Doctor's Delight(75)

After dinner, the guests were ushered into another room, where they sat or stood in small groups and talked.

Several people wandered outside to enjoy the cool night air, and Rick wasted no opportunity in whisking Cherry out of an open French door onto a small balcony that overlooked the lush gardens.

“How delightful.” She looked around. “Just like my garden.”

Rick gave a snort of laughter. “Would you like a tour, see if it meets your expectations?”

“You know the gardens that well?”

“Old friends, remember?”

“I somehow can’t see you and Tim tearing around these gardens like little hooligans.”

“When the cat’s away, etc.”

“Two sneaky little boys, now that I can see.” She slid her hand into his warm clasp. “Lead on.”

“Your wish is my command.”

They passed several couples wandering along the pathway that wound through the garden. One couple was a giggling Nancy and an older gentleman who was whispering into her ear.

“Looks like Nancy’s found a paramour.” Rick waved to them.

“What a delightfully old fashioned term.”

“I’m an old fashioned kind of fellow.” He squeezed her hand. “I believe in love, marriage, and the baby carriage.”

Of that Cherry had no doubt, especially when he’d spoken of courtship, but she wasn’t sure whether he was hinting at something, or whether it was just wishful thinking on her part. Contemplating love, marriage, and a baby carriage in conjunction with Rick… She glanced up at him from the corner of her eye.

This man was so loving, so caring, so patient and gentle and sensual. Any woman would be lucky to have him. It was hard to imagine that right now she was that woman. But would it – could it – lead to love, marriage, and a baby carriage? She knew she felt something for him, he sent delicious thrills down her spine, he made her blood heat with his caresses, he brought laughter to her lips so readily, he made her feel so special, and her self-consciousness was disappearing when in his presence. When Rick walked into her vision, she saw no-one else.

Was that love?

Before she could contemplate any further, he led her through an archway and into a brick-tiled area that was trellised for privacy. Lights glimmered softly overhead, their reflection sparkling in the blue waters of the swimming pool. Several comfortable chairs and lounges were spread around the poolside, and potted plants were placed strategically against the trellis. Titling her head up, she looked at the stars twinkling in the sky, then brought her gaze down once more to find Rick standing in front of her.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

“It is.” He didn’t bother to even look around, his regard fixed on her. “But not as beautiful as you.”

And there it was, that flush of warmth that spread through her when he looked at her as though she was the only person in the world worth his attention. A little flustered, she glanced down. “Sweet talker.”

“I mean it.” He took her hands in his.

There was something in his voice that made her look back up at him. Green eyes caught the light, the steadiness of them trained directly on her, capturing her gaze as surely as he’d captured her hands.

He squeezed her fingers gently and she felt the touch clear to her toes. One step forward and he was right against her, the heat of his body filtering into hers, his masculine scent infiltrating her senses. Such a welcome, familiar scent that she wanted to have filling her senses when she went to sleep and awoke again. The heat of his body, the steadiness of his very presence, she ached to have it beside her through her life.

When did I fall in love with you?

The thought rose unbidden as the emotion surged up and out of her heart to fill every part of her. The sudden sharp knowledge was almost overwhelming, and her fingers tightened convulsively around his. She felt as though her very breath had been sucked away, and the night seemed unexpectedly brighter, brilliant, though her sole focus was on the breathtakingly handsome man standing so close to her that only their clothes separated their skin. She could smell him, feel him—

“Cherry.” His voice wove through her like black velvet.

Trying to thread her way through the warm shock of self-discovery, she smiled. “Yes?”

“Are you all right, love?” In a familiar move, he tucked a curl back behind her ears, his gaze both concerned and - her breath caught at the emotion she was afraid to name in case she was heartbreakingly wrong.

“I’m – I’m fine.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Really.” Her heart fluttered while outwardly she maintained her composure. She hoped.