Chapter 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Two weeks had passed since she'd been rescued by Cisco and his team, then been airlifted to the hospital. The attending doctor had poked, prodded, x-rayed, given her neck a CT angiogram, and finally determined that she was battered and bruised, but not irreparably damaged. Still, the doc had kept her for two nights, citing that additional swelling of her larynx could occur to obstruct her airway.

Cisco had stayed at her side for the duration, sleeping in one of the two uncomfortable chairs in her room.

Her parents had visited. Cisco's folks—whom Hilly had adored within the first five minutes of meeting them—had brought food and comfort items to the hospital each day, and the entire SWAT team, along with Crash and Adeline, had filed in and out like big, overprotective brothers and sisters during her recovery, while also keeping her camp running smoothly. Lots of thank-you notes were to be written once she was feeling better.

Finally, after forty-eight hours, the doctor had allowed her to go home. But once back in her cabin, Hilly's parade of visitors and champions hadn't died down. Her "care" continued on an even more invasive level than what she'd endured in the hospital.

To say that Buffy was a hovering, mother-hen, was an understatement. Once Hilly settled in, Buff and Ellen Sothard teamed up to keep an eye on her nearly every minute of every day.

The SWAT team had bought her a comfortable couch, and a reclining chair to replace her old, tattered furniture, and they'd dropped off treats, which if she wasn't careful, would end up on her hips.

Mom and Papa-J had brought their RV to camp, parking it alongside Hilly's cabin. They hung out, making sure Hilly didn't overdo, and when they left for a few days, Selma and Genero Andera took over their house on wheels. It worked out so well, that the couples, thereafter, had switched off every few nights.

And, yeah. Cisco had pretty much demanded that he stay every night as well.

The man was glued to her side from the time he got home from work until he left again in the early morning. Not that she was complaining. Hilly loved having him around, as did everyone else at camp. He'd filled in, taking over for Hilly's normal boisterousness. He was loud, fun, goofy, and had the entire camp performing physical challenges Hilly would have labeled impossible if she hadn't seen them executed with her own eyes. It was exactly what the kids needed to build on improving their self-images, and she wondered if she could hire Cisco next year…

Hire him. Right.

The man was continuously angling to make their relationship permanent, as in marriage, and it didn't seem like he was kidding. Which blew her mind. Sure, they'd declared their love for each other, even reaffirming it many times while she was in the hospital, but since then he'd been adamant about cementing their bond.

As much as that thrilled her to think of them, long-term, Hilly needed to have time to wrap her head around it. She still couldn't quite believe it was true. She felt if she pinched herself too hard, she'd wake up and Cisco would have been a wraith; a figment of her needful imagination.

Of course, the stubborn man would be less apparition-like if he'd just ditch his over-protectiveness and agree to fuck her again. That's what she really needed. But no . Not Mr. You're-too-banged-up-and-I-don't-want-to-hurt-you-Andera. He was waiting for some nebulous sign from the universe that Hilly was miraculously, fully healed. But unfortunately, according to the doctors, her broken rib recovery would take several more weeks.

Hilly, however, refused to be put on hold that long, or any longer, for that matter.

She'd already warned Mama and Papa-J to steer clear of her cabin tonight, and cajoled them into taking Nel for a long, exhausting walk before bedding her down for the night in Crash and Adeline's cabin.

Poor, traumatized Nel had barely left her side since the incident, but with Coco as incentive, Hilly was confident the doggie-sleepover tonight would go without a hitch.

All the adults she'd told to stay away had given knowing smirks at her request, but that hadn't deterred Hilly's plans at all. Embarrassment be damned. She was ready to get physical with Cisco again, and was unwilling to settle for the light kisses and caresses she'd been receiving for fourteen freaking days.

She wanted naked, and she wanted sex.

Tonight.

"Knock, knock," Buffy called out, giving a light rap of her knuckles to Hilly's open door. "Just checking in."

Hilly rolled her eyes. "You mean like the last ten times I've seen you today?"

Buffy frowned and walked up to Hilly, anyway. "I almost lost you, you know," she reminded Hilly. "And with things still up in the air, bad-guy wise, I'm not ready to let you out of my sight yet."

"There's no danger left to consider," Hilly assured her. "Cottins is behind bars, awaiting trial."

"Right. But his accomplice, your ex-father is still on the lamb," she huffed. "And the matter of Carter has yet to be determined."

Carter.

Hilly sighed. The young man had been—at least temporarily—placed in the custody of his parents. Hilly and Cisco had assured his mother and father they wouldn't press charges if Carter got the psychiatric help he needed. The couple had agreed, but Bailey's parents—while dropping their lawsuit against Hilly—still wanted Carter charged with attempted murder.

That wasn't going to happen since Hilly was willing to testify—from what the youngster had revealed— that Carter had no idea he'd endangered Bailey's life. The pending charges, however, would be filed, but lessened to intent to do bodily harm.

With no prior offenses on his record, Carter would probably get probation, and the help he needed, mentally.

"Carter isn't an issue," Hilly responded firmly. "He's shown remorse over his actions, and he'll be carefully watched by his parents. After his trial, if he's found guilty, he'll eventually be monitored by his probation officer."

Buffy nodded, but not happily. "Your sperm donor, then?" She wasn't going to let things go.

"Mason has his computer-geeks, Opal and Nolan on top of it. They've sent his license plate out on a national alert network, they have tags on his credit cards, and they got court approval to track his phone. If he dares use it, they'll find him. He's not getting away, Buff."

"Well, I'll be happy when he's locked up," her friend grumbled.

Buffy sauntered to the table, and gazed at it as if she were seeing things. "Well, well, well," she smirked. "It looks like somebody is planning a seduction."

Hilly felt the color move up her neck.

Yeah, Buffy was the only adult on premise who she hadn't let in on her plans. Hilly had known that if her take-charge friend found out, she'd be unstoppable; setting things up like a woman on a mission. It had been crazy of Hilly, thinking she might be able to get away with her amorous play without Buff finding out. Clearly, that futile thought had now been blown to hell.

So, she'd get Buffy's opinion.

"Too much?" Hilly asked, looking at the small table where she'd laid out real plates and flatware instead of paper and plastic, and had decorated with some pretty wildflowers. Ellen was due to bring over a roast chicken dinner in a few minutes.

The room itself was also decorated with a plethora of candles, all scented vanilla; a fragrance Cisco said he associated with her.

Buffy declined comment, but walked over and peered into Hilly's bedroom. She snorted, then cough/laughed. "Yikes!" She was gleeful. "You call that lingerie?"

"Too little?"

Hilly had gone into town with Adeline earlier and purchased the two scraps of green silk. Adeline had heartily approved, but Hilly was so uncertain of herself, she'd relish Buffy adding her two cents. Maybe with her endorsement, Hilly wouldn't be so nervous.

Buffy giggled and repeated Hilly's questions. "Too much? Too little? Why are you so conflicted? Hilly, that man is crazy about you. You could dress in a feed-sack, give him a bowl of dry cereal, and he'd still adore you. And as for the whisps of lace on your bed…?" She snickered and drew a "whew" hand across her dry brow. "They're perfect, but don't expect to be wearing them for long."

Hilly colored up and chewed on her lip. "I don't know, Buff. You know Cisco's pretty much refused to touch me since the incident. What if he's changed his mind about wanting me altogether?"

"Are you daft?" Buffy rebutted heartily. "How many times has he asked you to marry him in the last two weeks."

"I, uh, haven't been counting," Hilly lied.

"Well, I have," Buffy retorted. "And if you haven't skipped mentioning any of the proposals, it's been eight times. Eight . What man does that if he's lost interest?"

"One who feels sorry for me?" Hilly returned tentatively.

"Hon, sorry is a bunch of flowers, a meal at Mickie-D's, and a quick phone call before you get ghosted. Sorry is not a man who makes the trip to a kids' camp after work every day, and sleeps in your cabin."

"On the couch," Hilly groused, just happy it wasn't the lumpy old one she'd had before. But she still didn't like it. He hadn't once sought her bed.

"Because he doesn't want to hurt you." Buffy crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes. "Now promise me this. If he doesn't fall for this cajolery," she waved her arm around the room, "don't take it as a rejection. The man has protector written all over him, and he'd rather slit his wrists than cause you one ounce of pain."

"Fine," Hilly agreed poutingly after pondering Buffy's advice. "I promise."

Her friend, even when she wasn't wearing her shrink hat, rarely steered Hilly wrong.

"Good. Now if I have one piece of advice, it's this. Don't wait until after dinner to put on those lovely bits of silk. Go dress yourself—and I use that term loosely—in them now, then meet your man at the door."

"Are you serious?" Hilly squeaked. She'd been intending to read his mood, and only don the sexy scraps if Cisco appeared mellow and willing.

"As serious as a cardiovascular infarction," Buffy replied snarkily.

Hilly rolled her eyes. "Only you would say that instead of heart attack."

Buffy ignored her. "Are you all waxed and creamed and prepped?"

Again, Hilly blushed. "Uh, yeah. Adeline and I had a shopping and spa day."

"Good. I?—"

"Hello?" Ellen's voice sounded from outside. "Is it safe to come in?"

"You see?" Buffy gloated. "Even Mrs. S thinks you're probably dressed for steamy sex already."

"Come on in, Ellen," Hilly groaned.

Ellen walked in carrying a large, insulated container. "Hi, ladies."

"Buffy was just leaving," Hilly stated, daring her friend to contradict her.

"And I'll be right behind," Mrs. S agreed. "Hilly, everything is in here, and it will stay warm until you're ready to eat. There's a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, spinach in cream sauce with a pine nut topping, and glazed baby carrots."

"Yumm," Buffy bent over the bag and sniffed. "Dessert?"

"Warm apple pie," Ellen grinned and addressed Hilly. "I was hoping you have vanilla ice cream in your freezer."

"I do, actually," Hilly smiled, then looked at her watch. "And I hate to boot you both out, but Cisco, a man of definite habit, will be here in exactly fourteen minutes, so you need to scoot."

"Bye sweetie." Mrs. S breezed out with Buffy on her heels. Together, as if they'd planned it, they chimed: "Don't do anything we wouldn't do."

Hilly laughed as the door closed behind them.

It was wonderful having such good friends, and their irreverence had eased her nerves enough so that when she glanced into her room and eyed the silk laying there, she shrugged. Fuck it. She followed Buffy's advice, took off her clothes and rapidly donned her provocative finery.

It was now going to be all or nothing.

She hoped it was "all".

Cisco pulled his bike into the camp lot, removing his helmet and letting his body relax. It had been a long-ass Friday. There'd been a couple car accidents where the people involved had been combative, an altercation between some students at the high school that had required his arbitration, and a short SWAT call-out involving a father who'd taken his four-year-old daughter—of whom he didn't have custody—out for a picnic lunch without telling her mother.

They'd all ended well, then Opal and Nolan had called in with a report of finding Marty Smittfield. Mason and Welker had come to collect Cisco at the station, and they'd gone to find the man, drunk out of his gourd, in a rooming house two towns over. They'd arrested his ass, and it had felt damned good to finally put an end to Hilly's threats.

Cisco would, eventually, find the proper time to tell Hilly that Marty was behind bars, but for now, he needed to put all work and criminal activity out of his brain because he felt drained. The only thing that had kept him going throughout it all, was the thought of seeing Hilly tonight, and getting to be with her, 24/7, for an entire weekend.

He swung his leg over the seat and dusted off his dirty boots with a deliberate swish of his hand. He needed a shower, and food, in that order, then he'd convince Hilly to settle down in front of the camp's Friday night bonfire, where he'd ease her off to the side and attempt to propose again.

But this time he was determined to get lucky. He had ammunition. The ring he'd ordered made for Hilly had finally come in at the jewelers earlier that day, and the velvet box now lay nestled in an interior pocket in his leather jacket, just waiting to make an appearance. Cisco couldn't help his suddenly elevated mood, and he whistled as he approached the cabin. If all went well, the ninth time asking would be a charm, and Hilly would officially be his fiancé before the night was over.

Huh. It was odd, though. Normally when Hilly heard him drive up, she was waiting for him on the porch. He knew she'd been going farther and farther afield this week, resuming some of her duties around camp as she healed, but she'd never lost track of time before.

His heartbeat picked up. Maybe she'd had a relapse.

Cisco didn't wait around speculating. He dashed to the cabin, up the one step, crossed the small porch, and was inside in a flash. He blinked a few times for his eyes to adjust, and?—

Cisco's jaw fell slack.

"Hilly?" Was that his voice that had just cracked?

Uh, yeah. And he knew why. His woman was standing in the shadowed room, flickering candles all around, with romantic music playing somewhere in the background. But it was what Hilly was…or wasn't wearing that had Cisco practically drooling.

It was two, no three small bits of material in a deep forest green, attempting to cover all her luscious lady parts.

"Do you like it?" she asked, doing a slow spin. As she presented her back, Cisco's hands twitched to follow the thin strip of material that disappeared between her ass cheeks.

"Like it?" Cisco rasped; his throat suddenly tight. "I love it. And you're the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen."

"Then come here and prove it to me," she purred.

Cisco took one step forward, then groaned. He remembered why this was a bad idea. His brows drew together and he sighed unhappily. "You're still recovering, Hilly. We can't take any chances that?—"

"It's my body, Cisco," she responded with certainty. "And I'm not in pain anymore." To entice him further, she placed her hands beneath her silk-clad breasts, and raised them up, slipping her thumbs over her hard nipples in the process.

Cisco moaned. "You're not playing fair, Hilly."

"And you haven't been playing at all," she returned sharply. "I'm through waiting, Cisco. And if you won't take care of me, I'll take care of myself."

One hand smoothed slowly down from her breast, to slip beneath the small triangle of green.

Cisco knew what was down there. Hilly's copper curls. His palms itched to cover the crisp hair, imagining himself parting it to find her small, stiff clit.

His breathing increased. "You'd tease me like that?" he rasped.

"If that's what it takes," she answered boldly, and threw her head back as she pleasured herself, baring the long, smooth column of her neck; a neck that was no longer bruised, he noted.

"I need to kiss you," Cisco strangled out.

"Then kiss me," she responded languidly, her digits still moving between her legs.

Cisco growled and closed the distance between them. He wrenched her hand from its berth and replaced it with his own, immediately encountering Hilly's slickness.

"So wet," he managed.

She boldly placed her hand on the front of his uniform breeches. "So hard," she returned.

Cisco groaned. "I'm afraid I'll hurt you," he admitted, dropping his head to nuzzle the side of her face that hadn't been injured.

"You won't hurt me," she assured him. "Everything is pretty much healed except my ribs. If we use my bed, you can hold your weight above me, or…" she looked around the room. "…we could take advantage of the counter."

The counter was a damned fine idea. "I'll give you ten seconds to change your mind," he grunted.

When she didn't answer, but bit down on his earlobe instead, he scooped her up under the ass, filling his hands with her warm flesh. She wrapped her ankles around his back as he carried her over toward the perch that would be the perfect height.

"Do you like these panties?" he asked. His hand was poised to tear them off.

She slipped her feet from around his hips, to the floor, and in one quick move, they were in her hand. "I just bought them. So as hot as it would be for you to rip them from my body, I think we should keep them for a few more rounds."

"Agreed," he growled, taking the scrap from her and holding it to his nose, inhaling. Her scent drove him wild and his steel cock throbbed as he shoved her panties into his jacket pocket. "I'll keep them safe."

"Mmm, I'll just bet you will," Hilly murmured, then leapt back into his arms. "Now where were we headed?"

"Right where I want you."

An hour later, after mind-blowing counter-sex with Cisco half in, half out of his uniform, they went for a completely naked round in Hilly's tiny shower that had required some very Houdini-like moves.

Now Cisco, dressed only in pair of sweatpants, sat across from Hilly, eating a fine chicken dinner.

Thankfully, Hilly had donned a robe over the sexy green bra she wore again, but the minx had left it to fall open, so every time she took a bite, he caught a glimpse of her barely clad breasts.

He wanted all barriers between them, gone.

"Later, we're going to do it on your bed," he said, enjoying a bite of his mashed potatoes. He'd never seen her lovely, naked body completely spread out and flushed, her gorgeous hair loose around her bare shoulders. His dick stirred again.

"We were fully naked in the shower," she teased.

"Yeah. But with only a few inches of room to spare in there, I couldn't look my fill."

Her eyes smoldered as she teased a carrot with her tongue. "Then we'll just have to remedy that."

With little fanfare, he was hard as stone again, but…

He had something more important to take care of before they lost themselves in each other once more.

He sent a hand into his pocket, where he'd put the precious box before ditching his leather jacket. He took the small cube out and held his breath as he slid from his chair and went down on one knee.

"What…?" Hilly's hand went to her mouth, but this time he didn't see any reluctance in her gaze.

"They say the ninth time is a charm," Cisco began, clearing his throat.

Hilly laughed, chokingly. "I don't think that's a saying."

"Well, I hope it's true for me, then," Cisco returned. "Hilly, you are the love of my life. The minute I met you, I knew you'd be the woman who changed my life. And I want that. I want you." He opened the box and held the square-cut emerald surrounded by small diamonds out toward her. "Would you, Kayhill Duncan, do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

He'd used her full first name on purpose, letting her know he was madly serious about not only Hilly, but the Kay of old, and every one of her incarnations in-between.

Tears filled Hilly's eyes as she gazed at him, and Cisco felt a fission of fear.

Was she going to turn him down again?

He straightened his spine. If she did, he'd keep working on her, sticking with her, loving her, until she said yes. Whether it took months or years, he wasn't ever giving up.

"Yes," she said simply.

Cisco gaped. "Yes?"

"That's what I said. I'd be a fool not to marry the man I love," she returned softly.

In his excitement, Cisco almost fell over as he scooted forward on his one knee, scrabbling in the box to extract the ring which he shakily extracted then eased onto her finger.

"Hilly, you've made me the happiest man alive." He leaned forward and placed his face against her belly, breathing her in, not quite able to grasp the reality of it yet.

Wife.

Hilly was going to be his wife.

"And you," she finally answered, "have given me back…everything. My self-esteem, my life…"

She ran her hands through his hair and drew him up, her face the very essence of happiness.

Their lips met.

They both sighed.

Their kiss was just the beginning.