Chapter 4

Jeremy

I leaned against the counter in the bathroom and examined my cut as I said hello to my brother, Luke. “You have the worst timing. And by the way, thanks for ignoring your phone calls. Now I get to fill in for your buddy, Steve at Little League practice tomorrow.”

“Hello to you too, Brother.” Luke’s amused tone sent a wave of annoyance over me. “I’m calling to check on you. Harper said you were at Nora’s office getting stitched up earlier. Are you okay?”

I wanted to gripe that it took him four hours to check on me, but I had a feeling I knew what he’d been doing and I couldn’t blame him one bit. “Yeah, I fell changing the fucking light bulb in the kitchen. Do you know how high the ceilings are in this place? Next time I’m hiring someone. It would have been a hell of a lot cheaper.” My brother groaned on the other end of the phone. He’s never wanted us to hire in help and thought that two grown men should be able to manage the estate alone.

“So, Nora’s over? How’s that going?” My brother knew more than anyone how my record with Nora Adams was. I’d struck out more times than I could count and even been slapped. I thought about the past few hours on my knees and praying to the porcelain god and decided I liked it much better when she hit me.

“She’s as cold as ever and her bedside manner is dismal. If I’m lucky I’ll get her to give me something for the pain that doesn’t poison me. I’ve been sick for the last four hours from whatever concoction she fed me earlier.”

“You probably can’t have codeine. I can’t either and we can both thank our mother for that one.”

“Well, at least I know who to blame. Thanks, Mom. So when are you coming back home or am I going to have to invest in a shirt that says, ’Coach’?”

“We’re looking at a week or so. I’ll call Steve and find out what’s going on with him and how long he’ll be out. I should be back before our first game. Thanks for pitching in. Those kids are going to love you.” I had heard my brother talk about his team and knew he had a group of decent kids.

“No problem, but thank me tomorrow. I have to make it through the night first.” I cleared my throat. “So, you and Harper, huh? Does this mean she’s moving in?” I didn’t have a problem with my brother having his girlfriend move in, but I wanted to know how serious things were.

“Yeah, I think she’s going to stay with Nora for a month or two and make a slower transition, but that’s the plan. We can talk about it some more if you’d like later, but we’re about to go to dinner.”

“Sure, but I’m good with it. At least one of us hit it off with the sisters. You got the sane one.” I chuckled and glanced over my shoulder knowing she was just on the other side of the door.

The very thought of it made my cock stand at attention and take notice. God, I wanted inside her. I wanted her to want it too. I never thought she’d darken my doorstep again and there she was in my bedroom. I thought about walking in there and taking her in my arms and kissing her good and hard, but then she’d pelted me the last time I’d been so bold. Nora needed a different style, a much gentler hand, but I wasn’t sure I could give it. It wasn’t my style with women.

Luke cleared his throat. “She’s a good girl, that Nora. I hope it works out for you.” He and Nora had a wonderful friendship and the two would probably be much better for each other but thank God she’d had a sister. I’d been jealous of my brother winning her smiles and attention before Harper came along. And it had led to a pretty ugly fight with him finally telling me what an idiot I was and that he didn’t have any romantic feelings for her.

“Thanks, man.” I hope so too, but I wasn’t dealing with a normal woman. Nora was different. Special. Impossible.

We said our goodbyes and when I walked out of the bathroom, I found Nora looking at my trophy case. I’d had it specially built to hold all of my awards and achievements.

I left my phone on the dresser and then made my way toward her.

She gazed into the case and then peeked over her shoulder. “Are things okay with the lovebirds?”

She took a deep breath and turned as I closed the distance between us. I was so close I could smell her hair and the slight scent of flowers. “Yeah.” She glanced over her shoulder back at the trophies, but I kept my eyes hard on hers. “You like my collection?”

“It’s a beautiful display, you must be very proud of your accomplishments.” She gulped and took another step back but she hit the case. I couldn’t say I had her right where I wanted her, but I was off to a good start.

“I am. It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it. You of all people should know that. Look at all you’ve accomplished.” I was referring to the massive erection between my legs, but she wasn’t paying attention. Her eyes were set on mine and the tension in the air between us was so thick it was practically smothering.

She lifted a brow. “You should lie down.”

“You should tuck me in.” I stumbled back and she reached for me, pulling me toward her. I took the chance to press close to her.

She glanced down and her cheeks flared red, but then she lifted her chin. Even though I was about five inches taller than her she seemed to glare down her nose at me. “I should go and get you something else from the pharmacy.”

“I’m feeling better already now that you’re here.” I slipped my hand around her waist and she responded by placing one hand on my chest and the other on my arm. “Will you stay with me?”

“Of course. I’ll make sure you’re okay before I leave. I’m right next door and only a phone call away if you need me. I’ll just go and get your medicine and be right back.”

“You should probably stay all night.” I glanced down at her breasts which were heaving inside her blouse. They weren’t more than a handful but they were perky and turned me on. She was slim and petite and desire coiled in my gut as I thought of all the ways I could manhandle her. I could lift and kiss her so easily. It was all I could do not to kiss her. But I’d made that mistake before. No, next time she’d kiss me.

“I’m your doctor, I don’t think I should. It could be seen as an abuse of power.” Her voice cracked earning a smile. There was no way I was going let her go home for the night. As loopy as I was I had to have her.

“So, you’re going to leave me?” I stepped back and sure enough, her gaze trailed down to my hips and more specifically my cock which bulged against my shorts.

“I’m sure I know what’s best and you need to rest. I’ll check on you.” She pushed past me and went to the door. “You hop into bed and I’ll be back in a bit with your new prescription.”

“I don’t think I can make it.” I held on to the case and held my head. Dizzy spells were easy to fake. She gave me a knowing glance and rolled her eyes. I fought to keep the smile off my face but the damned thing played around my lips enough that she rolled her eyes.

“Fine, let me help you.” She came back across the room and I held out my hand. She took my arm instead and led me to the bed and pulled back the covers. “Climb in. I’ll get you tucked in and then I’m going to try and hit the pharmacy. Is there anything else you need while I’m out? Could I bring you something to eat?”

There was only one thing I was craving but I knew my best bet would be to keep that to myself. “No, just hurry back. You know, because I’m not supposed to be alone at all.” I pursed my lips as I settled into my bed and then I placed my hand atop hers as she pulled the covers up over my chest. “Thanks for taking such good care of me.” I let my eyes smolder on hers, and the look she gave me in return made me feel like there might be more on her mind than my healing.

“I’ll be right back.” She headed for the door again and this time hesitated before she left, peeking back over her shoulder at me. “You probably shouldn’t get up until I get back.”

“I’ll be waiting.”