Read Online Give Me Hope by Zoey Derrick - Free Book Online Page A

a restaurant, which is why I’m so late, but I can go get you something else. I don’t mind at all.”  
    Puzzled, I open the basket to find French bread, a large bag of potato chips, two containers of fresh fruit, and a container of her amazing chicken salad. I smile.  
    “I guess maybe I was wrong,” Red adds when he sees my smile.  
    “This,” I say, pointing to the basket, “is beyond comparison. No restaurant food could come close.”  
    Further exploration of the basket uncovers a thermos of coffee - no doubt the way I like it - and two cans of Mountain Dew. I shake my head at the latter: my one not-so-healthy vice in this world. There are also napkins, plates, and utensils.  
    “She’s thorough,” I mutter as I close up the basket.
    “That she is. You really should eat something,” Red says, eying the basket as I put it on the floor.  
    I nod absently and take my seat back on the bed at Vivienne’s feet. “I will.”
    “Yes, sir. I don’t mean to meddle.”
    I roll my eyes and shake my head at him. As annoying as it can be sometimes, his so-called meddling is what gets me places, allows me to do things, and makes sure that everything runs smoothly. “I enjoy your meddling, Red. It’s alright.”
    “Has there been any change?” he asks, looking at Vivienne.  
    Shaking my head, I say, “No, but Amanda - one of her nurses - was here again about twenty minutes ago. Said that Dr. Alston will be up shortly. I’ll try and eat after she leaves.”
    “Fair enough.” Red smiles, but I can tell he is watching me carefully. Looking for something, or making sure I’m really as okay as I say I am. “Do you need anything else?”
    I quickly run through a list of possibilities. “Besides her better, I’m not sure.”
    “Understandable, though I cannot help with that. As much as I would like to.”
    “I know. I’m alright for now.”
    “Very well. I’m only a phone call away. I’ll come back in the morning.”  
    I look at my watch and realize that it is after eight. “Alright, we’ll see you in the morning then.” I nod at him.
    He nods back, takes a look a Vivienne, then turns and silently slips from the room.  
    I stay sitting on the bed with my hand gently rubbing along her leg and watch the monitor. The longer I keep my hand on her leg, the less crazy the monitor gets. Which is probably a good thing because I don’t need anyone telling me that I can’t touch her. The thought sends a shiver through my body, and suddenly my back has come alive once again.
    This time, it’s different. My emotions are heightened by a desire that I haven’t felt in a long time. I try in vain to shake it off, but I can’t. My heart aches with a need to be near her, to hold her, to touch her, to—  
    Oh, no, you don’t.  
    I stand and make a beeline for the bathroom, quickly shutting the door behind me. I grip the sides of the sink hard, hoping that the pain in my hands will drive away the unexpected, unwelcome erection.  
    “Damn it,” I curse under my breath, gritting my teeth and squeezing my eyes shut. But my back vibrates with excitement as I grow harder and the need grows stronger. If this desire doesn’t die down soon on its own, I’m going to have to make it go away.  
    When I finally open my eyes and look into the mirror in front of me, they are electric blue, intense with arousal.  
    I feel the back of my shirt push outwards, away from my body. I reach for the hem and pull it up over my head.  
    Placing my hands back on the counter, I lean forward, eyes closed, trying to think about anything nonsexual. But everything I think of turns sexual in some form or another. Planes, cars and trains? Excellent places to have.... I drop that thought quickly, as it’s only egging me on. The stock market? Up and.... Nope. Work? Nope. Vivienne? Hell, no.  
    Little by little, I can feel my body calming. Without Seraphina around, I don’t know how else to do this. I quickly shift the image in my