Page 20 of Desire

“I’ll be up for a few more hours,” Sebastian tells her. “So I’ll set an alarm on my phone and handle it.”

“You’re making my job easy tonight,” Betsy teases.

“She’s mine to care for,” he says.

“We appreciate you doing it, but you definitely don’t have to. Now, I have two other patients tonight who are far needier than you but that doesn’t mean you have to do it on your own. If you need me, call.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he replies, grinning. I know he’s not going to call on them unless there’s a problem he can’t handle.

Once she leaves, I turn my head and look at him. “How do you know what to do to help me?” I ask.

He looks at me, then at the recliner then shrugs. Getting up, he drops the side railing and gently, without moving my arms off the ice pads, slides into the bed so he’s on his side and his arm is across my waist. “I forget sometimes that we didn’t meet until I was nearly thirty. Growing up, my dad was gone for long periods of time for work. We lived with my grandparents since they were elderly and needed help. I helped my mom take care of my grandma after surgery and after my grandpa had a stroke, we worked together so they could stay at home. That meant that sometimes it was me and sometimes it was my mom who would help one or the other to the bathroom or to bathe them. Because I loved them, it wasn’t a hardship and it’s one of the reasons that for a short period of time, I thought about going into the medical field. Except, I don’t much care for blood.”

At his words, I start to giggle because I’m due any day now to start my period. I’m going to blame the meds for my near hysterical laughter as he looks at me, concern written on his face. “Y-y-you don’t much care for blood,” I finally stammer out.

“No, not really. But, Jussie, just saying, I’ll be able to handle it if your period shows up, sweetheart.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, still giggling. He wipes the tears from my face while nodding.

“Yes, pretty girl.” He pulls the covers up so I’m toasty warm, then kisses me. “Now rest, Jussie. I’ve got you.”

Chapter Ten

Justine

Five days.Five motherfucking days. I spiked a bit of a fever on day two, so Dr. Albritton changed my antibiotics and checked my surgical sites. Both looked fine and thankfully, he reduced the amount of gauze and ace bandages, so I no longer feel as stifled as I initially did. True to his word, Sebastian hasn’t left my side, although I’m sure Joya wasn’t expecting the eyeful she got yesterday. Before he rebandaged me, Dr. Albritton said I could have a shower once he put some clear protective covering over the stitches. Sebastian decided it would be easier to get into the shower with me, which may or may not have led to a little bit of fun. For me, at least, as my man played my body like I do my keyboards. He said something about the endorphins that are released when someone orgasms would help with the pain control.

Back to Joya; she heard noises in the bathroom and presumed I was having trouble, so she walked right in to see a very naked and hard Sebastian holding me against him as he took care of my needs. All of them. When I finally emerged, dried off and re-dressed, she came in and I’m not sure who was redder, her or me. Sebastian, on the other hand? Was laughing his ass off at the two of us, despite having blue balls.

“Okay, I have everything down in the truck. Let’s get you dressed,” he says, walking back into my room. When he sees my face he asks, “What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking about the other day when Joya interrupted us,” I admit. “She hasn’t been able to look you in the eye since, Sebastian.”

He chuckles then says, “You have to admit that I was right. Your pain levels have been pretty manageable.”

“This is true,” I advise, standing so he can undo the back of my hospital gown. Once I’m standing in front of him, naked except for my flamingo panties and a pair of fuzzy socks, he carefully slips a camisole with a built-in shelf bra over my head. After he’s sure it’s in place, although I’m not positive that the kiss on my neck is a typical part of helping someone dress, he has me raise my arms and slides the sundress on.

“You look like a lady bug,” he says as he crouches in front of me. “Now, lift your feet, one at a time so I can get these off and you can put your flip-flops on.” I like the sundress that Jacey and I found; it’s a deep red with big black polka dots. Best of all, even though I can’t use them yet, it has pockets! “Okay, sit down, Jussie.”

“Damn, Sebastian, you sure are bossy,” I tease as I do what he asks. He takes my brush and after releasing my hair from the braid he put it in, he carefully brushes out my hair.

“Do you want it up or down?” he asks.

“It doesn’t matter, whichever is easiest,” I reply.

“I love it down,” he says, packing my brush away while leaving the gown and socks on the hospital bed. “It’ll be good to get home and sleep in our own bed, won’t it?”

“God yes,” I admit.

“Your chariot is ready,” Joya says, walking into the room with a wheelchair. “If you want to pull your vehicle around, Sebastian, I’ll bring her down and meet you out front.” She says all of this while looking at a spot somewhere over our heads. She already came in and removed my IV which I was grateful for since it was in a weird area, at least for me. I had no clue they could or would put an IV in the upper arm but apparently, as long as there’s a vein, they can do it.

Sebastian helps me into the wheelchair, kisses me then grabs my last bag and heads out the door. Once he’s gone, I look at Joya and say, “I’m so sorry you saw that the other day.”

“Oh, honey, you’ve got nothing to be sorry about. You’ve got a good man for sure and are definitely blessed with him. My embarrassment, for lack of a better word, is because I barged in on such an intimate moment for y’all. He’s been wonderful taking care of you, something I wish every woman who had a significant other or spouse had.”

“Are you sure?” I ask as she wheels me out of my temporary home and toward the elevator. She waits until the elevator opens and we’re inside before she answers.

“Absolutely! Aside from that, girl, you are blessed if you know what I’m saying.” Her cheeks pinken as do mine when it dawns on me that she’s referring to Sebastian being well-endowed. “Every woman should have a man like him because not only is he um, built, he’s considerate and caring enough that it was obvious that his focus was on you, not himself.”

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