Hey guys,
So sorry it's taken this long for an update. Hopefully you'll approve of this chapter; there's lots of ahem... Sean & Layla. ;) Special thanks to TJ for editing and giving me great feedback. As always don't forget to comment and rate!
*****
"Focus Sean, push through! Give it everything you've got!"
"Just shut the fuck up already! Damn, I'm trying," Sean growled.
Beaded sweat shook off of his forehead and temples as he struggled to continue. Weakened legs stretched and lengthened, causing a strangled roar to emanate from deep within him.
One more step.
He heaved as he tried to tamper the radiating pain running through his body. Without the aid of his back brace, his vise grip on the steel beams held him steady. Desperate green eyes squinted towards the passageway which seemed endless like the open sea. And all he wanted was to turn back around.
After a couple of weeks of rigorous therapy, he accepted that each time would be harder than the last. The medical professionals around him said it was a good sign; it meant he was healing properly, but he wasn't so sure. At any rate, he knew he had to do it.
Today, however, he just wasn't feeling it. He didn't feel like being poked and prodded or asked how he was doing. He didn't feel like being coddled by his mother and sister. Today his limbs felt heavier than normal and a cloud of pity hovered over him.
He shouldn't have to deal with this shit. For years he trained and relied on his body to do exactly what he needed it to do, but now... walking a couple of steps was a mission in and of itself.
He should be able to do normal things like throw his girl over his shoulder, run to his bedroom and sink himself deep inside of her. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible... and it was driving him insane. There was nothing wrong with his dick; so every time he was around Layla he had to give it a talk to calm the hell down. The doctors said he should wait to be sexually active; they didn't want him to aggravate his injuries, but fuck that. Tonight his woman was his.
Suddenly, the door opened and in she walked. Right on time. Sean thought as he let out a lecherous grin.
Fresh faced and casually dressed she strolled in and when her eyes connected with his, everything else became blurry. Even bundled up in her winter layers, Sean knew every tantalizing curve. Three days had been too long since he'd last seen her. Last weekend marked her last wedding event before she retired her business and she'd been so busy they'd barely spoken. God, he missed her. Shit, he sounded like such a pussy, but he didn't care.
Ignoring the pain, his back straightened and he took another step. Towards her. Towards the goal.
Like an astronaut on a spacewalk... he was weightless.
He couldn't feel the throbbing ache or the frustration seared in his bones, just her. The room erupted in applause at his achievement, but he just heard her.
Lips crashed on hers before any words were spoken. Layla let out a surprised whimper as his tongue pushed into her delicious mouth; she moaned and reciprocated the kiss.
Feeling a little dizzy and out of breath, she opened her eyes and whispered, "I take it you missed me?"
"Maybe a little." Grateful for the ability to stand without assistance, he tightened his hold on her waist.
Lost in each other, they didn't notice the stares or Dr. Nguyen, the lead physical therapist approach. He was small in stature but incredibly strong; his voice was so calm it could easily lull anyone to sleep. He let out a wide smile which made his eyes turn into tiny slits.
"Excellent Sean, that was great. Now we know what you were missing..." he cocked his head towards Layla. "Not that I blame you." He winked at her then laughed when Sean rolled his eyes.
The good doctor was always messing with Sean as he shamelessly flirted with Layla because he knew it got under his skin. They quickly became good friends so it was all innocent; but goddamn it, today it grated Sean's nerves. However he held his tongue and busied himself by fitting his back brace in place. He'd be glad when he didn't have to rely on it any longer.
"And how is this beautiful creature doing?" Dr. Nguyen asked her after patting Sean on the back like a trainer attempting to soothe a feral beast.
In the short period of time they worked together, he really had taken to Sean. They often spoke for hours about all sorts of things. Lately, he noticed Sean become more and more frustrated with himself. Dr. Nguyen had seen it all before; men who once thought they were invincible suddenly had to accept the fact they weren't. If it wasn't addressed he could fall into deep depression. He needed to have something to fight for, even if it was stirring his basest instincts.
"I'm good Dr. Nguyen and you?"
"Please, please call me Vien." The doctor's white teeth sparkled and there was mischief in his dark eyes. He stretched his hand towards her while eying Sean in his periphery. Sean hardened his gaze. This fucker was doing it on purpose, wasn't he? Today was not the day.
Sean slapped Vien's hand away before Layla could accept it. Vien managed to contain his laughter by biting his bottom lip.
"We gotta go." Sean grumbled as he settled in the wheelchair provided; he hastily rolled himself away with his lady in tow. Normally he could get around with forearm crutches, but since they parked so far from the therapy building, this was easier.
Layla managed to chuckle and wave goodbye to Dr. Nguyen.
"Remember to do your stretches at home Sean!" He called out after them.
"Yeah sure whatever."
Sharon, Sean's mother, waited for them in the reception area. When she saw her son coming towards her, pride enveloped her. He did so well today; she wanted to run over and squeeze him tight, but she refrained. After speaking with Sienna they agreed to give him a little breathing room. They noticed his broody behavior and didn't want to push him away.
"How's my other baby doing today?" Sharon gave Layla the tight hug and simply smiled at Sean. They walked off together and left Sean behind while they whispered to each other. He loved how easily Layla fit in with his family. Sienna already adored her and everyone else embraced her with open arms.
Although sometimes they were too much. Like today. As they greeted his mother, Sean braced himself, as he thought she would fuss all over him. Sharon and Sienna had been so overprotective of him; like sentinels one or both of them were almost always by his side.
Instead of the expected behavior, Sharon casually looked over her shoulder and remarked, "Good job today, honey."
By then they arrived at the parking garage. "Alright, I'll see you later this week mom."
When it looked like she was going to protest he added, "I'll call you, ok?"
Reluctantly, she handed him the keys to his new apartment. "Everything is all set up. Your things are unpacked, you have fresh linens and the refrigerator is fully stocked with food." Sharon hesitated; she didn't think it would be this hard.
After all these years, it was silly really; he was a grown man and would be living just thirty minutes away. Because he enlisted in the army at such a young age, this was really the first time she felt the pang of him moving out. The past couple of weeks he'd stayed at home in his old room and she took advantage mothering him as he healed from his injuries. She cooked all of his favorite foods and, despite his protests, she doted on him every chance she got. Now it was finally time to let go.
