Broken Dreams (Franklin Blues #2) (4 page)

“Honestly, it’s the same dream over and over again. I don’t know if Hailee ever told you, but I am an orphan, my parents died in a car accident when I was only eleven years old. My parents were yelling at me to put my seat belt on when a drunk driver crossed the median and hit us head on. My parents never saw it coming. They both had taken their eyes off the road for a split second to yell at me. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital and the doctors telling me that my parents didn’t make it. I didn’t have any other family step up to claim me so I was put in foster care.”

She shrugs her shoulders like it’s no big deal when in fact it is a big deal. She lost her parents at a young age, and even though I am technically also an orphan, I wouldn’t know what it felt like to have parents who really loved you.

“I don’t want to say I’m sorry because I’m sure you hear that a lot, but I will say that if you ever want to talk about your parents, I’m always here to listen,” I tell her as I look into her eyes so she can see how sincere I am about what I’m saying.

“Thank you Lance. I’m surprised I told you all of that. The only other person I’ve ever told is Hailee and that was after a lot of drinking, let me tell you. It took a lot for me to open up to her about my past, but with you it was so easy. I wonder why that is.”

“It’s because we have something here whether you want to admit it or not.” She looks down at the bed like she’s contemplating her answer to my statement. I hook my thumb under her chin, making her look up at me. When her eyes meet mine, I know for a fact she feels it too, even if she tries her hardest to deny it.

“Looking you into your eyes, I know what you feel for me what I feel for you. Try and deny it all you want, but one day your head will catch up with your heart, and I’ll be here waiting for you. I’m going to take a shower, and when I’m done, I’ll make you breakfast for once.” I lean down and kiss her briefly even though I want so much more. I can’t make love to her after she’s had that nightmare.

I pull away and look into her eyes. They’re full of desire, but I get off the bed and walk into my bedroom before I end up taking her right there. I hope she knows that she’s mine now, and that I will do everything I can to break down that steel wall she’s got guarding her heart. It will be mine one day, and I’ll be damned if it’s not.

I take a shower and head into the kitchen. I can already smell the coffee brewing and music is blaring from the surround sound system. It’s some stupid country song blaring about how some country girl needs to shake it for whoever is singing the song. I’m not a fan of country music. I don’t hate it; it’s not my go to choice.

The sight I get as I turn the corner into the kitchen instantly gets me hard. Amy is standing there in my t-shirt from last night and she is definitely shaking it. She looks so at ease here in my house and I really don’t want to let her go home. I still have two weeks to convince her to stay with me. She belongs here with me and I know that she knows it too; now I have to show her how great we will be together. We are absolutely sexually compatible. We were on fire last night, and it was the best sex of my life. She was so receptive to everything I did to her.

I’m enjoying the show in front of me when she spins around, I guess I scared her because she jumps and lets out a little scream.

“Jesus Lance, you scared the shit out of me. You know better than to sneak up on me.”

She looks so cute when she’s trying to be mad. We both know she isn’t really mad at me; she’s busting my balls like she usually does. She stands there trying to glare at me, and I raise my eyebrows to test and see how mad she really is. She starts to giggle, and I know all is forgiven.

“So Babe, what’s for breakfast besides coffee? Which by the way, I thought I said I was going to cook you breakfast. I could smell the coffee from down the hall, but no food yet. Do you not trust me to cook? How are you going to feed my very big appetite this morning?”

I’m not really talking about food because honestly, I’d much rather have her for breakfast, and by the look on her face I know that she knows what I’m talking about.

“Well, pussy is not on the menu so get that thought out of your head. I am making eggs, French toast, bacon and sausage. You need protein to keep up your strength so you can start really start weight training to get you back to work. You know they are going to put you through your paces to make sure you are physically fit enough to return to work.”

Damn why is she acting like last night never happened? She’s back to her cold nurse routine, and I’m not sure I like it one bit. “Um…Amy, what’s going on with you? We had the most amazing time last night, or at least I thought we did. You were incredible and we are unbelievable together. I don’t want to come off as a pussy here, but what happened to the girl from last night who couldn’t get enough of me? I want that woman back.”

She looks over at me with tears swimming in her eyes. She starts to open her mouth and I know that I’m not going to like what she’s going to say, I have that gut feeling, and my gut feelings are never wrong.

Amy

I look over at Lance and his face is covered in confusion as to why I’m in tears. I can’t go through what happened with Jeremy all over again, I loved him with my whole heart, and with one action he ripped it out, threw it in a blender and hit puree. I know that if I allow myself to fall for Lance he could do so much more damage to my already broken heart.

“Lance, I went through some things in my past that I’m not ready to talk about, but know that I won’t put myself through it again. I’m a broken woman, and you don’t need someone like me in your life. Last night was wonderful and probably the best sex of my life, but it made me realize that I can’t go through all of that again. I’m sorry, but I think it’s best if we went back to the professional relationship we had before last night happened.” I take a deep breath and spare a glance at the man I know I’m already falling for and have been since he slipped a pair of cuffs on me.

“Amy, Babe, I hate to tell you, but I’m not giving up on you. Last night, while it may have been hot as fuck, won’t happen again until I know you are completely ready for it. When I get between your legs again, and trust me I will, it will be when we are both ready for that that step in our relationship. However, even though we are not going to be having sex, we will be together. You are mine now; you have been mine from the moment I first laid eyes on you. Your smart mouth and fiery attitude are so refreshing from the girls I’m used to being around, it’s made me want you ever since I had to arrest you, and let me tell you, the things going through my head when I saw those handcuffs on you… Anyways, what do you say Amy? No more sex, but tell me you’ll give this thing a shot between us. I should probably warn you though, I don’t take too well to the word no.”

He shoots me a wink and I giggle at him. I can’t believe this sexy as sin man wants to be with me. It’s so unreal, and honestly, it’s kind of hard to believe, but with the way he’s looking at me, I’m not sure I can say no. This might be the biggest mistake of my life because Lance holds the power to completely destroy me. “Lance, I want to be with you, believe me, but you’re right, no more sex until I know for a fact that we are going somewhere with whatever this is. Like I said, I’m not ready to talk about my past, but one day I will, and know that I want this as much as you do.”

All of a sudden, he is standing in front of me, giving me a brilliant smile. “I can handle the fact that you don’t want to talk about your past, trust me I’m not ready to talk about mine either. All I want from you is the present, and then we can see how the future goes. I know that I want you, and now that I know you want me too, we are going to be epic; you wait and see.”

He leans down to give me a kiss, swiping his tongue across my lips and I willingly open my mouth to him. He tastes like mint so I’m guessing he brushed his teeth before coming out here for breakfast. He pulls away too fast for my liking and I can’t help the moan that escapes my mouth at the sudden loss of contact. He pushes a piece of stray hair behind my ear.

“Amy, as much as I want to take you back to my bedroom and have my wicked way with you, we’re both still not ready. One day soon, I’m going to slowly make love to you, but that day isn’t going to be today.”

I’m about to answer him when my phone rings. I look up at Lance who nods his head because it’s playing Hailee’s ringtone. I run over to where my cell is sitting by the counter and hit the accept button. “Hey Hailee, what’s up?”

“Oh Amy, thank God you answered. Scarlett is running a fever and won’t stop crying. I’m not sure what to do. I’ve tried feeding her, changing her, and singing to her as I walk around the house with her in my arms. Nothing is working. I haven’t slept since Sunday—“

“Whoa, Hunny slow down. Lance and I are on our way over. Sit tight okay, help is coming.”

I hang up the phone and look over at Lance to see that he’s looking at me with a mask of confusion on his adorable face. “We need to get to Shawn and Hailee’s. Scar’s running a fever and poor Hailee is going insane. She hasn’t slept since Sunday and it’s Wednesday now. I told her we’d come over and help. You know Shawn is on days right now and she refuses to bother him at night, thinks she can do it all by herself. I don’t know why she won’t ask for help, the baby is only three months old. She needs to lean on that husband of hers.” I shake my head because of my very stubborn best friend. She thinks she can take on anything, but she needs to realize that she has family here now, and we want to help.

“Alright, let’s head on over. I’ll call Shawn on the way to see what the hell is going on. Honestly, I could use some niece time today. It’s been too damn long since I’ve seen that gorgeous face of hers.”

He starts to grab his phone and wallet when I stop him. “Lance, please don’t call Shawn, you know how Hailee gets. She’ll be pissed at you for telling on her. She wants to do this on her own so let her do it on her own. We’ll talk to her about letting Shawn or even us to help her out more.”

Lance didn’t look convinced, but he drops it. We head out towards my car and are on our way to our best friends’ house.

~**~

We get to Shawn and Hailee’s and I have to admit, I’ve always been jealous of this house. It’s a huge plantation style home and is probably the type I would build if I ever had the chance or money to.

We walk up the front porch and I can already hear Scarlett screaming bloody murder. We walk into the house and it’s like a tornado had come through, there are clothes, baby toys, and diapers everywhere. Hailee has her back turned to us, trying to calm down the hysterical baby.

“Hailee, Babe, we’re here.”

She turns around and all I can think is she looks like absolute hell. Her hair is like a rat’s nest, she has dark circles under her eyes, and I can’t even tell the last time she took a shower. She breaks down in tears as soon as she sees us.

“Oh thank God you’re here. I don’t know what to do. She won’t stop crying and I didn’t know who else to call.” She has tears streaming down her face and I can tell they aren’t going to stop anytime soon.

“Why didn’t you call Shawn, Hailee? He doesn’t want you to do this all on your own. He would’ve come home to help you. You can’t keep doing this all alone Baby Girl. Shawn wants to help with the late night feedings and changings but you won’t let him,” Lance says and I can tell he is getting frustrated, and that won’t do anything good for Hailee, not in this state.

“Okay Lance, she gets it. There is no need for the lectures. What she needs is rest and a shower, because as much as I love you woman, you reek of baby vomit and body odor, not a good combination if you want to keep getting laid.” I throw her a wink so she knows I’m kidding.

“Okay, Amy, no more lectures. Now, you,” he points at Hailee, “give me my niece and go to bed. You need the sleep and I need time with my number one girl.”

Hailee reluctantly hands the baby to Lance and turns to me. “You heard the man now scoot. Take a shower while you’re up there too, trust me, Shawn will thank us for it later.”

She slowly turns and heads for the stairs. She turns to look at us again and I shake my head, pointing towards the stairs.

“Go on now, keep in mind I’m a nurse and I delivered that little one, so I’m sure we can handle it. Please, go get some rest.”

She sulks up the stairs and when I hear the door shut I turn to Lance. Scarlett has completely stopped crying and is now watching Lance as he makes funny faces at her.

“You’re good with her. She adores you and I can definitely see why. I guess you’re pretty great.” I start to walk away when he grabs my arm.

“You guess I’m pretty great? How about I show you how great I am.” With the final words out of his mouth, he seals his lips over mine. I swear it feels like the first kiss all over again. I could never tire of kissing him and that kind of scares me, but I’m trying to push those fears away.

“Okay, I’m positive that you’re great,” I whisper when we pull apart.

He winks at me, the bastard. If this is what it’s going to be like every time we kiss, then I’m trying to figure out why we haven’t done this sooner. Oh yeah, that’s right, because I’m an idiot. I don’t want this feeling to end. I can already tell I’m falling for him, and I can only hope that my heart doesn’t get demolished.

Lance

We’ve been at Shawn’s for about three hours and we haven’t seen or heard from Hailee since we made her go upstairs. Scarlett is asleep in her swing. She’s been fed, changed, and played with so much I’m about to fall asleep. I have my girl cuddling up next to me while something, that I’m not paying attention to, is playing on the TV.

“Lance, can I ask you something?”

Amy looks up at me and it’s not until now that I realize how much I truly care about her. Seeing her with the baby made me realize I want this with her, all day every day, for the rest of my life. “Of course, Babe, you can always ask me anything you want, there’s no need to ask.”