ROMANCE: Billion Dollar Question (BWWM Billionaire Bad Boy Romance) (African American Alpha Mail Order Bride New Adult) (35 page)

Chapter 7: Recovery

Eddie slept in the chair next to Lars’ bed in the hospital. She had been there for two weeks. Lars was in a coma. No one knew if he had brain damage or if he would ever wake up.

Eddie woke and looked at Lars. Somehow, over the last two weeks, she had fallen in love with him. Maybe it was his vulnerable state. Maybe she was finally able to see him as he really was rather than the player he pretended to be, or thought he was. She knew in her heart that finding him was not a matter of getting funding for her park, it was God’s direction for her life. She felt a deep connection to this man she barely knew.

She stroked his hand. “Lars? If you can hear me, I want you to know that I am here for you. Rest as long as you need. I’ll be here. I am sure we have much more to accomplish together, and it is not your time to leave this earth quite yet. I’ll be patient, but please, come back to me.”

Lars began to stir. Eddie heard a small groan. Her body filled with adrenaline. “Lars?” She hit the button to call the nurse. Eddie held up his hand and kissed it. “Lars, can you hear me? Can you feel me?”

The nurse entered the room.

“He’s waking up!” Eddie shouted.

Lars’ eyelids twitched, and his head moved side to side.

“Lars, can you open your eyes?” Eddie asked, and she held his hand tightly.

Lars slowly opened his eyes. He slowly looked around the room at the nurse, the bed, the window and then Eddie. He stopped moving and focused his eyes.

“Eddie?” Lars mumbled.

Eddie felt tears stream down her cheek. “Yes! It’s me!” She kissed his hand.

“I’ll get the doctor,” the nurse said. “You are a lucky man, Mr. Fiske. Your fiancé  has been by your side for two weeks. She really loves you.”

Lars curved his lips upward and looked at Eddie. “My fiancé?”

Eddie laughed. “I had to tell them that to stay in your room. Your grandfather has been here a few times, but he said he had to get back to the cattle.”

Lars tried to sit up. “That sounds like Grandpa. He has a crew of cowboys but he still feels like he has to be there.”

Eddie put some pillows behind Lars’ back to make him more comfortable.

The doctor came in to the room and examined Lars.

“What’s the diagnosis, Doc?” Lars asked.

“You suffered some serious injuries, Mr. Fiske, but you are healing nicely. I believe you can expect a full recovery in a few weeks.”

Eddie jumped for joy. “That is great news!”

“Be patient with yourself. You’ll need to stay here at least another week to be monitored,” the doctor continued.

“Whatever you say, Doc.” Lars grabbed Eddie’s hand and held it.

Over the next two weeks, Lars got better and worked with a physical therapist to improve his mobility. Eddie was there all day every day and spent the nights in the chair by his bedside. He couldn’t believe how loyal she was after such a strange beginning to their relationship. He didn’t want to ruin it by asking her about it, but he finally couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Eddie, why are you here with me? What made you want to stay by my side? You were under no obligation,” Lars said.

Eddie looked down. “I know. It wasn’t about obligation. I guess it must seem strange to you. It’s just, at the rodeo, when you were injured, all your so-called friends abandoned you. Even Tanya didn’t seem to care. She walked away from you at your worst moment. I couldn’t let you travel to the hospital alone.  Then, for the next few days, I didn’t want you to wake up without anyone  here for you, so I stayed. And, I guess, after caring for you for so many days, my feelings for you just grew and became very real. I fell in love with you, Lars. I hope that doesn’t freak you out.”

Lars kissed her hand. “Not at all. It makes me love you back. Eddie, I’ve never known real love before. I see it now, and I never want to lose it. Will you marry me? Here in this hospital? Not because you need the money, or I need an inheritance, but because we love each other?”

Eddie wiped the tears from her face. “Yes, I will.”

The chaplain of the hospital performed a simple ceremony with the traditional exchange of vows, witnessed by the nurses that Eddie had developed a friendship with over the month.

Two weeks later, Lars brought his wife home to his house at the Fiske Ranch.

Chapter 8: Love at Last

Lars opened the front door. “Welcome home, Mrs. Fiske.”

Eddie walked into the ranch style home and looked at the minimal décor. “I didn’t even realize you had your own place.”

Lars held her hand. “I built this home a few years ago. I don’t spend much time here, ‘cause I don’t like being alone. I’d rather stay with my Grandpa or be on the rodeo circuit in my trailer.”

“I like it, Lars. It’s simple, not pretentious like I expected.”

“Well, if you like this, I have something I want to show you in the master bedroom.” Lars took her hand and led her down the hall.

Eddie giggled and followed him eagerly.

Lars closed the bedroom door and smiled at his beautiful wife. He walked over to her and kissed her, gently at first. Then he wrapped his arms around her as he slid his tongue into her mouth.  She kissed him back with passion and desire.

He unbuttoned her long-sleeved plaid shirt and let it fall off her shoulders on to the floor. Eddie held her arms up as he lifted her tank top over her head. She unfastened her bra in the back and removed it. Lars cupped her breast in his hands and kissed her on the lips. He caressed her soft skin and gently ran his fingers to her nipples. They were hard, and her body trembled at his touch.

“You are so beautiful,” Lars whispered.

Eddie smiled and unbuttoned her jeans. She drew the zipper downward and watched as Lars anticipated what was coming. She stepped out of her jeans and slid down her panties. She sat down on the bed and motioned with her finger for him to join her.

Lars walked to her. She stopped him and loosened his pants while he removed his shirt. She lowered his pants and underwear and held his hard penis in her hand. She fondled him with her hands and tongue. He took all of him in her mouth and sucked on him while she caressed his balls. Lars leaned into her and held on to her shoulders. He had never been so consumed and felt weak in the most wonderful way. She slid him in and out of her mouth until he felt like he was going to peak.

He pulled out of her mouth and crawled on top of her. She slid back until she was fully on the bed. He kissed her mouth, her neck and her breasts. She moaned with pleasure. He ran his fingers down her firm abdomen and slid them between her legs. She spread her legs and moaned as he touched her clit gently and pushed his finger inside her.

When she oozed with wetness and climbed on top and inserted himself inside her. God, she felt so good. She was tight and wet and welcomed him with rhythmic gyrations.

He was already so worked up, it didn’t take him long to come inside her. He kept sliding in and out moving with her pelvis. Her moans became rhythmic and higher and he increased his speed. He thrust harder and harder until she yelled out and put her hands on his buttox indicated that he should stop.

“You want to go for two?” Lars asked.

Eddie smiled. “Not yet, cowboy. Just stay right where you are for a minute.”

Lars watched her face. He saw pure joy and satisfaction. He hoped he could see that look over and over for the rest of his life.

He slowly pulled out and lay by her side. She rolled into him and he held her until they fell asleep with legs intertwined.

The next morning, Eddie woke and felt Lars’ body spooning against hers and his arms around her. She couldn’t imagine a better way to wake up.

She moved his hand to cup her breast and he moaned.

“I like that,” he said.

“So do I,” Eddie replied.

She wiggled her butt and felt his penis start to grow.

“Mm, my baby wakes up horny.” He kissed her neck. “And I am happy to oblige.”

She giggled and turned to face him.

He rolled over on top of her and kissed her.

They made love again.

Lars collapsed at her side and lay his head on her breast. She ran her fingers through his hair.

“Lars, I want to talk about Tanya,” Eddie said.

Lars groaned. “No! Her name is not allowed in our bed, my dear bride.”

“Well, normally I would not bring up another woman in our bed, and I don’t want to get up and out of this amazing position, but I feel like we need to talk about our situation.”

Lars reluctantly agreed.

“I think you should claim your child and get joint custody if not full custody.”

Lars sat up. “What? I don’t even know if it is my child! Tanya has a reputation, you know.”

“Well, I think a paternity test is reasonable. But you have to admit it could be yours.”

Lars put his head down. “I suppose. But I don’t want a child with her, I want one with you. If it is mine, I’ll just settle with her. I’ll make sure she has plenty of money to take of herself and the child. But I do not want her getting in between you and me.”

Eddie swung her legs over the bed and stood up.

“What’s wrong?” Lars asked.

Eddie put on her clothes. “We need to talk. Get dressed and let’s talk in the living room.”

Lars quickly got out of bed and got dressed. He did not know what Eddie was thinking. Why was she being so elusive? Was she still thinking of leaving after the one year like they originally planned? He didn’t want her to ever leave.

He sat down on the couch and she sat on the chair next to it.

Eddie took a deep breath.  “I need to tell you something. I’ve never actually told anyone before, but it is important that you know, and then you’ll understand why I will be adamant about Tanya’s baby.

Lars looked at her and prepared himself to listen.

“From the time I was thirteen ‘til I was seventeen, I was raped regularly by my uncle who lived with us.”

Lars moved toward her. She held up her hands and stopped him.

“Please, don’t interrupt and let me finish or I’m afraid I won’t get through this.”

Lars nodded.

“When I was seventeen, I became pregnant. I was in denial for many months. I convinced myself that I was just gaining weight and started wearing baggy clothes. But by the sixth month, I couldn’t deny it anymore. I told my mama. She became furious and slapped me around and called me a whore. She did not believe me when I told her it was her brother.”

“Once my uncle came home and my mother confronted him, he beat me harder until I started bleeding, and I lost the baby. I got an infection, and ultimately, I had to have a hysterectomy.”

Eddie started crying. “I can never have children, Lars. This baby of Tanya’s may be your only chance to share your legacy with your own flesh and blood.”

Lars pulled her close to him and held her while she bawled.

Once she settled down, she said, “Please go to Tanya and be nice. Figure something out with her. I do not want to get in the way of your having a son or daughter.”

Lars kissed the tears off of Eddie’s face and promised he would talk to Tanya and make a plan.