Touched Read online

  “When can I leave?” I’m so anxious to leave and get back to normal. Now that I understand what Knox goes through with the women from his past, I feel so much relief and know we can conquer anything together. Next time anything happens like that I need to get my inner fighter out and defeat them and not run away. Never again will I not talk with Knox first before jumping to my own conclusions or those that the scamps try to convince me of.

  He chuckles. “The doctor should be in shortly and we’ll ask. But Angel? Promise me you will try to keep calm when things stress you. You need to do it for yourself but mostly for princess, ok? I know you still have things with your dad that you need to tend to but you need to try. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay by your side the entire time you need me.”

  “What about work and our castle? Don’t you need to get back for them?”

  He takes my hand in his and rubs my palm with his thumb. “No. Work can be taken care of over the phone and our castle is in great hands but they can call me if needed too. My place is with you, always. I’ll never let you leave me again.” He leans up, his lips press against mine and once again, I’m lost in him.

  We’re quickly interrupted by the door opening and the doctor walking in with mom hot on his heels. “Oh, Jade! You look so much better this morning. I’m so relieved.” She smothers me with kisses and hugs until the doctor asks everyone to leave for a few minutes while he checks me out. “Oh, fine but I’ll be right outside the door, dear.” I smile and nod briskly and look over at Knox, who still hasn’t moved to get up. He looks at the doctor and gives him a stern look.

  “I’m not leaving her,” he says matter of fact.

  The doctor only laughs. “Very well. If she’s agreeable to that I have no issues with it.” The doctor looks at me, and I only shrug. It’s no use arguing with Knox. He’ll just get his way anyhow, and it doesn’t bother me if he stays, in fact, I’d rather him not leave me either. I’m then poked and prodded, my temperature retaken, my stomach pressed on, and heartbeat listened to and only hear a lot of ‘Aha’s’ and Hmmm’s then he stands back. “Everything seems to be just fine. Would you like to break outta here?” I nod my head eagerly and smile at Knox, whose own smile is from ear to ear. “Very well. I’ll just go get the paperwork ready for your discharge. But Miss Morley?” I look back at him and tilt my head slightly. “You need to stay away from stress and if you can’t then you need to keep it under control. I don’t want to see you back here or know you’re at any hospital until it’s time to deliver that baby. Deal?”

  “Deal!” I almost scream in excitement to be able to leave. He only laughs, leaves the room, and I turn to Knox. “I promise I’ll be more careful but I just want to go see Dad, make some amends and then go home.”

  He leans over and kisses my mouth lightly and then stays there. “Ok but I’m always with you and you have to eat more and drink more water. I don’t want to lose you, Angel. I’m not sure my heart can take something like this again.” Now he moves back a little but my eyes follow as his head moves down, and he kisses my stomach through the covers. My heart just skipped a beat, and I’m trying not to cry. I’m sick of crying and only want happiness in my life now.

  Mom picks that precise moment to walk back into the room and Knox looks up when we hear, “Awwwww!” He looks at me, winks and kisses my stomach again.

  We decide on the way home that I wouldn’t try to see dad for a couple of days, to make sure I’m still feeling ok and trying to keep the stress down. I have to admit I’m really nervous. Mom told me he’s declining rapidly, and they have moved him from the rehabilitation floor to the floor where hospice comes in. I’m anxious to see him but scared at the same time. What if he remembers what happened between us and shuns me? I know I’d lose it right there. I have to be strong for our baby, but at the same time I still feel like such a child where my dad is concerned.

  When we get to Mom’s house, I walk in, with Knox holding on to my arm of course, to a living room full of lilacs. The smell almost knocking me over but so heavenly. Mom’s making lunch as Knox and I sit at the kitchen table with him holding my hand. He has been unable not to touch me since I’ve been in the hospital. When she brings over a sandwich for me and a glass of water, she sets the paper plate in front of me, and I try to pull my hand from his, but he tightens his grip. “Knox, you have to let go sometime. I need my hand to eat,” I laugh.

  He sighs, and I can tell he has a really hard time letting go. Finally, he releases my hand, and I pick up my sandwich, taking a huge bite while closing my eyes. When I open them, Knox is staring at me. His eyes full of lust as he watches my mouth chewing my food, and I know what he’s thinking and feeling. I almost choke on my mouthful at the thought and grab my water, taking a big gulp. “Stop it,” I half whisper, half giggle.

  “Stop what?” his sexy grin making my legs move together inconspicuously under the table. He’s playing dirty and knows we can’t act on our desires until later. How weird will that be? Making love in the bed I had as a youth, in my mother’s house and with her in it. I watch as he licks his lips seductively and quickly glance over at Mom. She has her back turned while making a sandwich at the counter. Two can play at this game. Picking up my glass, I cover my lips around the rim, my eyes giving him a sexy look while I swallow a drink and then as I pull it away I lick my upper lip slowly then the bottom and clamp my teeth over the corner. I giggle when he shifts in his seat. The look of frustration clearly on his gorgeous face and his hand reaches under the table to adjust himself. My giggles erupt louder, and my mom’s head turns around so I quickly stop and look down at my plate as I pick up my sandwich.

  “It’s good to hear you giggle in this house again,” Mom says as she brings her plate over and sits down in the chair beside me. I look up and smile. If she only knew why I was giggling. She looks at her sandwich and I see her chin quiver. Reaching my hand out, I lay it over hers on the table and she looks at me, her eyes wet with tears. “I know what he did to you was so wrong but I’ve never stopped loving him, even when he was being horrible. He always loved you, even though he didn’t show it often but he always has.”

  My eyes are now becoming wet as I pat her hand. “I want to go over there in the morning.” I look at Mom and then at Knox and they both open their mouths to protest, but I continue. “I’ll be fine. I just need to see him, to touch him again and I need to know his frame of mind.” I look back at Knox, who is not happy with me. “I’m more stressed and worried not seeing him. I promise I’ll be ok. You’ll be there with me, holding my hand and giving me your support. I know I’ll be fine with you there.”

  He takes my other hand and brings it up to his lips, kissing it softly. “I’ll always be there for you. We can go but any signs of stressing out and I’ll haul you out of there so fast…” My smile spreads and I look at mom who is smiling too. When I look back at Knox, he winks and releases my hand then takes a bite of his sandwich. Once he swallows he looks at Mom and then at me. “Tonight, we relax and watch a movie. I noticed you have some good ones in your cabinet there, Teresa.” He winks at her, and her smile grows.

  “I think a movie would be great tonight. A comedy.” Mom takes a huge bite of her sandwich smiling the entire time she eats.

  § § § §

  The movie’s almost over but I look down at my sleeping Angel and decide I’d better get her to bed. I look over at Teresa, and she winks at me and motions for me to follow her. Lifting Jade gently I carry her down a small hall and up some stairs, turning into the room that is the second door on the left. It’s small but at least it has a queen sized bed. Teresa creeps out of the room, closing the door silently behind her as I lay Jade down on the bed. Quickly, I grab my shirt from the back, pulling it over my head and remove her top then her bra and slip my shirt over her head. I pull her arms through and then pull the fabric down her body. I lift her legs and pull her yoga pants off and then pull down the covers and move them over her. She’s so out of it that all she does is sigh in h
er sleep. Once I’ve removed my jeans I climb into bed, and she immediately rolls over to me. Her arm laying over my stomach and my arm moves around her shoulder. She snuggles her head into my chest and sighs loudly. I lay there holding my Angel and all the feelings of having her in my arms again are overwhelming me as I stare up at the ceiling. To think something could have happened to her or our baby makes me cringe. Now I’m so thankful that she’s here with me, and I can hold her once again. I’m really nervous about tomorrow. I understand how she wants to see her dad, maybe to get some closure, but I also know she’s scared. I will be there for her and do anything I can to protect her.

  Damn, I’m having the best dream. Angel’s mouth over my hard cock and sucking it like a Popsicle. The feelings stirring deep within me are so real and then my cock twitches, and I feel wetness seeping from the tip. Opening my sleepy eyes I look down and see Angel in between my legs, her luscious mouth covering my cock. Her eyes look up at mine through her long lashes and when she smiles around it then hums, I’m done. I sit up, grab her arms and lift her over and onto her back, and I’m buried deep inside her in an instant. I can’t contain the animal in me any longer as I thrust in and out, her hips meeting me with every movement, and I come undone when she moans. Another moan begins to erupt, and I cover her mouth with mine, muffling it as best I can. I can tell her climax is close when I feel her muscles clench around me, squeezing my thickness as I rock and her nails embed into the skin on my back. My head tilts back, my eyes closing with my impending release, and I can feel her body shuddering with hers. After expelling everything I have into her, I lean down and kiss her with all the passion I’m feeling. Her nails leave my skin, and she gently rubs over them as she kisses me back eagerly.

  Once the need for air causes us to break apart, I gently move off of her and walk into her bathroom and get a washcloth. After warming it under the faucet, I walk back to her, cleaning her off and then myself. Thank God she had a bathroom attached to her room. It would have been slightly embarrassing going to one in the hallway. When I return, she’s already back to sleep, cuddling with my pillow, and I just stand there for a moment to look at my sleeping beauty. I can’t begin to imagine my life without her. Once I’m back in bed she doesn’t hesitate to cuddle up against me, still sleeping, still warm and soft. Still mine.

  When I awaken Jade is still wrapped around me, and her light breathing tells me she’s still sleeping soundly. I don’t want to move but need to hit the bathroom and make her a big breakfast. She’s laying on her stomach, an arm thrown over my waist, bent at the elbow with her hand placed over my heart, and her face is turned towards me. She’s beautiful. Slowly and carefully I pick up her arm and start to move it when she twists herself, moving over onto her side away from me, her hands moving under her pillow and hugging it. Quietly, I get out of bed, walk into the bathroom and do all my necessary business and then grab a t-shirt from my bag, pulling it over my head and put on my jeans. When I get downstairs and into the kitchen, I’m stopped by the aroma of bacon cooking, coffee and assorted other heavenly smells. Teresa looks at me with spatula in hand and smiles, then tilts her head to the table.

  Smiling back I walk over, sit down and begin filling my plate with the variety of foods laid out before me. She soon joins me and starts buttering a piece of toast. “I’ve got a bunch on a plate for her, covered and in the microwave. I was hoping she’d sleep in today.” I nod as my fork full of food pushes into my mouth. “I’m glad we have a chance to talk. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you and my Jade are together and to find out that you’re the dirty little boy she used to play with daily in the sand, makes me even happier.” I laugh a bit at the ‘dirty’ part, but I understand what she means. She lays her knife down and looks at me. “Knox, I’m so grateful that you love her so much. She’s had such a rough life and so different than most girls. I didn’t think she would ever allow herself to fall in love, to be with a man or even feel the way she does with you.” I set my fork down enraptured by her words. “I’ve only wanted her to be happy, to lead a normal life and to be honest, I didn’t think she could, not after what happened.” She looks down at her plate and then back to me. “I’m sure you think of me as a monster not sticking up for her with her father and letting him treat her so badly but I assure you it killed me. I’m not strong like Jade. She gets that trait from her father, but not one day went by when I didn’t think of her, miss her and cry for her. Not one.” She picks up her toast and takes a bite looking ashamed as her eyes move away from mine.

  “Ahem. Teresa? I don’t feel ill of you. Without you, Jade wouldn’t be here. What’s past is past and I think it’s best if both you and Jade bury it. Dwelling on it won’t change it. It will only keep it burning inside you, draining you and nothing good can come of that. I thank God you gave life to such a beautiful creature and that you helped make her what she is today. She’s strong, defiant, sweet and kind, and the most loving person I know.”

  Her eyes move back to me, and a smile graces her face. “Well, now I know why she loves you so much. You’re a pretty smooth talker.” My laugh leaves my mouth before I can stop it. “Now. Eat up. You have a fiancée you need to be strong for today. You need all the strength you can muster and I made way too much food.” We both laugh at that, and I start eating in earnest.

  TWENTY ONE

  When I awoke my mind was thinking about everything. End result. I’m starting a new leaf today. I will eat more, drink more water, but not so much that I become so fat Knox won’t want me, but what I need for our baby and me. I will get back to being my strong self and not let things get to me so much, and I need to start working out again. By the time I take my shower and get all things done in the bathroom I go downstairs and Mom handed me a plate of food that no one could eat everything on it. But I made a big dent.

  Mom and I decided to go shopping, and Knox said he’d go so we’d all stay together. I bought a really pretty dress, one that Dad would like, and matching shoes. Knox actually liked it too saying it left more to the imagination, go figure. He said he liked it so much that after we see Dad, he wants to rip it off me. That made me hot in all the right places but didn’t help we were at a mall.

  We’re walking hand in hand looking at all the shops while Mom is in one trying on clothes, and I stop short, turning to him. “Why are there no paparazzi around this time? I haven’t seen even one person with a camera trying to take our pictures. I’m not complaining; it just seems weird.”

  He turns to me smiling, taking my hands in his and I’m smiling too, enjoying the look in his blue eyes. “I escaped.” A giggle leaves me as his eyebrows waggle. “Ralph and Emerson created a diversion and I snuck out, met them in a different location. It worked rather well. May have to try that again in the future. Right now no one knows where I am.”

  Leaning up on my tiptoes I kiss him. “We’ll have to try that together. It’s nice not having to worry about them being around and we can be like normal people,” I say against his lips.

  His face becomes serious. “How are you? Are you ready for this?” I turn my head, following his eyes, and see Mom approaching then look back at him.

  I reach up and push up his frown with my fingers. “I’m good. I’m ready to see Dad and put the past behind me. No matter what he says to me I’m determined to forgive him and even if he throws a fit and tells me to leave, I’ll walk out of there with my head held high and know that I did what I could to make peace.”

  He kisses me and then stares into my eyes with such love. “Fuck, I love you, Angel.” He kisses me with earnest and then rests his forehead against mine. “I’m ready for you to wear that dress and rip it off you right now. You can wear something else to see your dad.” His sexy grin and words make me want to let him, but I need to get this visit over with, and I want to wear that dress!

  “Ah, it won’t be long, my darling and then you shall have your way.” He licks his lips and I turn to Mom quickly, trying to get my mind out of the gutter fast. “Let
’s go Mom. I need to change before we leave and you need to put your haul of clothes away.” She laughs, and we start to walk again but my body is so on fire right now. I might need another shower before we go. Nah, it will cause an even bigger delay because I know Knox would join me. Smiling I look over at him, squeeze his hand, and I’m rewarded with his eyebrows waggling and his cocky grin. Damn, we need to get a move on or I’m going to combust.

  As we walk closer to the front door of the nursing home, my heart starts beating faster, and my nerves are going into overdrive. No, I won’t let this beat me. I know Knox is watching every move I make, every facial expression and my demeanor, so I square my shoulders back and raise my head as we walk into the front door. Mom knows his room number, so I just continue to follow her, and once we arrive at his door she walks in, and I stop.

  “Angel, are you sure you want to go in there? It’s ok if you don’t. I stand behind you no matter what your decision is.”

  I look over at him and see the concern and worry on his beautiful face. I shake my head and smile. “No, I’m good.”

  His frown moves into a grin. “Is that why you have my hand in a death grip?” Quickly, I release his hand and give him my famous smirk. He chuckles and leans into me, kissing my mouth and whispers, “You’re so strong. I admire you.” My heart feels all the love he gives me, and I become more determined than ever.

  I smile back, face forward and walk into the room. I’m more surprised at how small he looks in the bed. He’s a tall man, always been strong and powerful, but he has the TV on and is looking at it, but I can tell he really isn’t seeing anything. His eyes move to Mom, and he smiles, but I freeze in my spot when they move to me. At first, his smile turns into a frown and then his eyes light up, and his smile is huge. I feel so relieved that I walk over, bend down and kiss his forehead. “Hi, Pops. How are you today?”