Salem Charm: Book 3 of Colson Brothers Series (24 page)

We ordered pizza because after unpacking and taking the trash out we were exhausted. I fell asleep with my head on Lou’s lap, but woke up in his arms.

I looked up from under his arm, “I have to pee, and your leg is locked around me.”

He tightened his grips and hugged me close. “I don’t wanna go to school Ma.”

I laughed and tried to tickle his ribs. “I’ll tinkle on you.”

He caught my hands and slowly set them above my head capturing my wrists in one hand and placing his other hand flat on my stomach. His eyes are playful blue with a sprinkle of mischief. “Want to know a secret?”

“Probably not, but now I must know. Do tell.”

“It’s better when your bladder is full.” He hinted.

“What is… oh… it gets better??”

He smiled, “Want to find out?”

“I’m nervous.” I confessed.

“Don’t be nervous. Just don’t tinkle.”

I squealed in laughter as he tightened his grip on my ankles, I had both legs now bent up at the knees, and hooked his leg over my right leg after he unfolded it.

He waited until I caught my breath, “Open for me.” He instructed as his fingers walked down my thigh.

I let my left knee fall away and tried to pull my hands free from his grip over my head. “Lou, let go.”

He touched his nose to mine, “No. If you’re going to leave me all day I want to play. Just relax, I’m only going to touch and kiss you. Let go and enjoy Miss Whitmore.” He urged as he found me all too moist and ready for his affection.

He must have changed my clothes after I’d fallen asleep because I suddenly realized I’m wearing one of his t-shirts and just my panties. As he caresses me towards release I can feel him pulling my shirt up with his teeth.

As soon as he found and sucked my nipple into his mouth my body exploded in his hand. “Oh Lou!!!”

“Wait, you’re not done.” He pushed those two magic fingers into me and did something deep inside me that brought me right back up, and uncontrollably over into another glorious wave of ecstasy. Why do couples get out of bed again?? Oh yeah, food.

My stomach growled making us both laugh. It didn’t take long to return the favor for my fiance, so I managed to make it to Doc’s only ten minutes late, then headed directly to Liz’s.

The kitchen was an assembly line of tasks. Cut this, dice that, slide these, and stir that. I fell right into wherever they made room. Liz introduced me as she shouted orders to the other girls in the kitchen. Within an hour I was so engrossed in the cooking and the gossip my troubles seemed a lightyear away.

I’ve never laughed so hard in my life! The vulgar things voiced out of these ladies’ mouths made Lou look like a choir boy. After the first fifteen blushes I finally relaxed and began laughing with them. Several times I told a shorter version of the story of how Lou and I met.

One girl, Evette, came over and stood a little too close. “Lou’s been my regular for going on seven years. Not only are you costing me money, but if you don’t treat him right I’ll kick you ass. He’s a good man.”

I looked up into dark brown eyes, “I am well aware Lou is a good man. I apologize for your decline in finances, but as with any business, it comes, and it goes. And if you think you can kick my ass, I welcome the challenge. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good spar.”

She bit the inside of her cheek and nodded, “I like you Barbie. Welcome to the family.” She winked and left fanning her face. “Watch that one, she spits fire in the form of words.” That got a good chuckle out of everyone before we moved on to another topic of conversation. Liz gave me an approving nod and smile. I suppose that means I’ve passed the test so to speak. I exhaled for the first time that day.

Lou snuck up on me just as the sun was about to set. We’d all decided it was margarita time on the back patio. I looked up over my right shoulder as his arms came around my middle. “Hey you. How was your day?”

“Boring. Yours?” He kissed my lips, then my jaw and now under my ear. I heard and felt him inhale slowly giving me shivers. “Oh wow. You smell like apple pie and Barbara. Let’s go home now so I can have me some dessert.”

I giggled and turned in his arms. “I missed you.”

He stepped back looking me over and tucked my hair behind my ear. “You did huh?” He asked teasing me with those light sky blue eyes.

“You know I did Mr. Colson.” I put my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a long sweet kiss. After all the things said in that kitchen today, I don’t think kissing my man in front of the girls is going to be a big shocker. When we finally let go of each other I noticed a few other girls were welcoming their men in a similar fashion.

Every time I get on his motorcycle it feels more and more comfortable. He said not to worry about his truck, he’ll send someone for it later. Riding as the sky darkens didn’t frighten me anymore. I’m not sure I’m ready for long rides at night, but this twilight ride is nice. Romantic. I’m really happy Doc gave me that birth control shot earlier, it should be effective in less than two weeks.

I looked around inside his house and cringed. “I guess I didn’t unpack as much as I thought.”

“Don’t worry about it. You have plenty of time to unpack. The rest of the furniture won’t be here for a couple weeks, so we’ll just have to pretend we’re camping.” He hung his jacket on of two barstools we’d bought just to get us through until the good ones arrive. He assures me he’ll use them in the garage, so they won’t go to waste.

He took my hand, “Come with me, I want to show you something.”

“What did you do?” I asked like I was speaking to a troublesome child.

“You’ll see.” He stole a kiss from my lips before smiling and pushing open his bedroom door. “It’s not fancy, but I thought you’d prefer an air mattress over a sleeping bag.”

I stepped inside to find he’d made up the air mattress with white sheets and a dark blue comforter. On either side of the air mattress at the top where the pillows are piled are breakfast in bed trays, and mini nightstands for our things.

I looked up and hopped on my toes to put my arms around his neck, “Thank you, it’s beautiful.”

“I wouldn’t say beautiful. You’re beautiful.” He argued and kissed me until we tripped, accidentally on purpose, onto the air mattress.

After a while I noticed he didn’t seem to have the wondering hands I’m finding myself expecting. Okay, craving. I’m turning into a wanton woman in this man’s care. I tried to encourage him by guiding his hands under my shirt.

He shook his head and lifted up, “No.”

“No? Is something wrong?”

He raked his hand through his hair. “Yes, and no. Not with you, ever, at all. I’m trying to, figure something out.”

“Talk to me.”

He sighed and settled on his elbow beside me. “I think I want to wait.”

“You think you want to wait, for what?” I touched his beard to gauge the days growth. It seems to be getting softer each time I touch it.

“To make love to you. Since this got serious I’ve been wondering what it would be like. To have that level of anticipation.” He turned to look down at me and touched my cheek. “It never occurred to me that I’d have a virgin wife. The idea is more intriguing every day.”

“You want to wait until we’re married??”

He nodded, “I think I do. Unless you talk me out of it of course, but yes. I’d like to have that with you. We already know it’s going to be fantastic. Tell me what you think. Am I crazy?”

I laughed, “Yes, but I love your kind of crazy. Are you sure about this??”

“We might have to get married two weeks and one day from now, but yes. I’m sure.”

“After the day I had with your family today, I’d marry you right now.”

He sat back in surprise, “Oh yeah?? Does that mean you had a good day?” He looks beautifully pleased. Lou happy is one handsome man. The smile alone melts my heart, add those eyes and I’m a puddle of goo at his feet.

I nodded, “Oh yes. It was wonderful. I was nervous at first. Evette and I had a nice little chat.”

He smacked his forehead and fell to his back, “Oh no. I’m sure a douche.”

“Lou.” I can’t help but laugh. Evette doesn’t make me jealous. In fact, I respected her for caring enough about a man she took money from for sex to confront me.

“Go ahead, hit me. Beat me up. I’m so sorry. I’d completely forgotten about her.”

“It’s okay Lou. We had our words and ended up liking each other. She likes you. Now that she likes me she’s happy to see you happy. It’s not a problem, but I thought you should know we’ve met.”

He opened one eye, “You’re not mad?”

“Do I look mad?”

“No, you look amused. Why aren’t you mad?”

“Because you told me before you didn’t have time to date. I’ve learned a lot this last couple weeks. Especially tonight. What you did is not unusual. Not only that but at least you were careful, and honest. The oldest profession for women is not something I’ve ever had a problem with. I never understood it, and on some levels I still don’t, but it’s not for me to judge. Paying for sex is not like killing for money. I think I’ll get over it.”

“So, you and Eve are friends now?”

“Not friends, but we won’t be catty when we’re in the same room.”

He rolled so I’m under him again. “I love you.”

“I love you.”

“I still want to wait.”

“Two weeks and one day?”

He smiled ear to ear, “Two weeks and one day.”

“There is no way I can plan a wedding inside of two weeks.” I put my hand to my chest and popped another antacid. I’m not sure if they help or not.

“Bobby, you have got to calm down. You’re face is bright red.”

I touched my face, “It is?”

“Yeah, I think you should come lay down on the couch.” Liz took my hand and led me to the large sofa in her front room. “Are you okay?”

“I think it’s just nerves. Myles and I have been working feverishly to disband the companies. Then there’s the wedding plans. I’m still looking over my shoulder for Paulie everywhere I go. Financially I’m busted flat. To be honest Liz, I think I’m drowning.” I confided. We’ve spent the last couple days together since Lou is in desperate need of catching up on some work of his own.

She checked my forehead and my pulse. “I’m calling the doctor. Either you’re having a nervous breakdown, or a heart attack.”

“I’ll be okay.”

“No, I don’t think so. You’re going from red to green. I’m calling Lou.” I remember feeling too tired to argue before everything went black.

“Lou, you need to go home and get some sleep.” I think that’s Liz.

“No. I’ll sleep when she wakes up.” Lou’s voice sounds beaten. Tired. No. Exhausted.

I tried to squeeze his hand. I know it’s his because only Lou’s hand feels this way. His hand is the only hand I know better than I know my own.

“Barbara?” His voice cracked. “Baby, open your eyes, please.”

It took me a couple tries and a minute to focus.

“Oh sweetheart. You scared the shit out of me.” He started kissing my hand.

My throat is dry.

“Hang on, just a couple sips.” He held a straw to my lips.

Oh my God I’m tired. It’s so hard to stay awake, but I need to know what happened. It’s obvious I’m in the hospital. “What happened?” It came out in a whisper.

“Just a little problem with your heart. The doctors took care of it, so you’re okay now.” Lou is lying his ass off.

“Don’t. Just tell me.”

Liz put her hand on Lou’s shoulder. “Lou is right, you’re okay now, but you had a virus. You have a virus, but they got it under control.”

“A virus?”

“Yeah. He said you must have gotten it traveling. I forget the name of it, but it’s a lifer. You can live a long happy life with it, but you have to keep your stress level way down. The stress is what gave it power to take you down sweetie.” She explained perfectly.

I tested my neck and touched my heart. “I’m so tired. How long have I been here?”

“Too long.” He looked up making me look over, “Hey Doc, she just woke up.”

“I know, some big marine looking biker is out there raising hell.” He checked my chart then walked over to shine a vicious light in my eyes. “Good. How do you feel Miss Whitmore?”

“Like I was hit in the chest by a truck.”

“The virus shut your heart down pretty good. You died twice on the way here. Your chest hurts from the electrical shocks and the compressions. I’m putting you on bed rest for four weeks. Then you come in and we go from there. You’ll be on medication the rest of your life, but the good news is you’ll live a long happy life.” He assured me.

“I died twice??”

“Yes. Don’t dwell on that part. Dwell on the fact that you’re alive to tell people that story. The nurse is going to give you something for the pain, which will help you sleep. Sleep a lot, it’ll help you heal faster.”

“When can I go home?”

“When I say so.” He winked at me, “A couple days. In rare cases we have to put in a heart monitor. I don’t think that will necessary in your case because you’re so young and healthy, but I want to make sure before we send you home.”

I nodded, “Thank you.”

“Get some rest Miss Whitmore. You’ll be out of here in no time.” He pulled Lou and Liz aside for a brief chat before they came back over.

Lou took my hand and sat again, “Only one of us can stay, so Liz is going to go home now. Can she bring you anything?”

“No. Lou is going home, and I’ll stay. You know her things better than I do, and you need some sleep. Go.” She pointed to the door.

He simply dug his keys from his front jeans pocket and tossed them to her. “You know better.”

Liz shook her head, “Fresh clothes and the usual toiletries?”

“Yes, please. Take Lou with you. I’m just going to sleep anyway.”

Lou scooted his chair closer and put his head down on my thigh with my hand sandwiched in his.

“Never mind.” I mouthed a ‘thank you’ before I moved his hair off his face. “Sleep sweetheart.”

He moaned and snored lightly within seconds.

The nurse came in to put the pain medicine in the I.V. “I see he finally passed out.” She said softly.