CHAPTER 9
"Well, I take it y'all've been expecting that?" Rafael stood too. Reaching down, he tucked stray strands of hair behind Celeste's ear. "Come on. We can't do anything while Granny Clemaree's still in there. Desari will be here when she wakes up and she'll call." Before she could object, he pulled her up against his body and whispered in her ear, "And besides, you need to be in bed. Preferably my bed."
"I need to rest and sleep, too." She whispered back.
"We'll get around to that later. I promise. Now, I'm just a little hungry. And you look good enough to eat right now." God, I love you so much. He laid a hand on her shoulder, turned her, and led her through the back way. "Want to get some chocolate and silk scarves?" He deliberately said it so he could be heard.
"Why would I want those?"
"Because chocolate and silk scarves are the perfect combination for a romantic night. And, it's my turn to do what I want tonight. Do you think you can handle it?"
"I'm positive I can handle what you dish out. Let's go home."
Back inside, everybody was stunned at the display that Rafael and Celeste had put on. Autumn spoke first. "Well, I didn't see it, but I definitely heard it. What has gotten into that girl?"
"She's in love. This, from what I've heard over the years she's been here, is a completely new, and good, thing. Rafael definitely worships her and her body. Whenever Charlie, Luke, Rafael, and I are together, that's all he ever wants to talk about. From what he's said, his bed is going to be used the right way whenever possible." Luke watched Monique out of the corner of his eye. Clearing his throat, he said, "We need to be going now, Monique. We can drop Autumn and Hannah-Marie at the house and go back to my place." He tried to bury the order in that statement. Monique would listen to requests, most of the time, but try to order her around when you are at the same or lower level as her. Bam! Why does she have to be so stubborn?
Luckily, Autumn saved him from the humiliation that was sure to come. "Monique, go on. I'll stay here and wait. If Hannah-Marie needs to go home, I'll call. I promise. You two need to talk."
"Sure. Come on, Luke." Monique kissed Autumn and the baby and left Luke standing in front of Autumn, gaping.
"Why did you do that?" He was secretly pleased that she had stepped in.
Autumn smiled and shifted a little. "You're good for her. She needs someone in her life. She's been clinging onto Celeste because Celeste needed to cling to her, but now, Celeste has somebody else to cling to when she needs it. That's where you come in. Want a piece of advice?"
"Gladly."
"Let her have command in public, but take control in bed and privacy. But tell her first, so she doesn't go off on you the first night."
"Thanks." Dropping a quick kiss on her and Hannah, he spun and raced to catch up. "Monique! Wait! Please!" He added the last after a moment.
Monique, just about to walk in the elevator, put on a small smirk and turned when Luke called her name. "Yes."
"Autumn gave me some advice." He pushed her inside and caged her against the wall. His arms were like steel when she tried to move them.
"What is it?"
He whispered it in her ear and when he was finished, she was silent. The look she gave him said it all.
"When do you want to start? I like the idea of you being my slave." She tried to move his arms again. They still wouldn't budge.
"Tonight. Or whenever you're ready." The elevator doors slid open, but he didn't move. Waiting for her to answer.
"Let us do it." She added a kiss and dodged under his arm while he was distracted. He swore under his breath and reached for her. "What did you just say?"
"That I want you in my bed tonight?"
"No. You said I have command in public. Well," She gestured around them. "this is public. So keep your hands to yourself." He swore again and walked around her towards the door. Looking back over his shoulder, he gave her a grin and hurried out before she could catch up.
Back inside, Autumn set Hannah-Marie down to button up her shirt. came around the corner just as she finished. "Hello, Doctor. Have you held Hannah yet?" She picked her back up and held her out. Her instincts told her not to, but she needed to stay on his good side.
"How did you know it was me?" His deep voice sounded extremely tired, and frustrated. He pushed Hannah back towards Autumn. "I held her earlier when Janice brought her in. She saw me and asked me to check her over right quick. I told her she might've been hungry, but babies aren't my specialty so I wasn't sure. So, how did you know it was me?"
"My hearing is better than yours. And I noticed that there's a pattern when you walk. I just listen for that pattern and I know it's you."
"Oh. Interesting. So, is she all right?"
"Who?"
"Hannah-Marie."
"Oh. She's fine. She was hungry. I forgot to leave a bottle of milk before we left. How's Granny Clemaree doing?"
"I'm about to go check. Where'd everyone go?" He sat beside her.
Autumn resisted the urge to scoot away from him. "Charlie took Carlinya over to Ms. Scott's. Carlos and Selene went to take her home. Luke, Monique, Rafael, and Celeste all went home for the night. I'm staying."
"I don't think that's very safe, do you. I mean, someone could just snatch you up without a problem. You and/or the baby."
"In a hospital? They'd have to be suicidal to try. There are security systems and cops all over this place."
She felt his hand on her knee for a moment and almost flinched away. Come on, Autumn, you can do this. He can't have any reason to be mad at you! "If you'll excuse me, Doctor. I would like to call Janice and have her take Hannah-Marie home now that she's quieted down.''
"Sure. I'll escort you before I go in there."
"That's okay, Doctor. I remember where the phone is. You go on ahead."
"Alright. See ya' later." His footsteps echoed down the hall in the opposite direction from where he came from.
"Well, time to call somebody and have them take us home." Autumn rested a hand on the wall and walked to where she remembered the phone was. She found it without bumping into anything or anyone, which was a plus. Luckily, Granny Clemaree had used some of her donations to the hospital to get them to put brail on the phones. She dialed Janice's number first. It was turned off, so she tried Paul's. It too was turned off. She decided to try the Club. Thankfully, someone was able to hear it.
"Hello, Palm Beach Bar and Grill. Louie speaking." An Irish brogue came on over the phone.
Of course, it would be him. "Louie, it's Autumn. I'm at the hospital. Is Janice there?"
"Hey, Autumn! Sorry, Janice and Paul went home early. She was complaining about her back." He lowered his voice. "I think she was using that as an excuse to get Paul back in bed."
"Too much info, Louie. Have any of my sisters come by?"
"No, sorry. Do you want me to call 'em?"
"You're a doll, Louie."
"I am not. Keep it up and I'll come pick you up myself. And I won't be nice about it, either."
"You wouldn't. And stop flirting with me. I just had a baby and I'm very gullible."
"If having a baby is what it takes to get you to go on a date with me, then I'm gonna flirt every time."
"Louie, just because Michael was your best friend, doesn't mean you can replace him."
"Yeah, I know, and I'm not trying to. But I am better looking than him, so I think I have a fair chance."
"Shut up, you leprechaun. I've got to call someone to come and get Hannah-Marie and take me shopping."
"I'll call them and see."
"Thanks, Louie. And I might concede with you when you say you're better looking than Michael was." Autumn couldn't see any harm in flirting with him. She'd always known he liked her, and she'd always considered what it would be like to date him. Now that Michael was gone, he might have a chance.
"Sounds like there might be consequences." He sounded suspicious.
"If you take me and Hannah to the store, I might let you have a date."
The sound of choking made her grin. "Are you kidding me?"
"Nope. Is it a deal?"
"Sure. I'll be there in ten."
"I'll be waiting."
"Bye."
"Bye." She hung up and headed for the elevators. The hospital had also put brail on the elevators for her. She pressed the down arrow and waited. It took her a good twenty minutes to get downstairs.
By the time she got outside, Louie was waiting for her. His red-gold hair had been combed into some state of neatness, and his emerald eyes shone with laughter. He bowed and held out a hand to help her into his Ferrari. "How you always know where I am, I'll never know."
"I follow your smell. It's so horrible; I can track it miles away." She just realized a very worrisome thought. "Where am I going to put Hannah?"
Louie took the baby from her and snapped her into the booster seat in the back of his car.
"In this seat I borrowed from a friend."
"Why do you need a booster seat?"
"My cousin was supposed to come down with my niece, but we had to cancel, and I never got around to giving this back. Let's go."
"Nice. Thanks." She climbed in. "Who did you leave in charge?"
"Cole."
"Cole? Cole Smithers? Isn't he that guy with the black hair, silver highlights, gray eyes, and tattooed arm?"
"Yeah, that's him. He's also the best drummer the Club's ever had."
"He's such a lady's man. He used to hit on me all the time before Michael and I started dating."
"Question. There's a rumor that Hannah-Marie isn't Michael's kid. Is it true?" He turned the ignition on and waited till the turn before he floored it. Both Autumn and Hannah shrieked as they were tossed sideways.
"Careful, you maniac! Are all Irishman this crazy?"
"Answer the question. And yes, most are."
"No, Michael's Hannah-Marie's father. What does that have to do with this?"
"Just wandering." He made a u-turn onto the highway. "Where do you want to go?"
"Wal-mart."
"Okay."
"Rafael, let me go!" Celeste shouted, trying to run towards the bathroom. "If you don't let me go," She threatened softly.
Rafael only tightened his arms around her waist. "Well, I warned you."
"You said tonight, not today. I want to take a shower."
"You can do that later. Right now, I want you all to myself." He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Flinging her on the bed, he pulled out his phone and turned it off. He did the same to hers and sent her a truly wicked grin. "Ever wrestle?"
"No." She kicked out with her foot, jumped up, and ran when he stepped back. "I can fight, though."
"I see that." Running after her, he chased her to the bathroom. She slammed the door in his face just before he could stop her. He heard the lock click into place and cursed himself for losing the key to it. Then he remembered the master key he'd saved. "Alright, Celeste. You win. But you can't stay in there forever. I'll be waiting."
Celeste leaned against the door and tried not to cry. Oh, I can't keep doing this. I have to face him eventually. Why can't I do this? She hadn't heard footsteps, which meant Rafael was still at the door. Wiping her face, she turned on the taps. Stripping out of her clothes, she stepped under the hot jets, allowing the heat to seep into her body while she cried her eyes out. She didn't remember how long she was in the shower, but by the time she stopped crying, the water had gone cold. Shivering slightly, she pulled back the curtain and was surprised to see Rafael standing there with a towel. He had stripped down to his jeans. Turning off the water, he wrapped her in the towel and lifted her into his arms.
He tried not to notice how red her eyes were. What's wrong this time. She can't possibly still be . . . He shook his head to clear his thoughts. She is not scared of what I want. She's not! Still, he had his doubts. "Celeste, I know you were crying. What's wrong?"
She didn't answer right away, burying her head into his shoulder. "Rafael, I can't do this."
"Do what? I'm not going to make you do anything."
"Rafael, I want to be what you want. To do what you want. But I don't think I can."
"Celeste, baby, you don't have to do anything you don't like. Don't start crying again. I can't take it when you cry."
"Rafael, you want, need, an adventurous woman. Someone who'll keep up with you in bed. I can't. I'll always have some setbacks."
"Baby, I don't need or want any other woman. Do you know what I saw when I first glimpsed you?"
"No."
"I saw a beautiful young woman who needed someone as much as me. I can understand the need to be alone and your fear of intimacy. You've been abused all your life. How could you possibly not be afraid of these things?" He set her down on the bed. Grabbing a shirt off the dresser, he sat next to her and tugged it over her head. "But, baby, I will never be mad at you because you can't do certain things. Besides, I have plenty of time to teach you all you need to know."
"Rafael, how can you say that?"
"Because it's true." He laid her down and covered them both up. "What did you see when you saw me?"
"I just saw another guy that I could never be with."
He put on a hurt face. They both knew it was fake. "I'm insulted. Most women see a hot guy."
"I'm not most woman."
"For which I'm incredibly grateful. Sleep."
"But it's only seven."
"But you've been awake all night. A few extra hours won't go to waste." He kissed her forehead. He heard her murmur something under her breath before he closed his eyes and slept.
