ANDREW sat at his office desk, busying himself to try and get the college kids off his mind. He was relieved the worse was over, but couldn’t shake the nervous rumbling in his gut. The incident was avoidable. He thought he had been clear when he told them not to go outside, but still, he felt it might be partly his fault. They’re all adults, but I’m acting like they’re kids; like they’re my responsibility.

He let out a breath and shook his head, resigning himself to letting it be. The nerves and feeling jittery would take at least a half hour to pass. He had become used to it. Actually, he wasn’t quite used to it—the adrenalin-rushed, tense reaction that tightened up every muscle in his body was not something he thought he could ever get used to. Still, he had begun to know what to expect. That predictability allowed him a modicum of calm.

He put the air ambulance contact page back in its place in the top drawer, and hoped he would not have any use for it during the rest of the students’ visit. As he got up to leave, he heard a knock on the door.

“Hey,” Abby said.

“Hi. Finished already?”

“Not quite. Rob took over and chased me away. He’s always been like that. Keeping busy is like breathing for him. I’ve known him since forever. His family never needed to push him to do anything. Hard work is also his way of dealing with everything.”

“I know the feeling sometimes.”

“Speaking of keeping busy,” she said, resting her hands on his chest as she looked up at him, “care for some company?”

“Hmmm,” he answered, gathering her into his arms. “Let me think about that for a second. Who am I kidding? Yes, of course I’d love your company.”

“Good.”

The tone of her voice was smooth and soft, filled with seduction. She felt so good in his arms. Andrew could take her right there in his office. He settled instead for a kiss on her forehead. There was still a lot of night left for what he wanted.

“So what do you have in mind?”

“I was thinking, as my ankle is so much better, we could get in that Jacuzzi tub in your bedroom, and relax a little. After that, we could have a glass of wine.” She reached up to his neck and squeezed his shoulders gently. “Or, I could give you a massage to relax these tight shoulders of yours.”

“I couldn’t say no to you if I tried,” he said, smiling. God, she knew how to set him at ease. “Let’s go, before I pick you up like Biff the caveman and carry you to my bed again.”

“I never said I had a problem with it,” she teased. “I just said I didn’t want to get too used to it.”

“In that case…” He swooped her up and carried her to his bedroom.

She may have forgotten the others were around. She let out a loud squeal, and giggled all the way to his bed.

He set her down gently. “Wait here. I’ll get the water started.”

He was gone for less than a minute. There was one thing he realized about Abby as he filled the large tub—he adored the feel of her skin on his, her body close to his, her breath on his cheek. She made him feel—normal. The word seemed mundane to most people, he was sure; but for him, it meant so much more.

It meant he could breathe, without feeling he was hyperventilating; he could think without his mind racing; he could speak without hesitation; he could sleep without the nightmares; and normal meant he could probably love her without that nagging, debilitating fear he had, that something bad might happen. He hadn’t felt as good as he did around her for over two years. He desperately wanted to get back there—to normalcy.

“Is it ready yet?” Abby peaked over his shoulder as he bent to feel the water temperature.

He stood up and turned to her, smiling. “It’s just getting started.”

“So we have time, then.”

“Time for what?”

She took his hand and led him back to the bedroom. “Time for some wine and a toast.”

She had brought a bottle to the room with two wine glasses.

“Sure.”

She let him open it. He poured the wine and passed her a glass.

“And we’re toasting to?”

“To teamwork. And overcoming. And extra well-wishes for John’s speedy treatment and recovery.”

“Here, here.” He repeated the toast before they clinked glasses and had a sip.

“Good wine, too,” she added, taking his glass and putting both back on the tray. “Now, let’s get in that tub. Actually, I’ll rinse off before I jump in.”

“Me too. I’ll come with you. I’ve got extra robes in there, too.”

They peeled off all their clothes and went to the shower, hand in hand. Andrew got it started, and they took turns standing under the warm, rejuvenating stream of water. The tub was ready by time they were done.

“After you, Abby.” He held out his hand to help her step inside.

Abby moaned from delight when she sank down into the hot water. “Ahhhh. This is exactly what I needed.”

When she was settled, he climbed in after her. It was delightful; the feel of slowly lowering his cooling body from the shower, into the steamy swirling water. The heat soaked deep into his muscles. He felt he could relax. He sat beside her. She had leaned back, and had closed her eyes. She looked so peaceful, immersed from the neck down. Andrew followed suit, letting the tensions of the past two hours—and probably of the past two years—melt away.

When his body was used to the heat, he reached over to the wall and turned up the jets a couple of notches.

“God, this feels so good,” Abby whispered, seeming in complete mindless abandon as she relaxed.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it this much.” He put his arm around her shoulder and gently pulled her closer.

“I am, but—”

“What?”

“Not as much as this.”

She moved through the water and straddled his legs to kneel in his lap. She held on to the tub on each side of his massive shoulders until she seemed to get her balance, and began to rub his muscular shoulders and neck.

“How does that feel?”

“Incredible,” he answered, gripping her waist and pulling her in for more contact with his throbbing cock. “The massage feels nice too.”

“Mmmm.”

As he rocked her gently, her grip on his shoulder loosened slightly, and the massage soon ceased. Abby was positioned perfectly. Her small breasts glistened in front of him. He couldn’t resist kissing each one. Her moans became louder, and she was soon rocking along with him in the water.

He released an arm from her waist and slid it up her back as he sucked each breast hungrily.

“I want you, Abby.” He growled as he bit gently on her tender nipples.

She hissed with pleasure, fisting his hair as she bucked her hips faster. The water around them picked up their rhythm, and lapped against the sides as their desire intensified.

“God, I want you so bad too. I want you inside me, Andrew.”

She lifted her hips enough for him to position his manhood under her. He gripped an ass cheek with one hand and the top of her back with the other, pulling her onto his cock as she sank down on it. Her eyes rolled back into her head when he lifted her up and impaled her again. He relished the look on her face as she found her pleasure and rocked him to his.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as she inched closer to her climax, burying his head in her chest and tilting her neck to find and graze his ear. The heat of the water, her tightness on his cock and the way she nibbled on his ear pushed him too close the edge.

“I’m gonna come, Abby,” he groaned into her chest, sending a deep vibration through her that he thought must have done it for her too. She arched her back, and this time, she let out a long, raspy moan as she came. Her channel tightened around his shaft, creating the perfect amount of friction for him to release. He came with one final thrust, and growled a deep and almost tormented tune.

As she descended from her high, she rested her head on his shoulder and held on to him around his arms. They didn’t move for several minutes. They were exhausted from urgent events of the evening and their spent passion.

“I could so get used to this,” Abby whispered in his ear.

“I think I already have, Abby,” he answered, tightening his grasp around her waist. “You’re addictive.”

“Mmmm. And you know something else?”

“What’s that?”

“I want you again.”

He felt his cock twitch from her tantalizing announcement. Her voice was all it took to make him hard.

“Oh, God, Abby. You have a way with words, woman. I’m ready for you all over again.”

“That’s convenient.”

“No kidding. Come on, let’s get out of this water before it starts to cool.”

He lifted her off his shaft and helped her up. “Take your time standing up. The hot water can make you dizzy.”

He held a firm hand on her back until she was out of the tub, and got out afterward. They dried off and threw on robes before going to bed.

“Are you thirsty?” she asked, sprawling out on the bed.

“I’ll get us some water from the kitchen. You relax.”

“Thanks, Andrew.”

He put on a robe and quietly took the back hallway to the kitchen. There was likely no one up, but he didn’t want to take any chances. His attempt at avoidance didn’t help much—Rob was sitting in a bar stool at the kitchen center island. He was nursing a beer, and did not look like his usual self.

“Hey,” Andrew said to him. “Everything okay?”

“Oh, hi Andrew,” he answered, straightening up. “Yeah. Yes, I’m okay. All good over here.”

Andrew could tell he was covering. The worried frown on his face betrayed him.

“I’ll be okay. I think it just hit me, you know? One minute, I’m hanging out with my buddy, and the next, he’s passed out with one messed up arm. I was good, you know? I was taking it in stride; staying positive and keeping cool for the ladies. That was until I went to tie up that bag with all those paper towels of his blood. He lost so much blood, man. I used up a whole paper towel roll cleaning up what was on the floor. I’ve never seen so much blood pour out of a person.

He seemed dazed as he spoke, as though he was witnessing it all over again. “And that arm. It was seriously chewed up. I saw the bone sticking out, and the flesh, and all that blood. You think he’ll be able to use that hand again? I mean, that could be it for him, you know?”

Rob looked despondent. He could probably break down or cry any minute. Andrew walked over to him and put a firm hand on his shoulder, for support. “I won’t lie to you. It’s a severe injury, and he lost a lot of blood. But we acted quickly, gave him first aid, and a little bit extra. John’s got a lot going for him—he’s young, he’s a big guy, and he’s strong. He has a chance, and will get the best possible care at Norton Memorial. The chopper service hasn’t called me yet, and that’s a good sign. It means they’re working on him. John is putting in a good fight. It’s best not to worry tonight. You should go get some sleep. We’ll find out more in the morning.”

“Yeah. You’re probably right.”

“I am,” he answered, and walked back to the fridge for water.

“Okay. I’ll head up now. Thanks Andrew. You’ve probably heard a million thanks by now, and I think you should just get used to hearing more. Good night.”

“Good night.” Andrew smiled as Rob left through the main hallway. These are good kids. One by one, they were growing on him. More or less.

He took the main hallway to leave. He made sure the front door was locked, and went back to his room. As he slipped into bed beside Abby, he could tell she was fast asleep. He lay on his back and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure how things would be when they all left. He drifted to sleep with that thought playing on his mind.