“I’m waiting on a call back from Dr. Fremont. He’s the physician caring for Jackson until I return. They’re running scans on him, and we’ll have those results within the hour. I’ve already called ahead to my medical team, and they are calling in the ones I specifically requested for surgery if that is my decision. Unfortunately, I won’t know more until we arrive at the hospital, so we desperately need to leave.” He took my elbow in his hand, “Are you able to walk? Your legs seem a bit shaky.”“Yes, I’m fine,” I said. “We need to go.”“Please, have the luggage transported to the airport. I’ll ensure the next commercial flight brings them to LAX, where they will be received,” Cam said to one of the housemaids frantically running around, gathering our items that were strewn all over the place.Ring! Ring!The sound of Cam’s phone as we sat silently in the car nearly made me jump out of my skin.“Yeah, you’re on speaker, Collin,” Cam said, looking at me.“Jessa is next to you, I’m assumin
Cameron’s hand covered my fidgeting ones. “I understand that more than you know,” he said to me. “I need to see why he took such a harsh turn so suddenly,” he returned his attention to Collin. “But, to answer your question, Col, I don’t know if I’ll operate on him and perform the surgery at this point. I can’t be sure.”“I have operated on comatose epileptic patients before,” Collin said, “and my surgeries were successful. If you need my input on anything, please know that I will happily advise.”“I appreciate that,” Cam answered. “I’ve assisted on two other surgeries in such conditions, but the patients were stable. I need to see those scans.”“All right. If I hear anything, I’ll call, but I’m sure you’ll hear from Jakey first. Both of you stay strong. We’re all in this together for Jacks.”“We’re just arriving at the airport,” Cam said. “We’ll be there soon.”“I’m calling Warren, and I need to call my parents,” I finally said, having had enough of hearing about this shit and knowing
“All right,” he interrupted me, half chuckling. “You don’t need to bullshit me with all that stuff. I know you’re a fine surgeon, Brandt. I just need to know where your mind is at. You know that we do not advise doing surgery on our loved ones. You understand this, yes?”“More than you know, and I will ensure that it is not taken for granted that you’ve allowed me this opportunity, sir.”“I just want to know that when you storm into this hospital, your head is in the right place.”“I understand that, thank you. And thank you for calling on my patient’s behalf,” I responded.“Fremont is still with him, and I will be at Fremont’s side until you arrive. It’s my day off, but I want to be here for you, the family, and our staff, as I know this will be felt personally. You have family behind you, Dr. Brandt. That is what makes us a unique medical team. So do not let your mind go there and feel alone in any decision you make moving forward.”“I appreciate and understand that. Thanks, Chief,”
“Got it. We’re landing soon, so I’ll get off the phone and get my head straight.”“We’re all here for you and Jessa, brother. You better fucking know that.”“I know, and thank you,” I said.I needed to check on Jessa. I nearly came undone when she said she was going to call her ex. Did I screw things up that bad? I needed her to know that these occurrences were uncommon. I would’ve pressed harder for the surgery if I knew this would happen. I would’ve scared the fuck out of her and Jacks with this specific nightmare scenario if I thought it was a possibility.I couldn’t let myself feel guilty. I would not allow a freak incident to force a very frightened Jessa into making me believe this was my fault.The worst part was that I was putting thoughts and words into Jessa’s mouth that she hadn’t relayed to me.I was projecting my insecurities, and I needed to get over it, or I was no good to anyone.I had to fix my son, and I was on my way to do precisely that.Chapter Thirty-NineJessaT
“Well, you know that Collin is a neurosurgeon, and though pediatrics is not his specialty, he also deals with epileptic patients. He shared a few stories with Jacks, making it more real for the kid. Jacks realized that he’d be foolish not to have it. He agreed—” he paused, and I could see tears in his eyes.I watched as a tear slipped out of the corner of his eye, running down to the dark stubble of his cheek. “So, he was willing to have the surgery?”“Yes. Fuck, I can’t let these emotions get into my head. I’m doing a good job keeping them pushed down.” He sniffed, then shook his head and frowned. Finally, he looked at me with glaring sincerity. “I’m so sorry I didn’t see this coming. I’m sorry to you and Jacks, but I promise I will make this right and fix him. I will bring him back to us with a healthier brain.”“Stop apologizing, and just fix our son, Cameron,” I said. I was feeling a million emotions but holding onto one— determination.I knew Jackson would get better, and he woul
“Instead, you were with me, living a life with your son that you both deserved. A fucking fluke incident happened, and now you’re blaming your lack of judgment for taking me back?”“That’s not what I’m doing, Cameron.”“It doesn’t matter at this point. I cannot worry about how this affects our relationship. I can’t worry about anything. I must focus on Jackson and helping him.”“I couldn’t agree more,” I answered. “I need to be with him. Have you decided how you’ll move forward?”“As I said, I’m still waiting on more labs. I’ll meet with my surgical team after I bring you to his room, and there, we will go over everything, including the safest way to proceed.”“Do you believe you’ll do the hemispherectomy?” I asked.“Yes,” he answered. “With everything I’ve gone over, I can safely say that is the best option. I just need more results back before we make the final decision.” “Okay,” I answered, my emotions stable.I needed to be with Jacks and wait for Cameron to get his answers, and t
“Come back to me, Jackson. Please wake up and talk to me, yell at me, or tell me you want me to leave you alone!” I was pleading, begging, and crying with the desolation I felt. “Tell me anything, baby. Just please wake up. Please, please, wake up, Jacks.”I let the tears erupt from deep inside and laid my head on his chest, holding him and wishing he was awake to shove me off him. I felt like I would go mad if Cameron didn’t have a solution by tomorrow. I needed something. Right now, all I could do was sob and be as close to my sleeping, handsome man as I could be.“Come here, Jess,” Cam said, rousing me awake after falling asleep on Jacks.He positioned me to turn and face where he knelt in front of me. I reached for his face and studied his eyes. “I need him back, Cam,” I said, running my thumbunderneath Cam’s brilliant eyes. “Please do something.”I started crying again and leaned into his embrace. I felt Cam soften and hold me for the first time since meeting the solemn surgeon
Warren looked at me. “Your parents don’t need to be put in an awkward situation. They’re as stressed as we are, and, as you know, their opinions aren’t very high of Cameron.”“I’m standing right here, Warren,” Cameron seethed. “And I understand if Rod and Patty don’t want to have the stress of their grandson’s—”“Is it absolutely necessary?” I cut Cameron off, not wanting the added stress of this. “I can relay the info to them. And honestly, if you’re doing the surgery at four in the morning, maybe it’s best if you get some rest. Focus on Jackson, and I’ll deal with my parents.”Cameron eyed me, and I didn’t want to know what the man was thinking from his expression. I hadn’t meant to insult him, but I did not need the added bullshit of my parents hating him right now. I couldn’t do it. It would hurt Cam, and it would hurt them. It was just too fucking much.“If you feel more comfortable giving your mom and dad the information, then fine. I’ll head out since I’ll be back here first th
“So, I texted her,” Cam said, shrugging at Collin and Elena. “I should’ve been pissed, I know.” He shook his head, “But I wasn’t. She was just so beautiful, laying there, naked polished body—”“Skip the details that would make us sinners blush,” Collin said. “You texted?”“Anyway, with profound love, I texted her, Marry me?” Cam said, acting emotional.All eyes were on me for my portion of the proposal lie.“Well, I was about to locate Jacks on the GPS tracker, but I saw Cam’s text come through, and I checked it first.”“Good damn thing because he might have smacked your bare ass while lying by you on the bed,” Elena said.“Right,” I smiled, “I read the text and knew in my heart the answer was yes, but I wanted to verify Jacks was with you guys and didn’t drive off looking for a party like teens do. So, I just hit the thumbs-up emoji, and that was it. We’re engaged.”“Oh, for the love of all fucks, hot and sweet. That is the biggest load of shit I’ve ever allowed anyone to go on about
He shook his head. “You finally had me serious in conversation, and now, we’re going to make fake laws about a damn emoji,” he said with a laugh, pulling up to Elena and Collin’s estate in the Hollywood Hills.“Okay,” I chuckled and laughed, “let’s let Collin, Elena, and Jacks decide whether we keep or ditch that emoji.”“What are you planning? God, do not tell Collin that that is how I ended things with you.”I smiled at him as we pulled up to the side of the house next to a bright orange Lamborghini. “Relax,” I said, getting out of the Bronco.“Relax,” he huffed, opening his door and walking over to me.“Damn,” Collin said, walking out of the front door as soon as we approached. “I trust everything is kosher between you two? I’m presumably looking at two flames reunited in the fiery combustion of love?”“Yeah, Dad,” Cameron mocked. “All is fair in love and war.”“I see it is,” he said.“Where’s Elena and Jacks?” Cam asked.“In the kitchen making pizza,” Collin said, turning to walk
Chapter Fifty-OneJessaCameron and I spent that weekend wrapped in each other’s arms until we couldn’t resist picking up Jacks and telling him that his parents would be getting married and we were going to become a family.“How do you think Jacks will take the news? I’m thinking he’ll at least dig settling down out here—you know, to finally pull off from this online schooling bullshit and start gaining friends at a new school,” Cam said.“Yes,” I answered with a smile, “I know he’ll be happy to learn he’s no longer going to need to do school remotely, now that his mom has made a decision to live in Southern California.”I was thankful that the school issue could at least be resolved. Since Jackson’s surgery, I wouldn’t settle down and force Jacks into a new school—especially with him going through rehab, and with me not too certain where I truly wanted to live.Even though the school system in New York worked well with us for him attending remotely like he’d been, I knew it was somet
I couldn’t resist this perfect woman any longer, so I leaned up and captured her breast in my mouth. She moaned as my teeth nipped at her nipple, hardening it even more. I licked underneath her breast, closing my lips around it. I rolled my tongue in circles, pressing against her nipple as Jessa’s hand came up into my hair, gripping and pulling it while her hips moved faster and faster, giving my cock precisely what it wanted.I moaned loudly against her hot flesh, knowing that this woman’s movements would make me come, and there was nothing I could do about that now. I wanted it. I wanted pleasure from my woman riding me hard and fast. Jessa gripped my shoulders, pushing me back so our eyes could meet.“Come,” she ordered, “I want your cum inside me.” She smiled seductively.My balls were tighter than fuck, ready to send my cum directly into her, but I didn’t want this sensation to end. The rippling pleasure from her moving made me numb to everything but her tight pussy and the boili
I needed more.His fingers dipped inside of me and searched greedily for my G-spot. My eyes rolled back in my head while my breath was stolen by gripping and fiery pleasure. I would have fallen to the floor, writhing in desire while the spasm continued to swarm and erupt through my body, but Cam had a steady grip on me.While my lips grew parched from panting through the intense orgasm, Cam turned me to face him. His moist lips captured mine, and his deep kiss swallowed me up effusively.I couldn’t gain my bearings. I couldn’t do anything but relish the sweet flavor of the lips and kiss I’d missed desperately for all these long months.“It’s been too fucking long, baby,” he said, cradling my naked body and returning his lips to mine.My head was spinning from when we walked into this house to when Cam slipped my dress off me and began working me over in ways I’d needed since the last time we were together.I couldn’t even focus on what he was doing to my body because I was so envelope
“So, you’re giving me a third chance?” I said, standing up and walking over to her. “For the first time in my life, I honestly don’t know what to do.”“Tell you what,” she said, pulling the napkin from her lap and placing it on the table, “take me home, and we can figure it out from there.”I helped her from her chair and paid for what we’d hardly nibbled on and drank at this dinner. I couldn’t get her out of here fast enough.I had no intention of ever losing her again, and I planned to prove that the second we walked through the door once we got to my place in Malibu.OceanofPDF.comChapter FiftyJessaWe couldn’t get to Cam’s place fast enough. After coming to the conclusion that he wanted me back through more vampire talk than I expected, I couldn’t wait for us to get out of there. I didn’t care about dinner at that point. I was damn hungry, but not for food.“Jacks is spending the night with Collin and Elena tonight,” I informed Cam as we walked up the steps to his beach house.M
Chapter F ty-NineCamWe walked into Darcy’s, and I was quickly reminded why I’d never taken a woman I was serious about to this place— the ghosts of one-night stands and ex-girlfriends seemed to lurk in every shadow.“Right this way, Dr. Brandt. It’s good to see you again.” The hostess smiled at me, her bronze eyes peering into my soul. She probably remembered me from the last time I was dumb enough to take a woman home from this place.I snatched Jessa’s hand protectively into mine and kept her close. I don’t know why I was feeling nervous. Who gave a shit if an ex showed up? It would suck, but not enough to park that concern in my head when I had this beautiful woman walking by my side.We were seated, and I ordered us a bottle of Screaming Eagle Cabernet, one of the finest wines from Napa Valley. Of course, I had to keep my game smooth, and my woman impressed, so what came out of my mouth after I ordered the wine I never expected.“So, when will you stop acting like Bella from Twi
“You’re letting Laney fuck you with a dildo in my house?” Jim said.“Hell, it seems like marriage can be quite adventurous,” Spence stood, “but not enough to tempt me.” He walked over and patted me on my shoulder. “Hang in there. She’ll come back. They always do,” he chuckled. “I’m out, guys. My driver is here, and I have the Bartholomew project to tidy up first thing tomorrow.”“When do you fly out to London?” Jim asked. “Those bastards at Green Gate are trying to come in hard on that deal, and I want them leveled. You’re the fucker who can get it done.”“I’m not drunk enough to listen to you boss my ass around while I’m not on the clock,” Spence said, and then he looked over at me. “Seriously, let her go for now and focus on your boy. This will work out. It’s refreshing to hear that someone wants to fix themselves for a change. Sex will probably be even better for it, too.”“Sex is always your end game and final thought,” I said. “Yep,” Spence said, disappearing through the side doo
Chapter F ty-SevenCamI walked Jessa out to her car, feeling that all hope for us getting back together was slipping farther away with each step I took. I wasn’t happy with the arrangement, but I had no say in it. I told her I would give her time to get things right for herself, and I truly meant that. Hell, I loved the woman; if I didn’t know that before, I knew that now.Before, I might’ve taken this rejection as a fuck you and walked out of her life forever. But something told me to give her the time and space and allow her to heal. I honestly had no idea what she needed to heal from, but it wasn’t my place to question her feelings.Jessa had always had a good head on her shoulders, so if something didn’t seem right to her, I trusted her instincts.It’s not that I didn’t have the fight in me to win her heart back; it was that I loved the woman so much that I was willing to honor her request and let her go.I just had to hope that whatever journey she was on would lead her back to