My Billionaire Stranger (3 page)

Chapter 5

  I’m so heavy, or fuzzy maybe, it’s like walking through water waist high on the beach. And it’s dark here, wherever ‘here’ is. Darkness as black as ink engulfs me, I can’t see my hand in front of my face, if I could even lift my hand at all. Maybe I’m dreaming… am I even alive? If I’m dead, this has to be hell; a man like me would never end up in heaven. I’m so fucking confused, someone is speaking to me softly, beautiful murmurs float in and out through my clouded mind but I can’t make out the words. They calm the raging storm going on in my head…the feminine voice is unfamiliar, soothing and pleasant. I need her voice to survive somehow; I know this one thing for sure. I try to hold on to the fraying edges of consciousness but it drifts away… NO! FUCK…. I need something to hold on to! That voice…. I know it’s the key to my survival, my way back… stay with me! I scream silently until I can’t hold on any longer and I unwillingly succumb to the darkness until her voice is gone again…

Is that? Yes she’s back; I think
I’m
back. She is telling me something… focus damn it… what is she saying? Her voice floats in and out like the waves of the ocean; every time I try to reach out to her she slips away, what the hell is happening to me? I detest my lack of control over whatever is happening! I think she’s telling me that she is taking care of me…. is that what she said? No one takes care of me, and that is exactly the way I like it. My dark thoughts disconnect me from her…NO, no, no…come back! Shit, I hate being vulnerable and dependent on anyone but this woman’s voice is undeniable she draws me in. Yes… she is taking care of me, that is definitely what she’s saying, but who the hell are you and what has happened to me that I need to be taken care of?

Pain… yes pain… finally something I am familiar with, this I can relate to, this is something I can firmly hold on to. The pain in my head my God, it’s indescribable, I’ve felt literally thousands of types of pain but this… this is misery. Her voice plunges through the darkness again, she is saying something about cleaning a wound, what? I must have been in an accident… yes that’s it; pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place. I was driving wasn’t I? Yes… we were forced off of a bridge. Shit, Megan…. I remember her floating in front of me…. we are under water, or is it the sluggishness of my brain tricking me? No… no we were underwater, it was Megan, her hair was floating around her face, she was looking at me with expressionless brown eyes, her beautiful skin was as pale as a ghost, soulless…empty…. fuck I can’t hold on any longer, I mentally clutch at the edges of what little sanity I have left but it’s no use, the darkness swallows me up again.

Warm hands touch me, she’s speaking to me again… so softly, I wish she would talk louder damn it! Hang on to the pain; my leg, my head, they hurt like hell. I don’t know what’s happened but I grip tight to familiar sensation of pain. Someone is touching my face… no, not just touching, scratching… shaving, someone is shaving my face… what the fuck, no one has ever shaved my face, and I don’t like the foreign feeling of being cared for… wait… no, this is good. Mmmmm her soft touch and warm breath linger on my skin, her soft lips press against mine…  is  she kissing me?  If I focus hard I can decipher what she is saying now, Imani, her name is Imani. she is going to take good care of me….I don’t fucking want to be taken care of!

Wake me up Imani!! If you want to do something for me, wake me the fuck up!!! Furious and exhausted I plead with her, wake me up Imani, damn it wake me up…. but she doesn’t, she can’t. My begging weakens and she’s gone again…

After another commercial break in this fucking horror flick I am aware of Imani’s presence again. Whatever she’s doing feels fucking good… I can’t wrap my mind around it but I know I am missing out on something. I can smell her; she’s a mixture of cotton candy and clean linen. She’s touching me, slowly, my face, my arms, hands, my chest…Part of me wants to reach out and grab her wrists to stop her; no one touches me without my permission. The other part of me yearns to restrain her and put my mouth all over her; shit I need to wake up, why can’t I wake up? Will it always be this way, is this how I will spend eternity?  Paying for the sins of my life trapped in a body that is vulnerable with no control? That would be the perfect hell for me; Marcus Castillo doesn’t do vulnerable or controlled.   She’s working her way down my body to my leg and now my foot…. fuuucck lady I love that. She’s getting me hard as fuck, I wonder if she’s going to take care of
that
part of me as well?

I am grateful that she’s keeping me clean; I happen to be very particular about cleanliness, some call it obsessive and maybe it is but I would never admit that to anyone other than myself. I want her to stop, I want her to do more, I want control of her. Fucking wake up!!!

How long have I been here? It feels like fucking forever…. I can hear voices but they’re so far away. One of them is a woman, not my cotton candy laced Imani, but another familiar voice… Elena! Shit if my sister is here this must be bad, very bad. She would never come unless I were dying… shit am I dying? Terror rocks me, the idea of my life ending used to be appealing but now….now that I have heard the voice of my angel, felt her fingers on my flesh, inhaled her sweet scent I know without a shadow of a doubt, I am not ready to leave.

I have not lived my life in such a way that my death would lead me to a better place, which means I am going straight to hell. Oh no, no, no, this is NOT happening; fight Marcus, give yourself time for redemption, time to meet Imani, and see if her face matches her magnetic beautiful voice. Another voice begins to float through my brain fog, this one is a man; Elijah? Am I hearing this right? Yes, that is Elijah; what the fuck is he doing here? And why is he talking to Elena? I can’t make out their words, they are too far away, that fucker better be taking care of my business while I’m wherever the hell I am or so help me I’ll kill him when I wake up! He will…. he knows better than to let anything fall through the cracks, he’s more than aware that his very life is on the line working for me. I’m ruthless with my employees. That is what makes me so successful, fear motivates people.

Fear is motivating me now, but the pain is distracting; I need to find a way out of here, where is my Imani, my savior? She’s coming back; hold on, I just need to hold on until I hear her voice again. She’s the only one who can bring me back, the only one I want to go back for. 

Chapter 6

It’s my third night in a row with Marcus and I’m stressing about being off for a few nights. I won’t have the reassurance of his even breathing; I won’t have full access to his body or the hope that when he wakes I will be the first person he sees.

I pop a K-cup in my Keurig, wait the 5 seconds it takes to brew and pour way too much creamer in my travel mug. To most people I’m ruining the true taste of coffee but I don’t care, it’s the way I like it. My drive to work is monotonous but quick, one of the perks of working nights is  the lack of traffic and great parking spots.

I have a plan for tonight; I’ve made a few playlists on my iPad for Marcus. I brought my ear buds with me to play them for him, it’s a risk, I have no idea what kind of music he prefers. I don’t want to bombard him with sounds that irritate him so I’m going to monitor his heart rate while I play the music, and maybe I’ll try just playing it in one ear. I struggled when choosing the music, one playlist is classical and soothing; nobody hates classical do they? One playlist is titled ‘Relaxing Sounds of nature’ it’s comprised of rain, ocean, jungle and bird sounds; I listen to it while I’m falling to sleep. The last is filled with my favorites, a wide variety of love songs, classical, jazz, Latin and alternative music. I listen to almost any genre.

I haven’t asked anyone if I can do this and I’m not going to, it just feels right. I have a strong unexplainable urge to do anything it takes to wake him up. It’s as if he’s calling to me through the atmosphere for help.

It’s a slow night I like it. It gives me more time to look at Marcus. I’ve memorized his skin, every scar every birthmark and freckle, the nearly invisible crows feet at the outer corners of his eyes as well as a place on his cheek where I imagine a dimple forms when he smiles. His scars are threatening, for such a perfect body it’s been battered and abused and not only by his most recent accident, there are a lifetime of scars spattering his skin.  

He is in bad need of a haircut but I can’t do it with him immobile. I shaved his face earlier tonight; Elena brought his toiletries to the hospital today. He has the most delicious smelling shaving products. His shampoo and skincare products smell purely masculine, not overwhelming, just enough to make you want to be closer to him. Usually my male patients just use what the hospital provides, they smell clean but Marcus smells of spearmint and eucalyptus. The labels on the bottles are in a foreign languages, I recognize the French and Italian but none of the others.

Switching on my iPad and find the classical playlist, gently I place an ear bud in his left ear and the other in my own to test the volume. I set the music low just in case this causes him distress before I remove my ear bud and place it on the bed. I move about the room, giving his scheduled medications and doing range of motion exercises with his arms and unbroken leg. Constantly watching his face for any sign of pain I work his muscles and monitor his heart rate. I also watch closely for any reaction to the music. There is nothing extreme, but I swear his face looks more relaxed, less severe, his scowl isn’t as pronounced. When I’m finished I arrange Marcus’s covers and hospital gown until he looks comfortable. As I’m about to move to my charting station I swear I see him move a finger on his left hand! Oh my God! I swear I’m not imagining this!  I watch closely for more but there is nothing… I think I’ll pull up a chair and sit with him, but before I do I speak into his ear, “I know you’re trying, I saw you move. Don’t give up, I’m waiting for you.”

Another small twitch of his hand…. oh this is good….maybe I should call his doctor, maybe I should keep talking or turn the music up, down, shit I don’t know! My heart thumps in my chest I’m so nervous, excited and a little scared. I wait… and wait… but that’s it. Still as a stone he continues to sleep. I am so disappointed, but I have a few hours left in my shift so I sit and keep watch. Three hours go by; it’s almost time to go home, I’ve called the physician to inform him of Marcus’s progress. He wasn’t impressed but I am, I know it won’t be long until I can finally meet my mystery man. Today leaving is more difficult than ever. I wish I could crawl into bed with him and be there beside him while I sleep my day away. Anticipation eats away at me, it’s going to happen soon, it has to be soon.

The drive home is dismal and rainy, as usual; this is Seattle, it’s nearly always raining here. I’m amped up and I know I won’t want to sleep when I get home so I stop at the glass blowing factory and pick up my light and the vase Dax made. Marcus will be awake soon and his room is so drab it needs a shock of color. The ICU doesn’t allow much due to the risk of infection, but the vase will be perfect. At home I dump my purse on the floor and remember I’m supposed to go out with my girlfriends later tonight for drinks. Usually I’m pretty excited to have a girls’ night out, but tonight I really just feel like curling up on the couch and watching T.V. 

My phone rings in my pocket on cue, its Lana; shit, no chance of bowing out of girls’ night out unnoticed now.

“Hello.”

“So where are we going first?!” Lana’s excitement is contagious.

“Hey Lana, what’s up?”

“I just hung up with Chloe and Trina, plan on being ready at ten, but I need to know where we’re gonna meet.”

“ I dun no…Club Rain?”

“Oooooo, yes, yes good idea, Rain perfect we haven’t been there in ages! I’ll let the girls know; dress up woman, were going to partaaayy tonight!”

“Oh Lana, you’re gonna stroke out if you don’t calm yourself.”

“Naaa, you’re just not into it yet. Get dressed up, do your hair and get ready to shake that sexy ass of yours!!”

“Ok, ok.. keep your panties on, I’ll see ya later.”

“Ok, ciao Bella!”

“Bye Lana.”

She’s so dramatic, if I hadn’t known Lana all my life I’d swear she was on something illegal; no normal person has that much energy! After six hours of restless sleep I’m awake and scrounging in the kitchen for something to eat, no sense in tempting fate by drinking on an empty stomach, nothing good ever comes of that. Sighing, I drag myself to the bathroom for a shower. When I’m dry I spend what feels like forever straightening it with a flat iron. Being mixed my hair is naturally curly but I frequently iron it smooth. I dig out my makeup bag, something I rarely need. I don’t care to have stuff caked on my skin but for a night with the girls I’ll suffer. It’s better than the alternative, which is a lecture from Lana about how to attract a man; she’d die if she knew I’ve already got my eye on one.

Satisfied with smoky eyes and glossy lips, I head to the closet to find something fitting for Club Rain. When these girls say ‘dress up’, you better take them seriously. I end up choosing a black mini with a sleeveless silver-sequined top. The top has a sexy cut out in the back that shows a little skin but not too much. Last are my black stiletto boots, I love shoes and I’m known for my ultra-high heel fetish. I’m gonna freeze outside in this outfit but the bar will be hot and packed so I grab a black cashmere sweater to cover my arms, my legs are just going to have to endure the cold. With a small clutch instead of my suitcase-sized purse I decide I’m ready. Once out the door, I immediately regret the mini, shit it’s bitter cold and the wind shoots straight up my legs! I hurry to my car, hop inside shivering and blast the heat. Finally after a few minutes my muscles begin to relax as I welcome the warmth blowing on my feet, oh the things I do for these girls!

Parking sucks, but after driving around the block a couple times I luck out and find a place not too far from the door. With my arms wrapped tight around my body I hustle inside. I spot the girls at a table across the dance floor and start toward them. Thank God they know me well and came early so I could have a seat or I would be going bare foot after a few drinks in these heels. 

“Heyyyyy girl!” Lana shouts.

“My gosh Lana, keep it down,” I murmur mostly to myself and as always my request is promptly denied.

“You’re looking HOT mama!”

“Thanks Lana, Hi Clair, Trina, can’t you two keep her under control?”

Two sets of eyes roll severely at me, yea I know that feeling.

“Hey Imani, what do you want to drink?” Clair asks, and I consider for a moment just how intoxicated I’m willing to get tonight before deciding a martini is safe.

“How many have you guys had anyway?” I ask raising my eyebrows with the question mainly directed at Lana.

“She was here first, I have no idea how many she’s had,” Trina says defensively, holding her hands out in front of her and shaking her head back and forth.

“We just got here, this is our first.”

“Oh good, I hate being behind, things are more fun when we keep the same pace,” I say.

“Agreed,” Trina and Clair say together and look at Lana.

“HEY, I’ve only had three or four drinks, and you all know I can drink you under the table any night,” Lana says, defensively.

“Yea, she’s got a point there.” I say as a pretty, petite waitress arrives to take our order and quickly moves on to the next table. This place is packed for a weeknight, poor waitress has her work cut out for her but she surprisingly returns in a couple minutes with our round of drinks.

“So Imani, any hot dates lately?” Lana has spent every waking moment of the last 10 years trying to get me onto the dating scene. “Uh yea Lana, sure, I’m getting married next month, did I forget to tell you?”

Did her eyes actually just light up for a second? Incredible! She’ll never learn.

“Such a waste Imani, you’re a catch girl, little Miss Hottie; independent, creative, you just need to get out there and find your prince charming.”

“I’ll get right on that Lana.” I’m starting to get irritated.

I throw back my drink in an attempt to loosen up and not let this crap bother me.

“Oh look at her go!” Lana screeches.

“Lana, keep it down or they’re gonna throw us out of here!” Trina hisses, embarrassed by Lana’s boisterousness. Trina is my quiet bookworm, she has a boyfriend and out of the four of us she’s the most challenging to drag out on girls’ night, which makes her the most intelligent in my opinion. She’d rather stay in with Jack, if I had a man that’s exactly where I’d be too.

Chloe is the member of our group I’ve not known as long as the others, we met a year or so ago and I’m still not sure what I think of her. There have been times when she makes references to a lifestyle I know nothing about, she doesn’t have a boyfriend per say, but spends time with a man regularly, refusing to claim him as anything serious. I think she might be into something dark but I don’t pry, I’m not really sure I want to know any more.

My phone begins vibrating in my clutch on the table but I’m with everyone that would be calling me at this time of night, unless it’s the hospital needing help.

I get out my phone and sure enough it’s the hospital, I press deny; I can’t work after a drink anyway so there is no sense answering. As soon as I deny the call it begins again, what the hell? Something is wrong, I punch the answer button and Sheila is yelling at me, “Imani! We need you to come down here, the patient in bed 8 is FREAKING OUT and he’s screaming for
you
!”

Oh my God…He’s AWAKE!