“I can’t take any more.”
“Sure you can.” His tongue flicked into her pussy opening. Her body exploded in a frenzy of delight. Rand raised up and positioned his cock at her opening. He quickly thrust into her with his hard cock, sending her into a higher twirl. She fought to catch her breath and held on to his strong body as the tide of her orgasm rushed at her all at once. Vaguely in the background, she heard Rand shout out his release.
* * * *
Rand fought to take air into his lungs. His orgasm had shook his whole body and felt like it came right through the top of his head. Marian cuddled against him. Her soft breath tickled his neck. She laid her hand on his chest and looked up at him.
“Wow, fireworks.”
“Yeah.” He didn’t know what he wanted to say. Part of him wanted to jump up and shout. The other part wanted to run. This was too much, too soon. He had lots to do before he got serious.
He rolled toward the bedside table and saw the condom. Damn, he’d forgotten. Marian noticed him stiffen although he’d tried to hide it.
She smiled. “No problem. I’m on the pill, and I’m sure, being a doctor, you’ve been very careful in the past.”
“I have. Don’t worry.”
“So we’re good.” But he saw the concern in her eyes. She’d felt his withdrawal from her before the condom came up.
“Look. I’d better dress and go help Andy. We have to visit with Dr. Neels tomorrow.”
“I understand.” Marian got out of bed and put on her robe. She went into the kitchen while he dressed.
He kissed her briefly on his way out. “Later.” He waved and hurried to the truck. He felt like he’d jumped off a cliff without a parachute.
Andy took one look when he came in the door and got up and poured them both a bourbon. “That bad, huh? I told you to keep it light. She’s a nice lady, but you need time to meet more of them.”
“Right. I need to cool it.” They worked another hour on the unpacking and stopped for the night. “See you in the morning.”
Rand showered and lay in his bed. He’d done the right thing. They needed to cool it. But he wished he hadn’t run out of the house. He’d probably hurt her feelings. But it was better now than later. Still, his chest hurt, and he didn’t like himself much. He tossed and turned. At least Andy could help him in the office this week. No need to have Marian come in. He’d call her in a few days.
* * * *
Marian watched the lights of his truck fade in the distance. She’d given too much too quickly. He’d gotten scared. She’d seen it before to a certain extent, but this was different. Her feelings for him took over. She had let herself open to him in a way she hadn’t to any other man. So the rejection hurt much worse. He hadn’t mentioned her working for him next week. That was deliberate. Again, he was putting space between them.
She got in the shower and let the tears flow. When she got out, she’d made up her mind. No more tears. She’d go to that barn dance and meet some other cowboys. She’d spend more time with Chelsea. She would have a good vacation without Dr. “Can’t Make Up His Mind” Brodie.
But it was a long week. The lonely nights were the worst.
Chapter Nine
Music spilled out of the barn into the night. Rand and Andy got out of the truck and joined the crowd headed inside. All the local people were arriving in droves. Many of them stopped to say hello to Rand and to meet the new doctor they’d heard about from this week’s patients. Andy had an easy way about him and had charmed most of the townspeople.
When they got inside, Rand glanced around the crowded room to look for Marian, trying not to be obvious. Andy had agreed Rand had done the best for both of them by cooling it. But the office didn’t seem the same without her, and Rand’s body ached for her touch.
“There she is.” Andy nodded his head toward the dance floor. “She’s with a tall, blond man.”
“Tom, he owns a large ranch to the north of town. Inherited it from his parents. They got killed in a car wreck about a year ago.” Rand never thought he was the jealous type, but he wanted to walk across the dance floor and pull her out of Tom’s arms. They seemed to be having a spirited conversation. Marian was smiling.
“Ask someone to dance. A lot of the ladies are looking our way. I’m going to.” Andy strolled off toward a line of pretty ladies smiling at him.
Feeling in the spotlight, Rand hurried to follow him. He danced with a number of different women. He didn’t want to make the mistake of showing any partiality. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Marian dance by, mostly with Tom. She never once looked his way.
About halfway through the dance, Rand couldn’t stand it any longer. Purposefully, he strode toward where she stood with Dirk and Chelsea.
“Hi, everyone. How are you feeling, Chelsea?”
“Much better. Hopefully, I’m past all the morning sickness.”
Rand barely heard what Chelsea said. He was totally focused on Marian, her sweet face, her particular scent, and the ache of desire pulsing in his body. “It’s good to see you, Marian. May I have this dance?”
The country band had started to play a slow number. He noted her hesitation. Then she said yes, and his heart started to beat again.
Rand put his arm around her waist and led her into the dance. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve been meaning to call, but we’ve been busy orienting Andy to the office and the afternoon visits. He has a good sense of direction, so he’s learning his way around fast.”
“That’s good.”
Damn, she wasn’t making it easy. She wouldn’t make eye contact, and her short answers meant he had to keep talking. He pulled her closer to him and let the music flow over them. At first, she stiffened, but gradually her sweet curves fit against his body.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered in her ear.
“Chelsea and I’ve had fun this week exploring the surrounding little towns. Did you buy your property?”
“I did. And I’m having a small cabin built. They can get it done quickly. I’ll live there until my house is finished, probably sometime next summer. Andy will take the upstairs apartment.”
“That will be nice for you both. You’ll have your privacy.”
“Right. I saw you dancing with Tom. He’s a nice guy.”
“Yes, he is.”
They were back to short answers. “Look, I’m sorry about this past week. I really have been busy.”
“No problem.” She smiled. “As I said, I had a great week. We were only casually dating anyway. No need to get too involved when I’m leaving in a few weeks.”
The music ended. “Thank you,” Marian said. She turned and walked quickly to the side.
“Thank you,” he mumbled and headed toward Andy, who was standing at the bar set up in the corner. “I’ll have a beer.”
“I saw you dancing with Marian. You both looked miserable. What you need is to meet a local woman to date. Keep looking.” Andy waved and walked toward a smiling blonde he’d danced with earlier.
Marian was dancing with another cowboy. Hell, he wanted to get out of here. Andy would find a ride back to the apartment. Rand poured out most of his beer and headed to his car. He needed to think, so he drove toward his new property.
He turned onto his land and parked his truck. The river shone like a silver ribbon in the moonlight, and the shadows of the trees looked like sentinels standing guard. This parcel of land anchored him to the town, his job, and to continuing to be close to his family. Rand leaned his head back against the headrest.
The past week had been busy. Otherwise he’d have gone crazy thinking about Marian. He hadn’t expected the feelings of loss he’d carried around with him all week and the feeling that he’d acted ungentlemanly in the way he’d left.
But he might as well forget her. She wasn’t going to give him the time of day. He didn’t blame her.
He got out and walked across his land. He envisioned the h
ouse and the barn with a few horses. In the house he pictured a wife and children. But Andy was right. The house needed to get built, and he needed to get settled into the routines of the job. Although any routine was a very flexible one. That was part of the job’s charm.
But what if he passed up the right woman because it was the wrong time? He shook his head and went back to his car. He was tired. His sleep had been disturbed most nights since he left Marian.
Maybe tonight would be different. No. He’d held her soft body in his arms and smelled her sweet fragrance. When he closed his eyes, she’d be there with her sad eyes, haunting him.
* * * *
“Did you have a good time?” Chelsea asked Marian as she, Dirk, Lily, and Ty walked back home from the barn dance.
“She should have.” Lily smiled. “All the single cowboys were lined up to dance with her.
“It was great fun,” Marian said. She pasted a smile on her face.
“Oh, Marian, if that smile is your happy face, I’d hate to see you really sad,” Lily said.
“What? I’m smiling.”
“She’s right,” Chelsea said. “Your eyes are sad.”
They reached Ty and Lily’s house. “Come in and have a beer, Dirk. We’ll go to my office. I think the ladies want to talk.”
“Sounds good to me.” Dirk kissed Chelsea, grabbed a beer from Ty, and followed him down the hall.
Lily grinned. “Men run when you start talking about feelings.”
“I’m fine. You are both worried about nothing. I have a dinner date with Tom on Tuesday, and Friday night we’re going to a movie in Wagon Wheel.”
“Good. At least you’re giving someone else a chance,” Chelsea said. “If it’s any consolation, Rand looked as unhappy as you. And he left right after you two danced.”
“I didn’t notice.”
“Liar,” both Chelsea and Lily spoke at once.
“We need chocolate.” Lily went to her counter and uncovered a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. “This and a cold glass of milk will make most any disappointment a little better.”
“Give me a big piece,” Chelsea said. “I’m not disappointed, but I love chocolate.” Soon the conversation turned to babies.
Marian was glad to not be the center of attention any longer. The cake was delicious, but it didn’t make a dent in the ache in her heart.
It had taken all her determined willpower to not throw herself at Rand. When he held her in his arms, she hurt. His particular male scent had desire coiling in her lower abdomen, and she ached to feel him holding her tight.
Their explosive coming together last weekend had frightened them both but him the most. She’d hoped he’d change his mind and call for her to help at the office. When he didn’t, she’d determined to forget him. But one look tonight and one dance touching him, smelling his scent, hearing his voice, had her weak in his arms.
“No feeling sad.” Chelsea shook her arm. “I know we’re boring you with the baby talk, but keep up with us. It’ll help you to stop thinking about him.”
Marian smiled. “Sorry, you’re right.” But not really. She didn’t think anything could get him out of her mind.
Lily patted her arm. “Don’t worry. I thought I’d lost Ty for sure, and then it all worked out in the end.”
“But you knew he loved you, and Chelsea knew Dirk loved her.”
“No, I didn’t,” Lily said. “A lot of the time I thought he hated me or at least wanted me to move away from the ranch.” She gave Marian a quick rundown of her story. “If you love him, don’t give up.” She laughed. “Dating Tom is going to drive him crazy.”
“But is it fair to Tom?”
“You can decide what to tell him after your date. You might be surprised and like him more than you think,” Chelsea said. “Now I’m going to get my husband, and we’ll walk you home. It’s past my bedtime.”
“I’m right here, darlin’. I figured you’d be getting sleepy. She’s usually in bed by nine lately,” Dirk said.
“Sleepiness is all part of it,” Lily agreed. Ty had come in and stood behind her. He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “You smell good.”
“Our signal to leave,” Dirk teased.
Marian envied the love she saw in their eyes. They were great couples. She swallowed around the lump in her throat and followed Dirk and Chelsea out.
In her cabin the silent phone mocked her. What did I think, that he’d call? That’s not going to happen. She made herself some hot chocolate and tried to read a book Chelsea had loaned her. When her eyes crossed, she gave up and headed to bed but doubtfully to sleep.
She tossed and turned, finally going to sleep around five. At ten, her phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Miss Gaenor, you don’t know me. This is Eloise Franklin.”
“The doctor’s receptionist. Rand has mentioned you. I’m sure they’re anxious for you to get back to work. How are you?”
“I’m doing better. But this episode was an eye-opener. I’m retiring. I told Dr. Neels and Dr. Brodie this morning. I intend to spend all my time with my husband and children. We want to travel, and if the cardiologist agrees, as I expect he will, that my attack was anxiety, then we’ll start planning our first trip. But the reason I called is I’m not going back to work at all.
“The office was in chaos this morning. It’s full of kids with colds and adults not feeling good and glaring at the mothers for the noise.” She took a breath. “I’ve been told you did an excellent job the first week I was out. Wouldn’t you consider going in today to help them?”
“They haven’t called and asked me.”
“Well, you know stubborn men. I suspect from the gossip line that you and that handsome Dr. Brodie are attracted to each other and have had a falling out. You just pick yourself up and march in there. Tell them I sent you.”
“There really is a gossip line?”
Mrs. Franklin gave a hearty laugh. “Alive and well. If you want to know anything, you check with one of the girls.”
“Amazing, better than all our modern devices.
“And much more fun. No one ever gets nasty. They’re good-hearted ladies. Well, I’d better hang up. My husband and I are going to drive to Wagon Wheel and have lunch. Have fun.”
The phone clicked off.
Did she dare? She’d seen how chaotic it could get that first day. Yes. They’d welcome her with open arms. She’d do it.
“Chelsea, would you drive me to town? I’ve been informed the doctors need help.”
“I’ll come get you. You can tell me the details on the way.”
* * * *
Marian slipped in the door. All heads turned in her direction. Earsplitting screams filled the air. Some children ran around the room, and others lay sniffling in their mothers’ arms. The few adult patients looked haggard and tired but perked up on her arrival.
She went into the reception area. All exam room doors were shut. The list of patients was long. “Let’s see what we can do to help you folks,” she said. One of the men got up and came to the window.
“I’d like to change my appointment to next week. I didn’t want to walk out without an explanation.”
Marian cheerfully helped him change his appointment, and with relief, he hurried out of the noisy room.
“We’ve got toys back here and some reading books,” she spoke to the room in general. A brown-haired, middle-aged woman ignored her at first and then studied the children, who’d begun to push each other.
“Give me the books. I’ll take a group over here in the corner and read them a story.” The children stopped and looked at her. “Of course only the ones who can sit quiet and not fight can join me.” She cast a faint smile at Marian as the boys stood straighter. Two girls and three boys raced to the corner and arranged the chairs.
Marian handed the lady two books. “They can decide. Thanks.”
“Actually, you just caught me. I was going to cancel like that man did and reschedule.”
<
br /> “You still can. I’ll read to them.”
“And answer the phone and fill the rooms? No, I like to help.”
“You remind me of a schoolteacher.”
“Not far off. I’m the principal of our elementary school. I should have straightened up and given them my professional frown.” She took the books and went to the corner. Soon the noise level had returned to normal.
“I knew when I stepped out of the exam room magic had happened again and you were here.” Rand leaned into the reception area and smiled. “I don’t know how you got here, but I believe you’re an answer to a prayer. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Mrs. Hawkins and her three children are next. I’ll bring them in the exam room while you take a breather.” She brushed by him and took a deep breath. Even at work, he smelled good and sexy. Hopefully he didn’t see the tremble in her hands.
By one o’clock, the patient area was empty. Andy came up to the front and stretched. “At least we don’t need to worry about patients, and when Dr. Neels retires fully, in two months, we’ll be running to keep up.”
“Do you like the job?”
“Sure do.” He smiled, but Marian had difficulty being friendly. She suspected he had been an influence on Rand’s decision to cool it. Ignoring him, she began to arrange papers and put files away.
Andy followed her lead and surprised her by cleaning up the messy waiting room. He carted out the trash from both areas and then came back to her window.
“Thanks for the help. You’re good at managing people.”
“I’m a supervisor at my real job, and I helped my two older brothers in their office when they first started.”
Cameron, Paige - The Alluring Billionaire Country Doctor [Wives For The Western Billionaires 6] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 8
