Shocked and Shattered Page 7

  Me: Not visitors in general, but I’ll make an exception for you.

  Liam: Why thank you,kind madam. See you in an hour.

  Me: I will be here.

  I desperately need a shower. I put it off this morning, but I’m a mess. I wash and scrub my skin, then shampoo and condition the minimal patches of hair I have left. I wash off the soap suds and turn off the water. I reach for the towel and wrap it around myself, when suddenly, a wave of nausea hits.

  It’s such a fucking shit thing, giving me no warning and gets me good.

  I collapse from the overwhelming dizziness, and sit on the floor of the shower. Eventually, I open the door and crawl to the toilet, vomiting up my lunch. Sometimes, it seems insane to bother eating when it always comes right back up.

  I lie hugging the bowl and have no concept of time. I feel rotten and unable to move, when I faintly hear my name.

  “Crystal, it’s Liam. Are you okay?”

  I breathe out deeply. “I’m in my room,” I call out, hopefully loud enough for him to hear.

  “I’m coming in.”

  “Bathroom,” I manage to say, and he peers through the doorway.

  God, I must look a sight. The towel is barely covering my girly bits. My wet hair is a mess, and I’m draped over the toilet bowl.

  “Don’t look at me. I’m a mess,” I say to him, feeling embarrassed.

  “Oh, Crystal,” he murmurs, and comes straight over to me. He gathers my few strands of hair together and holds them up.

  “I was just trying to have a shower before you came. I can’t even do one simple task.”

  “You look and smell good. You managed well until the nausea hit. Sometimes, there is no warning.” Don’t I know that.

  “Come on, let’s get you off the cold tiles and dressed.” He helps me to stand, and I flush the toilet, feeling horrified. I shuffle slowly as I try to hold my towel up. He would be getting a nice view of my legs and bare skin if he was interested, so when I bust him checking me out, I smile.

  “Sorry. I shouldn’t be ogling a sick woman,” he says, chuckling.

  “I’m happy to be ogled. It’s been a long time,” I giggle.

  I sit on the bed, and Liam sits beside me. It could be sexual if I wasn’t feeling so sick and hadn’t just vomited. But, it’s a nice moment. He pulls me in closer and holds me in his arms. I feel safe and secure, and my heart fills for the first time in forever. It feels so nice. We stay this way in each other’s arms until the sun sets and it’s dark outside.

  “How about we actually get you dressed so you don’t catch a cold,” he suggests, always concerned for my well-being.

  “Okay,” I concede. He releases me from his embrace, and we look into each other’s eyes. I’m able to stand and gather my underwear, clean leggings, and a black tee. I don’t have the energy for a bra, so black should hide my boobs.

  “I’ll be waiting in the lounge room.”

  “Great…thanks. I’m okay now,” I assure him, so glad the nausea has passed for the moment.

  Liam is in the kitchen when I come out. I make myself comfy on the sofa and watch as he busies himself, making two cups of tea and cutting up fruit.

  “You don’t have to do that,” I say, but he just smiles. It’s nice to have someone wait on me. A very good looking male version, as opposed to Hannah.

  “I have dates for you. Your surgery is booked for Friday, in three weeks’ time. I have my associate, who is the best in the business, operating. His name is Dr. George Short. Does this sound okay?” I figure now that we are getting closer, it might not be appropriate for him to operate, hence Dr. Short.

  “Sounds fine to me. Any associate of yours that you trust, I have faith in,” I respond truthfully.

  “Perfect. I have the forms with me, so we can fill them out together if you like.” Wow. Is there anything this man won’t do for me?

  The next three weeks fly by, especially as I’m regaining my strength from not having chemo. It’s D-day, and I can’t wait to have this damn poisonous tumour out of my body.

  “I am so nervous, Liam, but feeling relieved to finally get this done,” I confess to him as I sit on my hospital bed, dressed in my gown and ready to go. Liam leans in and kisses my lips, softly. It feels so amazing. It’s our first kiss, and at such an appropriate time. I deepen the kiss, and never want it to end.

  When we pull back for air, Liam speaks first. “Wow. That was worth the wait.” He smiles and caresses my cheek.

  “It was perfect,” I agree and squeeze his hand. I’m then wheeled into the prep room, ready for my life-altering operation to start.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Afterwards, Dr. Short speaks to myself and Liam. “I am confident that I got the whole tumour. Scans have shown it hasn’t spread, and the chemo appears to be shrinking the cells in your lymph nodes.” That is exactly what I wanted to hear.

  “That is awesome news, Crystal,” Liam beams and hugs me.

  “Now, the next step. If you can get through three more sessions of chemo, I am confident we will be able to sign you off and in remission.” He reveals more positive news.

  “Really? That sounds fantastic. Even though chemo sucks, knowing there are only three left makes it totally doable; a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak,” I say happily, having something to look forward to.

  “That is a great attitude to have, Miss Edgeworth. We will keep in contact, and I’m sure Dr. Grayson will take good care of you in the meantime.” Dr. Short has a quick talk with Liam before he is off to see more patients.

  I’m resting and staring out of my hospital room window when Liam returns.

  “Only three more sessions of chemo, gorgeous, and then you get a date at the end of it, if you still want it?” he says nervously, reminding me of our deal and smirking.

  “I totally still want that date,” I reply, smiling widely.

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  I totally smash the last three chemo sessions. The last one, Liam is on leave and sits by my side, holding my hand. A few of the patients now know we are seeing each other. Poor Ava, the woman I met a few months earlier, lost her life to the dreaded cancer. She was surrounded by her family at the time, and that was all that mattered to her.

  Now for that date.

  “I want to make our first date special and memorable, Crys, but I don’t want it to be too over-the-top, so we are having a picnic on the beach.” Liam reveals the details to me.

  “That sounds just perfect to me,” I reply.

  “I will pick you up at eleven. I can’t wait,” Liam says, and it warms my heart that he is just as excited as I am for our first official date.

  I wake up to the sun’s warm rays through my window. My gorgeous kitty Stormy is still asleep next to me, so staying in bed is tempting, but knowing it’s our first date pretty much has me leaping out of bed.

  While making a coffee that no longer makes me nauseas, I receive a message.

  Liam: I am so looking forward to our first date

  That is so sweet.

  Me: You have no idea how much I am looking forward to today.

  I washed and dried my hair last night. I still can’t bring myself to shave my head, so my hair is very patchy, but I deal with it. I take a quick shower and choose a knee length blue dress. It is so nice to be able to dress up again and not only feel like wearing track pants and boring tees.

  I toss my grey cardi into my beach bag just in case, along with sun cream, sunnies, and other essentials. I take my time and apply my foundation, bronzer, and eyeshadow. Then I add eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss last. Since not wearing make-up for months, I am enjoying the process.

  At ten fifty-five, there is a knock at the door. Liam is always early. I smile as I answer the door to his gorgeous face. He is also smiling widely. />
  “Hey, Crystal. You look absolutely beautiful,” he tells me as we embrace. He smells so damn good.

  “You scrub up all right yourself,” I say, even though we are both casually dressed. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go,” I announce, eager to spend the day with him.

  As we drive along side by side, I feel Liam’s eyes on me, staring. I gaze over at him, feeling hopeful and excited. When we arrive at the beach, I spot Hannah’s car. What is she doing here?

  As we climb out and stroll up the sand, Hannah walks towards us. “Hey! I was just minding Liam’s masterpiece so that no one stole it. You two enjoy your gorgeous day together,” she says, hugging me tightly. “You deserve this, and so much more,” she whispers in my ear.

  Liam grabs my hand. His touch is soft, and I feel so safe walking with him, hand in hand. He guides me to his amazing picnic lunch.

  Spread out along the beach on a large blue picnic blanket is an array of fruits, nuts, deli meats, cheeses, chocolates, and a bouquet of purple roses.

  “Wow, this is breathtaking,” I squeal, totally blown away with his creation. He pours a glass of champagne and hands it to me, then pours one for himself.

  “Cheers to us. Cheers to new beginnings, and hopefully a lot more dates,” he toasts, making me giggle.

  “Cheers.” I clink my glass to his. The moment is so perfect and amazing. I squeeze his hand and can’t control myself as I lean in to taste his sweet lips. He kisses me back with eagerness, and with no reason to stop, we make out on the beach for the next hour.

  “Okay, I think we should get some food into our mouths before I ravish you again,” he chuckles.

  I start with some grapes, then cheese and crackers. Then, realising I am famished, I continue with chicken on a roll, two chocolates, and another glass of champagne.

  “God, I’ve missed food that I can keep down,” I confess, and we both laugh, knowing exactly what I mean.

  We snuggle as the sun sets and kiss each other passionately. When Liam rubs his fingers along my skin, I tingle and get goosebumps. I had forgotten just how special the freshness of a new relationship can feel; the magic and eagerness of spending every minute together.

  “I have dreamt of meeting someone like you, Liam, and I can’t believe my dream has come true.”

  “I know what you mean. I have never met anyone like you, Crystal, and my feelings for you intensify daily,” he confesses to me, and it’s like fate planned for us to meet.

  “Maybe in some twisted way, me getting cancer was the only way for fate to push us together. I wouldn’t change a thing because meeting you has changed my life.” With that acknowledgement, he leans in to kiss me deeply. “You were the light in my darkness, Liam."

  “If I could have created my own perfect woman, it would be you. You are a masterpiece; absolute perfection.” My heart swells.

  We stay on the beach until the air gets a chill to it, then we drive back to my apartment, feeling content and happy.

  “Come in for a coffee, or a night cap. It will be the perfect end to the perfect day.” I’m glad it’s Saturday, so I can sleep in tomorrow.

  “I’d love to.” We walk hand in hand up to my apartment.

  The closeness I feel to Liam is surreal. I don’t want to let go of his hand, so I hold it tight, and once inside my apartment, I pull him into me and we kiss; this time more passionately. All the months of built-up tension come out in our kiss. I walk backwards, with him following me to the lounge where I lay. He follows my lead and lies on top of me, not breaking our kiss. I grab onto his ass and it’s so toned and firm. My hands venture under his shirt; his skin soft and toned to perfection. Our tongues tangle together.

  “Mmm,” I moan from the incredible feeling.

  I start to lift his shirt off. I can’t wait any longer. He stands and removes it for me, and I take in his sexy upper torso. I then decide to take a risk. Standing slowly, I shimmy out of my dress. His eyes widen with lust.

  “Are you sure, Crystal? There is no rush,” he reassures me.

  “I have never felt so sure of anything more in my life,” I confirm.

  “I know the feeling. Being here with you and kissing you, touching you, is sensational.” His gaze finds my naked skin.

  We kiss again, our hands exploring and discovering each other’s bodies. I unbutton his shorts and pull them down His arousal is evident through his boxers. I pull him closer, feeling his hardness against my throbbing core that has been neglected and out of action for so long. God, it feels good as he rubs against me.

  “Lie down and let me pleasure you,” he says sweetly. I do exactly as he says, feeling eager to be pleasured.

  His hands rub along my breasts, circling my nipples that are hard and aroused. He eagerly pulls down my bra, exposing both breasts. He begins rubbing and squeezing them, then his mouth starts to lick and suck. I can’t stifle the moan that escapes. Damn, I’ve missed all of this.

  He kisses my nipples and flicks them playfully with his tongue. It gets my core so wet. As if he reads my mind, he places kisses down my stomach and across my lace panties, then reaches my thighs.

  My inner thighs tremble with want. His eyes meet mine, and his lust is evident.

  He hastily pulls down my pale pink thong, exposing every part of me. I feel so bonded to this man, even before sex, that I know this will make it a hundred times better. He kisses up my left thigh, teasing as his hands rub, getting closer and closer to my core, which I’m sure is dripping from my arousal. He skims past my opening and I jump with delight. Again he skims, and then comes back as he enters my opening gently with his finger. It slips in so easily.

  “Oh God, Crystal. you are dripping wet. It is so hot,” he groans as he massages inside me. He then adds another finger.

  “Oh, Liam. That feels so damn good,” I whisper and moan.

  He massages faster, and then to my surprise, I feel the warmth of his breath as his fingers are replaced by his tongue on my core.

  Oh God, I’m going to combust.

  His tongue flicks and licks me, and then a finger massages my clit as I grip the side of the lounge. My release is building. He doesn’t relent, but works faster and harder, taking me over the edge of ecstasy as I shake and convulse and ride the wave from my orgasm.

  Fuck, that was amazing, and much needed.

  “That felt amazing,” I breathe out. He scoops me up and carries me towards the bedroom.

  “I need to make love to you on the bed,” he tells me. He places me down gently, and I watch as he drops his boxers, showing me his beautiful cock, erect and upright. I am eager to feel him inside of me.

  He rips open a foil packet and starts to roll on the condom. It’s hot to watch. It’s even fucking hotter when he climbs on the bed and crawls towards me. I feel his hardness against my naked body as we rub against each other, his cock finding its way to my wetness like it needs to be there.

  I feel him at my entrance. I eagerly find his eyes with mine as he pushes inside. We are fused together and united as one, and then with a gentle thrust, he pushes all the way inside of me

  He thrusts a little harder, pushing in and coming back out. Our bodies connect like we were designed to be together.

  “Having you inside me is heaven,” I say to him in between kisses.

  He smiles. “You are heaven, Miss Edgeworth,” he whispers quietly.

  He moves faster and harder, and my breathing becomes erratic as my second release builds. It hits so hard, it’s both earth-shattering and mind-blowing. The waves of my release hit over and over.

  Liam thrusts again and again, until I finally feel him lose control. His release hits, and he shakes as his orgasm takes him on a wild ride as he lets go and explodes inside me.

  Damn, I don’t think I will ever get enough of this amazing man.

  Prologue

  I kept my word to Sterling and leaked the New York Times front page headline.

  ‘Sterling Hunt, caught with his pants down, only three mon
ths into his marriage.’

  ‘It appears he was on the 'hunt' for women frequently behind closed doors. Miss Edgeworth is better off without him. Besides that, what kind of man cheats and leaves his new wife deserted during chemo treatments? It is unbelievable & heartless!’

  It was the icing on the cake. I had to smear his name through the mud, but he deserved it, and so did the rest of the Hunt family.

  In the words of Hugh Hefner, ‘Life is too short to be living somebody else's dream.’

  That is what I did for way too long, but not anymore. My happiness comes first. It’s time for Crystal Edgeworth to be who she was destined to be.