Awake My Heart (The Bentini Brothers Book 3) Read online

  AWAKE

  MY HEART

  *****

  Jaye McCloud

  This book is intended for Adult Audiences only. It contains sexually explicit scenes and language.

  Copyright © 2015 by Jaye McCloud

  This is a work of pure fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are coincidental and fictitious. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which has been used without permission. The publication and/or use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. Furthermore, trademarks, service marks, product names, or names featured are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. The reproduction of this literary work in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, without the express written consent of the author, publisher, and copyright owner constitutes a copyright violation.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this literary work/publication may be reprinted/reproduced, used or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including recording, photocopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission from the author, publisher, and copyright owner of this literary work/publication.

  Acknowledgments

  To my mom, Alice Reed.

  Because you believe, I believe too.

  Your strength is my strength.

  I will always love and admire you.

  ebooks by Jaye McCloud

  Mr. Bentini’s Lady

  Mr. Bentini’s Lady (Erotic version)

  Her Man

  Her Man (Erotic version)

  Awake My Heart

  Awake My Heart (Erotic version)

  Awakened Heart

  Awakened Heart (Erotic version)

  AWAKE MY HEART

  Chapter 1

  ‘Kathy I’m glad you were able to have lunch with me today. I’ve missed you.’

  ‘I’ve missed you too girlfriend.’ Ti’s bubbling mirth fills the car.

  ‘Forgive me for laughing Kathy, but at least you’re getting better; you’re almost a natural at saying girlfriend.’

  ‘Thanks, I’ll consider that a compliment coming from you.’ They share a giggle and then Kathy says, ‘I have some thrilling news that I want to share with you. No one knows, and to tell the truth, I can’t share it with my family just yet, but I want to tell someone who matters.’

  ‘I’m honored Kathy, really I am. What’s this thrilling news that has you glowing?’

  ‘Well… Will and I are getting married!’ Kathy’s voice rises several octaves in her excitement.

  ‘Oh my gawd Kathy, I’m so happy for you!’

  ‘I know! I’m on cloud nine! I’ve been wanting this for so long. Will is finally choosing me over his family.’

  ‘I am truly happy for you Kathy,’ Ti says glancing over quickly at her friend. ‘So, what are your plans, have ya’ll set a date?’

  ‘Will wants to break his engagement to Alison in person.’

  ‘That’s a good thing, so why the long face?’

  ‘Because it’s easier said than done.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Will can’t break his engagement until Alison comes back.’

  ‘Come back from where?’

  ‘She’s out of the country for the next couple of weeks.’

  ‘Ooh, I’m sorry Kathy, girl that really sucks.’

  ‘Yeah it really does. Until then, we are going to keep it private.’

  ‘Well, I certainly…

  Ti cries out, the sound penetrating Antonio’s restless slumber. Turning over in bed, he shakes her gently, “Wake up Baby, you’re having a nightmare.” Tiressa gasps as she comes fully awake shaking, her body feeling sluggish from the nightmare that seemed so real because she lived the actual events of her dream. “Antonio,” she breathes into the side of his neck, clutching him like a lifeline, absorbing his warmth, his strength and the soothing sound of his whispered words. “Shh, Baby, it’s okay, I’m here. You’re here with me and you’re safe.” Antonio places a kiss on Tiressa’s warm caramel shoulder, holding her trembling body in his arms, gently running his hands up and down her back in long soothing strokes. After several minutes, he nimbly rolls her onto her back bracing himself on his elbows above her. “Look at me Ti.” When she hesitates, he places gentle fingers under her chin coaxing until her shimmering onyx-colored eyes meet the scrutiny of his worried silver gaze. Gently tucking glossy strands of jet-black hair behind her delicate ears, he bends his head and takes her soft full lips in a tender kiss. “Are you okay, Baby?”

  “Yes, I am now,” she sighs, running her fingers through his wavy black hair, cradling his ruggedly handsome face in her slightly trembling hands, she leans up to capture his firm lips with hers. “Umm,” she moans against his lips, “Make love to me Antonio.” Breaking the kiss, he touches his forehead to hers. “I want to Ti, but that’s not going to help you.”

  “Yes it will Tony. Your lovemaking always puts me into a deep sleep,” she teases, only half joking. Ignoring her kidding, he lays back down and moves her on top of him with her head resting on his chest. “Tell me about the dream.” His request is met by a long moment of silence, and then finally relenting with a long drawn out breath, she replies, “It was about the accident.”

  “I thought so,” he wraps his arms around her, resuming his long slow strokes down her back loving the feel of her warm satiny skin. “Maybe it will help if you talked about it Ti, it could be very therapeutic.”

  “Maybe,” she agrees softly, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Relaxing into his safe embrace, she begins speaking about the horrific afternoon that started out so bright and promising. “Kathy and I are in the car heading to the café, laughing and talking about her and Will getting back together… suddenly out of nowhere …” Her voice catches as she quietly sobs, tightening her hold on his big solid body. “I thought I was going to die, Tony.” She trembles in his arms. “Shhh. I’m here Baby, you’re safe now,” he reassures her cuddling her closer.

  “Things happened in slow motion…one minute it’s a great day and everything is normal…and in the next, the world is turned upside down and I’ve lost complete control…I see glimpses of the accident –like in slow motion…broken glass, smoke, strangers reaching for me. But mostly I hear the screams and cries and I don’t know where they are coming from. Then I look over at Kathy and…I try to call to her, but my voice doesn’t work and she’s not moving...”

  Kissing the crown of her head, Antonio holds Ti against his heart, whispering words of comfort.

  “Tony, I want to see Kathy,” she leans back in his arms so that she can see his face.

  “Sweetheart, you need to rest,” he insists, bringing his hand up to caress the trail of tears from her face.

  “Tony, I have been doing nothing but resting,” Ti complains, lightly thumping him in the chest in frustration.

  “Baby I told you, Kathy is getting the best care possible—”

  “I know she is, but can’t you understand that I’m not going to be okay until I see her for myself…I need to know that. I was driving Tony! I lost control of the car!” Tiressa takes deep breaths trying not to scream out in anger and guilt.

  Realizing that seeing Kathy may be what she needs to help ease her mind, A
ntonio relents. “Okay sweetheart, calm down. I’ll take you to the hospital, but I don’t want you overdoing it. You have more than just yourself to consider. You’re carrying my baby,” he reminds her, gently caressing her belly.

  “I’m carrying our baby,” she yawns the correction, snuggling deeper into his warmth.

  “Our baby. I love the sound of that, and I love you.”

  “I love you too Tony.” He continues his soothing strokes, holding her close until her trembling subsides and her body relaxes in slumber.

  ***

  “Tony if you are too busy, I can drive myself to the hospital.”

  “With what car Tiressa, yours is out of commission.”

  “Oh yeah, I forgot for a second. Well, give me the keys to one of your cars.” Tiressa rolls her eyes at the sound of his chuckling. “Sweetheart, I’ll give you the keys to my vault, to my kingdom and definitely to my heart, but never to my wheels.”

  “Then I’ll ask Carlos to drive me or I can call a cab.”

  “No you won’t. I said I’ll take you and I will.”

  “I know you’re willing and I thank you for that, but I want to stay at the hospital for a while. I don’t want you to be inconvenienced if you aren’t able to wait with me.”

  “You, my love, are never an inconvenience,” he brushes her adorable pouting lips with his, “besides, you’re not going to be there that long.”

  “Tony—”

  His loving expression becomes firm, “I mean it Tiressa. You were in that accident too and I’m not at all convinced that you should be up and about so soon. Chase said you should stay off your feet for at least forty-eight hours.”

  Distracted by the name, she asks, “Who is Chase?”

  “Dr. Chase Lassiter. He’s the doctor who examined you in the ER yesterday. He’s also an old college buddy.”

  “Well, your old college buddy, the doctor, said that I should rest for twenty-four to forty-eight hours. He gave me the all clear…and besides, I feel perfectly fine.”

  “I’m glad that you do, I want to make sure that you keep feeling perfectly fine. In fact, I’ll ask Angela for the name of the obstetrician who delivered Gigi.”

  “I’m not so sure about that.”

  “Why?”

  Blushing, Tiressa answers, “I don’t feel comfortable with men doctors. If it’s not a real emergency and if a female doctor isn’t available, then fine. But if given a choice, I prefer women doctors.”

  “Fair enough. If it’s a man, then I’ll ask him to refer us to a highly qualified female obstetrician. Besides, I’m not fond of the idea of some dude all up in my lady’s private business,” he says with an exaggerated cringe. “I’m a bit too old-fashion for that.”

  “You mean a bit too barbarian,” Ti teases, loving his strong Italian looks.

  “That’s right, we barbarians see every dick as a threat and we don’t care who it’s attached to.” Tony chuckles at his wit, momentarily distracted by the pups chasing each other around the balcony of their master suite. But he soon turns his attention back on Tiressa picking at the food on her plate, “What’s the matter, aren’t you hungry? You’ve hardly touched your breakfast.”

  “That’s because you’ve piled so much on my plate when I only asked for toast and poached eggs,” she says laughing and shaking her head at the small mound of food he had his cook, Garrett, prepare for her.

  “I want my son to get what he needs,” he smiles at his beautiful ebony princess, already proud of the beautiful babies they are going to make together.

  “Antonio, I’m barely pregnant and your daughter is satisfied with a piece of toast and a couple of eggs. If I try to eat anything more, I’m afraid my stomach will revolt.”

  His critical silver gaze sweeps her from head to toe pausing at length on her stomach. “Have you made an appointment to see an obstetrician?”

  “Not exactly.” She puts out her hand to stay him. “Hold on before you start blasting me with questions, I’ve made an appointment to see my primary care doctor and she will refer to me to an obstetrician.”

  Antonio frowns even more. “No, I don’t like that. I want you to have the best medical care possible. While I’m checking with Angela, I’ll also ask my physician if he has someone he could recommend; I trust him implicitly.”

  “So, you don’t trust me to find a highly qualified doctor on my own?”

  “Now, Baby, don’t go getting your feathers ruffled, it’s not a matter of trusting you; as I said, I want my baby and you to have the best care possible.”

  “Antonio—”

  “Don’t Antonio me, and don’t start a fight you’re not going to win,” he says with a cocky smile getting up from the table. “Are you done rearranging your food?” he frowns down at her untouched plate.

  “Yes, I’m done, but this conversation isn’t.”

  “It is for now. Come on, let’s get to the hospital.”

  Chapter 2

  “Are you fucking serious, you called Security?!”

  “As you are not willing to leave this room, you left us no choice.”

  “You’re damn right I won’t go!”

  “Will please, calm down,” his sister, Gabby tries to reason with him, placing a restraining hand on his arm, that he quickly shakes off. “You’re not helping Kathy by acting this way. Let Dr. Campbell and Dr. Hill do their job. We can wait out in the waiting room until they’re finished.”

  “I’m not leaving her,” Will snarls stubbornly, setting his cerulean gaze back on the woman laying so still on the hospital bed.

  “Sir, you are not her immediate family and therefore are not permitted to be in this room, nor are you privy to her medical information,” Dr. Campbell, the older of the two doctors and the doctor in charge, states resolutely. It is apparent that this is not the first time he has had to deal with a situation such as this.

  “We are the only family she has here at the moment and we aren’t going anywhere,” Will argues, not budging an inch.

  Gabby tries again, “Will please, mom and dad are on their way, don’t let them see you being escorted off the premises by Security.” She glances over at the two security guards standing anxiously alert just inside the door waiting for a signal from the doctors. “Will, let’s go to the waiting room,” she pleads insistently, tugging on his arm. It’s times like these when she wishes her brothers weren’t such big men with fire coursing through their veins when riled.

  “We understand your concern Mr. Bentini, but it’s hospital policy that only the patient’s immediate family be allowed—”

  William cuts off young Dr. Hill with a fierce wave of his hand while simultaneously piercing Dr. Campbell with a murderous look. “Apparently you don’t know who you are speaking too.” He whips out his cell phone and quickly punches in a number. “I’m leaving, but I’ll be right outside this room. You should expect to hear from Marla Charmers, the director of this hospital,” he barks, meeting the eyes of the two security guards as he allows Gabby to usher him out of the room.

  Dr. Campbell did indeed receive an urgent demand to report to Ms. Charmers’s office up on the top floor where all the big shot administrator’s offices are located. He isn’t offered a warm greeting or a seat when he enters. Instead, Marla Charmers immediately gets to her feet, posturing authoritatively. “Look, Nelson, the Bentinis are a very important family, not only in this city, but especially to this hospital.” She holds up a red-tipped manicured finger forestalling whatever he is about to say. “I know and understand how you feel. But I also know that you’ve been around long enough to be fully aware of how this game is played.” Arching a brow at him, she continues, “For the past decade Lake Mary Hospital has maintained its number one position in this region and it’s not by handing out free band aids and lollipops. The Bentinis are one of our major benefactors and we want to keep them in a giving spirit. Therefore, we are going to need you to fall in line and give them whatever they want. Do we understand each other?”

 
Their gazes lock until Dr. Campbell breaks contact first by lowering his. Exhaling a breath of pure affront at being taken to task for doing his job, he grates out a reply, “Yes, I understand exactly what you’re saying. They are big money and so I have to kiss ass and play nice.” Ignoring his mutinous expression, the director continues as they walk out of her office and to the elevators. “See, we do understand each other perfectly,” she declares with a wintery tilt of her red-coated thin lips. “I won’t take up any more of your valuable time Doctor. I’ll head on down to the Bentinis and let them know that we will do what we can to accommodate them in their desperate time of need.”

  ***

  Gabby glances sideways at her brother speculatively. “You know, I always suspected that there was something going on between you and Kathy.”

  Not in the mood to discuss his private life with his nosy little sister, Will replies noncommittally, “Oh yeah.”

  Gabby smiles at her tight-lipped brother. “Yeah. Sparks have been flying between you two for years. Remember that fight you had when Nick first brought her home?” Will winces at the memory. “How the hell do you know about that?” he demands distractedly, recalling how Kathy had come out of nowhere and given him a piece of her mind during an argument he was having with his brother Nick. There she was five-feet nothing, hissing up at him like an enraged tabby. He was a gonner from that very moment he just didn’t know it. “I’m ashamed to say that I’ve treated her abominably.” Gabby leans close to catch his whispered words. “But I mean to make it up to her.” Then casting his liquid gaze upward, he pleads, “Dear God, please let her wake up!…let her be okay, she deserves so much more than this!” Gabby throws her arms around Will’s big shoulders, relieved when he accepts comfort from her. “Kathy’s going to recover Will, you have to believe that!” Before either of them can say another word, they look up to see their parents entering the private waiting room that Gabby was finally able to coax him to.