Avenging Us - Gina Whitney Page 0,53

up to Chance about to be reamed by Abel, but it quickly turned in my favor. His smile was wicked. Kissing me deeply and hungrily. I returned his kiss, the flames of desire licking my own soul.

It felt like I’ve been here for days…staring at the same damn walls. I took it upon myself and asked the doctor to discharge me. If I asked in front of Abel, and he said no…I knew he’d be disappointed and I wanted to surprise him. We needed to get back to our life, our home, and each other. Our daughter was the icing on the cake, and I was beyond thrilled to have her sleep in her nursery instead of an incubator. The hospital held some bad memories, despite my daughter being born healthy. Thank God. But the days dragged on. I went through the daily motions without feeling. I ate without tasting. I heard without listening. Nothing mattered but getting out of here. It was the only thing I looked forward to. And when I told the doctor…he agreed.

“So, Chance…you want to get married someday? I’m only asking because you’ve never spoke of it, and I guess I never considered.”

“Of course. Do you think you’re the only one who wants to love, be loved, and have security?” He gave me an exaggerated smile. “I don’t want to be defined by my role as personal assist for the rest of my life. I want romance…I want it all.”

I agreed and knew exactly what he meant. “Have anyone in mind? I’ve been consumed with all things baby…I haven’t noticed or even asked. I’m sorry for that,” I apologized. He was a dear friend, and I’m a fucking selfish one for not asking. I’d have to be mindful that there are others around me, and it’s not all about Abel twenty-four seven.

He placed Bella down, giving her the rubber pink pacifier, and pulled over a chair. “Well, I didn’t want to say anything. As it was too early and there wasn’t anything to tell. But…”

I pushed the button to raise my bed. I needed to be upright and at full attention. “But…what? Tell me. Don’t leave a bitch hanging.” I needed this little bit of normalcy, gossip. Friendship.

“He has this arrogant confidence that drives me crazy. I’m definitely in the lust phase,” he said, losing all train of thought.

“Who? Can I get a name? Do I know him? Give me something!” I barked. Damn, all this going on and I hadn’t a clue. I was pissed. Chance was the guy who took care of everyone except himself. Don’t get me wrong…he worked out. His body should be worshiped—he worked damn hard at it. But when it came down to actually taking care of someone, he always put others first…and I was high on that list.

His dimpled smile lit up the room. “Michael.”

I blinked. And blinked some more…searching for a face to accompany the name. Michael, I pondered. Nope, I had shit.

“Michael, as in our chef,” he answered dramatically, rolling his eyes in large circles.

Holy shit. “Michael, Michael?” I asked for a confirmation.

“Yes, Michael-Michael.” He shook his head. “If I didn’t know you were a born brunette, I’d say you’re having a blonde moment.”

“Hey, I just had a baby and my memory is shit. And, I almost died. So…”

His skin paled and his mouth dropped open. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”

I felt terrible for making light of my near death experience, but it helped me. If I laughed about it…it made the event less real. “I’m an insensitive bitch. I’m sorry. I was only kidding. Now, tell me everything.”

He didn’t look convinced, but knew me well enough to let it go. I was good at sweeping tragedy under the carpet. Hell, I could make a career of it…if there was a legitimate job title for it.

“The night you delivered, I was an emotional wreck. We all were. When I finally made it back to the house, Michael and Jessie were still there. They waited for word about you and the baby. He sent Jessie home and I sat outside, watching the ripples cross the pool. God knows how long I was out there for. Michael made something lite for me to eat and brought out two glasses of wine. At first, I was comfortable sharing the silence. Until he…” Chance’s hand gripped the bed-rail and he leaned in. “Until he took his clothes off and dove into the pool.”

“Well, fuck,” I said. That was presumptuous of him,