Dinner last night was a huge success. I kept it simple and made a pork roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, and apple pie with Vanilla ice cream for dessert. If the constant praise about my cooking skills wasn’t enough of an indication that he enjoyed my cooking, the fact that he went for three helpings certainly would have clued me in. My favorite thing about spending time with him is how easy conversation is between us. It has been like this since the beginning. Mika spent the night at my place and we…well, let’s just say he kept me up way too late. When my alarm goes off I groan and want to throw it out of the window. On the bright side, this is the very first time I have gone to bed with Mika and he’s still in it when I wake up. Five more minutes. I snuggle up to Mika, who immediately pulls me even closer. I can’t help the smirk on my face when I feel him and all his glory grind into me.
“Are you back for more, Sweet Pea?” His voice is gruff and very sexy.
“Oh baby, I always want more of you,” I whisper. “But unfortunately, I’ve got to jump in the shower and get ready for work.”
I give him a lingering kiss and then slip out of bed. I head into my bathroom and jump in the shower. I stand under the hot stream and let the water caress my back. I pour some liquid soap that smells delicious into my hands and start washing myself. As my hands slide over my body I start imagining Mika’s hands on me. I close my eyes and my hand slips down between my legs. My fingers are greedy and immediately find that bundle of nerves, applying just the right amount of pressure. I bite my lip to stifle a moan. My free hand finds a breast and I start kneading and massaging it thoroughly. I find my nipple and pinch—hard. I almost cry out his name.
“Are you starting without me, Sweet Pea?”
For a moment, I’m not sure if I’m imagining his voice or not but when his hands slide from my sides to my breasts I almost sag in relief I am so needy for him. I lean my head back onto his shoulder.
“Does it make you feel better if I tell you was imagining it was you touching me?”
He nips my earlobe with his teeth.
“Is that right?” he whispers before he trails the shell of my ear with his tongue. “What was I doing to you?” His hand slides between my legs. “Was it something like this?” he croaks as he slips two fingers inside of me.
I gasp. He starts pumping into me with one hand while the other stays focused on my breast.
“Nothing like that…no” I whimper.
I feel him pressing the evidence of his arousal against my backside and my need for him grows tenfold.
“Mika…please,” I moan.
I can’t see his face but I know for damn sure that those sexy lips are curved into that smile that makes me go weak in the knees.
“Mika please…what?” he taunts me.
I reach behind me and wrap my hand around his impressive length.
“I want this…inside me…now.”
“Demanding, are we?” Mika chuckles.
I turn and wrap a leg around his waist, giving him easy access.
“Damn right,” I growl.
Mika wraps my other leg around him too and then pushes my back against the wall. He positions himself at the center of me, teasing me as slides up and down my folds. Our eyes lock as he pushes into me and it feels so incredibly hot and intimate.
“Keep those gorgeous eyes open. I want to look into your eyes when you come for me.”
Holy crap.
He increases the pace and he feels incredible. I feel so impossibly full. Everything feels perfect with the world right now. Nothing on the planet feels like this. I am soaring as he continues to thrust into me, harder and harder and oh—
“Oh God, yes…just like that. Don’t stop,” I beg.
His lips curl into a sexy, lopsided smile.
“Your wish is my command, baby.”
And boy does the man deliver. It isn’t long before I am digging my nails into his back and gasping his name.
“Oh fuck, Raeva you are so damn sexy when you come for me.”
Mika continues to pound into me, chasing his own release.
“Look at me,” he demands. “Don’t you fucking dare close your eyes.”
I fight with all my might to keep them open and when he comes moments later I see everything he’s not saying in his eyes. Lust, adoration…love. I’m floored by the emotions that are flooding over me.
“Good morning, Sweet Pea,” he whispers against my temple.
Good morning indeed.
* * *
After that little wake-up call I feel ready to go face another day but, as amazing and mind-blowing as this morning has been, I’m now running late. The last thing I need is for the delightful Mrs. Sims to have yet another thing to bitch about and consequently ruin my extremely good mood. I walk into the kitchen and smell coffee. Mika is sitting at the dining table, drinking a cup of coffee, and reading the morning paper. He’s looking extremely delectable in a dark blue, three-piece suit that isn’t the same one as the one he wore last night. As usual, Mika seems to be reading my mind as he answers my unspoken query.
“I had Sean bring me some fresh clothes,” he says, matter-of-factly.
I smile to myself as I fill the kettle with water and set it on the stove.
“We need to talk, babe.”
Well shit. Any conversation that starts with those words can’t be good.
“We do?” I say.
I curse myself inwardly for my inability to keep the tremor out of my voice.
“Yes Raeva, I need you to be safe and I need you to not give me a hard time about it. I know that you are independent and I love that about you but, with everything going on right now, I need you to let Sean take you to work this morning. Later today I will have arranged for a security team to protect you. Can you just not fight me on this, please? Your safety is everything to me baby and I will protect what is mine, with or without your permission.”
My first instinct is to get my back up but as I take a deep breath and turn to face him I see the concern painted on his face. I sigh and my resolve is instantly weakened. If it makes him happy, what do I care?
“Easy there, Captain Caveman,” I say, unable to hide my amusement. “If it means that much to you I will let Sean take me to work and I will deal with your security team. Okay? Seriously though, cool it with the ‘I am man, hear me roar’ crap, please,” I say as I roll my eyes.
Grinning from ear to ear, Mika strides over to me and pulls me against him. He kisses the tip of my nose.
“Thank you, Sweet Pea,” he murmurs.
“You are so very welcome, Mr. Kingsley.”
We are about to kiss when the kettle starts whistling, which reminds me I need to fill up my travel mug and get going.
“I gotta go. Is my ride ready, Captain Caveman?”
Mika cocks an eyebrow.
“I’m not sure If I am liking this new nickname,” he muses.
“No? I think it suits you,” I tease.
“Sean is waiting for you outside. You better get in that car before I decide to live up to that name,” he growls as he slaps me on the butt.
“Down boy,” I say, laughing
Mika dazzles me once more with that smile of his.
“Go get your things, baby. I’ll fill up this cup for you and then we can get going.”
I give him a quick peck on the lips and go to collect my badge and my bag. Mika is waiting by the door, a travel mug in each hand. He hands me one and kisses me on the temple.
“Ready, Sweet Pea?”
“As ever…Captain.”
* * *
When we pull up in front of Hillcrest, it is swarming with cameras and members of the paparazzi. I now understand why Mika insists on having security with me. It never even crossed my mind that they might be here today, too. Breathe, I tell myself. Mika takes my hand in his.
“It’s okay baby, I’ve got you.”
Sean gets out of the vehicle first and the second he’s out, hordes of people flock toward us. Sean opens the door and Mika gets out first. He holds out his hand for me and I gingerly take it. When my feet hit the pavement a sea of flashes nearly blind me. Mika takes off his suit jacket and holds it over my head, shielding me from the vultures. We swiftly make our way to the front entrance. Sean is ahead of us, splitting the ocean made up by paparazzi. We make it to the lobby without any incident—if you discount the fact that we were pretty much accosted by those opportunists. I stare at the palms of my hands and I realize I am shaking.
“Shhhh baby, it’s okay. We made it,” Mika soothes. “I will take care of this, Sweet Pea. They will never be anywhere near you again.”
Mika wraps his big arms around me, enveloping me while showering my face with little kisses. When I realize where we are I take a step back.
“I’m at work now, Mika. We can’t do this here.”
Mika raises a brow.
“You should know it doesn’t matter where we are, you are mine and I will kiss my woman anywhere I damn well please.”
I roll my eyes.
“Okay then, Captain Caveman.”
“I still don’t like that nickname.”
He actually pouts, which is extremely adorable.
“Tough titties,” I tease.
Mika bursts out in laughter.
“You did not just say that to me.”
I smirk and wink at him.
“Have a good day, Mr. Kingsley.”
I turn to take my leave but Mika grabs my hand and pulls me back. He keeps ahold of my hand and cups his other hand at my nape. He leans in and kisses me until I’m breathless and every single nerve ending in my body tingles. When he withdraws I just stand for a moment, perfectly still and with my eyes closed. I hear him whisper in my ear:
“Have a good day, Ms. Ray.”
When I finally open my eyes, I see his glorious backside strutting out of the door. Holy cow, I don’t think I will ever get tired of looking at him. The hustle and bustle starts to invade my thoughts and I am suddenly very aware of my surroundings. That man can make me forget where I am with one kiss—yup I’m doomed. I look around, hoping to God that I don’t come across the stern and disapproving eyes of Mrs. Sims. I breathe out a huge sigh of relief when I don’t see her. I make my way down the hall and head to the spiral staircase that leads to the lower-level quarters inhabited by Sam King, my new patient. I find the nightshift nurse by the nurse’s station and she gives me her report. She is very thorough and it takes a good fifteen minutes but I feel confident that I now know what I am getting myself into. When I walk into the suite I realize that every room must be decorated completely different. The walls in the living room are covered in dark sapphire blue wallpaper. There’s the same solid wood flooring as Mikaela’s suite and though it’s still a lot larger than your average hospital room, it’s not nearly as spacious. The furniture in this suite seems a little more modern and masculine. I idly wonder if they decorate the suites according to the tastes of the patient. Which, if I think about, wouldn’t really be the case here with Mr. King since he is catatonic. I take a few more steps and notice a man sitting in a wheelchair in front of the window. I walk over and kneel next to him.
“Hello, Mr. King.”
When I look up at him a sense of familiarity slams into me. I have seen this man before; I just know it. I never forget a face. I smile at him but Mr. King shows no reaction at all. He doesn’t blink, doesn’t even flinch.
“My name is Raeva and I will be your nurse today, is that alright?”
Still nothing, not that I expected anything.
“How about I get you some breakfast? Tiffany told me that you really like fiesta omelets? I will call the kitchen and have them prepare one for you, okay?”
I pull my assigned work phone out of the side pocket of my scrub pants and dial the extension for the kitchen. I order Mr. King’s breakfast and I’m told they will deliver it in twenty minutes. I wheel him to the dining table and sit him in the only chairless spot. While we wait, I make small talk, which is more of an I talk and he listens type of deal.
“Has anybody ever told you that you’re a great listener, Mr. King?”
I chuckle at my own crappy joke. Still nothing.
“Tough crowd,” I mumble.
The knock on the door startles me and I could swear that it startles Mr. King, too. For a moment, it looked like he reacted, which is absurd. He is sitting motionless in his chair, staring into the distance. The kitchen staff enters the suite and delivers the omelet. It smells divine and I immediately understand why it is his favorite. I begin to cut it up into bite-sized pieces and start helping him eat. I bring the fork to his mouth and he opens and chews. He doesn’t blink or I must miss it when he does. I try not to stare at him because that would be rude but the nagging feeling that I have met this man before is not leaving me alone.