Flirting with Disaster (18 page)

"You love her, don't you?" He looked me squarely in the eyes.

"I do," I answered. "I'm going to ask her to be my wife. When I thought I'd lose her, I knew. It hit me harder than anything I'd ever felt. I can protect her, and she makes me happy."
 

"That's great, Ryder. I'm glad you're happy." He shook my hand and then turned to leave.

"Think about it," I called out and then went back to climb into Barbara's bed. Only, she was trying to climb out. "No, get back in bed."

"I wanted to add something, tell him I've got the capital to get us started," she croaked.

"We'll talk later. It's time for you to rest. Get back in bed, now," I ordered, and then climbed in behind her, spooning her soft, curvy figure.
 

“And what do we have here?"
 

The question of the nurse startled me awake. Ryder spent the night next to me. We probably didn't stir at all. Poor baby, he probably didn't have any blood circulation left in his arms. When he mumbled something and attempted to stretch, I laughed. Why I had bothered to get a new king size bed and a warm quilt? A single bed and Ryder's arms were all I needed for my nights to be perfect.

Early in the morning, I was given a green light for checking out. Looking into the bag Ryder brought for me from home while he went down to get coffee at the hospital cafeteria, I found the sweat suit I usually wore when I was alone around the house and another T-shirt. Oh, well, underwear was over rated, and anyway, the bra straps would probably have pressed on the cuts.
 

I got ready and Ryder was back before I had a chance to finish signing the release papers. He waited and walked by my side as an orderly wheeled me out of the place. The sun was shining; it was a beautiful day. I was happy to be alive, and climbing into Ryder's truck to go home.
 

Throwing side glances at me after I clasped on my safety belt, Ryder stayed silent for the entire trip. Was he having regrets about asking me to stay? Maybe. His offer had been made in the heat of the moment. If he did, it would break my heart, but still, I wouldn't blame him for reconsidering. After all we barely knew each other.
 

The silence was getting to me and if this was over I would rather know it sooner than later so, keeping my tone as nonchalant as I could manage, I asked, "What's the matter?"
 

"Nothing." He shook his head as someone annoyed would without moving his eyes from the road.

Yes, he was having second thoughts. I bit my lips and swallowed back the tears prickling under my eyelids. Life would go on and I would get over it. It was all a matter of organization.

"Would you mind if we made a stop on the way?" I asked.

"Where do you want to go?"
 

"Anyplace I can buy a phone," I answered. He shook his head and didn't say another word before we reached the nearest mall.

Using the credit card recovered by a nurse in the back pocket of my gasoline drenched clothes before the police took them away as evidence, I purchased a new phone, got it connected and reloaded my address book from the cloud. While I was there, I also purchased a new laptop.
 

Simply knowing I would be able to reconnect to the rest of the world, especially if indeed Ryder had changed his mind, made me feel a bit better.

After traveling for so long, I had the habit of living out of my very large handbag. This made the list of what I had to replace daunting. All my credit cards except the one I’d tucked in my pocket when Annabelle had come to see me. Was it only yesterday night? My driver's license, my passport, my makeup and... I would have to make a list.
 

Only when we reached my house and he came around to help me down from the truck did Ryder explain his silence. Keeping me in his arms a bit longer than necessary and pressing me against him, he said looking down in my cleavage, "You can be sure that next time I pack for you, I won't forget the bra. Those two are too distracting when allowed to move freely. I had to make myself focus on the road."

"You crazy man." I laughed and surprised myself. My voice was coming back to normal. "You know, you had me scared."

"What do you mean?"

"You looked so sullen, I thought--" I hesitated to continue.
 

Putting a knuckle under my chin he lifted my face to look into my eyes. "What did you think?"
 

"That you were, you know ..." he shook his head no, "reconsidering," I whispered.

He frowned clearly not understanding where my thoughts had gone. "Reconsidering what?"

"You wanting me to stay."

The hurt in his eyes was like a stab in my heart. He took a step back and asked, "Don't you trust me at all?"
 

I held on to him and tried to explain. "I'm sorry, Ryder, this is not about you, it's about me. I mean look at you and look at me. You're perfect and I'm--"

"Going to do some serious work on your self esteem!" he barked back. This was the second time I was seeing him angry and strangely, the fire in his eyes made him even sexier. "This has to stop right now. Barbara! I’ve never told another woman I loved her. You're the first and there won't be another. You're my one and only."

He was about to say something more when my phone rang. Looking at the screen, I realized it was my boss and so I put a finger on Ryder's lips and took the call.

"Barbara," he said. "I heard about the fire. Are you okay?"
 

Walking toward the house with Ryder, I answered him, "Yes, Daniel. I'm fine. I haven't evaluated the damage yet, but I should be able to have a look later on and report to you by the end of the day."

Ryder unlocked the door and made a face at me. If the man thought I was staying home to rest all day, he didn't know me as well as he thought. I would change and ask him to drive me to the factory to get my car.

"Well, that's what I was calling about," my boss said. "I wanted to tell you not to worry about it. The insurance company will take it over as of now and human resources is handling the final pay stubs so it's all good. You're done there."

"No, I'm not," I answered. My heart raced as I said the words.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean I'm not coming back to work for you. I'm resigning." Saying the words out loud were the scariest thing I had ever done in my life. I felt as if I was skydiving but without a parachute.

"Now, Barbara, I understand you're in shock because you were attacked and all. So if you need a vacation before you take on your next job, I'll understand. Do you think one week is enough?"

"No, Daniel. It won't. One week won't cut it at all. Even the four weeks of vacation time DCD owes me won't be enough."

My answer was received by total silence. Daniel was probably as stunned as I was by my decision to quit. I had fought so hard for this position. No one would have believed two weeks ago I wouldn't fight tooth and nail to keep it.

"It was great working with you, Daniel," I said. "But I'll be sending HR my letter of resignation later today."

"Barbara," he said. "Who got to you?" I could imagine him making a mental list of all the competitors I could have left him for. "Whatever their offer is, I'm pretty sure we could match it."

"Oh no, you can't." I laughed and looked at Ryder locking the door behind us. "This is a once in a lifetime offer that cannot be refused!"

The grin on Ryder's face as I said those words was worth more than any raise. As a matter-of –fact, it was priceless. Ryder gently took the phone from me, turned it off, and wrapped himself around me.
 

A devious thought popped up. “Ryder, do you know what else besides a bra you didn’t pack?” Taking my hand, he climbed the stairs pulling me behind him.

Getting my car back would have to wait a little longer.
 

As much as the bed called to us, I wanted to hold her in my arms. My normal thoughts would include stripping down as quickly as possible and making love. Only, Barbara had cuts from the glass and was still in recovery from the fire. I needed to cool my jets and move slowly. Tender love was vital as was keeping her comfortable. Hell, I was just assuming she'd want sex. Foolish. She needed security and warmth before she needed me fondling her body.
 

"It feels good to be home." She looked at me, her eyes full of love.
 

I wrapped her up in my arms. "We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I'd be just as happy to hold you."
 

"I can't think of anything I want more than to make love to you." She spoke her truth.

I leaned into her and kissed her forehead. "I don't know what voodoo magic you've been using, but I'm crazy about you," I said with a laugh.
 

"It's my secret," she answered with a wink.
 

I helped her remove her clothing, careful to watch for cuts that might be raw. I loved that her breasts were free and non-restrained. Lifting her shirt off, I bent to suckle on her pebbled nipples. I pulled one between my lips, drinking from it as if it would feed me. No liquid came out, but it didn't stop me from trying to consume her. With each lick and suck, a strong tingle pulsed between my legs. I could feel my cock growing, aching to be released from its cotton and denim dungeon.
 

She climbed into bed and waited for me to strip down and join her. The smile on her face told me everything I needed to know. I wanted to claim her, to bend her over and plow into her with passionate thrusts, but instead I snuggled in against her, forcing myself to wait.
 

We'd need to move slowly, carefully, and use delicate caution. I didn't want to end back at the hospital because while she thought she was feeling better, she still had a lot going on inside. I spooned behind her and cupped her hip with my hand. I stroked up over the soft curve and then down her thigh. She was plush, voluptuous, and dangerously sexy. There was no hiding my erection, which was now housed tightly against her ass.

"Somebody is excited," she teased. "I know you think you have to use a very soft touch, but I'm okay. They wouldn't have released me otherwise."
 

I growled a low whisper against her ear, "There's no hurry. I'm happy to keep you in bed all day long."
 

"I have work to do later--"
 

"No work. Not today," I said firmly. "Today you rest."

Barbara sighed and leaned onto her elbow. "I'm thrilled to be here with you, but there are things to be done--"

"That can wait." I finished the sentence for her. "Today, you're mine, and you're resting. Tomorrow, you can do whatever you'd like." There was no room for second guessing.

I cupped the bottom of her ass with my hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Do you remember that first day I was here? You were showing me what you wanted done? You walked up the steps before me, and it took every bit of restraint I had not to reach out and play with your bottom."
 

Barbara laughed. It was a beautiful sound that filled the bedroom. "I was so self-conscious, walking with my massive rear so close to your face. I was embarrassed."

"Well, there was no need to be. I found it quite, ahem, stimulating," I added with a wicked grin. My fingers traced her curves, as we talked leisurely in the large bed. It was comfortable spending time together, talking, laughing. I could see myself doing this every night. I'd fallen in love with this woman. I wasn't going anywhere. She was mine, I was hers. We belonged together.

She rolled to face me. Her fingers tangled in my hair, and then she slid her hand down my face. I'd skipped shaving this morning, so there was a bit of stubble. She played in the edges of those whiskers, and then traced my jawline. "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me."

"I could say the same thing. You know, I didn't expect to like you much after you almost took me out at the stop sign; imagine how surprised I was to fall in love."
 

 
"Gee, thanks," she said sarcastically. "It was an accident, you know. I didn't aim to hit you!"

"Well, good thing I've forgiven you," I said softly. I moved my head closer, close enough to feel her breathing. She closed her eyes and parted her lips. I brushed my lips to her and drank in the sweetness.

We broke our kiss only for a second. "You mean, I've forgiven you," she sniped quickly, "for almost running into me."

"You're a naughty one," I said, well aware she was teasing me. "Don't make me spank you and teach you a lesson."
 

"Is that a threat or a promise," she playfully returned.
 

We nuzzled into one another and then found our way back to the kisses that were waiting. Each small kiss grew more passionate. I slipped my hands around her head and pulled her tightly to me, as if I was afraid she'd get away. Barbara wrapped her legs around me, bonding us even tighter.

I rolled her on top of me. She winced for a moment and I froze.
 

"I'm okay," she whispered. "It only stung for a second."
 

"I don't want to hurt you," I answered, unable to look away from her beautiful eyes.
 

"You won't. Don't stop," she urged. "I need this as much as you do."
 

I nodded. I understood. After everything we'd been through, every hurdle we'd overcome to make it back to this bed alive and into each other's arms – we needed to reconnect intimately. A moment to say everything was right in the world, once again. We treasured each second as if it were the last.
 

"Sit up and lean back," I directed. "I want to look at you."

She tried, she really did, but her insecurities had her scrambling to pull her arms over her torso, wanting to hide from my loving gaze. I gently moved them.
 

"I want to see all of you," I said, encouraging her.
 

Barbara looked down, suddenly feeling shy, and tried to stay put on display. The exposure left her vulnerable.