Page 6 of Her Mountain Man's Christmas Lie
“Chris told me to make damn sure I got a paternity test.” He runs a hand down his face. “I’m a fool.”
“No, you’re a good, honest man who tries to do the right thing.”
We sit in silence. I’m lost in the love I have for this man and the fear that all that’s been done to him by my family willdrive him away. How can he even look at me and not see the embodiment of all the pain he’s suffered at their hands? The deceit? The misplaced blame? The loss of his blood brother? The rejection?
Noelle is so much like Mom. If it hadn’t been for Chris and a couple halfway decent stepdads, I probably wouldn’t have survived due to neglect. I understand Shea’s up bringing more than he realizes. He lived unattended in a shack by the river. I grew up in a fancy house that was populated by people who were emotionally cold as ice.
“Take your shirt off and get over here.” I pat the cushion next to me.
“No. It’s disgusting.”
“You know what’s disgusting, vomit after your dumbass sister can’t clean up after her drunken self in the bathroom you share. And it smells. A few bumps and valleys on your skin are nothing. I am not taking no for an answer. So shut up and let me do this.”
“You-ah, have a little temper, don’t you?”
“It’s call self-preservation. It’s a developmental necessity if you’ve lived with my psychotic mother and sister.”
CHAPTER 5
Séamus ‘Shea’
Fine. I’ll show her. She’ll get grossed out and maybe I can get her back to town somehow tomorrow. Pulling my shirt over my head I sit on the cut log top coffee table in front of her.
“The directions say three times a day to speed recovery and ensure elasticity in the skin. How often have you been doing it?” she asks.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see her squeeze lotion into her palm and rub her hands together to warm it. “I can only reach the front and top of my shoulder and the back of my neck.”
“That’s what I suspected. Here we go.”
Her gentle touch on my neck and shoulder send a shiver down my spine. After rubbing the lotion over my skin, she begins to carefully massage it in. It’s painful at first, but nothing like the debridement treatments. It’s been months since I’ve had any human touch. Hell, I’ve talked more today than in the last six months.
I’ve never been the most social, that was Chris. Everyone in town knows about his death and they’ve kept their distance from me. I’m sure now that’s due to Noelle and her mom and things they’ve said.
Because of my injuries I missed my best friend’s funeral. I was angry and resented the time they kept me in the hospital for treatment. Since being on my own, I can acknowledge I should have stayed longer. The affected areas are tight and itchy at times. Her touch is so soothing I lose track of time.
“Shea, I want you to drink a water and then lie on the bed so it’s easier for me to work your mid to lower back.”
In an almost dream state, I hit the head, drink some water, and lie face down where she’s pulled back the covers. The warmth of another’s touch is soothing, calming in a way I haven’t felt in… forever. I don’t ever remember this feeling of peace. The way her hands stroke up and down my back, following my spine from the top of my shoulders down to the curve of my buttocks. The tightness and tension begin melting away. I feel—almost human. And tired, so tired. A light weight settles over me, a warmth wraps over my low back and spoons along my side, molding to the curve of my body. My hand is clasped in another’s.
Tonight, I’m not alone with my demons. Tonight, an angel is guarding me, and I can let go and sleep. Tomorrow will be soon enough to worry about the mistakes I’ve made. Tomorrow I’ll again battle the anxieties of regret and failure.
I wake lying on my back, a weight on my chest and another draped over my hips. Something sweet smelling and soft is tickling my nose. My palm is cupping a perfect round globe. I flex my hand again testing the lush weight.
“Stop. I have to pee, but I’m too comfortable and don’t want to move yet.”
My eyes fly open. Glancing down my body I see Cady has covered us with a blanket. Her head is on my chest under my chin, one arm wrapped over my ribs, a hand on my chest, and one leg draped over my hips. My cock chooses that moment to wake up as well.
“You’ve done it now. I’m going to have to go relieve myself. I’ll put on coffee when I’m finished. Leave your shirt off. I want to put more lotion on you.”
Waiting until she’s finished and heading to the kitchen, I climb out of bed and make own trip. I can honestly say I have never felt better than I do right now. My sleep was deep and restful. My body still hums with a sense of belonging.
Shirt in hand I enter the kitchen. Coffee is brewing, and she’s at the counter whipping eggs. “I found cheese and a can of mushrooms so we’re having omelets. The bacon is in the oven. Once I have this mixed up it can cook in the oven while I put more lotion on you. Why don’t you pour coffee for both of us. One third of the cup needs to be cream or milk and the rest coffee for me.”
“Little bossy, are we?”
“Computer nerds are logical, analytical and detailed. Everything we do is calculated. Especially our coffee. Don’t touch my electronics. It makes me cranky and paranoid.”
Once she slides the eggs in the oven, she rounds the counter and takes a sip from her mug. “Aha, yes. I needed that.”
