Page 22 of You Keep On Giving

I really can’t let him beat himself up, I was just as lost in the moment as him. The idea to even bring it up only popped into my head as I paced a hole in the floor waiting for him.

“I trust you.” Another quick peck to reassure him and then a deep breath to steel my nerves. “Secondly, Reese asked me to go on a walk with him tomorrow and I’m worried he’s hoping for something that’s not going to happen.”

To my surprise this time, York kisses me.

“I know, honey. Don’t worry about it. If you’d like, we can talk with everyone tomorrow morning about what’s going on with us. Today was torture not being able to put my hands on you.”

That puts a smile on my lips. “Yeah, I know it’s quick but I do want to stake my claim on you in front of your family.” That does it, arousal burns in York’s eyes and he pushes his half-hard cock into my stomach again. My core squeezes around nothing. I need him like I need my next breath.“Come on, boss man. Let’s go to bed.”

This man doesn’t know the meaning of one and done. I’m panting like I’ve run a half marathon when he finally crawls out of bed to get something to clean us up. I don’t dare look at the clock, instead I focus on trying to calm my racing heart and question how in the world I got to where I am.

I’m not complaining, the opposite, but I am afraid of what happens when this holiday week is up. I’ve never been into the idea of a long distance relationship but I would be willing to try with York.

That doesn’t solve everything, I love working for Bea and York is an owner of a company! I can’t imagine how busy he is when he’s not taking scheduled time off, those are some pretty high hurdles and I’m not a big jumper.

Thankfully, York walks back into the room and the sight of his naked body washes all worry from my mind. Now that my endorphins have leveled out, exhaustion is working hard to pull me under but I don’t sleep naked. Outside of sexy times, the feeling of skin against skin gives me the heebie jeebies.

We get all cleaned up and dressed in our pajamas. Sleep is calling my name and I’m ready to snuggle with my man. York’s front to my back in the most perfect spoon in the history of spooning. We chat about nothing, trading favorite colors, foods, childhood memories. A sense of rightness settles in my bones as I start to fall asleep.

“Tomorrow. We’ll let everyone know I’m yours.” His words are so quiet, I could also fool myself into thinking it was a dream but I know I’m awake enough for this to be real, just like I know that he’s right. He’s mine and I’m his.

21

YORK

FRIDAY

Ijump awake, my heart racing and my head spinning.

Sage is still in my arms and my grip tightens ever so slightly, needing to reassure myself that she’s here and safe. My ears are strain against the silence of the night, straining for a hint of whatever it was that jolted me awake. I’ve just about convinced myself it was nothing when I hear a deep guttural sound that turns my blood to ice.

“Sage, honey, I need you to wake up.” I do my best to keep my voice quiet but it’s hard to keep the fear out of my voice. Sage stirs, only opening one eye to look at me. “Honey, I need you to stay in bed, okay?” I press a quick kiss to her forehead before jumping out of the bed, having just enough forethought to grab my glasses off the side table.

I close the door softly and rush across the game room, taking the steps two at a time. My blood warms up as I ascend, heart pumping, once I make it to the main level of my home. My eyes dart around the house, searching for the sound.

“Fuck.” The small curse pulls my focus to my mother who’s laying on her side at the bottom of the small steps leading into the living room. “Mother!” I rush down the small set of stairs, careful not to accidentally bump her. Once I’m on the same level as her crumbled form, I fall to my knees.

“Mother, talk to me.” She lets out another groaned curse. “I’m going to call an ambulance and wake up Sybil. Can you sit up?” I can’t help the crack in my voice, seeing the force of nature that is my mother like this is terrifying.

My hands smack against my thighs, searching for my phone. Shit. My phone is still downstairs. My mind freezes with indecision, so many things that need to be done, my breath stops in my lungs and my vision blurs with tears.

“Bea!” An orange-y red blur fills my watery vision. “York, here’s my phone. Call 911, I’m going to get Sybil. Just press the dial button, okay?” A cold square of metal is pressed into my hand and the blob is gone. Using my free hand, I rub my eyes to clear them of the tears, knocking my glasses askew and hitting the dial button before pulling the phone to my ear.

I’m able to answer the questions, albeit robotically. Sybil and Sage return, working to carefully maneuver mother into a more seated position. Once mother’s slightly more settled, Sage leaves us again. I hear the door swing open, Sage’s voice is far away but I can still hear her.

She’s leading the ambulance in, directing them on where to go. Once the paramedics surround my mother, I step back until the back of my legs meet something hard and I fall on my ass. Thankfully, I landed on one of the chairs scattered throughout the room.

“York. They’re going to take Bea to the hospital. Do you want to ride with her?” Sybil’s in front of me. She looks calm but I can hear the strain in her voice, see the tension around her eyes. My nod is slow, it feels like I’m underwater—everything on a five second delay. “I’ve helped all I can but I need to wake up Mars to let him know what’s happened.”

Oh shit. Reese and Mars. Someone needs to tell them!

“I just woke them up. They’re getting dressed and both will be down shortly.”

Sage, again.

I stand and fight my way through all the emotions until I’m toe to toe with her. “Thank you.” I cradle her face and press a hard kiss against her lips. I’m overwhelmed, I feel like a scared husk of myself as far from the usual problem solver I’ve prided myself on being for my family. “I have to go with my mother.”

“Of course. Go. Here’s your phone, update me when you can.” She pulls her phone from my hand, replacing it with my own. I rush through pulling on a pair of shoes and jacket, hurrying after the gurney my mother is currently strapped to.