CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Carter
I should’ve called Megan weeks ago because I can already see the improvement in Indi. Her spirits seem lifted. I love seeing that spark in her again. I took a chance calling Megan behind Indiana’s back, but thankfully it all worked out. As soon as I told her what was going on with Indi she was not only shocked, but completely devastated. Before I even got the chance to ask her if she’d come home, she’d already said, “I’m gonna organise a flight. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” An hour later, she called me back to say she was on the way to the airport and would be flying out in a few hours.
It worked out perfect. Her plane was due to touch down in Sydney mid-morning the next day. I got Justine to organise a hire car to pick Megan up from the airport and bring her here, as well as book the appointment at the Day Spa. I told her I wanted the girls to have the works, to spare no expense.
I’ll admit I had a lump in my throat when I observed their reunion. It was very touching. I was so glad I could do that for her. She needed that lift. She’s at the tail end of her treatment now, and I can tell how much she’s struggling. Hopefully this will give her the boost she needs to get over the last hurdle.
After showering and dressing in a pair of dark denim jeans and a nice dress shirt, I head back out to the girls. Indi whistles as I walk towards them. “You look good enough to eat,” she whispers when she rises from the sofa, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Mmmm. You smell delicious,” she sighs after placing her nose against my chest and inhaling. Fuck me.
Everything in me wants to pick her up, carry her into the bedroom and devour her. That thought has been consuming my thoughts every minute of every fucking day, but I can’t do that. One more week, that’s what I keep telling myself. Never in my life have I gone this long without sex. Do you have any idea how hard it is to lay next to the woman you love every night and not be able to connect with her in that way? It’s fucking torture. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve nearly caved when Indiana has all but begged for me to fuck her. I hate denying her of anything, especially sex, but it is for her own good. She’s been too sick and too weak.
If all goes well, in one more week I’m gonna fuck her until she can’t walk.
I end up taking the girls to a restaurant called the Surfhouse. It’s situated on the shores of Merewether Beach. It was recommended to me by one of my clients, Kellie. I was told the food and the view were to die for, and she was right. It was.
For most of the night, I sat back and watched them talking and laughing. It warmed my heart to see Indiana like this again. I’ve missed her laugh, her smile, and her happy-go-lucky nature. The girls were tight back in high school, and it pleases me to see nothing has changed.
It’s late when we arrive back at the apartment. I knew Indi wouldn’t want Megan staying in a hotel, but because I only had the one bedroom, we pushed both sides of the sofa together to make a makeshift bed for her. It wasn’t much, but she didn’t seem to mind. We would be heading back to Sydney Monday morning to start the last course of radiation therapy anyway, so it was only going to be for two nights.
Sunday morning we rise early and head to the Growers Market. It has become our Sunday morning ritual since Indiana has been staying with me. After stocking up on fresh fruit, vegetables, and other local delicacies, we headed to the fish market to get some seafood to have with our lunch.
Late that afternoon, Jax turned up at the apartment unexpectedly. “Hey buddy,” I say surprised when I answer the door. “What are you doing here?” To be honest, I’ve missed our catch-ups. We haven’t been getting together for our card night since Indiana started her treatment. She was just too sick.
“Your woman called me,” he answers. “She thought you needed an afternoon on the town with the boys.” Looking over my shoulder at Indiana I find her smiling at me. Christ I love her. Even though the thought of leaving her initially worries me, she has Megan here, so I know she’ll be fine.
Standing, she makes her way over to us. After greeting Jax with a kiss on the cheek, she wraps her arms around my waist. “I hope you don’t mind, but you need this. A chance to unwind will do you good,” she says smiling up at me. “Besides, if I’m lucky I might even get some drunk sex when you get home.”
“Nice try,” I reply laughing.
“He’s not holding out on you is he?” Jax asks Indi.
“Yes, he is. I need you to get him shitfaced while you’re out, so I can take advantage of him when he gets home.” Jax and I both laugh at her comment. Fuck. I hate that she’s feeling neglected in that department. We’ve had a long talk about this though. I know she understands my reasons for not sleeping with her.
••••
It’s around 11:00pm when I stumble into the apartment. I’m alone. Jax ended up picking up two random chicks as we were leaving. Or should I say they tried to pick us up. They invited us back to their place. Of course I wasn’t interested. The only woman I’ll ever need or want was waiting for me at home. He ended up walking away with his arm around them both. Lucky bastard. One more week I chanted to myself, shaking my head as I turned in the other direction, making my way towards the apartment.
The lights are out when I arrive, but Indiana has left on the hall light that leads to our bedroom. I can see Megan is already asleep on the sofa. Quietly, so as not to wake her, I make my way towards my room. I’ve had a fair bit to drink, but I’m actually feeling pretty good. Very relaxed. Jax tried his best to get me shitfaced, but I need to drive back to Sydney in the morning, so as the night wore on I slowed down. It was a good night. Indi was right; it was just what I needed.
When I turn the bedroom light on, it wakes Indiana. Shit. Sitting up, she rubs her eyes. She’s so sweet when she first wakes. The covers slide down revealing her spectacular tits. Fuck me, she’s naked. My dick instantly stirs.
Throwing back the covers, she climbs out of bed. Sweet Jesus, I know exactly what she’s up to. She stalks towards me. “Where are your pyjamas?” I ask, diverting my eyes. If I look at her I know I’m gonna fucking cave. The fact that I’ve been drinking doesn’t help. My judgment is impaired. Burying my cock into that heavenly pussy of hers again is all I’ve thought about for weeks.
“I was hot,” she says smirking as her arms snake around my waist. It’s fucking winter. Bullshit she’s fucking hot. I keep my hands by my side as my gaze moves up to the roof. I try not to think about the fact that I can feel her hard nipples pressed against my chest. Fuck she’s a little vixen. My cock grows harder. “You’re wearing too many clothes,” she whispers, getting on the tips of her toes and placing a kiss on my neck.
At least I’m fucking wearing clothes.
She’s playing dirty. I need to stay strong. Her hands reach up and start undoing my buttons one by one. “I can do that,” I say looking down at her. Of course she’s gazing up at me through her lashes, smiling. Yep, she’s a vixen.
Christ she’s fucking beautiful.
“I’m sure you can,” she purrs. “But let me do it for you.”
“You’re not playing fair, babe.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I can’t help but chuckle at her reply. Does she think I’m fucking stupid? Like hell she doesn’t know.
Once all the buttons are undone, she reaches up and slides her hands under my shirt before pushing it down my arms. It falls to the ground. Her eyes rake over my chest and down to my abs as she licks her lips. My cock grows harder. Her fingers skim over the scrolled script tattooed across my chest.
“What’s does ‘Mi Vida Loca’ mean? she whispers.
“My crazy life.” I see the corners of her mouth curve up at my response.
“I’m glad your crazy life led you to me,” she says.
“Me too baby,” I reply as the back of my hand traces a line down the side of her face. She makes everything I went through, growing up, worth it. Every damn thing.
Next she reaches for the button of my jeans. “Oh no you don’t,” I say taking a step back. She ignores me, closing the distance between us again and reaching for the waistband of my jeans. My refrain is slipping by the second.
As she works feverishly at my button and zipper, she places a few kisses on my abdomen before her tongue darts out, licking a line up my chest. Fuck me. “Mmmm. You taste delicious,” she breathes.
“Are you alright there?” I chuckle. I fucking love her mouth on me, and she knows it.
“What? I’m hungry,” she purrs again, making me growl. Seductress. “Hungry for your cock.” That’s it. I’m a fucking goner. If that sexy mouth of hers goes anywhere near my cock, there’s no way in hell I’m gonna be able to stop her.
She finally gets my jeans undone before pulling them down my legs. Everything in me wants to help her, but I refuse to be an enabler. When she falls down to her knees, a loud growl rumbles in the back of my throat. She looks up at me through her lashes again and smiles sweetly. Right in this moment, she’s anything but fucking sweet.
She’s taking advantage of me. She knows quite well my inhibitions are impaired from the alcohol I’ve been drinking. That was her plan all along. I’d be a damn liar if I said I didn’t secretly love that she’s doing this. It’s fucking hot—she’s hot, and all mine.
I’m one lucky bastard.
I continue to stand there as she lifts my legs one by one, removing my shoes, socks and then slides my feet out of my jeans. I know I could easily stop this, but all the fight has gone out of me. I want this more than I need my next breath.
Once she has me completely naked, her fingers run lightly up the front of my legs. Her eyes are fixed on my hard, aching cock. She moistens her lips with her tongue as the pad of her thumb spreads the bead of pre-cum over the tip of my head. Sweet Jesus.
She wraps her tiny hand around the girth of my cock and strokes it once. I groan loudly as my head tilts back and my eyes close. Yep, I’m a fucking goner. I open my eyes again and look down at her, just as her lips part widely and she draws my cock into her mouth.
“Mmmm,” she moans. It vibrates down the length of my shaft and I already feel like I’m gonna blow.
“Sweet Jesus, Indi,” I groan when her tongue swirls around my dick while the rest is buried deep in her mouth. My hands move down to thread through her hair as she continues to work me over. I fucking love it when she sucks my cock.
She moans again when my hips begin to move, slowly pumping into her mouth. When I see her hand slip down between her legs, I fucking lose it. I need to touch her pussy too. No I need to fuck it. She’s won. My little vixen has won. She’s gonna get her way.
My need to be inside her takes over as my hands move from her hair to under her arms. I lift her in one swoop and carry her over to the bed. “I give up,” I admit as I lay her down and climb on top of her. “I need to be inside you, babe.” She grins when she realises she’s going to get her way.
“Thank God,” she whimpers, smiling triumphantly. It makes me chuckle.
“I’m gonna fuck you now,” I whisper before my mouth covers hers.
She opens her legs wide and I settle in between them. I’m so desperate for this that I don’t even take the time to feel if she’s ready for me. I know damn well she will be. As soon as I grab my cock and slide it against her pussy, I groan. I was right. She’s fucking dripping.
My body starts to shake with anticipation as I line myself up with her opening. I’ve been dying to sink into her heaven for weeks. It’s all I’ve been thinking about. She consumes me.
As soon as I slip the head inside her she whimpers. When I push all the way in, we moan in unison. Home. That’s what it feels like—fucking home. As much as I want to pound into her tight pussy right now, I don’t. She’s still so fragile and the last thing I want to do is hurt her.
She, of course, has other ideas. Her hands slide down the length of my back before resting on my arse. Her fingers dig into my cheeks, pushing me further inside her. “Fuck me, Carter,” she begs. “Don’t hold back. I need this.”
I can’t resist her. How can I deny her? I’ve denied her long enough. My hand moves to grasp her hip. “Okay,” I say hesitantly. “Don’t move though. Let me do all the work.”
“Just fuck me,” she begs as her fingers dig deeper into my flesh. If my girl wants me to fuck her, then that’s exactly what I’m gonna do. I start to pump into her in short, fast, and hard strokes. Fuck she feels amazing. I’m not sure how much longer I’m gonna last.
Within minutes she starts to moan loudly as her orgasm takes hold. As soon as I feel her pussy clench around my cock, I lose it. I drive into her a few more times before I still. My body trembles as I spill my seed deep inside her.
When I open my eyes again, I see her smiling up at me. It’s a smile lined with pure bliss, but I also see a hint of gloating. She fucking played me. She played me good. “Are you okay?” I ask as my hand brushes the hair back off her face.
“I’m wonderful,” she replies. That makes two of us. It’s not until I pull out of her that I realise I didn’t wrap my cock. Fuck. I came inside her. “Are you okay, Carter?” she asks when she notices the panic on my face.
“I didn’t wear a condom. Shit.” I can’t believe I was so fucking stupid.
“Hey,” she says reaching up to stroke my face. “I’m on the pill. Don’t worry. It’ll be okay.” It’s easy for her to say. I know she’s probably right, but it doesn’t stop the churning in my gut. What if it’s not?
••••
The three of us headed back to Sydney Monday morning for Indiana’s last bout of treatment. I pray the radiation has been successful. I can’t stand to see her sick like this anymore.
Megan is staying with her parents while we’re in Sydney, but has been coming with us daily to the hospital. It’s been nice to have someone sit with me while we wait for Indi to get done.
The first morning, Megan asked me if I wanted to go for coffee while we waited for Indiana. I said no. Technically I know there’s nothing I can do while she’s in there, but if this is the closest I can get to her while she’s having the treatment, then this is exactly where I’m gonna stay.
She ended up disappearing for a few minutes, coming back with a coffee for both of us before taking a seat beside me. That became our ritual for the next four days. We’d both hugged and kissed Indi, and wished her luck before she disappeared through the doors. Meg would then go and get our coffees, and we’d sit in silence until she re-emerged.
I could clearly see the worry on Megan’s face as the week progressed and Indi became sicker. I’d like to think I’m used to it by now, but truth is, I’m not.
Thursday morning, when Megan and I are alone outside the treatment room, she asks, “Has she been this sick throughout the whole treatment?”
“Pretty much,” I reply. She goes quiet. When I look over at her, I see the silent tears streaming down her face. I don’t know what to do, or what to say, so I just reach over and grasp my hand around hers. I love that she cares about my girl as much as I do.
When we leave the hospital I want to take the girls out to celebrate her last day of treatment, but Indiana is too sick. We had to pull over a few times on the way home for her to vomit. It fucking kills me inside to see her like that. Hopefully today will be the last time I have to witness it, and the last time she has to endure it.
The oncologist got pathology to take a round of blood tests and perform another scan before we left the hospital. Megan laid down in the bed with Indi when we got home, so I headed over to my mum’s house. I wanted it to be me lying with her, but Megan will be heading back overseas soon, so I didn’t want to be selfish. They need their time together. If I have my way, I’ll have the rest of my life to spend with Indiana.
Tomorrow is D-day. We have an appointment in the morning to see if the radiation therapy has been successful. I’m in two minds about it. I’m both excited and scared to hear the results. I can only imagine how Indiana feels. If this radiation hasn’t cured her, I don’t know what I’ll do.
••••
Friday morning, the five of us pile into Ross’ car: our parents, as well as Megan. We’re all going with her today for moral support. Let’s hope she doesn’t need it. Indiana has been quiet ever since she woke. I can’t really blame her. She has a lot riding on today. Even though I have been through the treatment every step of the way, I wasn’t the one who was sick. I’m not the one whose very future is relying on a good outcome. Regardless of what happens, I do know that I will remain by her side no matter what.
As we sit in the waiting room waiting for her to be called for her appointment, she turns to me, clutching my hand in hers. “Carter. I know you’ve come in to hold my hand for every appointment, and I appreciate it more than you know.” Okay, I don’t like where this is heading. “Would you mind if I went in alone today?”
There it is. Yes I fucking would. Hurt consumes me that she wouldn’t want me in there with her. Even though from the beginning, I did force that upon her. I want to be her rock. I don’t want her to have to face what the doctor has to say alone. What if the prognosis isn’t good?
“Is that what you really want?” I ask, trying hard not to let her see I’m hurt. I have to put my wants and needs aside. Ultimately, this is about her. This is her life, her future. If it’s something she really wants, then I need to respect that. Nobody says I have to like it, because frankly I don’t. Not one bit.
When the nurse calls her name, we both rise. “Are you sure?” I ask again wrapping her in my arms.
“I’m sure.” I tighten my embrace briefly before kissing the top of her head.
Pulling back, I cup her pretty face in my hands, making eye contact with her. I can see the uncertainty on her face. It tugs at my heart. “Okay. Good luck,” I whisper with all the confidence I can muster.
“Thank you. Just so you know, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.” A lump rises to my throat as I briefly wrap her in my arms again. She’s got this. I know it.
I sit back down. My heart is beating furiously against my ribcage. My eyes are on her as she follows the nurse towards the door. I watch as she briefly stops before entering. Holding her head high, I see her inhale a large breath before squaring her shoulders. I’m in awe of her. The lump in my throat grows. She’s so strong, so kick-arse. I’m so damn proud. She’s got this in the bag.
Once she disappears, my eyes move to Megan’s legs that are bouncing nervously beside me. Then my gaze moves towards my mum’s hand clenched around Ross’. It brings a brief smile to my face. For some reason, seeing them together makes me happy. I know they’re just friends, but they have become so close over the past few months. This is going to sound really pathetic, but sometimes I imagine in my head that they're married. That they are my parents. I know it’s just wishful thinking on my part, but fuck me if I don’t want that.
Eventually, I stand and start to pace. It seems like it is taking forever for her to come out, when in reality, only fifteen minutes have passed. My eyes are firmly trained on the door she went through earlier.
A few minutes later it opens. My heart skips a beat. When she walks out, she stops. Her eyes go to our parents, then Megan. When they lock with mine I hold my breath. I release it when a huge smile forms on her face. Pure fucking relief floods through me when she says the three words I’ve been praying for. “I’m cancer free.”
Quickly closing the distance between us, I pull her into my arms, swinging her around. I’m so fucking happy right now. When I place her back on her feet, her arms snake around my waist before she does something she hasn’t done since her diagnosis. She sobs into my chest. Tears of joy rise to my eyes.
Thank fuck. My girl is going to be okay.