Renegade: The Alliance Chronicles, Book Six

Chapter 31

Mark

"I'm your best friend, but you're so much more to me. The sun shines brighter when you're around. You know how to make me laugh. You make me happy."

—from "It Happens: When Friendship Turns to Love," by Dr. E. Rich 

Two months later...

It's been a difficult road back for me. Reluctantly, I moved into Kapernecki's high-end single-story home. The polished wood floors, wide doorways, and accessible surfaces and counters made my recovery a little easier.

None of that, however, keeps me from being a regular pain in her ass. I won't lie. Having someone take care of me for a change is nice, but I don't like feeling needy.

To be honest, Kapernecki has been exceedingly patient with my rehab. She stocks the kitchen with all of my favorite foods. Any movie I like is available to me. She even hired a live-in physical therapist, who speaks Spanish, for me. I can train and learn a new language when I'm not being a total jerk.

But I'm trying.

Being confined to a wheelchair irritates the hell out of me. Unfortunately, all of my hard work has only progressed me to a walker. Kapernecki sees it as a good sign. I, however, feel like a damned senior citizen.

"Mark, are you almost ready to go?" she calls out from the bathroom attached to the master bedroom. We've been sharing the bed. Just two people in the same space. We haven't had sex since the trip to Brazil.

"I'm not going, Leslie," I say and lie back on the bed.

Kapernecki comes into the bedroom, and I push myself up onto my elbows. She's looking hot in a black dress, the soft fabric clinging to her curves, and a pair of towering heels. I watch the gentle rise and fall of her boobs, and my mind travels south. For the first time in months, my dick twitches.

"Mark," she says while struggling to put in an earring, "we have to go. This is for your friend."

"I know, but I can't do this," I admit.

"We talked about it. You said you talked it out with the doctor. Castaneda's death was not your responsibility."

"I know," I mutter.

Kapernecki kneels on the bed.

I reach out and rub my hand across her hip. My pulse quickens. Heat settles in my groin. All I want to do is slide that dress off her firm body. "Call 'em. Tell them I'm not up to it."

She licks her lips. "This is progress."

I haven't been in the mood since Liam violated me.

"We go to the memorial, and then you can play," she says with a smile.

"Promise?"

"Yes." Her eyes linger on my naked chest. "Do you need help?"

"No, I got it." I reach over and pick up the navy sweater. "Just know I'm going under duress."

She winks at me and slides off the bed. "I'll keep that in mind for later."

§

It takes us about thirty minutes to reach a country club (I didn't know they still existed). I wouldn't have planned a service for Ko in such a place. There was nothing pretentious about her.

"Seriously, Leslie? You chose this spot?"

Kapernecki kills the motor and turns to me. "Don't let the locale blow your mind. My parents are members. I told my father I wanted to have a memorial service for Castaneda. Mom arranged it."