Hope's Toy Chest (8 page)

Chapter Fourteen

Silence cloaked the interior of the
truck until it was uncomfortable. Le couldn’t think of anything to say to make the trip easier, all he could think about was Jessica’s pending test results. The early results from her EKG didn’t hold much good news, but it was right after the incident, so they were rerunning it that afternoon. The other test results had left him scratching his head.

“Is everything all right?”

He nodded, not bothering to take his eyes off the road. The roads were quickly deteriorating and darkness was falling. They had been in Three Forks longer than he expected, putting them on the road late.

Silence threatened to overwhelm them again until he cleared his throat. “It’s work. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it to cause this unease.”

“Anything I can do?”

“
Unless you have a magical ability to make my cell phone ring, I don’t think so.” He tried to make light of it.

“I thought we didn’t want your phone to ring. Wouldn’t that mean there’s an emergency at the hospital?” She turned slightly in the seat to look at him.

“We’re running some tests on Jessica and I’m waiting on the results.” He tugged the wheel to the right as it started to slide on some ice.

“Roads are getting bad.”

“Yes, they are.” He said between clenched teeth as he tried to keep the truck on the pavement. “With the way it’s coming down and the drop in temperature I’m not sure we’ll make it back tonight.”

“What will we do?”

“There’s a little hotel we passed on our way, it should only be a few miles up the road. I think we should stay there for the night and set out in the morning. It’s only going to get worse.” After regaining full control of the truck, he glanced over at her. “I’m sorry, but it would be for the best.”

“That’s fine, it’s not worth risking our lives and maybe
then you can call the hospital for an update.”

He smiled, knowing that he wanted more than to just call the hospital. Eager to get off the road and alone with her, he continued to manhandle the truck forward.

Kingsley wasn’t sure if he should be praising or cursing his luck. The small family-run hotel only had one room available with a single queen size bed. That was going to make things intimate and possibly awkward between them.

“Let me make a call and then we can go up to the dining room for a bite to eat. The owner’s only serving for another hour and then we’re out of luck
, so I hope you’re hungry.” He slipped his cell phone out of the pocket of his jeans and was thankful when he saw he still had full service.

“
I could go get the food and bring it back here. It will give you privacy for your call and we can have a quiet meal afterward.” She grabbed her coat off the back of the chair and slipped it on.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I’d rather have a quiet dinner here with you, if you don’t mind.” She pulled a crocheted blue and white hat over her blonde hair. “Make your call, I’ll be back shortly.”

He watched her slip out the door, the knowledge of what he wanted settl
ing over him. Pushing his personal life to the side, he slid his thumb over the screen of his phone and called Brian.

“Kingsley, I was just about to call you. Are you coming back in this evening?” Brian a
sked.

“No, I’m not going to back in back into town until tomorrow. The weather got nasty and we’ve taken shelter. Is something wrong?”

“Not wrong.” There was a shuffle of papers before Brian continued. “Different. I didn’t call early because I wanted to double check the results.”

“What are they showing?” He paced the small room un
able to stay still.

“
I’m not an oncologist but I believe your patient is in remission. All signs point to it.”

“That can’t be.” He leaned against the wall, not sure he heard correctly.

“Do you have access to a computer and internet? I’ll forward you the results, then you can see for yourself.”

“Send them, I have my tablet.
” Leaving the hospital with his tablet in hand had been an accident and now it turned out to be a blessing. “I ordered another test when I was there this morning, but the results won’t be back until tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime don’t mention this to Mrs. Cook. I don’t want to get her hopes up unless we are completely sure.”

“She was praying for a miracle, and she might have gotten one.”

“I hope so.” He knew test results could be wrong but it was unlikely. “How about her heart?”

“She’s weak, her body is tired, and it
has taken its toll. With a little time, she’ll be fine.”

“Time…yesterday we didn’t think she had any left.”
It all sounded too good to be true and until he saw the test results, he couldn’t quite convince himself it was real.

“I’m sending them now. Give me a call if you have any questions, otherwise I’ll see you when you get back.”

After hanging up with Brian, Le slid down the wall to sit on the floor. Part of him wanted to rush out and get the tablet to check the results, while the other part of him screamed it might be a mistake. Jessica’s chances at remission were less than one percent. The likelihood that she would live past the end of the year was barely ten percent. He couldn’t help but think someone had messed up.

The door
opened and Chelsea entered with a tray full of food. “Le?” She rushed to set the tray aside, then came to him. “What’s wrong? Bad news?”

“Test results came back and I’m having a hard time believing them. I need to check them for myself
. You go ahead and eat.”

She shook her head. “I’ll wait for you. How are you going to check them?”

“My tablet is in the truck.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her onto his outstretched legs, and snuggling her against him.

“You’re going to get yourself wet, I’m covered in snow.”

“I don’t care.” He tugged her hat off. She was beautiful with her hair cascading down around her. Without thinking it through or giving himself a second to question himself, he leaned in and kissed her.

Claiming her lips with his own,
he tasted the spiciness of cinnamon from the tea she had earlier, mixed with vanilla lip-gloss. He used his tongue to gently ease her mouth open. She leaned closer, her hand traveling up his chest as he kissed her one final time before pulling back.

“That was nice.” Her breath
was warm and full of desire.

“Nice? Hmm, I had hoped for better than nice.”

“I meant…well, it was unexpected. You’re out of my league.” She started to pull away, but he held her tight.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means just what I said. Look at us, you’re the Chief of the Pediatric Oncology ward and I’m just a charity president, with no real career or life outside of it.”

“You’re so much more than that.” He slipped a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Since you showed up in my life again
, I can’t get you out of my thoughts. You’re all I think about lately. I’ll admit I had planned to put distance between us, but not for the reasons you think.”

“Then why?”

“You deserve so much better than what I can give you. Someone who will be home in the evenings, not off trying to save everyone that comes through the hospital doors.” He locked his arms around her waist. “Chelsea, I work long hours, and even when I’m home I’m often working or thinking about work. What kind of life is that for you?”

“Many doctors find a way to balance a personal life and their careers. If anyone should understand what you do
, I can. Those children and parents need you. You’re an amazing doctor and I would never ask you to put your career on the back burner.” She cupped the side of his face. “It seems as though we were both fighting this for our own reasons, and they aren’t very different.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been haunting my fantasies and dreams since I showed up at your house and you knocked me on my ass. I was fighting it because I didn’t want to come between you and the children you fight to save. I would never want to be the reason you missed something.” She teased her finger along his jawline. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way. Why don’t you kiss me again?”

Chapter Fifteen

With dinner finished and
the test results still fresh in Le’s mind, he sank down on the sofa next to Chelsea. Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he let his head fall back. The miracle the Cooks wanted had arrived, leaving him anxious to get back to Cedar Grove to deliver the news personally.

“You seem happier than I’ve ever seen you.” She tipped her head until it was resting on his chest.

“For the first time in a very long time, I believe in miracles again.”

“Sorry you’re not there to…”

He lifted her chin with his forefinger. “Don’t be sorry. I’m right where I want to be.”

Without a second of hesitation, he l
eaned forward and their lips met with intense desire. Her mouth slid open, letting his tongue explore her. He slipped his hand along her body to her waist before pulling her into his lap. Sliding on top of him, she placed her knees on either side of him, all without breaking the kiss, her arms locked around his neck, drawing them closer.

Passion pulsated in his groin. He wanted nothing more than to take her to bed and have her scream his name. He broke the kiss, enjoying her warm breath over his face.

“Are you sure? You know what I can offer you…”

“Shhh.” She placed her finger over his lips. “I’m sure.
Are you?”

For a brief second
, Liz’s warning ran through his mind.

Don’t lead her on…she deserves better than that.

He might not be the man he thought she deserved, but he’d do his best to make sure she never regretted this decision. “I’ve wanted you since you walked back into my life. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to be with someone as much as I want you.” Adrenaline flooded his veins.

“Then let’s not waste this night.”
She unlaced her hands from around his neck and pulled off her sweater, revealing a black bra with pink trim.

Without further invitation, he stood, taking her with him
, and in two quick strides made it to the bed. He lowered her onto the mattress and whisked his shirt over his head.

“Take off your bra and lay back.”

She did as he asked, quickly tossing the bra aside before reclining on her elbows. He wedged his body between her legs, leaning into her. Trailing kisses along her neck, hunger coursed through him. He wanted to take his time, to get acquainted with every inch of her body. He claimed her nipples with his mouth, sucking each one, and flicking his tongue over them.

“Le
,” she moaned, and tugged at the button of his jeans.

Reluctantly, he released her nipple, rising up above her so he could gaze into her green eyes while his hands caught hold of her jeans and slid them down her legs. “You’re beautiful.”

Her cheeks reddened, and her fingers paused mid-motion from sliding his zipper down. “If I’m naked then I want you to be as well. Off with these.” She tugged at his jeans.

He slipped off the bed and quickly
took off the remainder of his clothes. “I want you on top, to see your body riding mine. I want to see your beauty in the light from the fireplace.” He slipped onto the bed next to her, pulling her with him until she straddled his torso, and caressed the curves of her body.

He slid his hand between their bodies, his fingers teasing her
sweet spot before entering her core, tantalizing her with yearning. She arched her back, giving his fingers deeper access. As the light from the fire accentuated her body, she rode his fingers to near orgasm before he stopped. He wanted to feel her orgasm around his shaft and not a minute before.

“Le, please, I need you.”
Her voice was full of desire.

He moved his hands to her hips and lifted her. “Up.” When she hovered above him, he adjusted so his shaft stood just below her entry.
He guided her down onto him. Filling her inch by inch, nearly halfway in, he pushed up on her hips making her rise again before entering her completely with his manhood. His steady strokes fed her fire like tinder set to dynamite. His hands on her hips set their pace.

He leaned
into her, locking his mouth on her nipple and sucked until she moaned in pleasure. She quickened the movement, driving the force of each pump. His thrusts became deeper and faster, a perfect rhythm.

Her body tightened around his shaft and her n
ails dug into his chest. “Oh, Le!” She cried out as his own orgasm followed.

Breathless, he brushed her hair from her face. He wanted to see her.
Chelsea’s eyes were glossy and dreamy—the aftermath of amazing sex. Glowing with beauty, she sent a fresh wave of desire through him.

She slid off him, lying next to him. Snugglin
g next to his body, she sighed
.
“I can’t believe we’re here together.”

He pulled the blanket
over them. His breath returned to normal as contentment filled him. He cradled her, caressing her spine with long, lazy strokes. “Me either.”

The morning light was peeking through the curtains
, reminding Le they should get on the road before the second wave of the storm hit. Throughout the night they had made love more than they had slept, making it too early for their tired bodies. He teased his fingers down Chelsea’s arm, enjoying the feeling of her snug against his body.

“We should go.” She tipped her head up to look at him. “I know you want to go to the hospital before it gets late.”

“I’m sorry.” This was the reason he had avoided relationships, he always felt guilty that he was so devoted to his career.

“Don’t be.
” She ran her hand across his cheek. “I knew who you were before I agreed to this. I’ll never have a problem with it, trust me.”

He
kissed her, tugging her bottom lip into his mouth and letting his teeth scrap lightly over it. “Thank you for understanding.”

“Then let’s get going.”

He snuggled his face into her hair, enjoying one last quiet moment between them. “I guess we should.”

“Since we have to drive almost past your house maybe you can drop me off there. My car is still there.” She slipped out of his embrace, edging toward the end of the bed.

“I was kind of hoping you’d come with me. Liz is off and Kelly might need someone to talk to in order to adjust to the newest development. With Liz’s in-laws in town, I don’t want to call her in if I don’t have to.”

“I don’t think she’ll want
me or anyone else. I respect you can’t tell me but I can make a logical jump, and she’s only going to want to be with her daughter.”

“We’ll see. So will you come with me to the hospital, then we can go back to my place and deal with my exploding truck bed of toys?”

With a nod, she slipped on her jeans. “I’ll stay in the waiting room, and you can let her know I’m there if she wants to talk. Now get dressed.”

“Oh, I like a woman who thinks she’s in charge.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. More like he
enjoyed her feistiness. Submissive woman, always waiting for a man’s orders, had never been his thing. He wanted a woman with her own mind, one who would stand beside him, not behind him.

“
I can be in charge when needed, but this time I have my own motives.”

“What’s that?”
He slipped out of bed and followed suit by pulling on his pants.

“I’m hoping once we leave the hospital I can have you
to myself for a bit, and I wasn’t thinking about the gifts in your truck.”

That very thought sped
him up. He wanted to be alone with her. If he’d had his way, they would’ve spent the rest of the weekend here, locked in each other’s arms.