Chapter 11

His body went rigid when he heard the murmur of voice just inside her doorway. He had left the doors separating her suite from his ajar so that he could hear when she came home and had been getting steadily furious and drunk during the ensuing hour and a half since he had left the half-eaten meal and made his way upstairs.

Waiting until she had entered the room and closed the doors, he pushed in and stood there until she noticed him.

"Harvey!" Her hand flew to her throat. "You startled me."

"Who did you expect, darling?"

"No one. I thought you had gone to bed."

"Where the hell were you?"

Walking over to the loveseat, she sat to remove her boots before responding.

"The Chapel"

"At this hour?"

She lifted her head to look at him. "I am not a child for whom curfew is necessary."

"What the hell were you doing at the chapel until now? Or did you and Silas go somewhere else?" His expression hardened. "Did you return to that little room of his so that he could comfort you and share what a lousy husband I am?"

"I refuse to grace that with an answer. Now, if you would excuse me, I had a very long day- "

"That's not my problem, is it?" Striding further into the room, he reached down and hauled her up against him.

"You are drunk." She tried to push him away, but he would not budge.

"Yes, darling," His eyes glittered as he clamped a hand around her neck. "I have been sitting inside my room, thinking about you and my brother and what he might be doing to this body of yours which belongs to me. Did he kiss you?"

"Let go of me." She whispered.

"You are mine." He whispered savagely. His head swooped down, and before she could avoid his mouth, he took her lips in a kiss that had the heat and desire tumbling through her body. With a moan of surrender, she wrapped her hands around his neck, her body melting against his.

Sensing her capitulation, he softened the kiss, his hands roaming up and down her back with a restless energy that indicated his rising need for her. He had spent the last hour and a half torturing himself with visions of her and his brother making out somewhere in some dark corner, and it had been driving him crazy.

Now she was in his arms, her sweet lips crushed by his, her slender curves melded with his, and he could not think about anything else but her, the scent and taste that filled him up and overflowing.

Tugging at the buttons of her sweater dress, he eased the shoulders off her and unhooked her bra.

"I need you." He whispered thickly, his eyes a molten silver that seemed to be scorching her.

Lifting her into his arms, he carried her not to her bed but into his room, where he laid her against the pillows. Swiftly taking off his clothes with feverish haste, he climbed over her, slowly pulled the dress off, and then removed her stockings and underwear.

Sitting back on his heels, he allowed himself the incredible luxury of staring at her gentle curves, the shape of her breasts, the flat stomach, and then the curls covering her sex.

"Tell me you want me," he rasped.

"I want you."

"Tell me again." He demanded.

"I want you so much." She reached for him, but he shook her hands away.

"I want to explore you, feel your taste inside my mouth." Before she could respond, he was bending over her and using his mouth on the hollow of her throat before moving to her breasts.

Her fingers dug into his shoulders and his back as he ravished her nipples, suckling hungrily until she was writhing with from the heat rushing through her.

Moving further down, he spent time ravishing her quivering stomach before kissing the top of her sex. Kendra's body went rigid, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

"No!"

"Yes." He whispered hoarsely, tongue touching the sensitive flesh. Her body lifted so suddenly that he had to hold her hips to keep her from upending him. "Shh, baby." Her musky scent was about to drive him mad.

Plunging his tongue into her, he held her still while he went into her moisture, the taste of her making his cock swell to impossible proportions.

Kendra felt as if she was going mad. The passion was too much; she felt everything and could not stand it. A cry escaped her as the climax came immediately, driving her up against his mouth, her body shaking as if she had epilepsy.

"Harvey!" She cried out his name in her desperation and sent fire shuddering through his body.

Moving up and over her, he entered her swiftly, his face hard and taut with passion. Tilting her face up, he buried his mouth in hers as he drove into her roughly.

Minutes later, after he had spilled his seed deep inside her, he held her trembling body against him, his heart thudding against his ribs in an unsteady beat that made him feel faint.

Drawing the sheets over them, he held her close to him, the feel of him almost on top of him giving him so much pleasure he could not stand it.

He knew the minute she started sleeping. The feel of her even breath on his skin made him realize that she had succumbed to exhaustion. A slow and tender smile touched his mouth as he shifted to study her face.

Brushing back tendrils of hair that had fallen over her forehead, he kissed her flesh. What the hell was he going to do about these troubling emotions tumbling through his body? He had no idea. But he could not stay away from her. Sighing deeply, he settled back, feeling the peace washing over him.

*****

He woke up the following day sick to his stomach, his head throbbing like someone was using a hammer to pound away at his brain. Shoving the sheets off, he went to the bathroom before everything came up. Leaning against the wall, he closed his eyes and fingered his hair.

Giving a start, he shoved off the wall when she came in and handed him a towel.

"Paying for all that drinking?" she asked him mildly. She was already fully dressed and looked as if she had just stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine.

"I usually can hold my liquor." He retorted, feeling the clamminess of his skin.

"I'll get you some lemon tea."

"I have to go anyway."

"By the time you are through with your shower, I will be back." She assured him before leaving the room.

Taking a deep breath, he stumbled to the shower installation and forced his leaden feet to carry him.

The hot pulsing sprays did the trick, and he felt a little better when he was out. But his stomach was still feeling queasy, and he knew he was running a temperature.

He also felt weak, as if his limbs were doing an enormous job of bearing his weight.

He had just put on his jeans and was reaching for a shirt when she returned, bearing a tray.

"Tea with honey- "her eyes riveted on the sweat pouring from his face and chest. "Harvey!"

Putting the tray down, she rushed into the closet and caught him just as he started falling.

"I feel like crap." He whispered, making a herculean effort to stand upright.

"And you are burning up. I cannot bear your weight." Wrapping her hands around his waist, she took on the slow and back-breaking task of guiding him to the bed.

"I have to go in." He said hoarsely, sitting on the edge of the bed just as his knees gave out.

"I am afraid you are not going anywhere." Reaching for the phone, she called down to the dining room.

"What are you doing?"

"Calling your mother."

"Stop fussing," he ordered, his voice raspy.

"You are in no position to tell me what to do. Hi. Julia? Could you come up, please?"

*****

"Pneumonia. A severe case." Jeff was diagnosed as soon as he finished his examination. "I would suggest he be rushed to the hospital, but I know how that will go." The white-haired man with the pleasant blue eyes told them as he swung the stethoscope around his neck.

"I am not going to any hospital." Harvey rasped. "Just give me what you are supposed to and leave me to get some rest." He growled.

"Antibiotics and I will recommend you stay in bed for at least three days."

"That's not going to happen." The words ended in a terrific cough that made his chest feel as if it was tearing from his chest.

"Take this." Jeff handed him the spoonful to swallow. "You are going to feel worse before you feel better." He looked at the two women in the room. "Keep him quiet and the room dark. Also, make sure he has lots of liquid."

"I don't need anyone babysitting me." He told them as soon as the doctor had left.

"I have to go to a meeting- "Julia began.

"I am staying."

"You are not."

Ignoring him, Kendra walked her to the door. "If there are any changes, I will call you."

"Thanks, my dear." Julia squeezed her hand. "He is like a bear with a sore head whenever he is ill. Don't let him drive you away."

"I have no intention of letting that happen."

Waiting until the woman had left, she closed the doors and returned to sit on the edge of the bed.

"How do you feel?"

His thick brows lifted. "I don't need you playing nurse."

"It's not what you need right now, but what's right for you." She told him calmly, placing her hand against his forehead. "You are sweating, and that's good."

"Is that your expert medical opinion?" he asked caustically. He felt as weak as a damn kitten, and her perfume was playing havoc on his senses.

"It is." Picking up the glass of water, she put the straw to his lips, grateful when he took several sips.

"Aren't you needed at that store of yours?" He asked her hoarsely.

"It won't fall apart if I am not there."

"Let me guess – you are doing your wifely duties."

Something like that."

"Well, wife, why don't you remove your clothes and climb over me? My limbs are weak, but my cock is coming to life."

Ignoring the immediate leaping of her pulse, she set about plumping up his pillows.

"No?" He asked silkily, one hand snaking around her wrist to tug her down.

"No." The fact that she had no problem removing his hand from hers proved how weak he was, and it was pissing him off.

"Then leave me alone to get some sleep." Closing his eyes, he turned his head away.

Shaking her head at how much like a spoiled child he was behaving, she stepped back from the bed and went into her room to change out of the clothes she had put on for work. Settling for an old sweater and black leggings, she returned to check on him and discovered he was fast asleep.

Moving over to the sofa to keep an eye on him, she opened her notebook and made some jottings. An order was for several dozen roses to be sent to the hospital this afternoon for an elderly woman who loved flowers. And they had to be tea roses, not cabbage roses.

Picking up the phone, she called the store and spoke to her assistant softly, ensuring she was not disturbing him.

"I will let you know if I will be there tomorrow," she told the woman. And if there is any emergency, just send me a text."

Hanging up the phone, she put the book away and rose to check on him. Gently touching his forehead, she realized in relief that he was not so feverish. He had let go of the sheets, and they were twisted around his body as if he had been turning restlessly.

Pulling them back up, she smoothed back the hairs from his unshaven jaw, feeling the lump inside her throat. He was so handsome and virile that it gave her a start to just look at him.

His lashes were like black wings on his face, giving him a decidedly feminine look, something he would not appreciate hearing, she thought fondly.

His chest was so broad, his body lean and tanned all over. Feeling the familiar melting feeling inside her body, she had to take several deep breaths to calm herself. "Oh, Harvey."

She whispered. "I have no idea why the Lord has chosen you for me when we are not matched at all, but I am in love with you," Brushing her fingers against the bristles on his jaw, she stepped back and napped on the sofa.

*****

"How is the patient?"

"I am right here. Why don't you ask me yourself?"

Grinning wryly at Kendra, Silas went over to sit on the edge of the bed. "I hear you have been a model patient."

"Why don't you ask my self-appointed nurse?"

"I am afraid to. How are you?"

"I am not one of your parishioners or whatever they are called."

"You are my brother, and I am concerned about you."

"I am better. Ask her- "He jerked his head at Kendra, who was putting away the tray that had been brought up for both of them.

"He ate his meal and took his meds. I would say he is on the mend." She told Silas with a smile.

"I am sure you could use a break. My brother is not the most amiable person when he is well, much more when he is not."

"I have some phone calls to make, so I will get to it and leave you alone with him." Rising gracefully, she left the room.

"You are a fortunate man," Silas told him quietly as soon as they were alone.

"Is that envy I hear, brother?" Easing himself against the pillows, Harvey reached for the glass of water and drank thirstily. His strength was returning, but his limbs still felt weak. And he had to admit that she had taken good care of him. He woke up at intervals throughout the day, and she was at his bedside.

"It is. Even though envy is not something I should be indulging in."

"You still have feelings for her," Harvey said flatly, unsure how he felt.

"I am trying to think of her as a sister because that's what she is now."

"You had better," Harvey growled.

His brother gave him a knowing smile. "I believe the formerly unshakable Harvey Blackwood is falling in love."

He felt a jolt, his hand arrested as he was about to drag his fingers through his hair. "You don't know what the hell you are saying."

"Don't I?" Silas said with a grin. "You cannot take your eyes off her."

"She is a beautiful woman."

"And I feel that knowing that she will be coming as my date to the function on Saturday is killing you. You can always change your mind."

"No." He shook his head. "I am not interested in going to an event where all people do is stand around and eat expensive food in the guise of trying to raise money."

"You know very well that's not all there is to it," Silas said mildly.

"Whatever- "Harvey plucked at the sheets restlessly. "I already said I am not going."

"And we both know the famous Harvey pride." Getting to his feet, Silas touched his brother's arm lightly. "Good to know you are feeling better. I will check in again later."

"Silas?"

"Yes?" His brother turned just as he reached the door.

"Thanks."

His eyes gleamed. "Of course, what are brothers for?"

Harvey waited impatiently for her to return to the room, and when she did, his heartbeat quickened. "You do not have to babysit me," he said.

"I am just keeping you company." Moving towards the bed, she sat down and checked his forehead. "The fever has gone down," the relief in her voice did funny things to his stomach, and the press of her hip against his was alarming.

"Lock the doors."

"What?"

"I want you." He rasped.

"You are not well- "She gasped as he took her hand and shoved it beneath the sheets where he was as hard as a rock.

"I am well enough, and I need this."

"Your parents might be here- "

"Then they will be getting an eye full." Jerking her on top of him, he clamped her head between his hands and kissed her hungrily.

Mindful that someone might just come into the room to check on him, Kendra struggled to free herself and excited him even more.

With a tortured groan, he clamped a hand around her waist to keep her there. Using his other hand, he reached between them to shove it down the waistband of her leggings.

Capturing her moans, he sank his fingers into her until her misgivings dissolved, and she was moving against him; her senses ignited. Dragging his mouth from hers, he whispered, "Take off your clothes. Now. My morning fever cannot compare to the one roasting my body."

His eyes were bright, and he could feel his body shivering. He could not understand what about her turned him into a raving madman.

Without waiting for her to do as he ordered, he tugged the sweater over her head and whimpered in delight when he discovered naked flesh. "Take everything off. I am bursting." He rasped. Raising on her knees, she pulled the leggings down to reveal naked flesh.

"No panties," he almost groaned as his cock surged even more. "What you do to me." Waiting until she had gotten rid of the leggings, he pulled her down to sheath him and had to stop as she closed around him like a glove.

Dragging her down, he took a nipple into his mouth and suckled hungrily. It did not take long for her to climax, and when she did, he followed right behind her, his body driving into her frantically. Collapsing against the pillows, his breath coming in pants, he wrapped his arms around her, his body bathed in sweat.

"I think that the fever is all gone now." He whispered hoarsely.

"You are sweating." She murmured into his chest.

"And sweating is good."

"We should – I should- "She started to move, but he would not let her up.

"Harvey, the door is not locked,' She protested.

"I don't care."

"I do." Pushing at his chest, she put some space between them, just a few inches.

"We are married." He reminded her with a crooked smile.

"And I am butt naked while you are fully clothed."

"Butt naked?" He lifted a brow at her. "That term seemed out of place coming from your prim and proper lips."

"I can be nasty if I want to." She told him coolly.

"Can you?" He was rather enjoying himself, and he realized, to his surprise, that he loved teasing her. "Say something and prove it to me."

"Like what?"

He burst out laughing, his body shaking with mirth. "The fact that you have to ask me what to say tells me everything. Let's face it, darling, you will always be a nice churchgoing girl who sings in the choir and teaches Sunday school." He cocked a brow at her. "You do teach Sunday school, right?"

"You make me sound like the dullest female on earth." Trying to hide her hurt, she concentrated on the hairs lying flat on his chest.

"Not dull, surely." Tipping her chin up, he studied her face and read her correctly. "A curious mixture of innocence and slightly worldly."

"I suppose you are used to more sophisticated women." She sniffed.

"Sophisticated is overrated." He traced the outline of her full bottom lip slowly. "You are the most passionate woman I have ever been with, and you make me hot and needy." Bringing her head down, he toyed with her lip. "Very need," he whispered.