Tension by R. L. Griffin Read Free Book Online Page A

least there’s a plus.
    George trailed his fingers over every inch of her chest, kissing her neck and whispering his love. Stella shivered as he licked and sucked all the way down to her stomach.
    As he headed even farther south, Stella thought about how long it’d been since she shaved. Since she’d showered. Jesus. “George,” she whispered. “I haven’t shaved in…”
    “Shh, El. Let me love you.” He knelt, grabbing both of her thighs and pulling her to him.
    Her head fell backwards and she groaned.
    There was a knock on the door. “Stella? Are you okay? Did you fall? I thought I heard something!” her mother called from the other side of the door.
    Stella stifled a laugh and then a moan as George continued to kiss her everywhere. “I’m okay, Mom.”
    “Where’s George? I thought he was in here with you.”
    “N-need a minute, Mom,” Stella stuttered.
    “Are you okay?” Her mother’s voice went up an octave.
    “Fine…oh, God,” she whispered. “Mom, can you get me some coffee?” Her voice broke. “I really need some…” she stifled a groan. “Some coffee. Please?”
    Stella ran her hands through George’s hair, trying hard not to yell his or God’s name. After a while, her knees buckled and she sank down to where he was kneeling, smiling at her.
    “Can we stay in here so I can look at you some more?” he asked wryly.

    A week later, her mother was helping Stella back into the hospital bed when Dr. Houston came in. “Stella, how are we doing today?”
    Stella rolled her eyes. She hated how doctors always asked how “we” were doing. She wanted to respond, “I’m not sure how we are doing, but I want to stab you in the eye.” She didn’t. Instead, Stella smiled her fake smile and eased herself into the bed. “Ready to get out of here, doc.”
    “Well, we’re going to run you through a few tests and then you should be able to be released to a rehabilitation facility. Do you know where you want us to send your documents?”
    “Emory,” her mother answered.
    “George Washington,” Stella said at the same time.
    Dr. Houston looked from daughter to mother and then continued. “Well, it’s looking good for Friday, Stella. Wherever you go, you’ll want to make sure you have a good support system in place.” Dr. Houston looked down at the chart in her hands, flipping through a few pages. “Any more pain here?” Dr. Houston touched her chest. “When you move?”
    “Yes, but I honestly just kind of have a dull ache all over.”
    Dr. Houston nodded. “Let the nurse know your plans for transfer.” Dr. Houston turned and walked toward the door. “Stella, you’ve done great. You just need to be patient and give yourself time to heal. Okay?”
    Stella nodded as Dr. Houston left the room. Oh yeah, time is really going to heal what’s wrong with me.
    “Stella Eugenia Murphy, you are being transferred to Atlanta so that I can take care of you. Period.” Her mother was going through her purse looking for something.
    Stella let out a huge breath. “Mother, I’m an adult and I will make my own decision.”
    “Already made.” Her mother didn’t even look up from her bag.
    “I’m not going to Atlanta. I can’t. My job, my life...everything is in DC.”
    “I’m not discussing this any further with you, Stella. I can’t believe you actually think I will stand for you to be in DC with no one there to take care of you.”
    “Mom, I can walk now. I’ll be doing physical therapy forever; I won’t be out gallivanting or anything. I don’t plan on being in the rehab facility very long. The investigators are in DC and I’ll be close to Cooper. George said he could bring him to the facility.”
    “Oh, is that what this is about? Being close to George?” Stella’s mother asked, concern filling her voice. “Your father is going to be heartbroken. You know he’d be here every day, if he could.”
    “Um, no. It’s not about being close to George.” Stella also knew her dad