Doctor's Delight(44)
There was no way she could continue eating with the elderly woman giving her disapproving looks. Taking pity on her, Rick, still laughing, stood and took her hand, pulling her from the booth with ease. Placing his hand at her back, he steered her down the aisles between the tables. At the counter he paid for their meal while she made her getaway outside.
The cool breeze outside took the heat from her cheeks and she breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing around, she saw several couples approaching, but her attention was diverted when Rick came out of the restaurant and stepped up beside her, his arm moving with easy familiarity around her waist as he tucked her in against his hard side and started them walking.
It was a totally alien sensation for her, and she didn’t quite know how to act.
He leaned down as they walked along, his breath warm against her ear. “You’re so stiff.”
“Am I?”
“I thought that was my department.”
“Oh geez, will you stop that?”
He laughed, his lips brushing her ear. The action was so unexpected that she didn’t know how to respond.
Kiss him back? Turn her head and look up at him? Cuddle closer? She continued to look straight ahead. Lack of experience in dating was showing with humiliating clarity. Who knew dating was so fraught with rules?
“Are you working tomorrow?” Rick queried.
Glad to be back on familiar ground, she nodded. “Late shift.”
“So you’re free in the morning?” There was a definite sound of eagerness in his tone.
“No. I’m supposed to be going around with Maxie to the bridal shops. She’s getting married in about six months, so we’re doing the bridal crawl.”
“Bridal crawl?”
“Like a pub crawl, only the bridesmaids get dragged around from one bridal boutique to the next.”
“What about Maxie’s mum? Isn’t the mother of the bride supposed to go with her?”
Cherry grinned. “Maxie’s getting in first. Her mother is bit overpowering, so Maxie is taking her shopping next month. By then we figure Maxie should have made her mind up and the dress bought.”
A rumble of laughter welled from Rick.
Relaxing, Cherry told him about the upcoming wedding. She didn’t even notice herself leaning in against him. The street lights flicked on and they passed other strolling couples and some families, as well as office people still leaving their offices long after knock-off time.
Rick stopped at an ice cream parlour and talked her into soft serve ice creams. “After all,” he said, “We didn’t finish our pizza.”
“And who’s fault would that be?” she asked dryly.
“Yours,” he returned cheerfully, paying for the ice creams and handing one to her.
“You wish.”
He followed her out onto the street. “You’re the shy one. Me, I could have sat there and eaten the last of the pizza right under the disapproving glare of that old lady, no problems.” Slinging one arm around her shoulder, he nudged her into a slow walk. “She was probably jealous.”
“Your modesty is awe-inspiring.”
“I know. Bask in it.”
Laughing, Cherry licked the ice cream that was already starting to melt.
They walked slowly in companionable silence, and by the time they’d reached the hotel parking lot, they’d both finished their ice creams. Cherry didn’t notice that they were at Rick’s door until he took out his key and unlocked the door. Immediately, she stepped back.
Arching one brow questioningly, he looked at her over his shoulder.
“I need to go.” She smiled and took another step backwards.
His gaze was searching as he turned fully to face her. “It’s still early.”
“It’s…” She glanced at her watch. “Eight o’clock.” Early. Damn. Good. Hell, she didn’t know.
Reaching out, he snagged her wrist in a gentle, but firm, clasp. “Cherry.”
“Yes?”
He laughed suddenly, shaking his head. “You aren’t what I’m used to.”
“You knew that already.” Her stomach was in knots.
“And that’s what I love about you.” He tugged her closer, and God help her, she didn’t resist. His voice lowered. “Stay the night with me.”
Cold and heat combined flushed through her. The heat of desire, of the memory of his hard body surging above her, against her, into her. The cold of fear, her imperfect body bared to his gaze. Fear and desire warred inside her.
Fear won, raising its ugly head and making her cringe inwardly, too scared to allow herself to be exposed to this perfect specimen of manhood. If only I was slim. If only I wasn’t fat. If only I had a decent body. The taunting words prickled through her mind like poison ivy, digging deep and tearing open wounds that bled out doubt, self-consciousness, and the echoes of cruel words she’d heard from as young as she could remember.