Doctor's Delight(35)
He showered quickly and dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Pulling on socks and sneakers, he debated whether to have something to eat before heading over to Cherry’s house in the hope of catching her there, or whether he should go over first and then eat. Maybe he could convince her to have a casual dinner with him somewhere. Yeah, that’d be the go. He frowned. Or should it be somewhere a little more tasteful?
A knock sounded on the door and he crossed to it. Opening the door, he found himself face-to-face with his sweet mental tormentor standing there in all her voluptuous glory, and with a scowl on her face to rival any constipated, cranky patient.
God, she looked cute. His spirits rose instantly. Grinning, he leaned against the doorframe. “Hello, love.”
“Don’t call me love,” she replied tartly.
“Sweetheart.”
“Don’t.”
“Sugar?”
“Listen, Reed—”
“Rick.”
Her eyes narrowed a fraction. “If you’re going to be a pain, I’m leaving.”
Not bloody likely. Rick quickly stepped back and gestured. “Please don’t. Come in.”
“I don’t think this warrants coming inside. Now, I—”
Rick effectively cut her off by stepping to her side, placing his hand on the small of her back, and starting to usher her into his room.
She stiffened and started to dig her heels in. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Being civil,” he replied cheerfully, exerting more pressure on her back. “Offering you a drink. Taking you inside rather than leaving you on the footpath for everyone to gawk out.”
“There’s no-one gawking.”
“My mother brought me up better than to be uncivil. And the old couple three doors down are watching from their car.”
Cherry glanced around and it was enough distraction for Rick to push her through the door. Prudently he left it open and stepped around her, going to the ‘fridge and pulling out the iced coffee. Turning to her, he lifted his eyebrows in silent query.
“You’re an arse,” she stated flatly. “There was no one watching. What are you, five years old?”
“Thirty six, actually.” He poured a glass of iced coffee. “Sure you don’t want one?”
“No.”
“Iced chocolate it is, then.” Returning the iced coffee to the ‘fridge, Rick took out the container of iced chocolate and poured some into a clean glass.
“I don’t want an iced chocolate,” she returned sharply.
“My mother would slap me silly if I didn’t offer a lady a drink.” Rick handed her the glass, amused when she grabbed it and glared up at him. Clinking his glass against hers, he said, “Bottoms up.”
He’d love to see her bent over a kitchen table with her bottom up. Oh yeah.
Taking a sip, he watched her closely.
Cherry took a deep breath and there went that frilly lace across her breasts, rising up enticingly. Looking around to put the glass down, she began again, “Reed, we need to talk—”
“Glad you think so.” Catching her arm, Rick nudged the door shut with his foot and steered her over to the little table. “Let’s get comfortable.”
“Will you let me finish?”
“Of course.” Sitting across from her, Rick laid his ankle across his knee and rested one arm on the table, his fingers slowly running up and down the cold exterior of his glass. “You were saying?”
Cherry pushed the glass of iced chocolate away. “We need to talk.” She paused, obviously expecting him to again interrupt.
Encouragingly, he nodded, fascinated by the faint blush that rose in her cheeks. She was so damned cute it made his heart swell. The lace on her shirt that rested right across her ample bosom rising and falling a little agitatedly made his dick swell, too, but that would have to wait for another time. Hopefully not too far in the near future. Like ten minutes time.
Dragging his thoughts from that delightful contemplation, he focused on her face.
“Reed,” she began, only to scowl when he grinned at her. “Reed, I don’t appreciate you ringing me or knocking on my door. I want you to stay away from me.”
“But you came to me,” he couldn’t help pointing out.
“I thought I better come and straighten you out in person.”
“Always delightful. You can come and straighten me out any time.” She made to stand up and he realized he may have pushed her a little too far. Mentally telling himself off for teasing her, he leaned forward and grabbed her hand. “Wait. Let’s start this again.”
“Let’s not.” She looked pointedly down at his hand on hers.