His Tattooed Virgin(Divine Creek Ranch 12)(33)

Doc arched a silver brow. “Hangover? You had a hangover?”

Jayne nodded weakly. “Oh yeah. A vicious one too.” Yeah and it turns out that tequila really does make my clothes come off. Thank God it was for the right person.

A knowing expression crossed Doc’s face. “That’s why you called? Because you had a swollen gland after tying one on.”

“Well, yeah.”

“That’s a symptom of recurrence in only two to three percent of patients. Your ears are a little inflamed and so is your throat. Allergies?”

“Yeah… Did I drive all the way to Houston for nothing?”

Doc scoffed. “Well, it’s good to see you too, brat.”

Jayne laughed and slumped in relief. “You know what I mean. It is good to see you, though. Good to see your old age hasn’t impeded your playboy image any. Actually, maybe I’d better rephrase that. Tattooed bad-boy image. Next you’re gonna say you own a…” She chuckled as he pulled out his smartphone and his fingertips danced on the screen.

“Say hello to my latest toy.” It was a beautiful, chrome-plated motorcycle.

“Victory? Is that the brand? Seth has a Harley.”

“Yes. She’s been fully restored. Smooth as sin.”

“Why, Dr. Hawks, you sound passionate about your new toy.”

Doc nodded and smiled as he rolled his sleeves back down. “It’s a lot of fun. About this swollen node. I’ll order lab work for you as a precaution. Get back on your allergy meds, keep that tattoo well cared for as it progresses.” He crossed his thick arms over his chest and adopted the “protective pit bull” expression. “This artist boyfriend. Is he good to you?”

“Seth Carter. He’s very good to me. He’s out in the waiting room. He didn’t want me to drive all this way alone. It was nice to have company.”

Seth had been attentive but quiet on the trip. At times, he’d been so deep in his own thoughts she’d kept quiet to not disturb him. A couple of times, she’d caught him gazing at her with inscrutable eyes. Each time, he’d squeezed her hand and kept on driving.

Dr. Hawks placed his hands on her shoulders. “All right, then. As long as he treats you right. Go live your life, Jayne. Stop worrying. Be sensible, of course, but go—live your life. Marry you artist. Have lots of—Sorry.” He dropped his chin guiltily.

She flapped her hand at him. “That’s okay. It’s been a long time. I’ve adjusted.”

“So you adopt. Raise lots of babies. Have a great life.”

Jayne wanted to jump down off of the exam table and run right out of there and do exactly what he suggested. She’d been bracing herself for another biopsy and an overnight stay in Houston. She was ready to get back to Divine.



* * * *



Biting the inside of his lip was making it sore, but Seth couldn’t seem to help it as he worried about what was happening in the exam room. He’d worried all weekend, wondering what they might find out today and the fragility of life had been hammered home to him. Jayne had voiced it perfectly a few weeks before when she’d told him that she was done letting life pass her by, watching everyone else move on while she’d coped with her illness. The most important thing she’d asked of him, he’d denied her. Who knew how long any of them had? He’d tried to be noble but realized now how futile it was if she’d missed her chance. Just like with the tattoo, they had unfinished business that he hoped and prayed for a chance to see through.

Seth dropped the magazine back on the end table when Jayne appeared in the doorway. The tension that had been building inside him since Friday night reached the breaking point as she walked toward him in the empty waiting room. The happy glow in her eyes told him everything he needed to know.

He gently grasped her upper arms as she reached him. “What did he say?”

She gestured at the bandage at the juncture of her elbow. “He ordered blood tests to be on the safe side. He thinks the swelling was something minor. I want to celebrate.”

Nothing held Seth back as he crushed her to him, his body perceptibly shaking as he kissed her until they were both light-headed and breathless. She trembled as she kissed him back just as wildly. The feel of her velvety tongue stroking his intoxicated him as she dragged her fingers through his hair. A wave of heat swept over his nerve endings as she tightened her arms and moaned softly. He squeezed her ass cheeks with both hands and answered her vocalization with one of his own. The fear that an invisible illness might steal her away from him abated.

Somewhere inside the doctor’s office, a door closed, rattling the receptionist’s glass sliding window in its track. Realizing they were still in a public place, Seth finally broke the kiss to whisper, “The second we get home, all these clothes are coming off.” He gripped her ass and rubbed her denim-covered pussy against his hardening cock, and they both let out a passionate gasp.