A Fight For Love (BWWM Interracial Romance) (7 page)

“
Dee, there is something you need to know,” Rochelle said. Desiree shrugged.

“
Out with it. Meredith has her hands deep in Owen Hunt’s chest and she just had a miscarriage, get this, while operating on Owen,” she said. “Come on, out with it. I need to get back to this,” she said as her eyes shifted from the computer screen and then to Rochelle and Cynthia.

“
Well, this is…hard to say,” Cynthia said as she looked at Desiree.

“
Okay you guys are officially freaking me out,” Desiree said as she put the computer on the bed. She pulled herself up and looked at them.

“
I just talked to Tony, and he was taking one of his guys to the emergency room because he had an allergic reaction, and he bumped into Taylor,” Rochelle started.

“
At the emergency room,” Desiree said. Rochelle nodded. “What? Did he take someone there or something?” Desiree asked again.

“
No, he was the patient, honey,” Cynthia said. Desiree’s heart rate was suddenly faster than she could think possible. Her gaze shifted from Cynthia to Rochelle and then back to Cynthia.

“
Why? What’s wrong with him?” she asked, the fear imminent in her voice.

“
Tony doesn’t really know but he suffered some kind of trauma. He was unconscious when they took him in,” Rochelle said. Desiree bolted out of bed and then grabbed her jacket. “Dee, relax,” Rochelle said trying to calm her down.

“
Relax? That is virtually impossible. I can’t relax. All I can think of is Ericson in hospital and I need to know what the hell happened to him and I am going there right the fuck now,” The words coming in a torrent as she pushed her way past the two. Rochelle and Cynthia ran after her trying to stop her, but it was as if the anxiety made her all so much stronger. When she got to the door, her heart was pounding so hard she thought she could hear it in her ears. Rochelle put her arm around her sister as she breathed heavily.

“
We’ll go with you,” she said in a whisper.

The three took a cab down to Wentworth Hospital, a few blocks away from the apartment. When they got to the emergency room, Tony was already there, pacing up and down. Desiree went straight to the reception and asked about Taylor. After being given a room number, she ran up the stairs to the third floor where Taylor was and walked right in. He seemed so peaceful, so perfectly fine.

“He is sedated but he will be coming out of it soon. He suffered a pretty bad concussion but we can’t really know how serious until he wakes up,” the nurse said. “And the bruises,” she said as she pulled back the covers and lifted the hospital gown. Desiree gasped in horror when she noticed the bruises. These were no longer scrapes. He looked like a truck had knocked him over, backed up and ran over him once more. “Was he in an accident recently? Because he should not even be out of bed in this state,” the nurse said.

“
He…he is a cage fighter,” Desiree said in a low voice.

“
Well, if he keeps this up, he won’t be for much longer,” the nurse said disapprovingly before she left. Desiree looked at Taylor as a tear flowed down her cheek. She walked over to the bed and slowly traced her finger on his cheek. She lowered her head and planted a loving kiss on his forehead.

“
I can’t do this Ericson. You are done. Your cage fighting days are behind you,” she said in a whisper. She gasped when she saw his finger twitch almost as if he’d heard her. She put her hand in his and looked at him. “If you can hear me, squeeze my hand,” she said even though she knew that it all sounded clichéd, but, to her surprise, her statement was rewarded by him weakly responding.

The next few weeks after Taylor’s injury were pretty hard on Desiree. Even though he was awake and chatting cheerfully after two days, she was still not taking any chances. The doctors had put him on bed rest for the first week after he was discharged, and then told him to take it easy for a while.

“Most concussions cause physical and cognitive symptoms like headaches, moodiness, nausea and dizziness. So you might want to take it easy for a while,” Taylor’s doctor had advised. Feeling that he needed constant surveillance to stop him running off to get his hide tanned again, Desiree had temporarily moved into Taylor’s place to make sure she could keep her eye on him. She had hired a landscaper to make sure that Taylor’s help didn’t suffer.

Two weeks after they left the hospital, Taylor had almost totally recovered. But Desiree was still not convinced that he was the good old Taylor Ericson she knew and loved. Despite this, she was concerned that he was putting on a, stereotypically masculine, display of stoicism just to make her feel better. Ever since she started seeing him, she had never been so scared for him as she was when she learned that he was in hospital. It was on a Wednesday afternoon and Desiree had just made some chili con carne for lunch. She was setting the bowl on the table when Taylor walked into the kitchen.

“Something smells good,” he said as he sat down at the table.

“
Chili con carne,” she said as she put a bowl of rice and her own chili on the table.

“
At this rate, I am going to be as out of shape as you claimed Leon to be,” he said smiling.

“
Come on, I always use lean meat and plenty of vegetables. There is no way I am losing that sexy six pack,” she said as she sat down.

“
And the salsa. Don’t forget the salsa,” he said as he took a big bite.

“
Perfect,” he said as he chewed.

“
So, honey, how are you feeling?” she asked.

“
Babe, I’m fine. I can go back to work now,” he said. Desiree frowned and looked at him.

“
So soon?” she asked. Taylor laughed.

“
Dee, it’s been two weeks,” he said.

“
And I got you help,” she said as she took a bite of her own food.

“
Oh come on, we can most definitely work something out ,and, contrary to what people think, staying home all day in front of the TV like a pothead drop-out can get quite boring with time,” Taylor said. Desiree reached for the rice and served a little into her bowl before putting it back down. “I am okay, you know. Totally,” he said as he looked at her.

“
Really? Are the headaches gone?” she asked looking at her.

“
Well, not really. They come and go but you get headaches too, right?” he said.

“
Yes, but in my defense I did not get punched in the face one too many times,” she said, almost angrily. She hated having this talk with him over and over again. She placed her hand on his and sighed. “Do you know how scared I was? Do you have any idea how it is watching the love of your life literally fighting for theirs?” she asked as she looked into his eyes. Taylor lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her softly.

“
I admit I have never been in the situation I put you in, but I have lost a number of friends in Iraq. And, if that comes anything close to what you had to go through, then there is no way I could ever apologize enough,” Taylor said in a soft voice.

“
I just don’t ever want to lose you and I came really close to doing that and I can tell you babe, it sucked,” she said choking back a tear.

“
You know, I am truly okay, and if you want I could prove it to you,” he said as he looked at her. Desiree smiled and shook her head.

“
Oh you are not carrying me up the stairs mister. There is no way I am saying yes to that, ,” she said as she took another bite. Taylor laughed.

“
Who said anything about carrying you?” he asked. She looked at him and shrugged.

“
Remember you giving me this same speech last week just before you, literally, got me over your shoulder? It’s not going to happen this time, honey. No way José,” she said before taking another bite. He pushed his chair away from the table and then pulled her chair towards her. She gasped as he pulled her and looked into his eyes. “Ericson, what are you doing?” she asked in a low voice as he slipped a hand behind her neck and pulled her towards him.

“
Kissing you, what does it look like?” he asked before he kissed her softly. She moaned softly and let herself lose control in his deep and passionate kiss. Truth was, the two had not been intimate since before Taylor went to hospital. Desiree’s main reason was that she thought that it was not safe. She always pictured him blacking out right in the middle of sex, and God knew that he was a bit too vigorous in the bedroom, not that she was complaining. She wanted him so much and she knew this by the wetness she was feeling in her pussy, but she could not push the thought to the back of her head.

“
Control yourself, Dee. Get a hold of yourself,”
she scolded herself but she just could not hold back. She slipped a hand behind his neck as their kiss intensified. She moaned softly when he brought one hand up and gently caressed the soft bulge of her breast. The two were still entwined in a passionate romantic embrace when they heard the doorbell ring. Taylor pulled away from her and smiled.

“
Hold that thought,” he said before kissing her nose. He rose from his seat but Desiree held his hand. He turned around and looked at her. “What?” he asked.

“
You sit your pretty white ass down. I’ll get the door,” she said as she stood up from her seat. Taylor opened his mouth to speak but Desiree put her finger to his lips. “You remember that I was actually feeling that kiss and that I want to pick up our last conversation where we left off,” she said as she walked to the door. “Hey guys,” she said when she opened the door. Her sister, cousin, Tony and Pete were all there.

“
It’s been a while,” Rochelle said as she hugged Desiree.

“
Yeah we thought we’d come and check on you two since you have been MIA for a while,” Tony said before kissing Desiree’s cheek. Cynthia and Pete said hello and then walked into the house.

“
The scran smells delicious,” Pete said.

“
That’s good old American chili con carne, my Scouse friend,” Taylor said as the group walked into the kitchen.

“
And we have plenty to go around. Why don’t you guys take your seats and I’ll get you some?” Desiree said as she walked over to the stove.

“
We didn’t want to inconvenience you, so we passed by the Thai place and got something for everyone,” Tony said.

“
Well, we can have the chili and maybe finish it off with Thai?” Desiree asked.

“
American and south East Asian, and a bevvy, all in one night, sorted man” Pete said, running his fingers through his curly blond hair

“
You are one lucky man tonight,” Cynthia said. “And maybe a little luckier later,” she said, winking, although everyone at the table understood her. Desiree and Rochelle exchanged an all knowing look and smiled. Rochelle got up from the table and took some bowls from the cupboard and passed them to her sister as she dished up the chili.

“
So, my man, how have you been feeling?” Tony asked as he looked at Taylor.

“
I’m good. I have actually been fine for days, but someone is still treating me like an invalid,” Taylor said as he looked at Desiree. “Not that I am pointing any fingers or anything.” He added.

“
Then how come I can feel the finger being pointed at me,” Desiree asked as she put the

“
Well, is right, man, she was a little scared. I mean, I had only known her for a few days but I can tell an honest to God panic face when I see one, I’m tellin’ ye” Pete said.

“
Our good English friend speaks wisdom,” Desiree said.

“
I agree with Pete, Taylor. I were in Dee’s shoes I would also not be taking it easy on you if,” Cynthia said.

“
Same here. Sorry bro,” Rochelle said.

“
Why do I suddenly feel ambushed?” Taylor asked smiling.

“
Just hitting you with the truth that’s all,” Desiree said as she and Rochelle took their seats.

“
This is really good Dee,” Cynthia said, steering the conversation to safer territory.

“
Yeah, it tastes a bit different than the chili I am used to,” Tony said. Desiree looked at Taylor and smiled.

“
Salsa,” they said in unison.

“
Salsa?” Tony asked.

Yeah, most people use paprika. I like salsa sauce. I think it gives the food a certain kick,” Desiree said smiling.

“Wow, I am
so
changing the recipe at the café,” Cynthia said and then looked up. “And you have known all this time and you stayed quiet about it?” she asked.

“
In my defense, it was a mistake when I first did it but it turned out quite well,” Desiree said.

“
And so birthed a culinary delight in a kitchen so grim,” Tony said in old English. Everyone turned and looked at him.

“
What was that?” Rochelle asked.

“
Actually I have no idea,” he said smiling.

“
So, Taylor, are your cage fighting days over?” Tony asked, to fill up the awkward silence his comments aroused.

“
Yeah, I wanted to know that too man,” Pete said.

“
Oh they’d better be. That shit is dangerous,” Desiree said as she took one of the lunch boxes in the middle of the table. Taylor smiled and shrugged.

“
Well, you heard the lady,” he said.

“
So, that’s it? You are really done?” Tony asked.

“
Well, I hate that I had to put everyone in here in so much worry. Especially Dee,” Taylor said. “I would like to avoid that at any cost,” he added smiling at Desiree.

“
That’s good to hear man. I mean I haven’t known you for so long but you seem like a top bloke and I guess as much as cage fighting is a macho thing to do, I was pretty worried when you first said that you were on one,” Pete said. Taylor smiled at him.

“
Yeah that goes for the rest of us too,” Rochelle said smiling. “I would hate for anything to happen to my future brother in law,” she added.

“
Future brother in law? Whoa there…are we already hearing wedding bells?” Tony asked smiling.

“
Yeah Roch, chill,” Desiree said as she felt her cheeks flush.

“
No, she is right,” Taylor said. Desiree looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “I have plans of one day making an honest woman out of you Desiree Young and I pray it comes soon,” he added. Desiree smiled and winked at him. Just then, Taylor’s beeper went off.

“
What was that?” Cynthia asked.

“
Time for someone’s medication,” Desiree said. “Come on, I’ll help you up,” she said as she got up. Taylor smiled at everyone.

“
See? Treats me like an invalid,” he said with mock severity.

“
In her defense feller, she is just looking out for you,” Pete said.

“
You just earned another star in my good books Pete,” Desiree said as she and Taylor walked out of the room. “And you guys put on some music. The atmosphere needs livening up,” she called out from the hallway.

“
Good idea,” Rochelle called back. It was not long before Desiree heard the beautiful sounds of Fallout Boy, Rochelle’s favorite band.

When they got upstairs, Desiree got Taylor’s meds from the bathroom as he sat on the bed.

“Okay, here are the tiny pink ones, two of those, the one really large white one, and the weird looking yellow one,” Desiree said as she handed the pills to Taylor.

“
You realize it would actually be easier just learning the names?” he said. Desiree shrugged.

“
Yeah, but my way works for me, plus it’s more fun,” she said.

“
You could just master the fact that I have vitamins, pain killers and…wait, which one is this one?” he asked as he held one pill up to her.

“
See, my way is easier,” she said as she gave him a bottle of water she kept in the bedroom. When he took his pills, she took the bottle and put it on the night stand and then looked at him. “Feeling okay?” she asked.

“
Yeah sure,” he said.

“
Then we should be getting back to the gang,” she said.

“
Actually,” Taylor leered as he took one of her hands in his and pulled her onto his lap. “How about we finish what we started earlier?” he asked. Desiree’s eyes grew wide.