“No problem. Let me know if you need anything else.” I clapped him on the shoulder then he walked off. I eased the door open. She was just getting back into the bed. I tapped on the door. She looked over and smiled.
“You’re back. Can’t stay away, huh?” she teased.
“You know I can’t get enough of you, Firecracker. How are you feeling? Good enough to blow this place?”
“Hell yeah! I hope the doctor gets here soon.”
I looked at the nurse. She had been listening to us. “How is she? Everything looking good?”
“Her oxygen saturations are in the high 90s which is where we want them to be. Her lab work is almost back to normal, and she has been off the oxygen for an hour without a problem. I’d be surprised if he didn’t discharge her. I’ll leave you two alone. If you need anything, just call.” Her nurse informed us before she hurried out the door.
I walked over and sat down beside Madisen. She was watching me with a puzzled look on her face. “What’s wrong, babe? You look like something is on your mind.”
“I’m wondering why you keep hanging with me. I know what you said earlier, but get serious, Ronan. There is no way a guy like you is looking for a woman period. And even if you were, it wouldn’t be one like me.”
“What in the hell does that mean? Why wouldn’t I be looking and why not you?”
“First of all, you don’t need to look. I know women find you attractive and probably in droves. You have more women throwing themselves at you than you can probably handle. And you’re a guy who would want a stunner on his arm. I’m not the tall model type. Are you and the guys pulling a prank or did you lose a bet?”
Her words stunned me and pissed me off. I stood and jerked down the bedrail. I scooted her over and laid down on the bed with her. I pulled her close and wrapped my arm around her. I put my lips to her ear. “I want you to listen to me. I don’t want to say this again. Yes, I do have my pick of women, and I won’t lie and say I haven’t taken advantage of it. But that’s not what’s happening here. I’m not looking for a hookup. I want more. I want you. As for your bashing of yourself, I don’t want to hear that shit again! You’re fucking beautiful. Any guy would be lucky as hell to be with you. I don’t want some skinny model type. I want curves. And, baby, you have them in all the right places. I showed you what you did to me earlier. Let me tell you something. Since I met you, I’ve been beating off, thinking of you. I’ve imagined you naked and me sucking those lush breasts, kissing that body all over, and eating that pussy that I know must taste like heaven. I’ve been thinking of sinking my cock into your tight pussy and fucking you until we both pass out. I’m rubbing myself raw. But I don’t just want to fuck you, Madisen. I want to spend time with you. Talk to you. Learn everything about you. That has never happened before. So, yeah, we’re going to be together. You need to get that in your head. Tell me you haven’t thought of me since we met. Tell me you have no attraction to me and I’ll leave you the hell alone.”
She stared into my eyes. I could see the heat, the desire, and the longing. Her breath had picked up as I talked about what I wanted to do to her. “Fine. I admit I’ve thought of you. What woman wouldn’t? But I never thought you’d seriously want me. It was a good fantasy. I’m not going to be someone you can sleep with then walk off the next night and find someone new. And I’m not one to share. If I’m with a guy, I expect him to be faithful like I would be. Anything less is a deal breaker. I heard about the girls at the club. I know what goes on there. Are you really telling me you’re going to forego all that and be with one woman?”
I slammed my mouth down on hers. I took it and showed her all the things I wanted in a kiss. It was long, hot, wet and intense. She responded with equal desire. Her teeth nipped my lip. Her tongue tangled with mine and she panted and moaned. We broke apart when a throat was cleared. I looked up to find her doctor standing with a grin on his face. Madisen flushed red. He chuckled.
“Well, I think you’re breathing better and feeling good enough to go home. All your vitals and bloodwork came back good. Let me listen to your lungs then I’ll get the nurse to discharge you. If you start to feel bad again or have new symptoms, come back.” Madisen said nothing, just nodded. He listened to her lungs and then pronounced her ready to go. I thanked him and he strolled out to his next patient. I looked at her.
“Did that kiss prove to you what I was saying? I want a chance with you, baby. Please give us a chance. I won’t cheat and I won’t walk away after a night or two. Not even after a month or two.”
She gave me a tentative smile. “Okay, you convinced me. But if you find out you don’t want this after all, just tell me. And tell me before you move on to someone else.”
Her response wasn’t what I hoped for. She still had doubts about me staying with her. I’d have to let time and my actions convince her she was wrong. Within an hour, we were given her discharge papers and instructions. She had looked at the clothes I brought her and pulled out a sundress. When she came out of the bathroom after getting changed, all I wanted to do was push up that dress and see what thong she had on underneath it.
An orderly wheeled her down to the front entrance in a wheelchair. I went ahead to get the truck. When I pulled out in front, I got her out of the chair and into the SUV. Making sure she was belted in, I got going. She was looking out the window as I drove. She looked like she was deep in thought. I left her alone. She didn’t respond until we were pulling into the parking lot of the compound. Then she looked around.
“Ronan, why are we here? I thought you were taking me to my place.”
“Babe, you’ll be safe here. Your apartment is too easy to get into.”
“But Serena is there. He could come after her. She isn’t safe. I need to be there to protect her.”
“No, you don’t. Serena left. She went to spend time with family in Memphis until this thing died down. I told her it was a good time with the bakery closed for a while. Player and Jake went with her to be sure she got there safely. I need you here where I can keep an eye on you. And when I’m not around my brothers can be. It’s safer here, Madisen.”
I saw when she gave in, her shoulders sagged. “Whatever. If I’m staying, I don’t want to be kept a prisoner. I understand the need for caution, but I’ll need to be at the bakery helping with things. You have to promise I can do that, or I’m out of here.”
I promised her. Of course, she’d have an escort, but we’d talk about that later. I grabbed her bags from the back and took her arm. We headed into the clubhouse. It was after six, so everyone was there. It looked like they were getting started on a party. Most Saturday nights were like that. I hoped it didn’t get too loud. She needed to rest. Luckily, my room was at the far end of the place. Before I left to go to her place, Jocelyn had promised she would have the sheets changed, and the room cleaned. I wasn’t much of a slob, but I wanted the room clean for my woman.
The guys all called out when they saw her. They crowded around, asking how she was, telling her if she needed anything, to let them know and invited her to have a drink if she was feeling up to it. I wanted her to rest. As she had talked with the guys, I saw the club bunnies glaring at her. I hoped they would behave themselves. If not, they’d be learning their place like a couple did when they did shit to Devyn and Jocelyn.
I got her away from the crowd, and she told the guys she’d be back out in a little bit. I took her down the hall to my room. She looked around curiously when I opened the door. I shared a bath with the room beside me, which belonged to Ace. He was staying at Bull’s with Devyn, so the shared bathroom would be all ours.
“Baby, I have room in the dresser and in the closet. If you need more, I’ll get another dresser in here. Why don’t you get unpacked then we’ll see how you’re feeling? I don’t want you to push yourself.”
She came over to me and put her hand on my cheek. “I’m fine. As long as I sit, I won’t tire myself out. I want to go spend time with the guys and maybe Devyn and Jocelyn if they come too. I won’t drink much. Give me a few minutes to freshen up. I’ll be out soon.”
I gave in to her pleading. After a quick peck on the lips, I headed back to the common room. I told her to be sure to lock the door behind me. I didn’t think any of my brothers would harm her, but I just felt better with it locked if I wasn’t with her. I took a seat at the bar. Bull joined me.
“How is she doing?”