Unforgettable, page 15
She didn’t like it, but she knew it was his decision. “I’m going to make some herbal tea.”
“No tea.”
“How about hot apple cider and some saltine crackers?”
“I’m not sure I can keep it down.”
“You have to try, or you’re going to be dehydrated.”
“Okay.”
It didn’t take long to prepare the tray. Anna was every bit as worried as Kyle but tried not to show it. She debated if she should call the team doctor.
“Here we are.” She smiled. After propping a few more pillows behind his back, she handed him the mug of hot cider. “Maybe you better eat a few crackers first.”
Gavin nodded, eating slowly, then sipped the hot drink. “What I need is a shower.”
“Surely you can wait until tomorrow.” She sat beside him on the bed. “Do you think you can keep down another dose of the medication?”
He frowned, but he did manage to keep the crackers down. When she gave him the medication along with a glass of water, he insisted on sitting on the side of the bed until the medication had settled. Finally he was able to lie down and rest.
Certain he was asleep, Anna rose to leave, but he held on to her hand. “Don’t go. Come lie down beside me for a while.”
The bed was a California King so there was no question about it being roomy enough for both of them.
“I don’t think that is a good idea.”
“Why? No one will know. Besides, Kyle is asleep by now. If you don’t believe me you can go check.” When she hesitated, he urged, “Please, sweetheart.”
“Just until you fall asleep,” she agreed, moving to the foot of the bed. She paused to remove her robe, draping it over the bronze padded bench, before going to the opposite side of the bed.
“Thank you.” He flicked back the down comforter and top sheet.
Once Anna was comfortable, Gavin turned off the lamp. The only light came from the bathroom. He shifted before easing her backward against his front, his arm over her waist. She didn’t offer even a token protest.
He said into her ear, “I’ve fantasized about having you in my bed. I just never imagined I’d be too weak to do more than hold you.”
“Shush. Don’t worry about anything except getting better.”
Soon he was sound asleep. Only then did Anna try to rise without disturbing him.
Gavin stirred; his arm tightened around her waist. “Where are you going?”
“I was only going to turn off the light in the bathroom.”
“Leave it. I want you with me.”
“I’ll stay,” she promised, realizing that she couldn’t fight him and herself as well.
Anna had told herself that she was only going to close her eyes for a few minutes, but when she woke a glance at the bedside clock revealed it was almost six in the morning. She had also shifted during the night and rested with her head on Gavin’s shoulder, her face against his copper brown throat and her breasts against his chest. His hand rested on her stomach, his long fingers close to her feminine mound. She trembled as she imagined the heat of his caress cupping her sex.
What was she thinking? She berated herself, determined to ignore the heat burning inside her feminine core. Real or fantasy, it made no difference because she ached with desire. Careful not to wake Gavin, Anna cautiously slipped out of his arms.
He let out a deep breath, and his arms tightened around her, holding her in place. “What time is it?”
“Good morning. It’s nearly six. I’m going back to the guest room to shower and dress. Then I’ll wake Kyle and fix breakfast. How are you feeling?”
He sighed tiredly.
“Gavin?” She pressed a hand against a beard-roughened cheek. He was still too warm but much cooler than the day before.
“Better. Thanks to you.” He kissed her temple.
“Gavin, why don’t you try to go back to sleep? I’ll send up some breakfast before I take Kyle to school.”
“I’ll wait until after you’ve taken Kyle to school. I’m not hungry.” He ignored his grumbling stomach. “I’m more tired than hungry.”
“Go back to sleep.” She kissed the tip of his chin as she got up. He mumbled something, but Anna couldn’t quite make it out because he had gone back to sleep.
Even as she showered and dressed, she couldn’t put the fact that she’d slept beside Gavin out of her mind. Yes, he was ill, but she also knew she would be lying to herself, if she didn’t admit that she enjoyed being near him. Enjoyed it too much for her own peace of mind. There was no question that she would welcome his kisses and yearn for more.
She was already on shaky ground where he was concerned. Gavin was a good man but he wasn’t right for her. They wanted different things from life. Her dreams included marriage while his did not. He wanted a relationship, she wanted a lifetime. Yet the knowledge didn’t alter the facts. She still wanted him.
If she wasn’t careful, she would wind up brokenhearted and alone. With that decided, she vowed to keep her dress tail down and her feet on solid ground. As long as he kept his hands in his pockets, she had nothing to be concerned about.
She sent up a pot of herbal tea and more crackers with Kyle before she turned her attention to making breakfast. When she came back from driving Kyle to school, she made Gavin’s breakfast.
She was stirring honey into cream of wheat when the bell sounded. Racing to the foyer to check the monitor, she was pleased to see her oldest brother. By the time Wesley parked by the garage, she was waiting at the side door.
“Hi, big brother.” She smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist for a hug.
“Hi, yourself, Short Stuff.” He kissed her cheek. “I thought I’d check on Gav on my way to practice. How’s he doin’? Have you seen him this morning?”
Anna averted her face in hopes of hiding a blush as she ran to rescue the toast from burning. “He’s better this morning. He was so sick yesterday that I decided to stay over to take care of both him and Kyle. It was a good thing I did.
“He hasn’t been able to keep anything down. Last night I found him in his bathroom on the floor. Wes, I was really scared. He was so sick that he couldn’t get up on his own. I had to call Kyle to help. Between the two of us, we got him back in bed. I wanted to call the doctor, but he wouldn’t let me.”
“You should have called me.” Wesley frowned. “Talk about stubborn. I would have brought Joe, the team doctor, with me. Has Gav been able to keep anything down today?”
“Tea and a few crackers. I don’t think he’s tried taking the medication. In fact, I made cream of wheat with honey and a stack of dried toast for him.” She gestured to the breakfast tray.
“I’ll take it up.”
“Good. You can help him take a shower and freshen up.”
“No problem. If he’s not better, I’ll call Joe.” Wesley squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t worry. He’s not going to let the flu get the best of him.”
After her brother left, she began cleaning the kitchen. It was better than giving in to the unacceptable need for a good cry. Her oldest brother was the last person she wanted to find out that she was falling for Gavin. She had her doubts that Wesley believed there was a man alive good enough for his precious sister, including his friend and business partner.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want her to be happy. He just didn’t want her involved with a confirmed bachelor and jock, like he had once been. Wesley and Gavin’s friendship went back years. Certainly long enough for Wesley to know Gavin’s pattern with women. Wesley didn’t have a problem with it as long as none of those women were members of his family.
Too restless to work on her cookbook, she began gathering the ingredients for oatmeal and raisin cookies, one of Gavin’s favorites. Anna was pulling the first batch from the oven when Gretchen arrived.
“Something smells good,” Gretchen said with a smile. “How the boss?”
“He’s better than yesterday,” Anna answered as she placed the cookies on the rack to cool. “The cookies will be ready in a minute. Can I pour you some coffee?”
“Girl, you’re spoiling us around here,” she said with a grin. She was a few years older than Anna, and both she and her husband had worked for Gavin when he lived in New York. They had no problem relocating to Detroit since both of them also had family in the area.
Anna smiled, but she was only half listening. Her thoughts were on Gavin as she scooped out mounds of cookie dough onto the cookie sheet. He had had such a rough night. What if Wes had to call the doctor? What if it had turned into something worse, like pneumonia?
“Wasn’t that Wesley’s car in the drive?”
“Yes. He’s up with Gavin.” Anna told her about his problem keeping food down. Naturally, she omitted the part about her sleeping with Gavin. She ended with, “I can just imagine how Gavin’s going to take it if Wesley decides to send for the doctor again.”
“Lots of kicking and screaming would be my guess. Men are such babies when they get sick.” Gretchen managed to get a laugh out of Anna. “I’ll be in the office if you need me. Is Vanessa in yet?”
“She’s been in since nine. If you two get hungry later, there will be a sandwich tray in the fridge.”
Gretchen shook her finger at Anna. “Girl, you are dangerous. My stomach is starting to stick out and it’s not even Thanksgiving. I can’t get any bigger without losing my husband’s affection. Mrs. Tillman and I both have gained at least five pounds since you’ve been here.”
When Wesley returned, Anna had another batch of cookies cooling in a refrigerator drawer and was preparing the sandwiches.
“Good news,” he said with a grin as he placed the empty tray on the counter near the sink. “He ate everything, took the medication, and was able to keep it all down.”
“That’s wonderful. So you didn’t have to call the doctor?”
“Nope.” Checking his watch, Wesley said, “Look, I’ve got to run. Call me if you need me. You have my cell number, right?”
“Yes, thanks, Wes.”
“No, thank you for taking such good care of my buddy. We both know it isn’t part of your job description.” He kissed her cheek. “Can I have a few of those for the road?” He pointed to the stack of cookies she had placed in a clear cookie jar.
She smiled, grabbed a Ziploc baggy, and began filling it. She held them out, “For you.”
“Thanks. Love you. Bye.” With that Wesley was on his way.
Anna wanted to go up to check on Gavin but decided against it. All she wanted was to look at him, assure herself he was better.
“You have got it bad,” she whispered to herself as she finished up the sandwiches for the staff.
Her feelings were like a runaway train. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t seem to shut them down. It was scary. One minute she was helping a friend, the next she was falling in love with the man. Anna didn’t need to be told that she was treading down a very slippery slope.
Last night Gavin had asked her to stay with him, just until he fell asleep. She had ended up spending the rest of the night in his arms. When it came to that man, her brain stopped working and her feelings took over.
Anna wasn’t kidding herself. She wasn’t a little girl anymore. It was time she faced hard facts. If they became lovers, nothing between them would remain the same. There was only one way to keep their friendship intact, and that was to stay as far away from an emotional involvement with him as she possibly could.
He wasn’t going to take this about-face well. He’d gone after her like he was charging down the football field with the pigskin tucked under his arm. There was no stopping him once he’d made up his mind. He claimed he wanted her. Anna knew the one thing that would stop him cold.
When he asked about her experience with other men he assumed she was more experienced than she was. And she purposely held back, not ready to reveal the truth. If she had told him, he’d be making tracks in the other direction. And with his looks and income Gavin wouldn’t be alone for long. There were plenty of women willing to console him.
Suddenly Anna couldn’t stop her disappointment. As tears slipped past her lashes she hurried into the bathroom, closed and locked the door behind her. It was a while before she had her emotions under control. She knew what had to be done. All she had to do was find the courage to do it.
After blotting her face with a cool washcloth, she was ready. She heated the soup and took it to Gavin’s room, along with more crackers and a mug of hot cider.
She knew she had found the only solution he couldn’t get around. She reminded herself she would be doing what was best for everyone. Gavin and Wesley’s friendship wouldn’t be in jeopardy. Gavin would find someone else, someone more sophisticated. And she would survive, a bit worse from the disappointment.
She knocked on the open door and walked in. Gavin was sound asleep.
13
Anna was amazed how quickly Gavin regained his strength in the next few days due to lots of rest and good food.
“You guys certainly don’t need me to stay over any longer,” she told Gavin as she handed Kyle her empty dinner plate. It was Gavin’s first day out of bed. They’d just finished the evening meal and Kyle was clearing the kitchen. “When do you plan to go back to work?”
Gavin was dressed in jeans and a white sweatshirt. He’d lost weight and looked tired, even though he’d been up only a few hours. It was clear he was still fighting the effects of the flu although his fever was gone. “Tomorrow. I want to be at the game even if I can’t play on Sunday.”
“You can’t be serious,” Anna exclaimed. “You’re exhausted right now.”
He said in a low, husky voice, so as not to be overheard, “Why are you in such a hurry to leave?”
“You don’t need me here at night.” She avoided his gaze as she pushed back her chair. “Excuse me. I’ll go pack my things.” She went over to remind Kyle to put the leftovers in plastic containers and not store the pots in the refrigerator.
As she ascended the stairs she did her best not to focus on the disappointment she’d seen on Gavin’s face. While his health had been steadily improving, her resolve hadn’t diminished.
She needed to get out of there. Needed to think about what was best for all of them, including Gavin. She couldn’t bear it if his friendship with Wesley ended because of her.
She had stayed to care for Gavin, but staying hadn’t been wise for either of them. One night of sleeping beside him had left her longing for more. It had always been so easy to say no to the others, but nearly impossible to say no to Gavin.
Gavin was different. He was a strong man, not afraid of responsibility. He was committed to his team and to caring for his young brother. He had also made a commitment to the low-income youngsters who depended on him to help ease the financial burden of building a better life for themselves through his foundation’s scholarship program.
What if she was wrong? What if she couldn’t make him understand? He could be stubborn, determined to have his way. If he ever devoted himself to going after a woman the way he did everything else, there was no doubt he could change her mind. She couldn’t let that happen. She could never be his woman, not without causing difficulties for everyone concerned. She didn’t want that.
Recalling the look on his face when she told him she was leaving had been upsetting. She’d hated disappointing him. There was no help for it. As Anna was zipping her garment bag, there was a knock on the open bedroom door. She glanced up, her surprise evident on her face.
“Gavin?”
“All packed,” he noted, yet his dark eyes moved over her delicate African features. “I didn’t come to give you a hard time but I want you to know I will miss you. I’ve enjoyed having you here. More important, I’m grateful that you were willing to come and stay.”
Anna’s heart hammered in her chest. She could either become more deeply involved with him and, in the process, hurt him and her brother, or stay away from him, and then only she would be hurt.
She forced a smile. “You’re very welcome. I’m just glad you’re better.”
“Me too. Anna, I still want to take you out. I hope very soon.”
“Gavin, you don’t have to repay me for staying.”
“I’m not talking about repayment.” He walked over to her, stopped so close that she had to tilt her chin to look at him. His voice was filled with frustration and impatience when he asked, “You’ve changed your mind about us?”
She hesitated. “About being more than friends?”
“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. I want more, and I thought you felt the same.”
Anna folded her arms under her breasts. “I’ve been thinking. And I’m not sure if wanting more is worth losing what we’ve always had.” She didn’t add that it wasn’t worth losing what he had with Wesley.
“It wasn’t my friend who returned my kisses last Saturday, and it wasn’t my friend who slept beside me the other night.” Before she could formulate a response, he wanted to know, “Why didn’t you come to me these past few nights?”
Her heart was pounding when she said, “You know why. It would be wrong with Kyle right down the hall.”
He frowned but didn’t argue the point. He ran his knuckles gently down the slope of her cheek, then dropped his head until he could rest his forehead against hers. “Kyle was the only reason I didn’t come to you.” Then he grinned sheepishly. “Besides, I was too weak to get much further than my bedroom door. Sweetheart, I liked having you here, liked knowing you were just down the hall.”
“Gavin, don’t. It’s complicated. We can’t talk about this now.”
“When then?”
She stepped beyond his reach. She collected her purse and garment bag. “I have to go.”
He took her bag. “Let me get that for you.”
“But you’re not well enough to—”
“You’re a lady and my mama taught me a long time ago that ladies are special and must be treated with tender care.”
Anna smiled and then walked past him, conscious of the way her body brushed his. How could she keep her defenses in place when she was so vulnerable to him? One glance from his dark brown eyes and her pulse quickened. One brush of his hand against her skin and she tingled from head to toe.
