Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) (8 page)

John sat back in the wheelchair and closed his eyes once everyone had gone. He loved family dinners, but the noise was deafening sometimes. His body ached. Maybe because it was the longest he’d sat up since the accident. He had painkillers the doctor prescribed, but they made him feel groggy. It wasn’t a good feeling.

Stephanie was standing in the doorway when he opened his eyes. 

“I see everyone’s gone.”

“Yeah.” John sighed. “They can be overwhelming, but they mean well.”

She crossed the room to the couch. “I think it’s great to have a big family.” God that smile hit him straight in the heart. “It was just my sister and me when I was growing up, so our house never had much activity.”

“I love having a big family, but sometimes it’s nice just to spend time alone.” Especially when he wanted to be alone with her.

“Oh! I’m sorry. I just thought you might need help getting to bed.” Stephanie stood up. “If you need me you can call out to me.” She turned to leave.

“No! Don’t go.” John squawked. She turned around. “I didn’t want you to leave.” His neck was so stiff, and rolling it from side to side wasn’t helping.

“Is your neck bothering you?” She asked.

“A little.” That was a lie. It was bothering him a lot.

“You need to tell me when you’re having discomfort. There’s no need for you to be hurting when you don’t have to.” She walked behind his chair. “I’m going to try and loosen up the muscles a little, and then I’ll put some heat on it.” Her hands touched him and he tensed.
Damn
!

“I’m sorry my hands are a little cold.”

“It’s okay.” Her cold hands weren’t the problem. The zing of heat thrumming through his body and landing in his groin was the problem. He closed his eyes. A distraction was needed and fast. It was really hard to think of anything with her talented hands working the tight muscles around his neck and shoulder. It was helping with the upper part of his body, but there was another type of stiffness building in his pants. This was fucking hell and heaven at the same time.

“This’ll help to loosen the muscles, but they’ll be tender for a while,” She explained and all he could think about was the growing rod in his pants. “Tomorrow, I’ll see how much mobility you have.” Her hands were slipping down under the neck of his t-shirt. This was driving him to the brink of insanity. “We’ll do full back massage a couple times a week, so we can loosen up all those muscles and on your leg as well.” That did it. John reached over his shoulders and grabbed her hands. 

“Jesus, stop.” He blew the words out.

“Did I hurt you?” He was hurting, but not where her hands were.

“No, I’m just really tired.” John needed to get to his room before he did something he’d regret. Pushing the wheels of the chair was killing him, but he needed to put space between them.

“John, what’s wrong?” He couldn’t look at her. If she knew where his mind was, she’d run for the hills.

“I just need to go to bed.” John snapped. “I’m tired.” Nanny Betty would kick his ass for talking to Stephanie like that, but he couldn’t help it.

“Okay, I’ll help you if you want.” She was behind him in his room.

“No!” He growled. Stephanie jumped back and he wanted to kick his own ass for putting that look on her face. “I’m sorry, I need to be able to do this myself.”

“John, it’s going to take time. That’s why I’m here.” Yeah, she was here to help him get back on his feet, not to be his personal fantasy come true.

“I know, but right now I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to help me get ready for bed.”

“John, I’m here to help.” She put her hands on her hips. “I know sometimes massages can cause a normal reaction for men.”
Damn it
! She knew exactly why he didn’t want her to help him undress.

“I’m sorry it’s just. …” What was he supposed to say? She was making him horny as hell. He’d been dreaming about her since he first set eyes on her.

“Look, it’s perfectly normal, and it doesn’t embarrass me, but if you’re not comfortable with me helping, I understand.”

John shook his head.
This woman is amazing
.

“I can help you if you want.” John’s mouth dropped open. Her face cheeks turned pink. “Okay, that didn’t come out the way it was meant to. I meant I could help you get into bed. Not help you with…. ah...” She stopped talking and blew out a puff of air.

“My normal reaction.” John raised an eyebrow. She dropped her head. “Okay, you can help me get this shirt off and make sure I don’t fall on my face while I sit on the bed. I’ll get my jeans when I get in bed. Deal.” He held out his hand.

“Deal.” She smiled as she shook his hand. John squeezed it softly before letting it go. The shirt came off easier than he expected. The issue came when he sat back on the bed too hard and pain shot through his back.

“Damn it.” This sucked.

“Do you want something for pain?” She picked up the bottle of pills on the nightstand.

“No, I just need to lay down.” He held onto her hand as he eased his body back onto the bed. A heating pad was under his back. Stephanie explained it was set to turn off after twenty minutes. The heat was heaven, and an angel was standing over him. This was a reminder, part of his body wasn’t relaxing. The spike pressing against his zipper. “I’m okay now. I can finish undressing.” Her eyes flicked to his crotch and his cock twitched. Ok, that didn’t help him at all.

She headed for the doorway and then spun around. “If you need anything during the night, there’s a pager on your nightstand. I have one next to my bed.”

He couldn’t take his eyes off her and for a moment it seemed like she wasn’t going to leave until she said good night and she was gone.

Unbuttoning his jeans and pulling down the zipper relieved the pressure on his erection. Somehow he managed to get his jeans off and kick them to the floor. Between the heat from the pad on his back, and the memory of Stephanie’s hands cool on his skin, he was getting harder by the minute. He had to do something to relieve the pressure before he went insane. It wasn’t like he’d sleep in this condition. His hand slid inside his boxers and he grasped his thick cock. John closed his eyes and let imagination take over.

“Fuck!” He groaned a few minutes later. Making himself come made him more relaxed than he’d been in a long time. Hopefully sleeping in his own bed after almost two months would help him get a good night sleep. He used his boxers to clean himself, and tossed them on the floor, then grabbed the corner of his quilt and covered himself. Between the warmth from the heating pad and his release, he was ready for sleep. Stephanie on his brain was a narcotic he didn’t want to give up.

Stephanie’s body shook as she leaned against his bedroom door. After the realization of why he pulled away, she didn’t know how to get out of the situation. Most men got turned on by massages. It never bothered her before, but the familiar pull in her belly made her realize she liked John being turned on by her.
You are a professional
.

John might have been inactive for a while, but his body was still hard and sexy as hell. Pulling off his shirt was a mistake because all she could do was stare. His chiselled muscular chest, incredibly well-defined arms, and the most distinct six pack she’d ever seen, made her panties wet. So did the light dusting of light brown hair that covered his chest, tapered down his abs and disappeared beneath the waistband of his jeans. How pathetic was she? Lusting after a man who she was hired to help.
You can be professional; you have to be
. She tiptoed down the hallway to her apartment. He didn’t need to know she was still outside his room.

Her apartment was small but comfortable. The living room and kitchen were all in one, with a small island separating them. Off the living room was a door that led to her bedroom and bathroom. There was a patio door off the bedroom leading to the deck on the back of the house. It was perfect for her.

Stephanie slipped off her clothes and pulled on her comfy Hello Kitty pajamas. It was nice to relax and get comfortable. It was a little after ten, and she wasn’t the least bit tired. The memory of a shirtless John lying in bed was etched in her brain.  Although by now he probably had his jeans off, and possibly his underwear.
Whoa.
No! Stop that train of thought. Why couldn’t she be drawn to one of his brothers? They were all hot. John was her patient. Her attraction had to be kept under control. This was going to be harder than she thought.

She poured herself a cup of tea and took her first sip when her cell phone rang. She snatched it off the counter and glanced at the screen. Marina’s picture stared back at her. Her sister wasn’t going to believe Officer Hunky was her new patient.

“Hey, Rina.” Stephanie flopped on her couch.

“Hey.”

“Wadda ya at?” Stephanie settled herself and pulled the fleece blanket on the back of the couch over her legs.

“Nothing much. I just wanted to see how the new patient is going?” Marina asked.

“Ok, I guess.” Wanting to jump his bones was not.

“That doesn’t sound good.” Marina chuckled. “Is he that bad?”

“No, he’s just frustrated with everything.” And I want to have his children. “You’ll never guess who he is?”

“Who?” Marina asked.

“Remember the cop that pulled us over the day Danny was born?” Stephanie smiled at the memory.

“Officer Hunky!” Marina gasped.

“Yeah!”

“Is he still hot?” Marina sighed.

“Rina, I’m here to help him back on his feet not size him up.” What could she say? Yes, he’s still hot as hell with six hot brothers, but the only one she wanted to ride was her patient. That was totally unethical not to mention sick.

“That didn’t answer my question.” Marina laughed.

“Oh my God, Rina. Yes, he’s still hot, with six hot brothers!”

“Wow, that could be interesting.” Her sister chuckled.

“You’re terrible.”

“How do you like living out of the city?” Marina asked.

John’s house was about fifteen minutes outside of St. John’s. It was a small outport called Hopedale. A beautiful seaside town with an ocean view no matter where you were in the town. Most of John’s family lived nearby. As far as she knew the three youngest brothers, and his cousins were the only ones that lived in the city.

“It’s really nice here. Quiet.” Stephanie liked it a lot. “And it’s not really that far from town.” There it was already. When people lived in St. John’s it was living in the city but when you lived outside of the city, St. John’s became town. People would talk about heading into town or just came from town. It was weird.

“I guess not.” From the sound of Marina’s voice Stephanie knew something was on her sister’s mind.

“So what’s up?”

“I actually called to give you some news.” Marina’s voice changed. There was a pause before she spoke. “I got a new job, and I start in two weeks.”

“That’s terrific Rina!” Considering the good news, there was a lack of enthusiasm in Marina’s voice. “So why do I get the feeling you’re not happy about it?”

“The job’s in Ottawa.” Stephanie’s heart fell.

“Ottawa!” The lump in her throat threatened to strangle her.

“I need to get out of Newfoundland, Steph.” Marina’s voice cracked.

“Is that bastard bothering you?” If Marc was harassing Marina, he was going to be one sorry son of a bitch.

“No! I just need a change of scenery, and the contract is only for two years, but it’ll give me the experience I need to get an executive position when I come back.”

“What about Danny? Who’s going to watch him while you work?” The thought of not seeing Marina every day made her stomach sick, but worse, was not watching Danny grow up.

“There’s a daycare, and it doesn’t cost anything for employees,” Marina explained.

“I’m gonna miss you, Rina.” The catch in her voice was hard to hide. They were inseparable since the day her parents brought Marina home from the hospital. They had other friends growing up, but they were always each other’s best friend. The only time they drifted apart was the last few months of Marina’s marriage, but even then they talked every day.

“I know, and I’ll miss you like crazy but we can talk on the phone and Skype, so you’ll see Danny.” Marina’s attempt at sounding upbeat was not fooling Stephanie. She said Marc wasn’t bothering her, but he was still living in St. John’s. There was always a chance of running into him, and he was crazy enough to start causing trouble. Especially if he was still on drugs.

For the next hour they talked. Plans were made for a family get together, and a couple of shopping trips. Marina was leaving in ten days. With her new job, the only days Stephanie could leave were her days off. It wasn’t a typical nine to five. Cora would probably accommodate Stephanie if she asked, but the thought of someone else helping John was not pleasant. Nobody was helping him but her.

She opened her laptop to check her email after her phone call.
Damn it
. Brad emailed her again. She’d been receiving emails from him on and off over the last few months. She’d just forwarded them to her lawyer without even opening them. However, the subject line of this email had her curious. He’d typed the word regret in all capital letters. She hovered her mouse over the email. Did she really want to know what he had to say? Did she really want to open that can of worms?
Arg
! She clicked the email and watched it load.

Steph

So I guess you are not going to let this go. I got a letter from your lawyer. If you think this is going to work, you are sadly mistaken. I don’t owe you anything, and I’ll fight this to the end. You don’t know who you are dealing with. I assumed you knew that I would not just roll over and give you MY money. This is going to end badly. Really badly. This is the last warning I’m going to give you. Call off the lawyer or you will live to regret it.

Bradley

Was he kidding? Did he really think threats would stop her from trying to get back what was hers? It wasn’t going to work. Brad didn’t scare her in the least, and she’d be damned if she called off the lawyer. Brad was the one who cleaned out their joint account. All of that money was hers. He was the one that screwed it all up, and since when did he go from being Brad to Bradley? He hated when anyone called him that. Guess she didn’t know him as well as she thought.

Stephanie was about to delete the email but decided to save it in case things got nasty. It wouldn’t look good on him if she produced threatening emails. She needed to let her lawyer know about this. After forwarding the email to Fred, she closed her laptop. A cold chill ran down her spine. What if he was like Marc? Brad never seemed like the violent type, but then again he didn’t seem like the type of man who would cheat either. She shook off the thoughts. He was just trying to scare her. He’d never really do anything to physically hurt her. Would he?

Her tea. Damn it. It was definitely cold by now. She should probably get to bed. God only knew what time John would get up. The next day was going to be rough. The massage therapy was going to be hell. She forgot how to breathe being so close to him. What was wrong with her? She just ended a disaster of a relationship, and here she was thinking about John in ways she really shouldn’t be. This job was looking more and more like a bad plan.

She popped her tea in the microwave and gazed out through the kitchen window. The sky was clear, and she could see the ocean in the distance. June wasn’t always warm, but the large wicker chair on the back deck beckoned her. Hot tea and a bedroom blanket in hand, she opened the patio doors and headed outside to the patio.

John’s garden wasn’t large, but it was beautifully landscaped. The deck went the entire length of the house. Another set of patio doors were on the other side leading into John’s kitchen. Scattered around the garden were solar lights giving the garden a soft glow. Two large maple trees stood in opposite corners next to the fence, and between them she could see the waves crashing on the beach. The view was breathtaking. She really liked it out here. Once John was finished with therapy, she could discuss renting the apartment. Of course, she didn’t know how long his recovery would take and didn’t know him well enough to ask.

Was he sleeping? He refused to take the medication. Some people didn’t like the groggy feeling from painkillers. Luckily, she never had to take anything stronger than Advil. John was stubborn. His family were expecting miracles, but unless John worked hard, his recovery wasn’t going to work.

It was so relaxing just to lay her head back against the chair, she closed her eyes. A sudden shiver made the hair on her neck stand up, and her eyes snapped open. It was as if someone was watching her, but nobody was there. Someone clearing their throat brought her attention to the next garden. A woman was pulling a hose from the rack attached to the house next door.

“I’m sorry. Did I scare you?” The woman approached the fence.

“A little. I didn’t expect to see anyone out here this late.” She seemed pleasant enough.

“I always water my flowers at night. It helps keep the moisture in longer.” Glancing at the beautiful garden, it was obvious whatever she was doing was working. “I’m Sandy Churchill.”

“Stephanie Kelly.” She ambled to the fence and shook Sandy’s hand.

“Are you John’s girlfriend?” Her inquiry made Stephanie uncomfortable. Of course, she wasn’t John’s girlfriend, but everything in her screamed that she wanted to be.

“No, I’m his Physical Therapist and Personal Care Assistant.” She couldn’t look Sandy in the eye. Wanting to be more to John had to be written all over her face.

“How’s he doing?” Thank heavens Sandy just turned to finish pulling out her hose and proceeded to water her flowers.

“I’m not really sure how to answer that because it’s obvious he’s frustrated, but I think he’s convinced himself he’s not going to be back to his old self.” Should she really be telling John’s neighbor any of this? Word got around fast in small communities.

“It’s got to be hard on him.” Sandy continued to spray her beautiful flower garden. “He’s always been very active.”

Obviously Sandy knew John a lot better than Stephanie thought. Maybe this could be a way to get insight on John from someone besides his family. The only information Sandy knew wasn’t really helpful. John bought the house about six years ago, and his last relationship didn’t end well. Sandy didn’t go into details.

The idea of John having a girlfriend made her stomach churn. The thoughts of another woman touching him or kissing him made that ugly green eyed monster appear on her shoulder. She shouldn’t be jealous. He wasn’t her boyfriend.

It was interesting to find out that Sandy worked with computers, but when Stephanie asked more about it, Sandy quickly changed the subject. It was weird. The last topic was relationships. Sandy was single and loving it, according to her. Stephanie didn’t really want to talk about Brad, but for some reason she ended up going into detail about her doomed relationship. Sandy was that type of person. Funny and easy to talk to. Stephanie really liked her.

“I hope John gets better soon.” Sandy rolled up the hose and put it on the hook attached to the fence. “I’ve missed our little chats out here.”

“If I can help it he’ll be back on his feet in no time,” Stephanie said. “I can fill in for him until then.”

“That’s great. I love living in Hopedale, but sometimes it gets a little boring in the evening.” Sandy chuckled.

“I bet, but it’s so much better than living in the city.” Stephanie glanced at her watch. Damn, it was after midnight. She really needed to get some sleep. She had a feeling tomorrow was going to be a long day.

A quick good night to Sandy and Stephanie proceeded inside. She flopped down on the bed and sighed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. The reports on John and his family’s words were floating through her head. He was fighting all the therapists in the hospital, and she witnessed some of his anger today. Bringing out her inner bitch may be required if he was going to fight her as well. She didn’t like the inner bitch, but it was necessary sometimes. If John was going to play that game, she knew exactly how to handle it.