Paige Cameron (12 page)

Her fingers moved to Payton’s chest and rubbed across his nipples. His eyes had turned more silver than blue. His facial muscles were tight and his cheekbones etched sharp with desire.

Leaning down, he took her nipple in his mouth and sucked. She exploded again as ripples of delight coursed through her pussy and across Payton’s cock. Payton raised his head back and shouted out his pleasure. He collapsed on her for a second before rolling to her side. Both men held her close as she slowly recovered from the deepest and greatest number of orgasms she’d ever experienced.

* * * *

Payton’s breath wheezed out of his lungs. He was so spent he doubted he could lift his arm right now. His tremendous orgasm had shaken him bodily and mentally. He’d had no doubt Averil was their soul mate, but he’d never realized how different it would be than any other experience. He’d heard the talk from the other guys, but he’d thought it more bragging than reality. Boy, was he wrong.

He glanced at Averil. A fine sheen of perspiration made her skin glow. Her red hair clung in damp curls on her forehead, and her luscious breasts heaved as she regained control. Her rosy lips tempted him to kiss her again.

But deep inside of him, he realized his feelings had shifted to not just wanting her sexually. Of course he still did, but he also had more awareness of wanting to be by her side, to comfort her, protect her, and have a family with her.

Payton looked across her at Cody, and from Cody’s expression he’d bet his friend was having the same revelation. Payton kissed her, and her eyes opened. She gave him a tired smile.

“How about I run the water in the tub and you enjoy a good soak then get into bed and sleep?”

“I’ve been dreaming of doing exactly that, but I’m too tired to make the effort.”

“You don’t have to do a thing, darlin’.” Cody rose up on his elbow and looked down at her. “I’ll carry you and put you in the water. Afterward we’ll put you to bed and then go to our rooms. I’m not sure I’d trust myself to not disturb you again tonight if I was sleeping next to you.”

“I agree.” Payton went into the bathroom and started the water running into the tub. He tossed in some rose-fragrance bubble bath. They’d both thought she might like it. After the tub had filled enough, he checked the water and called for Cody to bring her in.

“Here you go, darlin’.” Cody lowered Averil into the warm water.

She sighed and leaned her head against the back of the tub. “This is wonderful and smells good, too.”

“We’ll be nearby. Holler when you want to go to bed. And don’t fall asleep,” Cody warned. He and Payton left the room.

Payton sat on the side of the bed. “It was even better than I expected. She definitely is our soul mate.”

“Did you doubt it?”

“Her stubborn resistance made me wonder a few times.”

“Me, too, but not anymore.” Cody told him all that happened at the hospital. “When we get married, you can be the official husband. So when she needs someone to be calm during a medical emergency, you can step up. But I’m also determined to work on getting over this phobia. I’m going to ask the Priestess to help me.”

“Good for you. And don’t worry. She appears to have forgiven you.”

Cody grinned. “I think so, too.” He walked to the bathroom door. “She’s beginning to doze. We’d better get her to bed.”

Payton picked her up and stood her on her feet beside the tub. Cody handed him a warmed towel. Payton carefully dried her body and then laid her on the bed. After putting some lotion on his hands, he massaged her muscles.

“I hope we make love more often,” she whispered. “I liked it and the aftercare.” Then she turned on her side and fell asleep.

“Damn, I’m going to need a cold shower,” Cody said.

“Me, too. I’m headed to my room.” Payton took one last glance at Averil before they left to go upstairs.

Later that night, Payton lay awake remembering every time they’d met, including the meeting when they had the contest to see who was the best sharpshooter. He smiled to himself remembering that it was a draw. But even before, during their first meeting in California, he and Cody had been drawn to her. She’d shied away from them then, too.

She was theirs now, and no one was going to hurt her or take her from them. They’d have to kill both of them first.

The doctor, dressed in a white coat, turned to look at Kira as she entered the room. “Who the hell are you? I told the nurses to keep everyone out.”

“You certainly have a sweet disposition. I’m Kira. I was the blood donor.”

“Ah, well I guess if anyone deserves to be here, you do. I still don’t understand how the blood developed so many antibodies so quickly. I’m an internist with some studies in epidemiology, and I’ve never seen or heard of such a phenomenon. Dr. Jack Talisman asked me to look at the patient.”

“How’s he doing?”

“His color is better, and his temperature is going down. I’ve just had a tech take the blood I drew to the STAT lab. They ought to be calling me at any moment with the results. Who are you related to? I haven’t seen you around.”

“I’m Averil Stanwic’s twin sister.”

“She was the first patient who was attacked with this poison or whatever it is.”

“You believe it’s more than a simple poison?”

“Yes. It attacks the organs more like a virus. That’s another reason I’m surprised the antibodies worked so well. We don’t do especially well with finding cures for viruses.”

“Where am I?”

They both looked at Harry. He’d opened his eyes and had a confused expression on his face.

“You’re in the hospital, Harry. I’m Dr. Hakan Connor. Sahale and Lang are my brothers. Do you remember me?”

Kira had been surprised when he said his name. She knew Hakan meant “fire,” and he was obviously part Native American. His long black hair was held back by a piece of leather. But his eyes had thrown her off. They were a light-aqua color.

He turned and stared at her. Restlessness stirred in her lower abdomen. “This is Kira, Harry. Her blood and her sister’s saved your life.”

“You don’t have his levels yet,” Kira said as she stepped closer to the bed.

“I don’t need them. Look at him. He’s much better.” His cell rang. He smiled. “This is the lab. Hello, Dr. Connor here. Yes, as I expected. And our patient is awake.” Dr. Connor shut his phone off and glanced at the IV bag. “Our patient has a fourth of the blood yet to go and his levels are almost normal. He’ll be fine once that blood is finished.” He walked to the front of the bed.

“How are you feeling, Harry?”

“Like I got run over by a Mack truck. How did I get here?”

“Your wife found you collapsed on the floor and called the ambulance. Do you remember anything before you passed out?” Hakan asked.

“Not much, Doc.”

“Were there customers in your store?” Kira walked to the other side of the bed.

“You sure are pretty.”

Harry’s words brought a flush to her face, especially when Dr. Connor looked across at her with a grin on his face. Something about the man unsettled her.

“Thank you, Harry, but can you remember any customers?”

Harry wrinkled his forehead. “Let me think.” He closed his eyes for a minute. “The Browns’ sons came in to buy some candy, but they left.” He hesitated. “I thought I caught a glimpse of someone slip in the door. That’s right. I decided to walk to the back of the store to see who it was. Most folks stop and say hello or wave. But this was like someone sneaking in.” He stopped talking and closed his eyes.

Hakan put his hand on Harry’s arm. “I know you’re tired, Harry. We’ll let you sleep after this, but did you see who the person was?”

Harry slowly opened his eyes. “No. I noticed one glass in a set had been moved close to the edge. I pushed it farther back on the shelf and went to the front. Shortly afterwards, I started feeling sick. I was going to call Hilda to relieve me.” He looked up at the doctor with a puzzled expression. “Then everything went black.”

“Thanks for the help, Harry.” Hakan patted his arm. “Go to sleep, and when you wake up you’ll feel much better.” He looked at Kira. “His wife is in the waiting room. Let’s go tell her the good news.”

Kira hung back when Hakan stepped up to the patient’s wife.

She was surprised to see how caring he was to the patient and his wife after the way he’d greeted her. Walking down the hall to the waiting room, she’d been very aware of his body, and his scent of exotic spices and musk had surrounded her. Deep in her core, a flicker of desire stirred, surprising her. She hadn’t been attracted to anyone in the past year or two, and none so quickly as this.

Hakan turned to Kira. “Hilda, this is Averil Stanwic’s twin sister, Kira. She and Averil donated the blood that was used to make antibodies. And the transfusion has saved him.”

Hilda threw her arms around Kira. “Thank you, thank you. If you or your sister ever need anything, you call me. Nothing I can do will ever be enough.”

“I’m glad we could be of help. You don’t owe us at all. Seeing your husband open his eyes was our reward.”

“She’s sweet and beautiful, Dr. Connor. You’d better marry her before someone else does.”

Kira knew her face must be a bright red. Dr. Connor looked startled himself.

“Ah, I’m sorry I’ve embarrassed you two, but that only means you’ve been noticing each other.” Hilda kissed them both on the cheek. “Now, take me to see my Harry.”

Kira excused herself but did watch them walk down the hallway. Dr. Hakan Connor moved with a masculine grace she saw in few men.

Darn, Hilda was right. I have been noticing the hunky doctor. But has he also been checking me out
?

The elevator door opened and Kira got on. It was time to go to Mom’s. Tiredness hit her like walking into a brick wall. A few hours of sleep and she’d be good as new, but when she felt this way, she had to stop. Thank goodness her parents’ home wasn’t far from the hospital.

* * * *

Hakan signed out from work and drove toward home. He and his best friend and cousin, Lonato Rexford, usually called Rex by family and close friends, had built a huge house located miles from the hospital. Since Hakan rarely had callouts to the emergency room, he preferred to drive back and forth. But Rex often got calls where he was needed right away. He had purchased a helicopter and had a license to fly it. It worked for Rex.

Driving across the wide prairie and getting closer to the mountains helped Hakan relax. He had his car radio set at one of the jazz stations and the sweet music seeped into his soul. Hakan never grew tired of that first sight of their home. Numerous windows with lights glowing inside welcomed him.

He got out of the car and grabbed his briefcase then headed in. “I’m home.” He went to the right and down the hallway to his bedroom. After he set his case down, he walked to the windows. Outside the moon crested over the mountaintops.

“Are you all right?” Rex stood in the doorway.

“Yes. I’ve been thinking during my drive home.”

“About the patients who were poisoned?”

“Not really. About a woman I met. I think she’s the one for us to marry.”

“I think you’re tired and hallucinating.”

“Wait until you meet her. She’s Averil Stanwic’s twin sister, but they aren’t exactly alike.”

“I thought we’d given up the search.”

“We just temporarily stopped looking, and she came to us. You’ll see I’m right.”

Rex walked off, and Hakan followed him to the kitchen. Spaghetti sauce bubbled on the stove, and a salad sat on the counter. Classical music played in the background.

Hakan had to smile. It was so typical of Rex. If the medical personnel at the hospital saw this man, they’d never believe he was the commanding and annoying Dr. Rexford.

“I get the impression you’re not in a good mood.”

“My adopted brother called. He’s coming for a visit and wants to stay with us.”

“Did you tell him no?”

“Hell yes. If he wants to see Mom and Dad, he can stay at their place. He mumbled something about us trying to be friends.”

“I can imagine your reply.”

“I’ve never liked him. I’d be very tempted to shoot him, if he came around here. So no, I’m not interested in finding our soul mate right now.”

“Sometimes, you have to go with the flow.”

Rex glanced around and frowned at Hakan. “Tell me again why we’re friends.”

Hakan grinned as he went to the fridge and got out a bottle of Chablis. He opened it and poured two glasses. Handing one to Rex, he raised his glass and said, “To us and our soul mate.”

Rex hesitated, then shrugged and took a swallow of his wine. “You are a pest and the only person willing to put up with my moods.”

“And that’s why I’m your friend. Of course I might let the secret out of the bag that the stern Dr. Rexford loves to cook and listen to classical music.”

“Better arrange your funeral first. Sit down and drink. You talk too much.”

Still, Hakan saw a slight smile on Rex’s face.