Falling Hard (Hidden Secrets Book 6) (20 page)

Looking back up at him, my breathing stopped. How can my big, strong, healthy man be laying here looking so weak? Reaching up, I touched his neck where no bruising seemed to be. His skin was warm to my touch and I almost sighed at the feel of it under my hands. Brushing my thumb gently across his throat, I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. Pulling back, I waited.

* * *

A week had passed, but I wouldn’t leave the hospital. My place was right next to him. I’d never leave him again. However, today Jackson was riding me about not having the biopsy done.

“You need to reconsider, Kristy. The longer you wait the worse it could be getting,” Jackson tried to reason with me.

“It doesn’t matter. I want my baby. You said yourself that treatment could be very dangerous. Once I have the baby, I’ll decide. But I’m not tainting this time with that hanging over my head.”

“I really wish you’d reconsider,” Jackson said sadly.

“I’ve made my decision. Please let’s forget about it. I want to focus on Nate and our baby.”

Turning away from Jackson, I smiled down at his handsome face. Today, they removed the bandages from his head. I could see my Nate. He was still a bit swollen and the bruising took my breath away, but the man I loved was still there.

Pressing gentle kisses all over his face, I whispered against his lips, “I love you Nate. Come back to me.”

As I pulled back from pressing a kiss to his lips, I swore I saw his eyes jump around. I kissed him again and whispered I loved him, but this time I kept my eyes opened.
They did! They are moving in there.

“Nate, if you can hear me, please come back to me. We need you. Me and,” I placed his hand on my stomach, “our baby need you.”

His hand jerked against my stomach and I let out a small scream. Kissing his cheek, I whispered how much I loved him. Reaching over, I pushed the button that called the nurse into the room.

“Can I help you?”

“Yes, I think my boyfriend is waking up.”

A few minutes later, an older nurse walked into the room. She checked his vitals and I showed her his movements. Leaving the room, she went to get the doctor. Not long later, the doctor was in the room. He removed the tube from Nate’s mouth.

“He may not wake fully for a while ma’am, but this is definitely a good sign,” he smiled at me.

They both left the room. Lifting his hand to my chest, I kiss his fingers. “You have to wake up for me. I can’t live without you any longer. Please Nate, wake up. Please.”

My tears fell to our joined hands as I hear his scratchy voice say, “I… love… you… Kristy.”

A sob escaped as I kissed his lips gently.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nate

There was a dull ache followed by muffled noises. My mind continuously spun Kristy through, torturing me with the fact that she was gone. She wasn’t here where I needed her. Then I felt her touch on my neck. There were no sounds just the feel of her touching me.
Was she really there?

One day, how many I had no clue, I felt hair touch my face. It sent goose bumps covering my skin. There again I felt her touch. I felt her lips on my face. Even without my eyes, I knew it was her. Whenever Kristy touched me or kissed me there was this little shock. It was how I realized she was different, special and all mine. Then she spoke and my heart soared.

“I love you Nate. Come back to me,” she’d whispered right before pressing her lips against mine.

Trying as hard as I could to kiss her back, but I couldn’t do it. It was frustrating. Working hard, I tried to open my eyes next, but they wouldn’t cooperate either. I felt her hands on mine, I strained to hear her.

“Nate, if you can hear me, please come back to me. We need you. Me and,” I felt her move my hand somewhere soft. When she finished with, “our baby need you.” I knew right where my hand was resting.

Focusing all my strength on getting my hand to move, I heard her small scream and knew it must have worked. Her loving whispers filled my ears, then someone else was talking. She called me her boyfriend.

God let me wake up please. She needs to know how much I love her.

There was more talking, but I wasn’t fully listening. Her hands wrapped around mine and I felt the beat of her heart against our hands along with drops of what I assumed were tears.

“You have to wake up for me. I can’t live without you any longer. Please Nate, wake up. Please.”

“I… love… you… Kristy,” I pushed out the best I could and prayed that it’s actually out loud.

She sobbed, leaned down and kissed my lips. “I love you too, Nate.”

My arms were as heavy as all hell, but I managed to get them up and around her, holding her to me.

“I love you,” I said again as a tear slipped down my cheek. “I love you.”

Kristy wrapped her arms around me hugging me tightly and I groaned in pain. She jumped off the bed with her hand over her mouth.

“I’m so sorry,” she mumbled behind her hand.

“Come back here. I haven’t held you enough yet.”

“Nate,” she breathed.

“I’m sorry for pushing you away. I was trying to keep…” She climbed back on the bed and covered my mouth.

“I know. Danger told me when he came and got me.”

“Danger did what?” I looked at her shocked.

“Yeah, he threatened Lachlan, shoved my brother out of the way and stormed into my bedroom ordering me to pack. He scared me. He wouldn’t tell me what was going on until I got on the plane. He told me what your last words were…”

“Wow, Tin Man has a heart after all.”

“Hey, he’s been worried sick about you. That woman he’s with is his perfect match let me tell you.”

“Woman? Oh, baby, do tell,” I grinned.

She laughed at me before her face dropping. “I was so scared.”

“Me too, but Vin is no longer a threat to you.”

“No he’s not. Between you and Danger he’s gone for good. I need to tell you something, but I’m thinking maybe waiting until you’re a bit better might be the better time.”

I move my hand over her belly. “If you’re referring to our baby, I read your letter. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you wanted me to meet you. An urgent call came in and it took me three hours. As much as I didn’t want to be seen with you for your safety, I wanted to see you, touch you, hold you… I’m so happy to be starting a family with you.”

She swallowed hard and shook her head. “No, that’s not what I’m referring to. Aaron called me a few days ago. Rebecca, my sister, is pregnant by Vin. She told him where I was and who I was with. But the more disturbing part is why Vin wanted me so bad. It wasn’t just because I’d made that call. It was because he’s the nephew of the men that killed my biological parents. So he wanted to use me as a sacrifice to gain respect from his Uncle’s crew.”

“That dude had a few screws loose. Well, you don’t have to worry about that.”

“No, I don’t with Vin. Nate I need you to promise me that you’ll not pull this shit if Chain comes after me because you are pursuing this case. Which I think you need to
keep
pursuing by the way.”

I growled. “Danger told you everything, huh?”

“Yes and don’t be angry with him.
You
could have told me this.” She sat up and looked down into my eyes. “You were breaking my heart,” she said sadly.

“I never meant to, baby. I just wanted you safe. But I have a question for you?”

“Okay,” she says skeptically.

“Can the man who’s madly in love with you get a kiss? It’s killing me not having one.”

Kristy smiled and leaned down kissing me. I brought my hands up tangling them in her hair holding her firmly to my mouth, kissing her deeply.

* * *

One month later…

Finally out of the hospital and at home. I was so happy to climb into my own bed. But even happier about being able to share the bed with Kristy. To think that I almost lost her because I thought I was keeping her safe, it still sent shivers through my body. I’m not sure what my life would be like without her in it. Definitely not as full as it is now. She was still keeping something from me, but I’m not pushing the issue right now.

Kristy has been fussing over me since I woke up in the hospital. Well, this morning, I’ve managed to get up before her and I cooked her breakfast. She wasn’t puking like she was so I was happy for that. The thought of being a father both scared me and filled me with excitement. Carefully, I balanced the tray on one hand and carried it up the stairs and into our room.

The shot that Vin had fired went through my bicep and into my ribs. Thankfully it went no further. I wouldn’t be standing here if it had. I’m sure I’ll have some nasty scars there, but as long as Kristy doesn’t mind them then neither will I.

Setting the tray down on the end table, I leaned over and started kissing Kristy awake. Nuzzling her behind her ear, I trailed my tongue down to the curve where her neck and shoulder meet, where I bit softly before swirling my tongue over where my teeth scraped the skin. Kristy moaned and tilted her neck so I had better access. My cock went rock hard. It had been too long since I’ve tasted her. Using my good arm I braced myself above her.

When her eyes opened and met mine, the love that shone back at me took my breath away. Leaning down, I kissed her hard and deep. Grinding my hips into hers, she moaned again. There was too much between us. I needed her, so fucking bad. Pushing up to my knees, I lifted her shirt over her head and moved down to the little shorts that looked like underwear.

Struggling to get my underwear off and stay upright, I fell to my side before finally getting them off and flinging them across the room. Moving back between her legs, I took one breast in my mouth and then the other before working my way up to her mouth. As I took her lips with mine, I pushed into her.

We both moaned into each other’s mouths. It was this connection that took everything away. No matter the pain I was in or how crappy my day was, when I was connected to her like this nothing else existed or mattered. Just her. Just me.

Lowering myself down to my forearm, I covered her as much as I could. We made slow passionate love. It wasn’t rushed or clumsy. We cherished each other, memorizing each and every movement and sound. It wasn’t super long, but hell I haven’t been able to make love to her for almost two months. We were both falling over the edge together, calling out each other’s names.

Resting my head on her shoulder, I pressed a small kiss to her collarbone. “I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. Promise no more pushing me away?”

“I promise, baby.”

Rolling over, I fell to my back. Kristy snuggled over against my chest. “What’s that?”

Looking over, I started laughing. “Oh, uh, well I made breakfast. It’s probably nasty now.”

“Really?” She sat up excited to see what was there. Kristy started laughing and it had me laughing too. “Cereal? I’m beginning to think you can’t cook, Mr. Lane?”

“I can’t. If you depend on me for meals, this is what you’ll get. But don’t eat it. It’s probably all soggy now. We’ll go out for breakfast.”

* * *

We’re sitting at a restaurant for supper that Kristy begged to come to. She seemed nervous. Almost as if she really didn’t want to be here, squirming in her seat, fidgeting with her napkin and silverware.

“Baby, if you’re uncomfortable here we can leave. I don’t-”

“I did something that I’m worried you’ll hate me for now,” she blurted out.

My head shot back and I sat up straighter in my chair. Looking at her as if she’d lost her mind, I couldn’t fathom what would make her even think I’d do something like that to her after all we’ve been through. For whatever reason, it had my stomach tightening and my palms sweating.

“What have you done?” I asked with a little more bite than I intended.

She paled before she blurted out her answer. “I found your dad for you. I invited him here so you guys can meet. I just wanted you to have all the pieces to your puzzle before we brought another piece into the world. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She looked behind me and her eyes widened. “Oh look here he is now. I’m going to leave you two alone.” Then she hurried off.

Was I pissed off that she did this? Not really. I knew where she was coming from. But was I pissed that she just ran off when I needed her support the most? Damn right I was! Standing, I turned around to find out who the hell my father was and why he left me with that woman.

The man before me looked polished, sophisticated, and wealthy. He could have made my life better, but instead I sat there with… Shaking my head, I turned and sat back down.

“Have a seat,” I said gesturing to the other seat. Pulling my phone out, I texted her.

Nate:
I’m not mad you did this, but if you don’t come back to this table… I’ll be upset that you left me when I needed your support.

Kristy:
Are you really not mad?

Nate:
Really, but will you please come back to the table?

Looking up, I watched as she headed back to the table. A small smile plays on my face as she gets closer. Standing, I kiss her before taking my seat again. Keeping a hold of her hand, I place it in my lap.

She turned and smiled at the man at the table. “Hello Mr. Cross. It’s nice to meet you in person.”

“Thank you for hunting me down. I’ve been searching for years for him,” he said looking at me.

He looked like me. His cropped light brown hair, the same eyes, the one dimple on the one cheek, it was scary actually.

“Yeah, well, Devil-d’vile changed my last name so you couldn’t find me,” I said flatly.

“I know. But I never thought she’d give you his last name, though.”

“Who’s last name?” Kristy and I said together.

“Shortly after you were born, I’d taken you to work with me. Your mom-”

I cut him off. “She wasn’t my mom. Hell, she wasn’t even a parent. I was raised by the Golds from age thirteen on.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll have to thank them one day. Terri had told me you were so cranky that she needed a break. I loved spending time with you. Actually, it wasn’t uncommon for me to take you to work. Everyone there loved you. Anyway, I came back home to find her with Jerry Lane. He didn’t even care that I walked in on them. Immediately, I started packing up your stuff and mine. I told her she can have him all she wanted because I was taking you and I wasn’t looking back.”

“If you were going to take me then why didn’t you? How’d I get stuck with…
her
?”

He sighed and I saw the sadness creep over his face. “We went through our divorce proceedings. You were about one by the time this came about. She hadn’t even seen you since the time I left. But she pressed for sole custody of you. Because I had nothing proving her unfit as a mother… as a wife yes, but as a mother I didn’t. The court awarded her custody. Next thing I know, you’ve disappeared but I was still paying her child support and the house payment.”

“She wanted the money,” I growled.

“Yes, I figured that out after she just disappeared. When I brought it to court about not getting my visitations, she had this guy lie for her that I’d just saw you that previous weekend, like every other weekend. In the end, they told me they seen no violation of visitation and again I was screwed. So I stopped going at it in that direction and that’s when she changed your last name.” He cleared his throat. “I have carried these with me, always holding on to faith that I’d find you one day.”

He took out several pictures and handed them to me. They were pictures of me and him. A few were playing on his desk and some at what appears to be a home. He looked so happy to have me. Like a dad should look at their child, why did I have to get left with her?