The Sinful 7 of Delite, Texas 7: Her Double Delite Angels (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (11 page)

“No. He had some friends in the service that stopped in after the funeral. I wanted to be alone. There were a lot of emotions and other things going on as well.”

“When our mom was diagnosed with cancer, Colton and I took care of her ourselves.”

“Oh God, didn’t you have a father?” she asked.

“He was a loser and a drunk,” Colton stated firmly as he eased back into the couch.

“He basically stopped being a father and a husband the moment mom was diagnosed. We took care of her. We were there when she died.” Evan took her hand and brought it to his lips again to kiss.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that. Were you teenagers?”

“Eighteen and seventeen. Then we enlisted into the Army.”

“What about your father?”

“Who cares? He showed up at the funeral. Drunk and obnoxious. We told him that we never wanted to see him again,” Evan told her.

“That must have been rough.”

“I sure wouldn’t want to go through anything like that again.”

Colton didn’t like talking about that time in their lives. They were dealt a shitty hand. He placed his hand on Ava’s leg then gently pushed a strand of hair off her shoulder.

“The military saved us from winding up just like the old man. We’d never treat a woman of ours like he treated our mom,” Colton whispered as he gently tilted her chin toward him.

He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her. She tasted so sweet, it was nearly too delicious to stop. She reached up and caressed his cheek, the feel of her dainty fingers against his skin making his cock hard.

He reached over and pulled her onto his lap as if she were light as a feather. Then her hands covered his shoulders, and the need to feel more of her overpowered his promise to take things slow. He moved his hands under her shirt and instantly felt the heat of her skin and the curve of her hips. He deepened the kiss, and he moaned into her mouth, loving the feel of her on his lap, in his arms, belonging to him. Evan must have touched her, too, because she tensed then pressed her ass slightly back.

“I’ve been wanting to touch this ass all day. You sure can fill out a pair of jeans, Ava,” Evan said and Colton’s heart beat faster. He was so aroused knowing that he would share Ava one day with Evan. They would be one and provide her with everything. She had battle wounds, just like Evan and him. At the moment, Colton felt as if their connection could heal their wounds forever.

Colton caressed her back, over the soft fabric of her bra then toward her breast opposite of the one that was bruised. The thought that she had injured herself like that at work bothered him. But as he brushed his thumb across her other nipple, she arched deeper against his fingers and hand. He applied more pressure to her breast, pinching the nipple over the fabric before cupping one mound best he could. She pulled from his lips, and he continued to lick, suck, and nibble against her skin and neck.

“Oh God, Colton, you have to slow down.”

He gripped her hips and gave a squeeze before he locked gazes with her. Ava’s olive eyes were glistening with passion, but something else, too. She appeared so fragile and innocent, or maybe it was her youthfulness, he wasn’t certain. “How old are you?” he asked.

She pulled her shirt farther down and leaned a little back from him as she gained some composure. If she felt anything like he did, she would be horny and hungry for the remainder of the day and night.

“Twenty-seven. Why?”

He pressed his palm against her cheek “You’re lovely and your eyes are gorgeous.”

She turned her head to lay a kiss to his palm when Evan touched her other cheek, making her turn toward him.

“I need to taste those lips of yours, too.” He leaned forward, placed his hand behind her head, and kissed Ava deeply. She remained on Colton’s lap, which only intensified the hunger growing inside Colton’s body. He felt wild with need to possess her and tell the world that she belonged to him and Evan. It was insanity.

As Evan released her lips, his brother smiled.

“Taking things slow is going to be torture,” he admitted to her, and Colton agreed as Ava placed a hand on each of their cheeks.

“I need this to go slow. I had a wonderful time today. Thank you for inviting me.”

Evan rubbed his hand along her back and hip. “Want to do it again tomorrow?” he asked.

Her eyes widened, and an expression of fear or shock crossed her face then disappeared just as quickly as it appeared. “Girls’ day out at the spa in Dallas tomorrow. Sorry.”

“Oh, well you can’t miss that.” Evan grabbed her hand and looked at her nails. “Going to get your nails done pink this time?” he asked.

“I was thinking purple.”

“What?” both Colton and Evan asked.

She chuckled.

“Just teasing. I bet you didn’t know I have a wild side.”

“I’d like to see that.” Colton thrust his hips upward, making her blush.

“I bet you would.”

She got up off his lap and reached her hand out to him and her other out to Evan. “Come on, walk me to my car. I need to take a long cold shower before I get ready for work tonight.”

Colton and Evan both placed a hand on her hips and held her still. Colton stared into her eyes as she smiled. Her perfume encased his body and his mind. Her beauty was imprinted on his soul.

“We’ll make plans for the third date, huh?” he asked.

“I’d like that,” she told him as they each held a hand and walked her out to her car.

“You know third date means we can move a little faster?” Evan teased.

“Oh really? Like how fast?”

“Some clothing might be removed.”

She blushed and shook her head.

“Breakfast might be served,” Colton added then winked at her as she got into her car looking a real desirable shade of red.

Colton’s favorite color.

* * * *

Ava sat on the couch in the living room at home. Susanna, Elise, Alexa, Juliet, and Paula joined her. She felt as if she were numb with so many emotions.

“I can’t help but feel impatient about tomorrow’s surgery, yet hesitant because of the results that will be revealed,” Ava whispered as she looked at each of her friends.

“That’s understandable, Ava. But, you’ve done such a good job with each step you’ve taken so far. You’re so strong,” Susanna told her.

“Strong? You think I’m strong? No way. I’m scared out of my mind right now. I can’t help but think about dying, about never getting to fall in love again, about not being able to have more good times with all of you.”

“You can’t think like that, Ava. Please don’t say such things,” Juliet said as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Elise wrapped an arm around her shoulder and hugged her.

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t help it. What if the surgery doesn’t remove it all? What if I need chemo and lose my hair, and get sick and can’t work, or what if none of that even helps to kill the cancer? Then what? I’m twenty-seven years old and it’s just not fair that I have to lose more than I already have.” The tears rolled down Ava’s cheeks and Susanna pulled her into a hug.

“You can’t think like that, Ava. You’re too strong and too determined to let something like this break you down. Think positive. I was there with you and Dr. Nickles. You got to him early enough. The surgery is going to work.”

“It has to, Ava. We need you,” Paula whispered.

“I love you guys. No matter what happens and no matter how much time we have left together, having you Dixie Chix in my life gave me reason to live and keep fighting.”

“Then don’t stop now, honey. We love you, too, and tomorrow, we’ll be here waiting for you and Susanna to get home and we’re going to take good care of you,” Paula said.

“We’re Dixie Chix and Dixie Chix never back down,” Juliet stated firmly and they all smiled wide.

Ava sat back and absorbed the fact that all of her friends were here with her. This was her family and they were her reason for fighting.

* * * *

Later in the evening when Ava was lying in bed she couldn’t help the scattered thoughts running through her head.

She couldn’t stop thinking about Evan and Colton. They were good men and they had their own troubled pasts and broken hearts. So badly she wanted to be with them, to spend more time with them instead of dealing with this. As she forced herself to close her eyes and try to get some rest, she saw both Colton and Evan in her mind and relished in the fact that they were so handsome and strong and that they were interested in her. When they spoke about the future and about waking up with her in their bed, so badly she wanted to jump into that fantasy with them and be that perfect woman to care for them and show them love. She felt the tinge of guilt for lying to them.

But how could she explain? It wouldn’t be fair to place her burden on them when their relationship was new and young.

She couldn’t think about a future, not until she was certain she actually had one.

Ava took a deep breath and did something she hadn’t done in ages. She prayed.

God, send me some guardian angels. Help me to get through this. I need all the help I can get.

Ava slowly opened her eyes at the sound of someone’s voice. She blinked a couple of times as a woman wearing a medical coat covered in smiley faces smiled at her.

“That’s it, Ava. You did really well. The surgery is over, and Dr. Nickles will be in momentarily. How do you feel?” she asked.

Ava felt as if she were in a fog. It was as if she’d had the best sleep of her life, and waking up was difficult.

“Okay. I feel so tired.”

“That’s understandable. The anesthesia will do that. It should wear off soon. Your sister Susanna is waiting out in the sitting room. Would you like me to go get her?”

Ava remembered that the hospital said relatives only, and since Susanna and the girls were her only family now, she didn’t see any harm in lying. Plus, Susanna was the one who told the grumpy lady in admittance that she and Ava were sisters.

“Yes, please,” she told the nurse, who then disappeared out the door.

Ava tried to sit up when she felt the bandages against her breast.

She wasn’t in any pain, and that she was grateful for.

She closed her eyes as she tried to wake up. She thought about Evan and Colton. Evan, with his handsome features and shoulder-length brown hair. She wanted to run her fingers through the locks and feel his muscular arms hug her. Then she imagined Colton, pressing his back against hers and his strong arms encasing her in his protective shield. They were both so sexy and sweet. Her chest tightened and a feeling of sadness consumed her. She shouldn’t be thinking about them and needing them that way. She hardly knew them, yet felt as if she had known them forever.
God, please let the cancer be gone.

A few minutes later, Susanna arrived and slowly approached.

“How are you doing, honey?” she asked then leaned down to kiss Ava’s cheek.

“I feel good. Just waiting for the fuzziness to wear off.”

“I’m going to leave you two alone a few minutes, while I go get the doctor. Call me if you need anything,” the nurse stated then left the room.

“What time is it?” Ava asked.

“It’s around noon.”

“Why did it take so long? I went in at ten.”

“I don’t know. The doctor said typically an hour, but he was adamant that he would take his time and be sure to remove the lump. I’m sure he’ll explain everything when he gets in,” Susanna stated then smiled softly.

Ava squeezed her hand.

“Thank you for staying and waiting for me.”

“Of course. We’re sisters remember? We stick together.”

Ava smiled then leaned back and closed her eyes.

“I can’t believe the surgery is over. God, Susanna, I hope he got it all.”

Just then the door opened, and Dr. Nickles entered.

“Hello, ladies. I see you’re awake, Ava. How are you feeling?” He approached on the other side of the bed and took her hand into his.

“Okay.”

“Good. Well, everything looks great. I went in, removed the cancerous lump and a little bit of tissue surrounding the area. This tissue is being looked at by a pathologist right now. If they don’t show any signs of cancer, which I’m confident they won’t, then I think we got it. Depending on the numbers I get from the samples, I’m thinking worst scenario would be some chemo for a short period of time to ensure that the cancer didn’t spread or maybe radiation treatments. It all depends on these results.”

“Oh God, more waiting then,” Ava whispered.

“Listen, I got the cancer out. I was thorough, and took a little bit more of the surrounding tissue to be certain. Sometimes, cancer can spread, because their cells grow faster than normal cells. This is procedure, but again, I’m confident that you’re in the clear.”

“How long before we receive the results?” Susanna asked.

“Within the day. I’ll call you at home later on. Now, what you have under these bandages are some stitches. You’ll have to come back to get them removed next week. Not a big deal. I didn’t take any samples from your lymphoid under the armpits, because I didn’t think it was necessary. I feel that the cancer was still within that lump, which was on the small side. It wasn’t near enough to any lymphoid for concern and those tests we’re waiting for will confirm this. Again, Ava, it was so crucial that you came to me as soon as you found that lump. Unfortunately, many women don’t do the simple breast tests in the shower or in bed at night. A few minutes of exam could save lives. I really believe that you got to me in time.”