I moved over on top of her, covering her body with mine, fucking her mercilessly while she stayed on her side. I was in even deeper in this position, and I felt Lauren’s orgasm begin to rip through her, her body shaking and clenching around me in climax.
She came, calling my name, and I fucked her through her orgasm.
And then I came, finally spending myself into her, giving her everything I had, my thoughts going incoherent, eclipsed by pleasure. She clung to me afterward, and I kissed her sweaty forehead, wrapping my arms tightly around her. “Don’t you ever leave me. I mean it, babe. I couldn’t bear it.”
“I won’t,” she said, breathing hard. “I promise.”
I ran my hand down her cheek. “Whatever happens next, we face it together.”
“Together,” she promised, just before drifting off.
I watched her as she slept, not wanting to take an eye off her, needing to believe she meant it.
Chapter 5
GABE
Lauren went back to Paragon the next morning, promising to be home before midnight. She was exhausted, but her eyes had the fiery determination they got when she obsessed over something. She was determined to show Li Na the sale was moving forward and Hannah should be released.
We hadn’t talked any further about the proposed exchange. Lauren knew where I stood. I hoped my brothers found Hannah soon, so we didn’t need to have the discussion again.
It hadn’t exactly gone well the first time.
As an added precaution, I’d asked Timmy to secure the house with updated electronic security devices and private codes. I wasn’t above locking Lauren up if necessary, even if that counted as a dick move. I had to keep her alive and safe.
I called my friend Dr. Edward Kim, a neurosurgeon who had privileges at El Camino, who I’d asked to check on Wes.
He picked up on the first ring. “Hey.”
“Hey, sorry to bother you. Did you check on my friend?”
“Yeah, I saw him this morning. I just reviewed his most recent CAT scan. It looked good—the swelling in his brain has gone down a bit, and all his vitals look consistent.”
Hope made my heart skip a beat. “Do you think he’s going to be okay?”
“It’s too soon to tell,” Dr. Kim said, “but sometimes these medical inducements really do help the patient heal. It looks like your friend’s progress is moving in the right direction. I’m cautiously optimistic. By the way, I had him added to my patient roster. I talked to the neurologist—he’s a friend of mine—and we’ll be working together from here on out. I feel good about it.”
“I can’t thank you enough, buddy. I owe you.”
“Perfect—I’ve been dying to play at CordeValle again.”
We’d played golf at the exclusive club last spring, and he’d been impressed. If Wes pulled through, I’d get Dr. Kim a lifetime membership. “Consider it done. Thanks again.”
I called Lauren immediately. “I just talked to my buddy, the neurosurgeon. He checked on Wes. He said the prognosis is good. They ran another CAT scan, and it showed Wes is healing.”
“Oh my God.” I could hear the relief in her voice. “That’s amazing!”
“He’s only cautiously optimistic, babe. But I think we can be too.”
“Okay. Wow. I just wish I could tell Hannah somehow.”
“Ask Li Na’s attorney if you can arrange another Skype.”
“I will. That’s a great idea—maybe if I could think straight, I would’ve thought of it,” Lauren said. “Thank you, honey.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”