SOPHIA
“Thanks, Nick,” I say as he helps me out of the car, and we head to see Dad in the hospital. I don’t bother to stop at the reception desk. I know where I’m going. Nick takes my hand and carries my purse. “Only until we get up there.”
“Well, you teased me with the elevator earlier.”
I shiver and follow through as soon as the doors shut. I shove Nick against the wall and devour him, really give in to the frustration I’ve been fighting all day. Nick, Holden, and Gunner all working me up this morning and then actually working all day.
Nick holds my hips in place until I push one of his hands to my ass. I need to be touched, need to get more than something innocent. The door dings before I can get as naughty as I want, and I step back when someone else gets on with us. Nick grabs my ass again, making me smile from ear to ear.
It feels extra hot knowing that there’s someone right here who doesn’t know what’s going on between us. And we have to behave in front of my dad. I know that. But I love playing this game, with all of them.
I love that they don’t make me choose. It would be impossible at this point. I feel like I need each of them in a different way. Nick is sweet, sexy as hell, encourages me, and he’s reliable. We are like real partners in everything we do. Holden is quiet and unsure, but I like being the one who brings him out of his shell. I like our long talks; I love how determined he is to be strong and protect me. Gunner makes me laugh like no one else, and his charm goes right to my heart … and between my legs. But he’s real too, has so much going on under his jokes and I love being treated to those secrets, especially when he’s buried inside me. And Roman. Oh god, Roman. Sexy, assertive, but with a soft side that gets under my skin and pulls me towards him until I feel like I can’t get enough.
“You’re blushing, Soph.” Nick purrs in my ear. “Want to tell me what’s going on in your head?”
“Oh no. Top secret.” I tease, bumping his hip. “You just remember to behave.”
“I should be saying that to you.” He winks.
By the time we’re in Dad’s room, I’m refocused. He looks a little better today, not quite as exhausted or pale. He takes my hand and kisses my cheek. “How are you, my baby?”
“Work is a big adjustment, but I think we have a good handle on things.”
“The guys aren’t working you to the bone, are they? I’ll put them in their place if they are.” Dad sits up and points at Nick. “Just because I’m not there doesn’t mean you can stick Sophia with the shit end of the stick.”
Nick holds his hands up defensively. “We’re not, Miles.”
Dad nods, then lays back, already exhausted. I sit on the edge of his bed and look at the food he’s given. Chicken noodle soup – mostly broth – some crackers to go with it, jello, and juice – only one – with a pitcher of water.
“Dinner is served.” He murmurs.
“We need to get you some better food,” I grumble, wrinkling my nose.
“Don’t knock soup.” Nick points at me. “It’s got everything a recovering body needs.”
“Absolutely.” Dad agrees. He eats slowly, and after a bit, I notice his hand shakes.
I want to offer to feed him, but I know my dad. He loves his independence, and I don’t want to make him feel like he can’t do it for himself. I especially don’t want to do anything that would make him feel even less as my father.
He sighs and pats my knee. “I’m doing okay, baby. Don’t give me that face.”
“I’m allowed to worry about you,” I whisper.
Nick clears his throat. “I’m just going to talk to the doctor if I can … find him.”
Dad doesn’t even look over at him. He brushes his fingers over my cheek. “Sophia, I love you. I’m not working. I’ll be home soon, and then you’ll have to deal with me all the time. You should be enjoying your freedom.”
“I feel like I’m missing out on time together,” I whisper. “When the doctor called, I was so afraid you were in an accident, or your heart gave out, and all I could think about was everything we haven’t done.”
“I’m sturdier than that,” Dad whispers. “And I’m not going anywhere before you get married and give me a grandchild.”
I laugh. “Slow down there.”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “We’ll spend more time together when I get out of here. I promise. Hell, if you want, we can even go camping again?”
“Last time we did that, you spent three hours getting mad that I didn’t know how to shoot a gun, Dad.”
“And by the end, you could knock cans off a fence from thirty yards.” Pride makes him glow.
I nod and feel my eyes water. Dad sits up to hug me and rubs my back. “It’s okay, baby.”
“I know.”
“So, what’s wrong?”
“I just …” I could tell him. I could tell him right now why I’m feeling so guilty.