Doc Showmance, page 21
I shook my head. “That’d be weird.” I watched the breeze ruffle the trees. “Might take about twenty minutes. I don’t know. You don’t have to stay. I can catch a ride. We’re going to toast a few beers and have a few donuts. We’ll tell a few stories. Then go.”
“I’ll wait.” As I unbuckled and opened the door Ian caught my hand. “Hey, Amber. Thanks.”
“For what?”
“Doing Thanksgiving. Telling Brock no.”
“As if I’d ever consider anything with a pigheaded asshole like that?”
“Exactly. I’m glad you’re you.”
“Stop it. You’re going to embarrass me.” I rocked my head. “Too late. You already did. But, sure, I’m amazing. I know.”
He chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Way to make a compliment weird.”
I got out and wove around gravesites to find Joley, Bruno, and Marino draped over Jamal’s gravestone. To others it might look disrespectful. To me, it was three people at peace with the resting site of the person we were here to remember.
About a half hour later, we’d finished our beers in honor of Jamal. We remembered his big heart, how crappy he was at school, and how many more times he ended up in detention than the rest of us. It had been a badge of honor to carry one of the wooden placards designating detention down to the south end of the school.
As we finished, Marino asked, “Did your boyfriend come with you?”
“I think he’s in his car.” I squinted at him. “Why?”
“Need to ask him about Pepper.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Marino loved his chameleons, even doted on them. He invested every bit of extra money into their habitat and care.
“I think she got sand in one of her eyes. You guys finish cleaning up here while I go talk to him about her.”
“Sure, we’ll clean up your mess,” I yelled at his retreating back. “Great excuse to avoid cleaning.”
“I won’t tell him too many secrets,” he shot back. “Like the fact you’re addicted to cake bakeoff shows?”
“Don’t give away shit like that. I have a reputation to maintain.”
Thirty-One
Ian
“Hey, Ian, I’ve got a question about my chameleon.” Marino leaned next to me against my Jeep in his skinny jeans and flannel shirt. I tried not to hold a grudge against the gambling brother for creating the reason Amber felt she had to participate in our fake showmance.
“Is she coming back to the car soon?” I asked.
“They’re wrapping up and cleaning up.”
“What’s wrong with your chameleon?”
“I think she got sand in her eyes. She’s holding one closed.”
“You rinsed it well, I assume.”
“Didn’t help.”
“She might have sand trapped under her eyelid or an ulcer. I should probably take a look. Have Amber bring it in tomorrow.”
“Did Amber have fun partying it up at the glamor Thanksgiving event?” His judgmental tone, as if she wasn’t allowed to have a life outside of caring for him, grated against the one nerve that didn’t get irritated on the commercial flight where I’d been pancaked between a snoring overweight man and a woman who wouldn’t stop talking about her Pomeranian.
I managed to say neutrally, “Not sure fun or partying are the right words for it. My relatives are difficult.”
“I still can’t believe she chose you and going up there over cooking us dinner. We had to order pizza, which sucked. Maybe she’ll make up for it by cooking for us tonight.”
Red hazed my brain. I lashed out with a hand on his chest to press him tight to the car. “What the hell is wrong with you? After all she’s done for you? Paid off for you? Can’t you be happy for her that she might be living a life that doesn’t involve playing mommy to you?”
“Can’t breathe.”
I wasn’t pressing that tight, but I eased up on the wimp a little bit.
“What’s going on here?” Amber asked.
“Nothing.” I pushed away from Marino and shot him a warning glare. “You want a ride to your house, Amber, or should I unload your suitcase?”
She squinted, clearly wanting the full details. “I think I’ll take that ride.”
I knew it was coming as we drove back to her house. Knew it.
“So, what was that about with Marino?” she asked.
“He said some shit I didn’t appreciate.”
“About you?”
“No.”
“Hmm.” She sighed. “About me?”
“He tossed around some crap about you choosing my family over them on Thanksgiving. Then said maybe you’d still cook them a meal since you skipped out.”
“I could cook—”
“No. Don’t do it unless you want to. Don’t play mom for them all the time. They’re grown-ass adults who need to learn to take care of themselves.”
“They do.” She leaned her head back against the seat. “But I like cooking when I have time.”
“You should stop taking care of them. Let them figure out how to be independent. But…” I swept my gaze her way. “I think you like them needing you. You hide in that responsibility to avoid finding yourself a real relationship.”
“Look at you being Mr. Insight today. Are you jealous of them?”
“’Course I am. I want you all to myself.” I pulled the car in front of her house.
“Yeah?”
I moved my hand to the back of her neck and nodded.
She wet her lips. “I had fun last night.”
I needed her to get out of the car. I didn’t think I could hold back, not after all we’d been through the past few days, not after having her last night. It felt like our relationship was about to take a turn from one-night into something more. My insides tightened like a rubber band stretching and stretching and about to snap, and I was ready for it to spring free.
I wanted this to be more. Hell, I had since the moment I saw her again at the emergency clinic.
Gently, I pulled her in toward me by the back of her neck and cocked my head. The space between us diminished. I heard her intake of breath before her lips melded against mine. I let her intensify the kiss to confirm this was what she wanted.
Such a relief last night wasn’t a one-off fluke. This was real. The chemistry still sizzled, and she still wanted me.
We groaned together when our tongues touched. I buried my hands in her thick hair, unconcerned about messing it up. It was all about getting closer. Desperation clawed at me, eating through my veins. Tension built along with my need to see her naked again.
Another car’s headlights lit up the Jeep.
Amber jumped away from me so fast I had to catch myself from falling toward her.
“I guess I’ll go in,” she muttered as she opened her door.
“Come over to my place tonight. Bring the dog. I liked him.”
“Pinot? The sheltie?”
“Yes, him.”
“We have to work tomorrow. It’d be complicated. Not sure I want to run all the way back over here to drop him off.”
“Then get out of the car. Play mommy and hide, but if you change your mind, I’ll be waiting.”
“Don’t snap out your frustration on me.” She slammed the door behind her and got her suitcase out of the back seat without another word.
Thirty-Two
Amber
My attempt to avoid temptation failed. I’d become weak. So weak.
This was big trouble. It suggested heavy emotions were about to come knocking. The ones I avoided. They brought on clinginess, hand holding, cuddling, and buying groceries together.
Now ten p.m., I stood on the front steps of Ian’s apartment, Pinot at my side. I hesitated, not ringing the doorbell. Do I go in or leave the pie I baked for him and hightail it out of here? Why the hell did I bake him a pie?
Through the closed door, Ian said, “Are you going to ring the doorbell or not?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
He opened the door. “How about if I visit with the dog while you decide?”
To my surprise, Pinot pranced inside.
“Hey, he’s my dog, not yours.” I pushed into his apartment.
“He likes me better than you.” Ian plopped onto the floor and hugged the little dog.
“No, he doesn’t. I made pie.” I held up the pumpkin pie I’d cooked a few hours ago. “Not sure you like pumpkin, but it’s… We didn’t get proper dessert at Thanksgiving. It’s still warm.” I felt awkward as hell. As if I’d forgotten how to relate to him.
“Pie?” He jumped up. “I’ve never had anyone bring me pie.”
“What kind of women are you dating if they don’t bring you pie?”
“The kind who don’t eat sweets.”
“Women who don’t eat sweets can’t be as much fun as me.”
“They weren’t.”
“Have you ever dated someone who wasn’t a model or celebrity before? Someone who’s not afraid to throw a punch and enjoys a good burger?”
“Never dated anyone like you. I’ve got a can of whipped cream in the refrigerator. Come on.” He took the pie out of my hands. “Besides, we haven’t even established what this is. Are we dating?”
“We’re making the best of a crummy situation.”
I tried not to notice how droolworthy he looked in his dark jeans and worn T-shirt from some concert. The way the shirt outlined his pecs and the tightness of the sleeves captured his sculpted arms… I’ve never seen a man fill out clothes quite so well. It was clear he spent time working out.
“You’re staring.”
My face scorched. “Sorry. That shirt…the jeans… They look good on you.”
“Is this a kissing book?” The screech came from the corner.
I turned to stare at the African Grey in his cage. The bird cocked his head and stared at us. We both burst into laughter.
“Sorry.” Ian put the cloth cover over his cage. “It’s time for him to go to bed, right Fred? He’s usually quiet once the cover goes on.”
He sliced the pie and served two pieces with a swirl of whipped cream. He sat while I stood at the counter. One bite, and he declared, “This is good.” He held up a piece of crust.
“Don’t feed my dog. No. Don’t,” I warned.
Ian waved the piece of crust. He dropped it on the floor near Pinot, who gobbled it faster than I could dive for it, watching me the entire time he ate it. The little brat knew better than to eat dropped food.
“If he gets the shits on your floor, that’s on you. Stop bribing him for love. Not again.” I grabbed at him when he had another piece of crust in his fingers to throw to Pinot.
“The runs won’t kick in until tomorrow when he’s back at your place.”
“Here I thought you were more mature than other men I’ve dated. Turns out you’re only in it to steal my dog’s love.”
“Just keeping your opinion of me real.” He pulled me into him and wrapped his thick arm around me. “Did you wear these leggings on purpose? Have you seen your ass in them?”
“Sure did. It’s quite round. But you like it, don’t you?”
He brought his mouth to mine to place a whisper of a kiss. His hand slipped up the back of my shirt to pull me in closer. The kiss got deeper.
His hand slid lower to the waistline of my leggings. He kissed down my neck, rubbing the rough edges of his jaw against my sensitive skin. “This is all going so fast.”
“I know.” I hugged him closer to me. “Too much in too short a time period. This feeling… It’s what I’ve been trying to avoid for a long time.”
“What feeling?” He stopped kissing me, but his hand against my back continued to make small, lazy circles.
“Nothing. We were forced into this. I can’t separate reality from unreality anymore.”
He whispered, “I’m here. This is real. Me wanting to do things to you on this counter and in my bedroom. That’s not fake. There are no cameras here. It’s okay to feel real things. I want that. I—”
“Take this off,” I said to distract him from wherever that was headed. I yanked his shirt over his head before he realized what I was doing. I ran my finger over and between his pecs. “You’re so sexy, Ian. Is it weird I want to kiss you everywhere? To suck on every divot?”
“No,” he said hoarsely. “Not weird.”
I ran my tongue along his muscles, sucking on each divot and crease, and down his abdomen. I played with the waistline of his pants as I worked my way lower.
“Shit,” he muttered when my fingers grazed his dick.
“Stop,” he said and caught my hands when they stretched his waistband. “Just stop for a second.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m seconds from coming. Just…need to breathe.”
“Really?”
“Fuck, yes. Having you touch me and lick me all over is incredible. You’re everything I ever dreamed of.” He ran his finger along my lips. “You’re smart, beautiful, tough as nails, and hate my family. I swear I’m thanking the universe for making this possible.”
I felt my eyes tear up. “I’ve never been someone’s dream before. I need you. Can we please skip to the fun part?”
I’d die if he denied me, not that I thought he would. Not after last night. But I knew deep in my soul I was falling in love with him. Maybe I had loved him for a long time.
He stood and took my hand to lead me into a bedroom, leaving the lights off. The room was lit by a small nightlight. There wasn’t a frenzy to get clothes off, but more of a slow release of clothes. Each shed garment seemed to fill the air with more lust and more anticipation.
“Are you turned on looking at me?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Let me see.” He climbed between my legs on the bed and lowered his mouth to me. A feral moan escaped me. He took me to a high but stopped right before I tumbled over the edge.
“Don’t stop. Please, Ian…”
He chuckled. Fucking chuckled. He pressed a kiss to my navel as he worked his way up to my breasts to suck hard on each peak.
“Shit.” I wiggled beneath him, trying to angle to get him where I wanted.
He pressed a kiss into me before he rolled off me to the nightstand, where he unwrapped a condom and slid it on. Then he was back. “I need to be inside you.”
He slowly slid into me, so big. I felt stretched. “You’re so much. I’m so full. Fuck… I think I’m going to come.”
“Me too,” he said breathlessly.
“Move. I need friction and pace.”
He rubbed his finger over a nipple. Then his hips began moving, stretching, pumping…
“It’s never been this good,” I got in between his kisses.
“Same,” he gasped. “Need more.” He pushed up onto one hand for leverage and the other hand cupped my hip to raise it as he thrust faster.
The bed rocked.
I cried out as everything detonated and my legs clamped around him.
He came with a roar.
Chests heaving, we lay there gasping for air. I floated. It had never been like this. It’d never been this good. Damn it, I didn’t want to be in love with this man who planned to leave me. Him being here was only temporary. But nothing was going to change how I felt.
Nothing.
I couldn’t let this derail my life.
Somehow, I had to keep a part of me intact so when the moment arrived that he had to take off and return to his traveling lifestyle, I wouldn’t fall apart.
Thirty-Three
Amber
Susan leaned into the doctors’ office while I looked through the patients checked in for emergency exams. “The senator is on his way, but they ran into some traffic on the drive from the airport. The overnight doctor wants you look at two cases. She’s not sure if they’re surgical or not. And the producer called a non-negotiable meeting. As in you and Dr. Todd need to be there now.”
I blew out a rough sigh. Just what I wanted first thing this morning: a play-by-play of the holiday while I tried not to give Ian any hot looks. My mind remained stuck on the highs he took me to last night, and me ducking out at four a.m. like a coward to avoid facing him this morning.
I re-read the second note in my pile of phone messages. The American Veterinary Medical Association wanted me to be a keynote speaker at their big conference this year? Me? This had to be a hoax. I was barely even a vet. Only trained professionals with something interesting to say were invited to do that.
A quick shuffle found most of the messages were similar requests for appearances, interviews, and even one endorsement. Did this mean I needed an agent or something to handle non-veterinary bullshit?
I should call Ian’s agent.
“So, you and Dr. Todd went away for the weekend?” Susan led. “How’d that go?”
“It made for great TV.”
“Are the two of you a legit thing?”
I woke up to next to him naked. Did that make us a true couple?
I compressed my lips. Gossiping with Susan or any of the staff wasn’t my thing. To put my personal life as the focal point might shift our relationship into something I didn’t want. For sure I didn’t want it on camera. My gaze swept to the corner of the room where the show had mounted a new camera pointed directly at my desk space.
“Is it serious?” she pressed.
“It’s on camera. How serious can we be?”
“You’re not a person who lets people in. So, I’m thinking if you let him in, it’s serious.”
“There you go. The show’s going to make people think whatever it wants about us.” I grabbed my cell phone as I stood. “I assume this mandatory meeting is in the conference room.”
I marched into the room and let the door slam behind me. It was one of those doors with a heavy automatic shut mechanism. If you didn’t hold the handle, it made a dramatic slam. This morning, I liked the noise. It reflected my mood.
Everyone else had already arrived, and by that, I meant my boss, Marianna, the producer’s assistant, a group of people Marianna used for spit balling ideas, and Ian. I avoided looking at Ian out of hope no one would guess what happened last night or the night before.
