Slider (Core Four Book 2) Read online

  As I let sleep take me, I told myself, this night was going to go down as one of the best nights of my life. Happiness consumed me, and I was feeling untouchable. No fear. This was how one should live.

  I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING in Turner Brook’s bed. If that wasn’t an aphrodisiac all on its own I didn’t know what was. A man that so many women desired, I brought to his knees. Last night was incredible. Plus, I don’t think I’d slept so well in years. Not because this bed was particularly comfortable, but because Turner used my body and made me feel things I’d never felt before.

  He wasn’t in bed with me when I blinked my eyes open and stretched my arms above my head. I was deliciously sore. Wonder where he was. My nose picked up on the scent of coffee just as the thought crossed my mind. Kitchen, he was in the kitchen. Sitting up, I looked around the room. In the light of day, things appeared a little different. Okay, maybe not really since I hadn’t actually spent much time checking out the room before Turner was on me demanding nakedness. I was currently lying in a king size bed that had a dark gray duvet covering my bare body. This space was a little more industrial than the living space. A wooden dresser was against the wall opposite the bed, and it had a particular hardware on the front for handles. There wasn’t really a finish to it, it was simple and masculine. The floors were a dark gloss, but not exactly black tile. The floor to ceiling windows opened the space and looked out over part of Athens, and part of a popular park that sat in the middle of the city. The view was stunning. I’m sure he paid high dollar for a place like this. I wondered if he rented or owned.

  I needed to put some clothes on and get the first cup of coffee flowing through my veins. Not thinking much of it, I padded over to Turner’s dresser and opened the top drawer hoping to find what I was looking for. Bingo. A basic white t-shirt sat on top, and I pulled it out. I hoped he didn’t mind, but I didn’t feel like putting on my clothes from the night before just yet. The shirt was definitely a little baggy on me, and fell to my mid-thigh. Looking in the mirror before I walked out, I gasped. Bright eyes stared back at me, and pink cheeks. I looked . . . vibrant. That’s the only thing that came to mind. My hair could use a brush, but my fingers would have to be good enough for now. Wow, I barely recognized myself. I grinned. This was a good look.

  When I opened the bedroom door, Turner was standing in the kitchen leaning over the counter staring at a newspaper. His eyes caught mine as I stepped into the space.

  “Morning.” I tucked my hair behind my ear, and looked down.

  “Good morning.” He strode to me and tilted my chin up toward him. “How’d you sleep?”

  I briefly wondered if I had morning breath. “Well, actually.”

  “Mmm, good.” He bent forward and kissed my lips tenderly. “Coffee?”

  I smiled. “Yes, please.”

  He released me from his hold and walked back to the kitchen. Getting a mug from the cupboard, he poured me a cup and asked if I needed cream or sugar. I nodded. He set everything out and let me fix it the way I liked. He watched what I was doing, and I wondered if he was taking notes in case I stayed again.

  Turner was leaning against the counter looking edible. He was wearing a fitted shirt, and a pair of gym shorts. I guess he got up and went for a jog.

  “You want something to eat? I can make us eggs and bacon. Pretty sure I have everything for pancakes as well.”

  My bare feet made no sound as I went around the island to the bar stool. “No, you don’t need to go to any trouble. Coffee is usually pretty sufficient for me.”

  “You sure? ‘Cause I also have . . .” He made a show of grabbing a box of cereal out from a small pantry. “My favorite, of course.”

  I giggled. “Of course. Fruity Pebbles, why didn’t I think of that?” I shook my head. “As good as those look and I haven’t had them in forever, I think I’m okay.”

  He set it on the counter. “Okay, well if you change your mind, I’ll leave the box out.”

  I took a sip of the extra hot coffee. “Thank you.”

  Folding up his paper, he kept looking up at me with a funny expression.

  “What?”

  The side of his mouth tipped up. “You look good in my shirt, Annabelle. I should see you like this more often.”

  Tilting my head to the side I felt heat creep into my cheeks. “Is that so?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Even in the morning, just woken up, you look perfect.”

  I twisted the mug in my hands. “I don’t know about all of that, but you are being awfully sweet this morning.”

  “Pretty sure we established that that’s one of my many admirable qualities.”

  My eyes shot up to his. “One of many,” I admitted with a smirk.

  He let me sit and drink my coffee, while he picked up the kitchen from whatever he left out last night. There wasn’t really a mess, just more him straightening and us once again enjoying the other’s quiet presence. I liked watching him move about his space. For such a large man, he was very graceful and meticulous. Being a doctor was a very good career choice for him. His hands were flawless. I don’t think he even realized how methodical he was.

  “So what would you like to do today?” he asked, breaking the silence.

  I didn’t realize he wanted to spend another day together. I thought about it. “I don’t know, actually. It’s nice outside, but I don’t really wander too much.”

  “Well, we’ve already established that you don’t know how to drive a standard vehicle.”

  The statement seemed completely out of the blue, but there was a gleam in his eyes that told me he already had an idea before he mentioned anything.

  “Noooo, I don’t.” I drew out.

  “Good. We have plans then. We can stop by your house for a change of clothes. You’re going to want to wear something with long sleeves and jeans.”

  “Turner, it’s not that cold outside.”

  He grinned. “Oh, it will be with the top off on the Jeep. You’re going to learn how to drive my baby today. I need to go get cleaned up. Make yourself at home, grab some more coffee if you’d like—eat something too, please. I won’t be long.”

  My mouth was hanging open. Was he kidding? What made him think that I could drive the Jeep? I knew it was a standard but honestly, I had no interest in learning. He drove it just fine. Riding with the top off was the only appealing part of this little excursion. And where did he plan on taking me to do this? I was bound to hit something or somebody. I swear to God, I wouldn’t be held responsible for any damage to his vehicle or a human. This was nuts.

  Turner came back out of the bedroom freshly wash, hair spiked every which way from being wet and looking sexy as ever. He had on a gray, long sleeved shirt, and a pair of worn jeans. He looked like he was ready to go off-roading or to get dirty. It was mouth-watering.

  “You ready to go?”

  “Uhhhh, sure?” I said confused.

  “Grab your clothes and let’s head out.” He picked up his keys and put his wallet in his back pocket.

  Looks like I didn’t have much choice in the matter. But have I had a choice with him since we started this whole thing? Sighing, I knew better than to argue. I went to the bedroom and put my clothes on from the night before. When we got down to the jeep, Turner jumped into the driver’s seat and we took off down the road, headed to my house to I could get cleaned up too.

  “There are some dirt roads about fifteen miles down the way. We’ll switch spots there,” he shouted over the wind in my ears.

  The top was down, and at the speed we were cruising, it was definitely cool. I didn’t feel like responding or yelling loud enough for him to hear me so I kept my mouth shut and waited ‘til we got to where we were going. Turner had a nice sound system in here and it played over the sound noise of the wind whipping around. My hair blew across my face and I reached up and tied it into a ponytail to keep it all back. I was going to look a mess by the end of the day. It didn’t take long until we were pulling off to the side of th
e road and there were trails of dirt and hills. This looked more like a dirt bike road than something you’d drive a Jeep on.

  “Here?” I asked.

  “Yep, here.” He grinned. Turner pulled forward and pulled the parking break up. “You ready?” He unbuckled his seatbelt and looked at me expectantly.

  “So you really want me to do this?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Any way I could talk you out of it? I’m not really in the mood to give you, or me, whiplash today.” I came across grumpy.

  “Turn that frown upside down. It’s easier than you think. Hop out and switch spots with me.”

  I did as he asked, and apprehensively buckled back up.

  “Okay, I’m sure you understand the concept of the gears. The thing you need to pay attention to and feel is when the RPM’s hit between these two numbers. You’ll hear the engine rev and that’s when you shift. Got that so far?”

  I nodded.

  “Push your left foot down on the clutch ‘til it’s on the floor.” He watched me do it. “Now, I want you to slowly give it some gas. It’s going to be like an equal give and take.” Turner was showing me hand motions trying to explain. “It’s okay if the gas revs the engine while you’re in first gear. As you gradually remove your foot from the clutch, the Jeep will move forward. You ready to try?”

  My palms were sweaty. “No.”

  He chuckled, placing his hand on my forearm giving it a squeeze. “Relax, this is fun and you’ll be surprised how easy it really is.”

  “That’s what you say now,” I mumbled under my breath.

  “What’s that?”

  “Nothing,” I said rolling my eyes.

  Having my first go, I visualized the motions he made with his hands. “It’s an equal give and take.” Right. My foot was pressed into the clutch, and I slowly gave it some gas. As the engine roared, I gently began releasing my foot from the clutch. The Jeep crept forward a couple of inches, and I got excited.

  “We’re moving!” I smiled.

  Clearly getting too excited, I did things a little faster than I was ready for. I picked my left foot up before there was enough gas being given and the Jeep jerked forward, hard. Turner uttered something along the lines of “gas, gas, gas.” Too late of course. We stalled.

  He rubbed his hands together. “Again.”

  I looked over at him. “Are you crazy? I’m going to break your damn Jeep. This was the dumbest idea you’ve had so far, which is saying something ‘cause we’ve done some insane shit, Turner.”

  The belly rolling laugh that came out of him almost made me want to crack a smile, but I held my ground. “Do you know how many times I stalled before I actually was able to shift out of first gear? I thought my dad’s transmission was going to fall out. No quitting. Go again.”

  I sighed. Much like the first time, I stalled again. And then again, and again. I slapped my hands on the steering wheel and cursed under my breath. This was one of the most frustrating things I think I’d ever tried to do in my life. If he told me I “could do it” one more time I swear, Turner Brooks was going to go home with a black eye.

  “Alright, listen, I know it’s aggravating. Give it one more try. If it doesn’t work, we can switch spots and I’ll take you for a spin around the trails.”

  “Fine.” I know my tone was that of a petulant child, but I didn’t care. Had I been standing I might have even stomped my foot on the ground.

  Taking a deep breath, I tried to recenter myself. Doing everything he instructed of me when we first tried all of this, I took my time and was determined to at least make it into second gear. As if I willed it to happen, the vehicle moved. When it started to shake, I gave it some gas and I was finally able to make the shift. I squealed.

  “Oh my God, I did it.” I lifted both my feet off the pedals and the Jeep shot forward and died. I busted out laughing. “Crap.”

  He was grinning ear to ear, and looking at me like I was the most entertaining person on the planet. “You’re cute, you know that?”

  “I’m cute?” I was still giggling. “You won’t think I’m so cute when I make your transmission fall out.”

  He shook his head. “Nah.”

  It got quiet and he was staring at me.

  “What?”

  “Nothing, I just think you’re a pretty special girl.”

  I tilted my head to the side. “What do you mean?”

  “You’re not like others that I’ve dated before, Annabelle. You’re just . . . different is all. Take it as a compliment.”

  Heat creeped up my cheeks. “Thank you then.”

  I didn’t know how else to respond. It was sweet how he said the words.

  “Okay, want me to take you for a real spin now?”

  I smiled, not even thinking twice about the danger or how I could possibly be scared. In this moment I was free and Turner was the one who held the key to that freedom. “Let’s go.”

  It was an absolute blast. Never in my life had I felt so unguarded and careless. It was life and it was enjoyable. I had a boyfriend who was nothing short of amazing, a gratifying job, Noah was getting stronger by the minute, and friends that were truly there for me whenever I needed them. I was happy.

  MY GOD, SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL. Hovering over the top of me, the wind lightly blowing her strawberry blonde hair past her face. She had a sheen of sweat across her brow from exertion and a smile that I had a feeling couldn’t be wiped from her face if someone tried. This was the happiest I’d seen her. Walls were down, heart was open, and I imagine this is the Annabelle that probably existed before her parents died. The world was blessed to have her. In this moment, I knew without a shadow of a doubt, I would do everything in my power to make sure she stayed this way for the rest of her days. She deserved this kind of freedom to be who she really is. If I saw her closing off the world, I’d make sure she let go and saw there was nothing to fear. I would be that for her.

  “What are you smiling about?” I goaded her.

  She bent down, my dick still buried inside her. She kissed the tip of my nose and said, “Nothing and everything.”

  “Good. That’s the way it should be.”

  Annabelle sat up and looked around her. She was searching for her clothes, which were a couple feet away. On shaky legs, I watched as she slid me out of her, and stood. Her body was incredible. Curves in all the right places and nothing but perfection to my eyes. I reached down and took the condom off, tying the end. Unlike her shyness from the last time, there was no reservation as she stood in front of me in all her gorgeousness. She dressed herself not caring that I was staring at her. I couldn’t take it anymore. After I taught her how to drive my Jeep, I needed her right then and there, so I took what I wanted.

  “What is it, Doctor Brooks?”

  “Just enjoying the view.”

  She bit her lip. I swear if she didn’t stop, she was going to have to get naked all over again.

  “Hmmm, yes. it is beautiful out here.” Her aqua eyes roamed the area.

  “I see nothing but you.”

  She picked up my shirt and tossed it in my face, giggling. “Get dressed charmer.”

  I got up and put my clothes back on. She folded the blanket we’d been on while I walked over to the Jeep. Annabelle’s phone started ringing the second I got near. I glanced at the screen and saw it was the hospital, but ignored it. It was her day off. They were probably calling to ask her to do overtime or cover someone’s shift. Not today. Today, she was mine. I went around to the driver’s side and checked my own phone. Hers went off again. What on earth? I picked it up and called over to Annabelle.

  “Hey, the hospital is trying to call. Want me to answer?”

  She came toward me at a leisurely pace. She looked completely satisfied.

  “Sure. If they want me to come in, tell them no.” She laughed at herself.

  I swiped my finger to pick up the call.

  “Hello, Doctor Brooks. “

  “Doctor Brooks? Oh sorr
y, I was trying to get in touch with Annabelle, is she around?”

  “She is, but she isn’t able to come to the phone at the moment.”

  “Oh, okay. Well, this is Lauren, one of the NICU nurses. I care of the little boy she frequently visits.”

  There was a tone in her voice that had me more alert. “I know who you are, Lauren. What’s going on?”

  She sighed into the phone, reluctant to tell me. “The baby . . . he, uh, he went into cardiac arrest earlier this morning and, unfortunately, the doctors weren’t able to get him back into a regular arrhythmia. He passed away around noon. We knew she’d want to know.”

  My heart sank. Everything around me came crashing down.

  “Oh shit. Okay, well, thank you for calling.” It may have been rude, but I hung up.

  I watched as Annabelle came toward me, the smile still in place from only moments ago and I was about to deliver news to her that would send her spiraling. How the hell was I going to tell her this? She was good. She was happy. Noah dying was something that would send every guarded wall and barrier right back up in place with steel walls. How would I deal with her then? It didn’t matter. My needs were selfish. I had to tell her.

  “What did they want? A nurse need the day off and want me to come in?” She said it like it was her own personal joke.

  “Annabelle.” I said her name. It was enough to cause her to stop moving. Concern etched her face.

  “What? What is it?”

  I wasn’t going to hold it back from her any longer than necessary. “That was Lauren from the NICU. She called to let you know something.”

  Her voice shook. “What the hell is it, Turner?”

  “It’s Noah. He developed an arrhythmia. He didn’t make it, baby.”

  It didn’t take a genius to see that she was about to collapse. I rounded the Jeep and caught her just before she hit the ground. I went down with her in my arms. I adjusted her so I was cradling her, brushing back her hair that had fallen forward.

  “I don’t understand.”

  I looked into eyes that were so confused and wanting to cry but couldn’t produce tears yet.