Aftercare: Second Chance Romance

by Jennifer Hartley

  “Right. Because doctors have your things delivered now.”

  Someone knocked and Katie squealed, clapping her hands. She opened the door, wearing a smile that no doubt got the delivery guy’s blood hot. “Hello. From Landon Stewart, you say?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” The man was boyish-looking with dark hair. He was carrying a pretty gold box with a crimson bow, and a matching paper bag. Katie signed for them and waved goodbye to the boy. Closing the door with her hip because she had the packages in her arms, she asked out loud, “I wonder what the good doctor has for you.”

  “Just get over here,” Regina said, sitting up. She tried not to be affected but she was curious. Why would Landon send her stuff?

  He was very patient, funny and sweet. He looked and sounded sincere about wanting to see more of her. If she were just like any other woman, she would answer right away. Lingering embarrassment was a huge factor in her hesitation. Another was she still couldn’t get around to the idea that he must like her. Really like her. But he didn’t raise the subject again when they were in his office talking about alternative contraceptive options. She was both relieved...and disappointed.

  Katie sat down. Regina removed the bow from the box followed by the lid. Upon seeing what was inside, she frowned.

  Katie looked just as confused as she was.

  “Apple pie? Well, you got that right, Gina, about him not sending you flowers. What’s in the bag?”

  Regina peeked in then took it out. “Gourmet vanilla ice cream?”

  “You got to love the guy who doesn’t give you anything lite or diet,” Katie declared, taking it from her. She looked down at the luscious dessert again. “Sweet of Dr. Stewart to take care of our dessert needs, isn’t it?”

  Regina noticed for the first time a card attached to the bag. She tore it off and opened it.

  Ice cream for your pie. Sorry about the morning you had. - B

  She showed it to Katie, who laughed. She couldn’t help but laugh too. As she was putting the card away, instinct told her to look behind it. She wasn’t disappointed.

  It was his number.

  Chapter Three

  Two days later

  “Good evening and welcome to Dark Matter. Do you have a reservation?”

  Regina blinked back at the host looking at her with a friendly but bland expression. His hair was dark blond, swept back from his forehead and pulled back in a ponytail. He was… a very noticeable man, rather than handsome, although he was far, far from ugly. Remembering what he asked of her, she nodded and stammered, “It’s Landon Stewart.”

  “Ah, Mr. Stewart,” The man looked at his clipboard with a flourish and shot her a smile that was gracious and warm. “He has been expecting you. Follow me, miss.”

  Regina tried not to fidget as she fell behind the man. With so very little time to get ready between work and this dinner, she had changed in the office. Thanks to Katie, she didn’t have much to do. She kept her black pencil mini-skirt on but changed her long-sleeved blouse for a sleeveless, scooped-neck royal blue top. She ditched her loafers in the office and replaced them with pretty black flats.

  She didn’t want to be as dressed up as the first night she and Landon met. If he was really interested, he had to know early on that she hardly went around in racy cocktail dresses and heels. Her style emphasized the practical and the comfortable, with just a touch or two of something fun or maybe flirty.

  She saw Landon as they approached the table and he grinned, getting up from the chair when they were near. Man, he looked good. Thick, golden hair brushed back and moving even with the slightest motion of his head without disarranging the style, his white coat exchanged for a tailored black suit. He looked much taller, almost sylph-like but she knew for a fact of the serious set of muscles packed in his sexy body.

  “You’re blushing,” he greeted her, his lips quick to land on her lips rather than her cheek. He pulled back a little, his smile widening. God, he looked really pleased to see her, she thought in disbelief before he leaned in to kiss her again. She kissed him back, letting him part her lips open. He hummed against her tongue when she touched his chest.

  By the time they pulled apart, her face and neck were the color of overripe tomatoes. Landon told the host he will be taking care of his guest and requested for the menu.

  Landon pulled out a chair for her and she sat down, grateful for the weight taken off her quaking knees. He went to his seat as the host addressed him.

  “At once, Mr. Stewart,” the host said with a quick bow. A server approached them, two leather menus in hand. He took the menus from the guy and handed one first to Regina then Landon.

  “Our dishes are as inspired as they are delicious. Your server Raphael will be happy to assist you. Enjoy your meal, Mr. Stewart, ma’am.” The host said, smoothly turning over the service to the younger guy.

  “Good evening,” Raphael said, smiling at them briefly before launching on a practiced spiel. “For tonight’s specials...”

  Regina was not listening at all. Her attention was on Landon’s hand on hers, his fingers having slipped easily between her own and now holding her in a way that felt oddly familiar but also new. He had a beautiful hand. Trimmed, rounded nails. Long, slender fingers. Suddenly remembering she had those same fingers in her, and doing something a lot more pleasurable than holding her hand, she blushed hotly and squirmed in her seat. It drew Landon’s eyes to her, his look curious but his smile warm before turning back to Raphael.

  “All sound delicious. What do you think, Regina?”

  She cleared her throat. “I’ve never been here before. What do you recommend?”

  “Their specials sound delicious. Would you like to try them?”

  “Actually, I’m more of the sort to try food that a restaurant is known for. Is that alright?”

  “Of course,” he squeezed her hand.

  “Do you want recommendations or shall I give you time to decide?” Raphael asked.

  “We’ll just call you, Raphael. Thanks.”

  They opened the menus. There were no photos, just fancy paper with curvy, gold font. Regina glanced at Landon over the top of hers. “So, you come here often?”

  “It’s my first time.” He told her and she was glad. “Anything looks good?”

  Regina blinked at the menu. “They have Salmon.”

  “And it’s swimming up the river,” Landon added, knowing what part of the menu she was on. They looked at each other, made a face and laughed.

  “How about this. We don’t eat anything alive, only things that are well-cooked. Unless it’s steak because it’s the best medium rare.” He suggested.

  “And no giving anyone a hard time for being a little healthy or wanting to be sinful,” she added.

  “Shake on it?”

  They did, their hands touching again before retracting them to flip another page on the menu.

  In the end, they decided on two starters: a platter of various aged cheeses and an order of aged culatello di zibello served with campanino apples. For the first course, Regina chose spaghetti cooked in crustacean broth with red shrimp tartare and vegetables while Landon’s was tagliatelle with hand-chopped ragu. For the second, Landon wanted suckling pig with pickled vegetables and Regina ordered lobster with double sauces. They nodded enthusiastically at Raphael’s wine recommendations for both main courses.

  Left to themselves, Regina was glad when Landon once again reached for her hand. “It’s good to see you,” he said, sounding and looking like he meant it. “I was worried you didn’t want to see me again after what happened.”

  “Landon, I don’t think anyone would want to see me again after what happened,” she told him. “But I thought you were just being nice when you said that after… you know.”

  “Are you alright now? Any pain or discomfort?” As Regina blushed, he cringed and sighed. “Sorry. I have trouble going off doctor mode.”

  “No, it’s fine. And I’m alright, thanks for asking.”

 
“Can I say something?”

  “Sure.”

  “This is the first time since I became a doctor that there’s no awkwardness telling someone what I do. It’s not like when you’re a neurosurgeon and people will just, ‘Ah,’ and nothing more because who wants to talk about brains during a meal? Or you’re a cardiologist and people ask you about strange pains in the chest, their cholesterol. It’s great.” His eyes were sparkling as he spoke, proof of his delight in not having to go through this awkwardness. “That means, I don’t have to bore you with my job and can ask about yours. And anything else I can think of and would like to know about you. You said you’re in I.B.?”

  “Yes,” Regina answered. “I run the department actually.”

  Landon looked impressed. “So, you’re the boss?”

  “Well...I do report to someone higher than me but essentially, I am. It’s a small department. There’s just seven of us.”

  “Where do you work?”

  Regina’s eyes brightened. “Now this is when it can get awkward. I work at the Lawrence headquarters of TIA.”

  Landon frowned. “TIA as in...Tennyson Intelligence...Agency?”

  “But I’m not a spy. Seriously. I just program the computers and get them to work, fix bugs, that’s it. Boring for those not into it, but I love it. There’s something about this box of chips and wires that can hold terabytes of data and it’s basically a playground of what you can make them do.”

  “Does that mean you can track everyone’s activities online?”

  Regina laughed. “No comment!”

  Water was poured into glasses. Shortly after came the wine, in another set of glasses, then their starters.

  The rest of the meal past unnoticed. Their plates were cleared and replaced with new ones, with fresh, warm food. Without a doubt it was delicious, but their conversation was much more enticing.

  Landon, she found out, was a merciless chess player, but liked to unwind best by biking through the rough mountain trails or running. He loved classic war movies and listened to a lot of punk rock. He played the violin as a boy but found himself very restless indoors. He claimed to be great at barbecuing everything and said that when he had her over next time, he was going to make her the best-barbecued vegetables she’d ever had, finished with lemon meringue ice cream.

  Landon was intrigued to find out she grew up in a small beachside town and yes, as it went with everyone from the town, she was an expert surfer. She ran as well, but only on her treadmill because she couldn’t stay out too long in the sun before she would turn red as a lobster. She was embarrassed to admit her love for stoner comedies. She loved metal but also classical pieces played on the piano. She was self-taught with the guitar. She was the proud owner of three hundred take-out menus and was friendly with every restaurant within a five-mile radius.

  They took a walk after the big meal. Regina didn’t notice at one point that they’d started holding hands again but there they were, shuffling down the sidewalk while everyone else hurried past.

  There was no topic that stopped them from talking. Laughter, sweeping hand gestures and exasperated sighs and explanations came with discussions about strange food combinations, things they would rather do, books and movies. She was still all giggly and red and he was barely keeping it together as they staggered to a Milk Ice stall.

  “Alright, we deserve ice cream after the talk we’ve had!” Regina exclaimed, scanning the top for the menu. Hearing Landon beginning to take out his wallet, she stopped him. “No. This is my treat. And not because I lost the debate, Landon.”

  Landon held up his hands and said to the amused cashier. “I’ll never stop a woman from getting what she wants.”

  “I’ll have Berry Bliss with an extra dark chocolate swirl. What do you want?”

  “Ah. That one. Chocolate Devil. With extra raspberries.”

  Ice cream in hand, they continued walking. Landon scooped some of his dessert and offered it to her, and she gasped that it was too sweet. He liked her ice cream.

  They disposed of the tubs in a bin by the traffic light. Regina frowned at her fingers. “They’re sticky. Do you have moist towelette or something?”

  “I’m a guy. I don’t carry anything towelette or moist. But I have an idea.” Landon winked at her and before she could stop him, he was licking her fingers. Right there in the street for everyone to see!

  “She’s redder than the light, man,” a man remarked as he walked past them. Regina lowered her head and Landon laughed, throwing his arms around her for a brief hug before crossing the street together.

  “I have no idea where we are right now,” Landon said as they now walked with their arms around each other.

  “I do. I live four blocks from here.”

  “Is that right?” he said suggestively, making her blush again. “So unbelievable.”

  “What? That I live close?”

  “No.”

  They stopped, facing each other. Landon’s eyes were soft as he gazed at her, a hand reaching up to brush her hair away from her face, cradling her cheek briefly before his palm traced the curve between neck and shoulder. The whole time he touched her, her cheeks were as red as apples.

  “It’s unbelievable how seeing you blush is becoming one of my favorite things. How do you blush so much? And so easily? There you go again,” he said affectionately as she turned away, failing to fight off the capillaries in her face from getting the better of her. Strong arms wrapping around her waist, he whispered, “How is it that I’ve just known you, but I already can’t imagine being without you, Regina?”

  She stared wordlessly, trying to see for a twitch in his face that would tell her he was just kidding. But there was nothing. Just kind emerald eyes and the look of a man who clearly wanted her.

  “I think that’s brain freeze talking,” she stammered, biting her lip and blushing some more. “Skip the ice cream next time.”

  He laughed and she smiled shyly. Then he rested his forehead against hers.

  “Sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “You’re not.”

  “I promise to turn down the crazy next time.”

  “Next time,” she took a deep breath and kissed him lightly. He sighed against her. “When will that be?”

  “What’s your day like tomorrow?”

  “Hmm. I’ll wake up, shower. Get dressed. Work. Have a tuna sandwich for lunch. Exciting times.”

  “I’m on the edge of my seat, that’s true. Care to make it boring?”

  “I was wondering when you’ll be stepping in.”

  “Come over tomorrow. I’ll make you breakfast.” His teeth grazed her lower lip then before taking a very light, playful bite.

  “Why don’t I make you breakfast? Being that we’re only four blocks and a round of sex away?”

  “Not yet, Regina. You just started.”

  “Started?” She was puzzled.

  Landon pulled a little away from her but kept his arms around her waist. “As the doctor who gave you the prescription, I know for a fact it hasn’t been seven days since you started on the Pill.”

  “I know. But you can wear a condom.”

  “I didn’t bring any.”

  Regina was surprised. Seeing this, Landon shrugged and flushed.

  “I like you a lot, Regina. You’re just...well, amazing doesn’t really cut it. You have no idea how much I want to have sex with you. And your nipples have been driving me insane all night. I want to lift your top and just suck them and lick them, make you scream. I want to have sex with you all night. And until the next day. But I don’t want to just have sex with you. I want to know you. Know more of you.” He smiled and shrugged. “I swear I’m not pulling your long leg, Regina. I’ve never been this intrigued with anyone before. Something tells me we should not rush this. That's why I don't have any condoms with me. So, if you’re alright with that...”

  This was most unexpected.

  Regina did not know what to expect from this night
, so she thought it best to have zero expectations and just have fun when possible.

  What she got was the best time in her life. No one had made her feel so appreciated until Landon. No one outside of her family and close friends, that is. Every time she talked tonight, he gave her his full attention, his eyes looking at her intently.

  She had readied herself for another hot, quick round of sex. She knew what guys were like. They were hardly attracted to her but they sure wanted to have sex with her for bragging rights. Not once did she sense that about Landon. He saw what she really looked like. Good heavens, he had been deeper inside her in ways no man had ever been, figuratively and literally. He looked at her in a way that made her feel stripped but for the first time in her life, not apologetic. No embarrassment.

  Landon watched her the entire time, his expression hopeful. She knew that from this night, her life would never be the same. As long as she chose right.

  “Breakfast at your place tomorrow, is that it?”

  “Yes. And don’t worry. I believe in a real, hearty meal. No protein shakes. Unless I’m feeling fat in my jeans.”

  She laughed and he looked relieved. “What do you say?”

  She put her hands on his jaw and kissed him gently on the lips. “You had me at ‘ice cream for your pie’, Landon.”

  Chapter Four

  “No, no, no. For the hundredth time, Katie, we’re not going to use agency sources to find out anything about Landon Stewart!” Regina exclaimed exasperatedly.

  Katie, who was looking in Regina’s closet for an outfit that was both work-appropriate but will make Landon Stewart devour her for breakfast, smirked at her over a slender shoulder. “You must really like him, Gina,” she teased then resuming rifling through the rack. “You didn’t stop me from looking up that Aaron character. And that Italian guy. The one who owns the adult bookstore?”

  Regina reddened in embarrassment and threw a pillow at her. She yelped as it bounced off her butt. “Marlon.”

  “How can someone who purveys porn be the most boring guy in bed?” Katie wondered out loud before groaning, “God, Gina. Nuns have racier outfits than this! I should take you shopping again. It certainly worked the last time,” she added with a wink. She was responsible for the dress Regina was wearing the night she met Landon.