the transplant. She’d been extremely nauseous, and they had been fighting to get enough food in her.
Cole’s eyes slid over Angel. She hadn’t been eating well, herself these last few weeks. She’d lost some weight, and it showed. Her face was thinner. Although they hadn’t been together since that first night, he knew her body was slimmer. He could feel it when he wrapped her arms around her.
Angel glanced up, and caught him staring at her. She smiled. “What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
Natalie noticed the looks pass between them. She got up, and began clearing dishes. “You want desert, Angel?”
“No. Thank you.”
“I’ll clean up. Why don’t you and Cole get TJ ready for bed?”
Cole glanced over at his son. He was resting his head on his hand, and looked tired. “Are you finished, son?”
TJ nodded, yawning.
Cole stood up, and scooped him up. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for bed.” He carried his son down the hall.
After they had him bathed, and tucked in for the night, Cole shut TJ’s door, and looked at Angel. “You look beat, too.”
She smiled, and nodded.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
She looked up at him, and tears filled her eyes.
“Hey, hey. What’s this all about?” He pulled her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest. He could feel her shake as the sobs took over. He led her into his room, and sat on the bed, pulling her down next to him.
She brushed at the tears, and looked up at him. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I just need to let it out.”
“What’s going on? Tell me.” He stared at her, waiting.
She looked at him. It was so hard to even get the words out. She took a breath. “The doctor is talking about putting Melissa on a feeding tube.”
“My God. It’s gotten to that?” Cole murmured.
She nodded. “If she doesn’t start eating more, and keeping it down. He was talking about starting the day after tomorrow, if nothing changes.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I know watching her deal with this, her being so sick, I know it’s killing you.”
She looked away, and nodded. She stood up, and walked over to the sliding glass doors that led out into the backyard. She pulled the drape aside, and looked out. There was a big full moon.
“Is there anything we can do?” Cole asked, as he stood up, and walked over to her.
She shook her head.
“Come here,” he said, pulling her into his arms.
She went willingly.
He held her for a long time, his hand rubbing up and down her back. “It’s gonna be okay. It’s all gonna be okay.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered.
“I’ll be here as long as you need me, baby.”
She pulled back, and looked up at him. Did he mean it? And when would she ever not need him? Would he stay that long? She studied his face. How had she ever come to need him so much? This biker, who could be as gently with her as if she were precious china.
His gaze slid over her face, stopping on her mouth, and then he lowered his head, and his mouth closed over hers. His hands came up, and held her face. He deepened the kiss.
Angel responded, needing this, wanting this. Her arms slid around him.
He kissed her again, and again. Soon it wasn’t enough. He wanted more. God help him, he needed more. He couldn’t stop himself from walking her backwards until his legs hit the bed, and he was pushing her down on top of it. He knew it was wrong, taking advantage of her like this, at her weak point. Knowing she needed him, and using it to get what he wanted like this. He knew he was a bastard, but that wasn’t going to stop him. Not now. Not this time.
Fuck.
He hoped she’d forgive him.
Angel wanted him. She needed to forget for awhile. She knew her problems would be waiting for her again when this was done, but for right now, she just needed to forget them. She needed him to make her forget.
His right hand reached for her top button. His fingers working the button free, and patiently, expertly working their way down the front of the dress she wore. His mouth moved from hers to trail down her neck as his hands pulled her dress open. He slid down her body, his mouth trailing kisses over her stomach. He pushed the dress back off her shoulders.
She sat up, pulling it free.
His hands came around her, and had her out of