Stern Desire Love Redeemed (9 page)

She was screaming joyfully. "I'm so happy for you, Kyra."

"I want you to know that if things do not work out, I'm
blaming you."

"You can blame me all you want. I can handle it. I'm really, really happy for you."

"I knew you would be."

"Lunch later?"

"Had lunch already."

"So early?"

"With him. He ordered lunch."

"We'll talk later; I've got a trauma coming in."

"Later."

.

"What's going on with your VIP?" Jackie, the unit secretary, asked. She was the unit's gossip columnist. She knew everything about everybody.

"He's doing good."

"Did you know he has been asking about you?"

"Yeah," I said nonchalantly.

"I heard he was upset yesterday when you did not show
up for work."

"Jackie, where are you getting your information?"

"He was asking Claire questions about you. And she said she saw a file in his room with your name on it."

"A file with my name? Why would he have a file with my name?" I was genuinely curious.

"A background check, probably."

"Maybe on me and everyone else who is taking care of
him. You know how these rich people are. They do not trust anybody." I tried to play it off.

"Why would he be so mad when you did not show up yesterday?"

"Typical rich people, controlling. They like things
their way."

"I think there is more to this."

"What?" I was beginning to get annoyed, but I had to play it cool.

"I think he likes you."

"I don't get that impression."

"He likes you," she repeated and turned back to her computer.

This was going to be all over the unit in no time. I worked
with some of the most inquisitive people I had ever met. If Jackie knew something, it was going to be public information; she could not keep anything a secret. Thank God, I would be off until Monday. By then he might be discharged.

I had nothing to hide; and if he did a background check, I would not be very surprised. He'd know a lot more about me than I did about him. I was debt free, no credit card bills or student loans. Both homes, cars, and motor bikes were all paid off. There was also the land in Naples. I still
had the money from Rob's life insurance, and my additional savings. Holy shit! I had forgotten the numerous properties and small fortune that my sister put in my name as a contingency plan in case her marriage to the record executive did
not work out. My sister never made a move without a backup plan; I, on the other hand, always dove in headfirst.

At five-thirty in the morning, Jared called for Tylenol.

"Morning, Kyra, how are you? You look tired."

"And you look very uncomfortable. Are you sure Tylenol will help?"

"Tylenol will be fine."

"I'm missing you already," Jared said, after he
took the Tylenol.

"You'll be in good hands," I reassured him.

"I prefer to be in yours."

"You have my number; you can call me at any time."

"Kyra, I've been thinking. Since I'm already here, I would like to get tested." He raised his eyebrows.

"Tested, for what?"

"If we are going to have ... a complicated ..."

"Oh, what's the rush? You better not be getting any stupid ideas."

"What ideas?" he teased. "As I said, since I am here, it would be more convenient. Not what you are thinking."

"And what am I thinking, Jared?"

"That I can't wait to have you, maybe even in this bed." He gave me his sneaky smile.

"You have got to be out of your mind to think that I
would get in that bed with you."

"It could happen."

"Just remember, I've been without for eight years. What does that tell you?"

He pressed his lips together, trying to hold the smile in. "That you can wait even longer."

"Why do I get the feeling that's not what you really want to say?"

He ignored my question. "How are we going to do
this?"

"Talk to Dr. Collins when he comes in. He can arrange to have it done discretely, but I won't be getting tested until you are discharged."

I met Dr. Collins at the door, as I left Jared's room. He
was tall, mature, and always very well-dressed. He wore the nicest suits, and eye-catching watches. He was the most likeable doctor I had ever met: very pleasant, with great bedside manners, unlike most of the others, with their God
complexes.

He smiled, "Good morning, Kyra. How is our patient?"

"He is doing pretty good."

"Any issues, problems?"

"No, he's doing just fine."

"Thanks, Kyra."

After seeing Jared, Dr. Collins found me at the nurses station.

"He wants an STD panel, and we need to ensure complete
anonymity." Dr. Collins filled out the paperwork.

"Do you want me to do it?" I offered.

"I'll do it. I know you guys are busy right now, but I'd appreciate it if you would get me the supplies."

I glanced at the form Dr. Collins was filling out for the lab work and made a mental note of the name on the paperwork.

"Do you need a urine sample, too?" I asked Dr.
Collins.

"Yes, please."

I collected the supplies and gave them to Dr. Collins. He thanked me and returned to Jared's room to collect the lab work.

The day shift staff began to arrive. It meant I finally got
to go home and leave this stress filled place behind. I gave Sophia report and was finishing up my charting when Toni, a classmate of mine from the nurse practitioner program, came on the floor. She would write me scripts for
medications, lab work, and radiographic exams after I'd done my usual self-diagnosis.

"Just the person I wanted to see," I said to Toni.

"What's up, Kyra?"

"I need to have some lab work done."

"Anything in particular?"

I have not been to a doctor in years, and for a nurse who should know better, I should do better. The only doctor I see yearly is my
OB/GYN.

"The full work-up, including STD panel."

"So who is the lucky guy?"

"No one you know."

"When are you going to leave bedside nursing? You have
your Nurse Practitioner license, and you are not using it."

I have to do so many clinical hours for my Doctorate in Nursing practice program, I feel like I already have a full time position at
the office of Dr. Sanchez, Jenn's longtime boyfriend.

"I'll be finished with the DNP program in a few months and I'll go from there."

"All the best, Kyra."

"Thanks, Toni." She handed me the script.

"Anytime."

J.C. was in the sitting area as I entered. I was hoping for a quick goodbye.

"Hold on a minute, Kyra. He's in a meeting," J.C.
said.

At seven-thirty in the morning, he was in a meeting? This guy had to be a workaholic. If he worked this hard while he was in the hospital, I couldn't imagine what he did when he was in the real world. Today
was payday, so I checked my account and paid my bills while I waited. After ten minutes, I got up to leave.

"J.C.?"

"Yes, Ms. Harris."

"Can you tell Mr. Stern I came by, but had to
leave?"

"Please, Ms. Harris, he's expecting you, and he will be very mad if I let you leave."

"If you let me leave, J.C...." I stopped mid-sentence as the outer door opened and a very beautiful Indian lady, with
the most gorgeous black, shiny hair and a well-tailored business suit, entered.

"Good morning," she said pleasantly.

"Good morning, Malini," J.C. answered.

"Morning," I answered.

She was carrying two briefcases that she placed next to the chair she sat in.

The door to Jared's room slightly opened.

"Zack, one other thing," Jared said. "Do you
have a will, life insurance?"

"Yes, sir," Zack answered.

"Good, you face certain risks when you step into my world. Protecting me increases those risks exponentially."

"It's a pleasure to be back, Mr. Stern," Zack said.

"Ms. Harris," J.C. said, "you can go ahead."

Zack held the door open for me. He was an attractive
African-American man in his thirties, nicely dressed with a bad boy swagger.

The door closed behind me. I stood at the foot of the bed. Jared was sitting up in bed with some paperwork next to him; the one on top was
titled "liability release." Zack was another bodyguard.

Jared patted the bed next to him, "Come, sit."

"No need. There's someone waiting for you out
there."

"Kyra, you are so lucky I can't come after you."

I obeyed and sat facing him on the side of the bed.

"I could not help overhearing your conversation with
that man. Am I or will I be in any danger being in a relationship with you?"

"Kyra, please do not worry about that." He gently massaged my shoulders.

"Jared, you said that there are certain risks when one
steps inside your world. Could I be placed in danger dating you?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Jared, you are not answering my question," I said, very annoyed that he was trying to ignore my question.

"Did you know your eyes blaze when you are mad?"

"Have a good weekend, Jared." I tried to get up, but his hands on my shoulders prevented me from doing so.

"I have a very public life. I'm constantly hounded by reporters. Everything I do personally or businesswise is all out there. My business ventures have given me my fair share of enemies. I've had my share of death threats and attempted kidnappings." He stared at me waiting for a
reaction.

"Are you trying to scare me off?" I finally said, trying to hide my fear, and failing miserably at it.

"Is it working?"

My heart pounded in my chest. I felt light-headed, and my lungs ached for air; that's when I realized I was holding my breath. I loved my life, my freedom. I did not want to live surrounded by guards; and what about my son? I had to think about him, also.

"No ... no," I shook my head. "This is too much."

He pulled me toward him and placed my head on his hard chest. I closed my eyes, listened to his heartbeat and breath. He cradled my
head against his chest; the rich aroma of warm cedar and lavender soothed me. I wished I could spend the day right there on his chest, breathing his heavenly scent. My eyes slowly closed. I fought the sleep back.

"So, that means my life as I know it is about to change
- no privacy, plus the added risk for being with you," I said against his chest.

"Kyra, please do not worry about that. I will not let anything happen to you, and we'll take great precautions in keeping our
relationship a secret."

"Jared, I have a son to think about, and I'm the only parent he has left."

"Kyra, I understand; believe me, I won't let anything
happen to you both."

Jared was a man of his word and when he said that he would do something, I had no doubt that he'd do whatever it took to make it happen.

"By the way, the staff is beginning to think you might
have a thing for me because of how you reacted when I did not show up for work."

"I'm sorry, Kyra."

"Please don't give them anything else to talk about." I took a deep breath of his intoxicating scent. "What cologne
are you wearing?"

He told me what it was.
I needed to get myself a bottle
.

"What will you be doing on your days off?" Jared asked, as he gently stroked my hair.

"Probably sleeping for the next two days."

I forced myself off his chest. I wanted to stay there, but I could not. I did not want to give anyone anything to talk about. He held my
face in his hands and brought my lips to his. He kissed me hard and deep, like today was our last day together, and there was no tomorrow.

I pulled away, "I have to go, and Malini is waiting on you."

"She can wait. She's making me work to keep me
occupied, so I won't go crazy."

He kissed me tenderly. "I'm going to miss you."

"Me, too."

He held onto my hand as I stood up to leave.

"Jared, I've got to go." I gave him one last kiss and left.

As I exited the hospital, I had the usual joyous feeling to be getting the hell out of there, but also felt like I was leaving a piece of
me behind. At the entrance of the hospital, there were a couple of news vans. I heard that the hospital had issued a statement to the media, but they were unyielding, like scent hounds on a scent trail. They were unrelenting and would
not stop until they got their story.

Nate, Aunt Maggie, and Mom were leaving for a trip to Jamaica in the morning. I was designated to make the airport run in the morning, but my older sister, Rachel, offered to take them if I spent the day
with her. Rach lived the charmed life. She was married to Tony Owens, a very successful songwriter, record executive, and owner of the Owens record label. Their love to travel meant she was gone for weeks at a time, so this was her way to catch up.

I sprayed my pillow with Jared's cologne. I had stopped by the mall on my way home to purchase a bottle, which had cost far more than I had expected. At first, the fragrance did not smell like Jared's. The scent was a bit confusing to my olfactory sense, which became overwhelmed. Then after a
minute, the warm cedar, lavender, lemon and patchouli came out, but it was still missing something - Jared's own scent. I snuggled into my pillow, breathing him in, imagining I was being held against his muscular chest,
listening to his heartbeat. I checked my phone and noticed I had three unread texts and a missed call from Jared.

Jared's text at eight thirty-five: Call me when you get home.

Jared's text at nine-ten: Missing you. Need to hear your
voice.

Jared's text at nine forty-seven: Desperation setting in.

I quickly dialed his number.

"I was about to utilize my other resources to get in
touch with you," he answered.

"And what would those other resources be?" I asked.

"Hold on," he said.

He was talking to Malini. "Here you go. Jess knows what
to do with these. Tell her I'll give her a call," he said hastily.

"I will, Mr. Stern," Malini answered.

I heard the room door close.

"Sorry about that, Kyra. I knew you were tired and I
wanted to make sure you got home safely."

"Thanks, Jared, for your concern, but I'm fine."

"If I'm still here next week, you don't have to do
Thursday night. That was very selfish of me."

"Jared, I don't mind; my body is not used to that fourth night, but I'll be okay."

"I'm insisting, Kyra."

"I've done this before; my body just needed to get used
to that fourth night. I'll be fine next week."

"Kyra, it's final. You were so tired this morning when you left, I was worried about you driving home in that condition. So, please
don't fight me on this because I'll win."

And I believe you will. You are the one with the power and you've shown me that from day one.

"Get some rest, Kyra. We'll talk later."

"Please call me if you need to."

"I will. Get some sleep, love."

"Bye."

I fell asleep and was awakened at six PM to the scent of
Jared and the sweet scent of roses. For a second I thought I was in his room at the hospital. I got out of bed and on my dresser was a huge bouquet with dozens of yellow roses. Too many to count. On the card was written:

To Kyra

From Jay

Thank You

Aunt Magg made us her yummy, homestyle macaroni and cheese with baked chicken for dinner: Nate's favorite. Afterwards, he joined me in my bed for our traditional Friday movie night.
Sherlock Holmes
was the
movie of choice. We ate popcorn and I slept through the majority of the movie.

"Mom, you fell asleep again," Nate said.

I looked at the TV and the credits were rolling.

"You had a couple of calls, too."

"Who were they from?"

"Jared."

I knew how his inquisitive mind worked, so I prepared myself
for the endless questions.

"Who's Jared, Mom?" Nate popped up on his elbow, and faced me.

"A friend."

"I've never heard of him before."

"We've just met."

"Where?" he pried.

"At the hospital."

"He works there?"

"No, he's a patient."

"He sounds nice."

"He's pretty nice."

"Does he like you?" The interrogation went on.

"I think so."

"Do you like him?"

"I do," I admitted.

"He's the one that sent you those roses?"

"Yes."

"What does he do for a living?"

I couldn't believe I was being grilled by my son.

"He's a businessman."

"What kind of business?"

"Okay, Nate, that's enough."

"When will I meet him, Mom?"

"When the time is right."

I had to put an end to this barrage of questions.

"I'm going to miss you this weekend."

"I'm going to miss you too Mom, but I'll be back before you know it."

"Bring me back something from Jamaica, will you?"

"I will."

"It's time for bed."

"I love you, Mom. Goodnight." He jumped off my bed.

"Hey, Nate, please do not tell anyone about Jared."

"I won't, Mom," he promised.

I hoped Nate would not give Jared the third degree. I called Jared.

"Hi, love, how are you?" he answered.

"Did you talk to my son?"

"He answered your phone. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, no, no. It's just that Nate can be ... let's say he's very inquisitive."

"He was very polite, well-mannered, and a bit
curious."

"Um ... curious. What did he say?"

"He wanted to know who I was, how I met you. He cares about you, Kyra. I'm glad we had our little talk."

"What else did he say?"

"Nothing. Now let's change the subject."

"Thanks for the beautiful roses. How did you know yellow is my favorite color?" I glanced over at them.

"I guessed."

I did not believe that.

"How is your night going?" I settled in my bed and pictured him in his. One man should not be this beautiful.

"Much better now that I can hear your voice," he answered, in a deep, honey-drizzled, sexy voice.

"Any more fever?"

"No."

"Any pain in your calf?"

"No."

"Pain is controlled?"

"Yes. Where are you now?"

"In bed."

A Face Time invitation popped up on the screen of my iPhone.
Jay would like Face Time - accept or decline. Apparently he used his nickname on his phone. I jumped out of bed to look at myself in the mirror. My hair was in a ponytail and I was wearing a tight, pink t-shirt and some bikinis. I
jumped back in bed, pulled the covers up, and settled back against the pillows that were positioned against the headboard.

"So, are you going to accept or decline?" he asked.

I selected accept and his face was on my screen.

"So, there you are. That's what I've been longing to see."

"And what would that be?"

"Your beautiful face."

"And I miss your gorgeous eyes," I said coyly.

"Once you get to know my other body parts, my eyes will quickly become your least favorite."

I felt hot all over.

"You have no idea what those eyes do to me," I admitted. Then I blushed at how bold I was in admitting to him that his eyes did things to me.

"And you have no idea what I intend to do to you."

I choked. I was not expecting that one.

"Hold on a sec, Jared." I placed the phone on the bed and climbed out. I leaned over and took a sniff of my beautiful yellow roses that were on the dresser. I had to take a breather from that call, and I
took the opportunity to check on Nate and make sure he was tucked in bed and fast asleep. I climbed back into bed and picked up my phone. Jared was grinning from ear to ear.

"What's so funny?"

"Kyra, you just gave me a show. You are a beautiful piece of artwork in motion."

I suddenly blushed when I realized what he must have seen. I covered my eyes with my hand.

"I love Face Time." He laughed. "I can't wait to squeeze, bite, and spank that round, firm ass, and have those beautiful legs wrapped around me."

"This is embarrassing."

"Why should you be embarrassed? You have an amazingly
beautiful body that I can't wait to erotically overwhelm."

"I'm not sure what you have in mind, Jared, but please remember I've been celibate for more than eight years."

"Eight years? Oh Kyra, baby," he uttered sexily, "we are going to have fun! And I'm going to make you the happiest, sexually satisfied woman."

Sexually satisfied. Fear set in. If I faked it right, he
would not be able to find out about my sexual dysfunction. I remembered the fear, anxiety, and sexual frustration I had from never being able to reach an orgasm. I was not able to reach an orgasm with penetrative sex only. After Rob
and I started having oral sex along with manual stimulation, I was able to reach an orgasm, sometimes. It was so surreal and almost scary the first time I had an orgasm. I could not believe it; after so long it had finally happened - that earth shattering feeling where my entire body tingled and felt like I was about to lose my mind. I could only wish that feeling would emerge every time I had sex, but I was not that lucky; it eluded me on many occasions. I was scared, so very scared, that Jared would find out that I was sexually dysfunctional,
related to an impaired orgasmic response.

.

Rachel took Nate, Mom, and Aunt Magg to the airport, and I fulfilled my end of the deal by spending the day with her. Rachel opened the
huge double doors before I could ring the doorbell. She was wearing a two-piece bikini under a sheer cover up that barely hid her full, curvaceous figure. A figure that she worked so hard at maintaining.

"Little sis, thanks for coming." She pulled me
into her arms.

"Did I have a choice?" I asked.

"No."

"It's been awhile. What have you been up to?"

"Living life to the fullest." That's one thing Rachel believed in: living each day as if it were her last.

"So, what's your plan for today?" I asked and hoped she did not say shopping. In my closet were clothes from our last
shopping trip that I had yet to wear.

"We are going to drink mojitos and Rose has a few surprises for us on the grill."

Rach and I hung out by the pool, under a cerulean blue sky,
with cotton candy puff clouds floating across the sky. Rose, the housekeeper, served us our mojitos. I took a sip of the refreshing, minty, citrus-flavored cocktail.

"So you know I have to ask," Rachel said,
"have you found anyone yet?"

I knew that was coming. That was always our conversation starter.

"Actually, I've met someone."

"What!" She bolted upright in her chair. "I
was beginning to give up on you ever finding anyone. Who is he?" she asked excitedly.

"Can't tell you."

"Kyra, it's me, your sister. Who is he?"

"Rachel, he's very private."

"Is he married?"

"No, and I'm offended."

"Then why the secrecy?"

"Because it's too early."

"You know I will not stop. I've waited eight years to hear you say you've found someone. So who is he?"

"Jared Stern." Maybe she wouldn't know who he was.

"I know that name." She leaned back in her chair,
her mind working hard to place him.

After a few moments, her joyous laughter filled the air. "I met a Jared Stern at a boxing match in Atlantic City a few months ago,
and I caught a glance on the news about him being in a hospital ..." She paused, astonishment on her face. "Is it the same Jared Stern?"

I nodded.

"He has a great body, nice ass, and eyes to kill
for."

"Rach, nobody is supposed to know."

"You know we take our secrets to the grave," she reminded me.

I told her everything, from the night we met to our
heart-to-heart talk the last night we saw each other. I even told her how I eavesdropped on Jared and Ella. She was very impressed with my surveillance technique.

"Kyra, I'm just asking out of curiosity, but aren't
there some moral and ethical implications in dating a patient?"

"Rach, I struggle with that every day; even though I know I could get badly burned or fired, the attraction between us is incredibly strong. I try to fight it, he pursues me, and I give in."

"From what you have told me, I think he cares about you, but sis, tread lightly. I don't want to see you hurt again," she cautioned.

It might have been a bit late because, as Aunt Maggie would
have said, the horse had already gone through the gate, but I'd try my best to keep this relationship with Jared as professional as I could until he was discharged. On Monday, I would inform Jared of the stipulations of our
relationship and I would not succumb to his threat of signing out against medical advice.

Earlier that morning, before I arrived at Rachel's house, I had received a text from Jared, wanting to know how I was doing and what my plans were for the day. I told him I was spending time with my sister. When I
got to Rachel's house, I left my phone in the kitchen and had not seen it since. My battery was dead, so I plugged my phone into the car and turned it on; there were several texts and missed calls from Jared. Almost immediately,
my phone rang and Jared's name displayed on my dashboard. I considered not answering, but instead, I accepted the call; I preferred telling him what I wanted to over the phone, rather than doing it face to face.

I pressed accept. "Hi, Jared."

"Kyra, I've been trying to get you all day." He was trying to restrain the anger.

"Are you all right, Jared?"

"I'm fine, Kyra. I needed to hear your voice."

"Jared, I need to talk to you."

"It sounds serious."

"Our relationship has been weighing greatly on my
mind."

"What are you saying, Kyra?"

"Our needs have resulted in so many boundary violations."

"I don't like where this is going, Kyra."

"Can you please listen to me?" I pleaded. As anxiety set in, my heart began to race. I pulled off to the side of the road. My hands tightened on the steering wheel, as I tried to summon the strength to say what I needed to say.