Page 21 of Desire

“I always hoped I’d find someone who cared for me and loved me like my dad does my mom. Not that I want to think about them in that way,” I say, shuddering. “I think us four kids were dropped off by vagabonds or maybe even the stork. Especially my brother.” She bursts into laughter at my statement.

“Now, do I need to give you the birds and bees talk before we get to him?” she teases as we roll toward the front door where I can see him standing next to his truck. “Because trust me, if storks brought children, our labor and delivery nurses would be out of a job.”

“I think I’m good,” I reply, giggling.

“What has you two ladies laughing so hard?” Sebastian asks, opening the front passenger door as Joya locks the wheelchair. I look at her and she widens her eyes, making me laugh harder.

“Um, just girl talk, handsome,” I say, letting her off the hook. He gently scoops me out of the chair and places me in the front seat, then leans over and puts my seatbelt on. Kissing my forehead, he pulls back and closes the door then takes my bag from Joya.

“Thanks for all your help and for showing me a few other ways that will hopefully make it easier for her these next few weeks,” he says to Joya.

“You’re welcome, Sebastian. In all my years of nursing, I don’t think I’ve had an easier patient to take care of because of all your assistance,” she replies. “Y’all take care and be sure to call your doctor if you notice anything happening that is out of the norm.”

“We will.” He walks around to the driver’s side and hops into the truck. Once Joya has moved to head back into the hospital, he puts the truck in gear and points us in the direction of home.

I lean back and sigh. “I’m so glad we’re headed away from this place,” I say when he glances at me. “I want our bed, our dogs, our space, you know?”

He gently touches my fingers since we can’t quite hold hands yet and squeezes. “Yeah, sweetheart, I know.”

“What are we going to have for lunch?” I ask, my stomach growling.

“Jacey dropped off a meat platter and hoagie rolls a little while ago. They’re going to give us today and possibly tomorrow before I suspect your mom, your sisters and Jacey will descend.”

“Is it bad that I kind of just want it to be us?” she asks.

Sebastian

Hearingthe wistfulness in her tone, I squeeze her fingers again. I totally understand what she means since all of them have been at the hospital every day. While I’ve taken care of everything I was able to do outside of changing her IV or giving her medication, we rarely had time just to be. The first morning I slept in her bed next to her, the nurse that came in the next morning, who wasn’t Joya much to our dismay, fussed at us both. Like I would do anything to cause harm to Justine, for fuck’s sake! Her doctor, however, came in on the end of the diatribe and quickly put the nurse in her place, stating that he had no problem with what we had done since I was able to keep her arms still.

“Sweetheart, you say the word and I’ll keep them away. They just want to help is all,” I reply.

“I know they do, but we’re doing okay so far, right?” she asks, looking at me.

“Yes, we are as long as someone I know and adore stops trying to be Miss Independent,” I advise. I ran out long enough to go pick up some food from the diner for us and came back to her in the bathroom, swearing up a storm because she tried to put on a shift, forgetting she had the IV and it wouldn’t just ‘go’ over her head. It took me and her nurse to get her untangled and by the time we accomplished it, she was in pain.

“Whatever,” she grumbles. “I hate being so reliant on everyone.”

“You knew you would be,” I remind her, chuckling. “You’re the one who didn’t want to do the surgeries separately, remember?”

“Stop being logical,” she scolds. Her assumed anger gives way to giggles, letting me know she’s not really mad.

“It’s what I’m known for,” I say, pulling into our driveway.

“I can’t wait until we can decorate for the holidays. Can you see the trees all lit up? Maybe some of those giant inflatables in the front yard? Hadley would love it.” Yeah,Hadleywould love it. More like my woman, who is a Christmas junkie, would go apeshit nuts.

“Let’s start looking for things that we can go ahead and order before the rush hits.” We’re still about two months or so away from Thanksgiving, but I know her, and she’ll want everything up and ready by then.

“Can we?” she asks, bouncing in her seat as I park the truck in the garage and shut it off.

“Absolutely. Let’s get inside and get you settled. I’ll make us lunch and we can shop until we drop.” I grin as I exit the truck because her squeal could likely set off car alarms, it’s so high.

Once I have her settled in our room, propped up against the headboard and in comfortable lounge clothes with her favorite channel playing, I head to the kitchen to make our lunch. I moved the television from our sitting area so she would be comfortable since I figure our other activities will be on hold a few weeks longer, although I plan to make sure she’s taken care of even if I have to handle myself.

Chapter Eleven

Sebastian

The past twoweeks taking care of Jussie have gone rather well, but I know she’s ready to get some of the restrictions removed. Last week was interesting to say the least and despite her reticence, I showed her that I was more than capable of handling her on her period. Granted, she had Jacey go and get ‘old fashioned pads’ as she called them, and she managed to remove the used ones herself and dispose of them, but I was still able to help. I’m hoping for a little relief because sleeping next to her and not making love to her has been far more challenging than taking care of her, that’s for damn sure. I’ve jerked off more these past two weeks than I did when I first figured out that it felt good and I long to be buried in her tight, wet heat.

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