Sun-Kissed (Love In All Seasons 1)

Of course, I want to spend the whole night with her, but I didn't fight her on it because I know it's more important for me to take care of myself. Doctor's orders. Especially, after the fuck fest today—I gave Dottie all I had to give, and I savored every moment of her body next to mine. Her pussy was as perfect as I remembered, and when she wrapped her mouth around my cock I thought I might drown in pleasure.

It's hard to sleep, I'm anxious and scared. And I toss and turn all night long, wishing that just one of those people who had been calling my office all day would've been my long-lost brother. Thomas left after the hit-and-run, and I haven’t seen him since. Most of the time, I'm glad a selfish fucker like him isn't in my life, but right now, for selfish reasons, I wish I had him back.

I'd do anything for a kidney. How was I supposed to know kidney disease had been passed down from my parents? My parents died when I was young and I know nothing about their medical history.

I hate that my brother left the way he did, and with him gone, there will be nothing left of the Westbrook name.

An entire family -- gone.

This last year taught me so much about what kind of man I could be. I know it's sick to dream about a life with Dottie... but I've imagined it so many times since the day we met. I imagine buying her a beautiful home, rooms full of laughter and our children. A life that is full of love. I won't get that fantasy, but I do get the honor of seeing her again. And that is more than I expected to get.

She says she's coming to my house after nine, and knowing that helps me fall asleep—a fucking miracle, all things considered. I'm glad she's coming here, I want her to see this place because after we made love all day yesterday, I called my lawyer and changed my will.

I'm leaving everything to her, every last dime. Every last cent.

I may not have told her I loved her because maybe that's foolish to do after you’ve known someone less than a day, but I know enough. I know I want to give Dottie everything.

When I wake up though, I don't feel right. I'm lethargic and parched and I know something is really wrong. I call my doctor, and before I know what's happening I'm in an ambulance on the way to the hospital.

Of all days, of all months. All the years of my life. Now is the time my body is calling it quits?

It doesn't matter how strong you are or how much money you have. We have one life, one body. And none of us are immortal. I've been on the kidney donor list for months... but no matter how much of a priority I am, there hasn't been a match. No amount of money can legally get me what I need to live.

At the end of it all, I'm just a man. A man who wishes to be with the woman of his dreams. A man who wishes he had a life left to live. And now I am in a hospital bed, hooked up to medication attempting to reverse the sepsis, but without a kidney, nothing can be reversed.

"I'm so sorry, Dane," Dr. Morrow says as he enters my hospital room. "But I think it's time for you to make some calls."

How is this possible? How can a man go so fast? I feel weak, my blood is thick, my eyes are heavy. I know I'm going to die. My secretary Carla is here, and I tell her to call Dottie. To call her now.

If I'm gonna die, I want to end my life looking in her eyes.Chapter ElevenThe morning has been a disaster. I haven't slept more than three hours straight, so I'm a train wreck.

Thankfully, Lexi came over early this morning with reinforcements. Bagels and lattes.

Best friends are better than sex, almost. I mean, yesterday pretty much ruined me for any other men for the rest of my life.

Looks like Dane Westbrook is my one and only.

"Okay, I'll just run out and grab some Tylenol. I think Asher's slept so poorly because he's teething."

Lexi grimaces. "The subways are down, I read it on the news this morning. A bunch of issues with some of the tracks."

"How did you get here?" I asked.

"I drove. Oh, actually you should just take my car. It will save you time. You can get to that Super Target in like four minutes flat and it's free parking. It's better than taking Asher out of the car when he’s in meltdown mode."

"How do you know all these things, Lexi?" I ask, grabbing my purse.