with every movement, and I come undone when she moans. Another moan begins to erupt, and I cover her mouth with mine, muffling it as best I can. I can tell her climax is close when I feel her muscles clench around me, squeezing my thickness as I rock and her nails embed into the skin on my back. My head tilts back, my eyes closing with my impending release, and I can feel her body shuddering with hers. After expelling everything I have into her, I lean down and kiss her with all the passion I’m feeling. Her nails leave my skin, and she gently rubs over them as she kisses me back eagerly.

Once the need for air causes us to break apart, I gently move off of her and walk into her bathroom and get a washcloth. After warming it under the faucet, I walk back to her, cleaning her off and then myself. Thank God she had a bathroom attached to her room. It would have been slightly embarrassing going to one in the hallway. When I return, she’s already back to sleep, cuddling with my pillow, and I just stand there for a moment to look at my sleeping beauty. I can’t begin to imagine my life without her. Once I’m back in bed she doesn’t hesitate to cuddle up against me, still sleeping, still warm and soft. Still mine.