CHAPTER ONE #4
Mike and Tripp are gonna go over and babysit so people can head to the hospital to see Madison and the baby.
I head back to speak to a certain doctor.
I make a stop first and pick up some food because I have a feeling she hasn’t stopped today.
For some reason, I want to be the one who makes sure she eats and takes care of herself because I get the impression that she’s the last person she thinks of.
I understand that she’s a mom and from what I know, she’s an amazing one.
However, I want to be there to make sure she stays healthy and gives herself some credit.
I don’t even know if I felt this way about Sarah—definitely not before actually dating her.
Hell, we were young and didn’t really date.
We just got together and went from friends to more.
It wasn’t something we ever really talked about.
I’d like to think that she would’ve liked Kimbra.
When I return to the hospital, I make my way back up to the labor and delivery floor. When the elevator opens, I see the waiting room still has quite a few brothers and other family members. This is what a brotherhood is supposed to be. This is what a real family is.
I walk up to the nurses’ station and wait for one of them to acknowledge me.
Just a minute or so later, the woman sitting at the desk looks up and gives me a smile.
“How can I help you, sir?” I lean against the desk and hold up the bag I’m carrying.
“I’m looking for Doctor Hargrave. I brought her some food since I’m pretty sure she hasn’t eaten in a good while.
” The nurse’s smile gets even bigger. “I can page her… wait, she just walked through the door behind you, sir.” I turn around and am greeted by a smiling Kimbra.
“What are you doin’ back here?” I hold up the bag.
“I brought you some food because I had a feeling you probably haven’t eaten.
Got time for a break?” I watch her think about it for a minute while she looks around.
“You know, I do have some time. All three of my patients have delivered and are in good hands for a bit before I need to do my last checks for the night. How about we go to the cafeteria since I can’t let you back into the breakroom?
” I gesture toward the elevators. “Lead the way, Doc.”
We make the quick elevator trip and walk into the cafeteria in just a couple of minutes since this county hospital is small.
We walk over to a table, and I pull out her chair for her.
I put the bag down in front of her and sit down across from her.
“Open it up. I got you that chicken salad you mentioned you liked and some breadsticks to go with it. I hope that’s okay. ”
She opens the bag and sniffs it. “Oh, that is so much more than okay.” I watch her unpack everything with a grin on her face.
She opens up the salad and takes a bite.
The moan she makes has me getting hard just sitting here.
Makes me wonder how she sounds…nope, can’t go down that train of thought right now.
“This was really thoughtful of you. Thank you. I hadn’t had time to stop and think about eating something.
Today’s been…it’s been a day.” She goes back to eating, and I can tell she must have been hungry.
“I know how eventful part of your day was. Did it continue like that, or did things calm down a little?” She takes another bite and nods.
When she finishes chewing, she answers me.
“Yeah, I ended up having two more deliveries, though they were routine compared to the first. Being here in such a small county hospital, I rarely have two deliveries in a day, and I can’t remember ever having three before.
I want to do one more round and check on the new moms before I go home.
” I let her eat before I suggest what I’ve been thinking.
“I was thinking you’ve had a day, and I would really like to give you a ride home tonight so you don’t have to drive.
What do you say?” I watch a slight blush color her cheeks, and I’d really love to know what just crossed her mind.
She bites her lip and looks up to look me in the eye.
“I have to come back here in the morning to check on my patients and possibly release one or two of them.” I lean forward in my seat.
I want her complete attention when I tell her my intentions.
“Kimbra. I don’t have plans tomorrow. I would love nothing more than to take you home tonight, kiss you goodnight, and let you get some sleep.
Tomorrow, I want to pick you up, bring you a cup of your coffee of choice, bring you back here, so you can do whatever it is you need to do.
Afterward, I’d like to take you on a ride and out to eat.
After we eat, I would love to have a kiss for dessert.
Hell, if I’m being completely honest, I would love to have all of you for dessert.
I’ve always had a sweet tooth. What do you say, Doc? ”
Kimbra
Holy hell. How did his simple words send tingles to places I haven’t felt in way too long?
I know I’m still nervous about starting anything with him, but I was also smacked in the face today with the reminder that life is short and we need to seize it while we can.
Fuck it. If this doesn’t work out, it just doesn’t, but I’d be a complete fool if I didn’t at least take him out for a spin and see if there could be something there. I’ll never know if I say no.
His eyes give off that whole alpha vibe I’ve read about.
I honestly have never seen that look directed at me before.
It has me tingling all over, like twinkling lights at Christmas.
“Yeah, I would like that, though maybe when I’m done here tomorrow, we can make a detour back to my place so I can drop my car off to have it at home?
That okay?” I’m gifted with the sexiest grin.
“Darlin’, that’s more than okay.” He leans back in his chair.
“I honestly thought you would put me off again like you’ve been doing.
I’m beyond happy you agreed to my idea.”
I take the last couple of bites of my salad, trying to get my thoughts together to share my concerns.
When I finish, I look back up and realize he’s been paying attention to me the whole time.
My cheeks flush, and I’m slightly embarrassed for being in my head.
Put your big girl pants on, Kimbra, and do what you’re always telling Bailey to do and use your fucking words.
I take a deep breath as if that will give me the courage I need.
“I haven’t been hesitant because of my desire.
If I’m honest, I’ve been very interested in you, and our talking a bit over text has only deepened my interest. It’s that it’s not just me and you involved in this.
I’ve got three kids who are my world. They’ve got a…
a strained relationship with their father. I worry—”
Ben interrupts me. “I know you’re a mom.
Just from the few conversations we’ve had, I know you’re an amazing one.
I also know that a good chunk of time will involve your kids, and I’m more than okay with that.
I wouldn’t start something with you if I wasn’t.
I hope, at some point, you feel comfortable enough to introduce me to them.
If things progress with us, I don’t expect to replace their dad at all, but be someone they can count on.
I’m mature enough to know that your kids are the center of your world, as they should be at their age.
I also know your career is important to you.
I’m just hoping to get to know you more and maybe eventually be a partner to go through life with you.
” I must not hide the surprise on my face because he chuckles and continues, “Yeah, Doc, I’m that serious.
I wouldn’t spend time getting to know you if I was just looking for something physical.
I want something more, and I think you and I could be good together.
Don’t worry, I’m not in a rush. I’ll let ya catch up to me in your own time.
” I must channel my kids because I’m pretty sure I just rolled my eyes at him.
“I’m not that far behind you there, biker man.
” He grins and says a single word. “Mathis.” Huh? “What?”
He shakes his head slightly. “Mathis is my name, and I want you to call me it.”
Wait, what? “What do you mean? Ben’s not your name? Your whole family calls you Ben.”
“Ben is my middle name. I’ve gone by it since I was barely out of high school.
It’s a long story, but it has to do with my lovely witch of a sister.
She wouldn’t have let Jane see her dad if she had known he was in the same club as me, so I started going by my middle name.
I like my middle name fine and have no problem with people calling me it.
But for some reason, I want you to call me Mathis, if you don’t mind.
” I feel like he just gave me a special gift.
“I’d be happy to. I like that name. It’s a little unusual but has a strength to it.
” That earns me one of those sexy-as-sin smiles.
“Why thank you, Doc. Do you still have a lot to do here?” I stand up and gather the trash back into the bag.
“No, I’ve already done the charting I need to do.
I just want to peek in and check on the new moms. I probably can be done in about twenty minutes.
Is that okay with you?” Ben-er, Mathis stands up.
“Whatever time you need, Doc. I’ll go back upstairs with you and touch base with whoever’s up there in the waiting room.
I know at least a couple of people should be up there. ”