Man of Honor (Battle Scars #3) - Diana Gardin Page 0,78
release rises and builds, and when she cries out her own uncontainable pleasure, I come hard and fast.
And then I slide out of her, staggering backward until I reach the kitchen counter. Glancing down, I pull up my pants and fasten them while Mea slowly rises from the table.
I don’t know what to say. I definitely can’t say what I was thinking earlier, during the wedding. Now isn’t the time. Not when I’ve got more fucked-up shit swirling around inside my head.
“Stay with me tonight.” More demands. I can’t seem to help myself.
She gathers her dress into her arms, her expression wary. Nodding her head, she walks toward the bedroom.
Following her, we climb into bed. Mea runs over so that her body is facing mine. She reaches out a finger, traces my lips. Her touch is soft, gentle. Loving.
Love.
Love.
Love.
My phone buzzes in the pocket of my pants on the floor. Thinking it could be Ms. Ebbie again, I pull it up and check the screen.
“Ms. Ebbie?”
“No, I’m sorry. This is a paramedic. I found this phone on the lady we just brought to the hospital, and this was the last number she called.”
Sitting up, I shake my head slowly. “She’s in the hospital? What happened?”
The paramedic’s voice is sympathetic. “Stroke. If you’re a loved one, you should probably get to the hospital.”
The call disconnected. I know that Ms. Ebbie has a daughter who lives in Texas, but I can get there faster than she can.
Turning to Mea, I kiss her lips.
“What’s wrong? Who was that?” Her voice carries a note of alarm.
I raise my hands, tugging at my hair. I take a deep breath.
Without looking at her, I speak. My voice is raw. “I have to go back to Georgia.”
Confusion makes her voice rise. “Why? For how long?”
Standing, I shake my head. “Don’t know for how long. A lady who used to take care of me a lot when I was growing up just had a stroke.”
Quickly, I explain to Mea about Ms. Ebbie and how important to me she is. I also tell her what Ms. Ebbie said to me when we spoke earlier.
Mea sits up and swings her legs over the side of the bed. “I’ll come with you.” She turns to face me. When I glance at her, I see her eyes shining with determination. She’s so beautiful my heart cracks a little bit just looking at her.
“You can’t, Mea. You’re getting the studio ready to open next month. And I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. You need to stay here.”
Hurt and rejection. That’s what I see in her eyes. Inflicted by me.
I look away, because the sight of her staring at me like that is too fucking much.
“Do you think that while you’re there, you’ll look in that box? I want to be there for you.” Her voice trembles slightly.
“I’ll be back, Mea. I just need to go and do this now.”
I reach for her. Even when my mind is full of tumult, and my spirit is curdling with poison and anxiety, I need to touch her. As I caress her face, she closes her eyes briefly. When she opens them again, they cut me with shame.
“I just need to stay with Ms. Ebbie until her daughter gets there. I…I don’t know about the box.”
“I know you have to go, but I don’t want you to.” Her voice is dim, depleted. She’s asking for this, and she means it. But I can’t give it to her.
“Mea…I have to. I wouldn’t be leaving you if she weren’t in the hospital. The guys will look out for you while I’m gone.”
Mea’s eyes are wide. Her hand cups my face. Something inside of me goes soft at the soft contact. But I swallow down the tenderness, because if I don’t get out the door now, I won’t go at all.
And I owe it to Ms. Ebbie to be there for her.
“I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back.” Her voice is soft and sweet.
“Will you stay here? At my place? I can make sure Grisham and Greta are checking in on you while I’m gone. I need to know that you’re safe. And if you need me, call. I’ll be in the car and on my way back to you.”
She nods. “I’ll stay here. Don’t worry about me.”
She wraps her arms around my waist. Burying my head in her hair, I take deep, even breaths.
She’ll be safe while you’re gone. You won’t be gone long.