WindSwept Narrows: #23 Molly & Natasha

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Hmm…well, you don’t bite your fingernails,” he remarked, turning her hand over and watching the long, slim fingers curl around his. Her nails were neatly clipped and filed in their natural state. “Taking a guess, you miss a few meals.”

  “Politely voiced,” Molly responded with a smile, shrugging and pulling her hand free. “I get involved with my patients. Paperwork, research…” she sighed. “Finding specialists or answers. And you’ve never gotten so involved with your work that you forgot a meal?”

  “I have admins that I hire who excel at lecturing and ordering from take out,” he responded with a chuckle at the wrinkled nose she offered. “Let me guess, you consider that cheating?”

  “It’s hardly personal responsibility to assign it to someone else,” she scoffed.

  “Of course it is,” he countered after a long pull on the ale he’d ordered. “I take the responsibility to know I get deeply involved in things and give my admin permission to place an order, charge me for it and set the food in front of me. The rest is automatic.”

  “Do you really need me to tell you how really lame that sounds?”

  “You’re avoiding the original question,” he threw back with a laugh.

  “Hmm…the discussion about avoidance isn’t over,” she leaned on one elbow and tapped one finger against her cheek. “I play an online computer game. I always have a small table set up with a jigsaw puzzle on it and I love scouring hobby shops and garage sales for new ones to put together. I listen to a wide variety of music, including country and cowboy. I swim every morning at six-thirty for about half an hour before work.”

  “Country?” Jonathon offered a dramatic sigh. “There goes your perfect status. Right out the window. Ever been married?”

  “Guys don’t handle a woman who throws herself into her job and misses appointments…”

  “I think they’re called dates,” Jonathon told her with a chuckle. “So is that a no?”

  “Never been married,” she confirmed. “A few friends through the years, but mostly I liked what I was chasing more and never made them a priority. I was told I’d grow old alone.”

  “A cat lady?”

  “No pets. I think I’ve always been afraid I’d forget something they needed and they’d die on me,” Molly met his gaze again. “You’ve been married.”

  “Twice,” he acknowledged.

  “Brave.”

  “Optimistic,” he corrected with a shrug. “I think I believed the time thing would work itself out the first time. Then the real world intrudes on the fun stuff and things go to hell.”

  “Yet you tried again.”

  “I can blame ego on that one,” he took another long drink of the bitter ale, wondering why he felt like talking so much. Especially about things he considered his failures.

  “You were in love,” Molly sighed. “That’s not a bad thing, you know. To still believe…to trust enough to take the chance.”

  “I promised someone a dance,” he set the bottle back and held out his hand, grateful for the slow song that had finally come through the speakers. Thankfully, it wasn’t loud and blaring, the sounds soft and mellow throughout the room.

  “So what are some of your ghastly habits?”

  “I prefer Jon to Jonathon, although from your lips, it’s tolerable,” he commented with a grin at the surprise on her face as he swung her into his arms. He took her hands and placed them on his shoulders, his hands easily pressing on the rise of her hips and to her lower back. “Do you live close?”

  “I live in the employee quarters for now,” she admitted, her gaze locked on the curve of the band of his t-shirt. “What did you have in mind?”

  “A nice warm evening and a ride along the coast road. I have an extra helmet, but you need jeans and a jacket.”

  Molly offered a crooked grin. “That suggests that the corset remain.”

  “You know…revealing the lecherous side of me could end up being my downfall, but I’m willing to take the risk,” Jon leaned back just enough to meet eyes that seemed bottomless, especially when she smiled at him.

  “It’s curious…I never gave much thought to the masculine side of the species…” she stopped, her head shaking. “That didn’t come out like I meant it. I wore the fairy outfit and this one because I like being a girl. Period. And all things girl. But that also means, I appreciate a man who doesn’t pretend the male side of him doesn’t exist.”

  “You don’t wear that outfit like someone who’s embarrassed by her body,” he moved his hands across her waist. “You’re confident without being blatant…a girl, huh? Trust me, you are definitely a girl, Molly Fielding. So I’m not betraying male secrets by appreciating your curves and softness.”

  “Not to me. I can’t tell you how another would react. Considering we spent two hours talking before we got to the physical attributes, I figure it’s a good ratio,” Molly stopped when the music ended. “I’m going to the restroom. Be right back.”

  Jon watched her weave her way through the people, the eyes of more than a few men following her across the floor to the hallway clearly marked with a restroom sign. He returned to lean back against the bar, requesting a large glass of water and waiting. He offered the half glass to Molly when she returned, smiling when she took it without a word and drained the cold water.

  “Do you want to wait for me in the lobby while I go up and get my keys, helmet and gloves?”

  “I can go change clothes and meet you down there. I use the underground routes to the employee quarters,” Molly lifted her cloak and draped it around her shoulders, pulling the hood over her hair. The silken strands of the black tassel bopped behind her as she walked ahead of him.

  “So how long before I wear you down and you tell me what the problem is, Molly?” Jonathon had to hand it to her. She never missed a step, never hesitated. Her right hand flew up with a dismissing wave. Laughter poured from him as relaxation replaced it with the smooth transition of a slipping tide.

  “You realize I’m tenacious. It’s a genetic flaw,” Jonathon told her, following behind her to the elevator. He could tell from the passive expression that his words were heard and she didn’t care. His grin grew. “Not a woman easily swayed.”

  “I’ll meet you in the lobby, Jonathon,” Molly turned in the elevator and pressed the button to go down. Her eyes widened when his hands went up on either side and stopped the doors from closing on her. “Come to your senses?”

  “You got a business card?”

  Molly arched an eyebrow and spread her arms out. “No pockets.”

  Jonathon Shepherd looked her in the eyes first and then gave in and took in the small, rounded breasts pushed up by the corset, the tiny red ribbons down the front and the lace around the edges. When he raised his gaze again, she was smiling patiently at him.

  “And you are really Molly Fielding, physician working for the resort health care system?”

  She raised one hand, making a little cross over her heart. “I do so swear.”

  Chapter Six

  Twenty minutes later, he stood to the side, out of the general traffic that was either heading to or leaving the event, his gaze scanning for Molly. He felt his body tighten when the employee only door opened down the long corridor behind the main desk. He didn’t pay attention to the people passing, just moved between them and headed toward the platinum head and dark eyes.

  She had pulled her hair into a high riding ponytail, no strands falling forward and covering one eye this time. But that wasn’t what held his attention. She’d switched from the red corset to a black leather one. It had long sleeves that began at the very edge of her shoulder caps and cinched her waist in tight. She held a leather jacket in one hand over her shoulder. His gaze drifted slowly over the worn denim jeans that stopped above her ankles, a pair of heeled walking boots covering her feet. Not dainty. Not flashy. Definitely not runway material. Life clothing.

  “All I need is a really cool black cap,” Molly said as she came up to him, stop
ping when the toes of their boots touched. “I’m guessing you approve,” she said softly, deciding the gleam in his eyes was worth talking herself into taking a risk. She felt her heart hammering in the silence and was positive it skipped a beat when he raised his hand and touched the side of her face.

  “I’ll find you the cap,” he promised gruffly, bending just enough to brush his mouth against hers.

  Molly felt the faintest scrape of his beard against her face.

  His mouth was made for kissing and he knew just how to tease, the tip of his tongue out for a quick taste before retreating. She continued to stare and felt her eyes drying. She blinked rapidly and swallowed hard, swaying just a little and grateful he was close.

  “I’m…ahh…sorry it took a little longer,” she said when she was pretty sure her mind was working enough to form sentences. She let him take her jacket and hold it out for her. She slid her arms inside. “I couldn’t figure out where I’d put…a few things.”

  “Molly, it was well worth the wait. I didn’t think you could look more beautiful. Let’s go before I embarrass myself,” he said with a jagged breath, his hand wrapping around hers and leading her from the bright lights of the resort foyer.

  She was really glad she had long legs. Her stride matched his across the stones that were smooth beneath their boots and through one of the sets of open double doors.

  “It’s beautiful tonight. So nice and warm,” Molly looked up into the clear sky and sighed. “I know the winters will take some adjusting, because it’s not like Florida, but I really love the smells here.” She came to a stop next to the very large chrome and black motorcycle. “I’ve never ridden a bike before, Jonathon. Are you sure…?”

  “You’ll be fine,” he assured her, keys jangling as he unlocked the small bubble trunk behind the seat. He lifted a helmet from inside and set his down. He winced slightly as she looked up at him. “I think the tail might have to go…but let’s try. It’s a bit big so it might…” he raised the visor and gazed into a pair of eyes that looked a little uncertain. “Breathe, Molly. It’s fitting well. There’s a mic built in so we can talk while we ride.” He adjusted the strap beneath her chin and put a hand on each side of the helmet. “Molly, are you alright? Nod, honey…or say something…”

  “I’m good,” she answered, nodding rapidly up and down and trying to think of the accident victims she worked on when she pulled ER duty. “I’m good,” she whispered again.

  “I’m going to mount first and steady the bike,” he stepped back and tapped the chrome spike with his boot. “One foot here. Hold on to me and swing your leg over and drop in behind me.” He watched her eyes move in accordance with his directions. She nodded but he wasn’t sure she was breathing. “Breathe. In and out…nice and even. You don’t have gloves, but you can tuck them beneath my jacket and hold onto me. Alright?”

  “Yes. I’m good. I can do this,” she said firmly, full lips pursed into a little frown as she looked up to see him watching her. “If you let that laugh out, I swear…” Lashes narrowed when he closed his mouth and picked up his helmet.

  Molly puffed up her cheeks and blew the air out very slowly, watching the long legs and very muscled body fit the leather seat. With his visor up, he held his hand out for her and waited, his head turned toward her to watch.

  “Face me, Molly…right foot on the peg,” he held her hand as she did as he said, her other hand on his shoulder as she swung her leg over the seat.

  Jonathon felt her fit snugly against him, her thighs tightened and her arms hastily circled his waist. He took one of her hands in each of his and slid them beneath the band of his jacket, placing them back on his sides.

  “I’ve never dropped my bike, Molly, and I’m not about to start. Hold on,” he made sure the jacket covered her hands before reaching for his gloves and starting the bike. Immediately, everything in her body tightened a little more. It had been a long time since he rode with anyone on the back of his bike.

  Even longer since it was a woman. Neither of his wives wanted anything to do with the motorcycle. And the higher he climbed in the business world, the more unseemly it was for them to be seen with him when he rode. They preferred to pretend there were aspects of him they were unaware of.

  “It’s nice…comfortable…” Molly finally said, a little squeak breaking from her lips when the bike moved forward. She didn’t let herself look down. She didn’t take a few minutes to wonder how she ended up on the back of a motorcycle, beneath a big, full moon with her body pressed against a seriously rugged man. She’d spent the whole time digging for clothing arguing with herself about what she was doing.

  She laid the side of the helmet against his back and closed her eyes. And held on. She scooted closer and heard the smallest of groans in her ear.

  “Oh, my god! Your ribs!” Instinct had her pushing back until she remembered where she was and then a tiny “Eep!” slipped from her lips and she clung to him once more. “Jonathon! I’m sorry…I forgot…”

  “Molly, stop!” He eased to a stop at the light and gripped her hands, pulling them back around his middle. “I’m not hurt. I’m alright.”

  “But…I…you…”

  “I’m not hurt,” he told her firmly.

  “I heard you,” she whispered as if someone else was listening. She almost found herself looking around the inside of the helmet when she heard his voice come through straight to her ears. Then she admitted it was a little more than sexy.

  She heard him sigh as he pulled the bike into traffic.

  “Do you want the truth?”

  “I…of course I want the truth,” she returned indignantly. “How can we…how can there be a…a friendship if there isn’t honesty…”

  “I was thinking how good you felt pressed against me. I was wondering how much better you’d feel if we didn’t have so many clothes between us and I was imagining that scenario, hence the unconscious groan you heard. Believe me, it was not one of pain,” Jonathon said dryly. “At least not the kind of pain you’re thinking of.”

  “Oh,” she gulped the surprise at his answer and unconsciously tried to look down where their bodies were pressed together. Only she was against him from breast to pelvis. She had to admit the idea he planted definitely made her squirm. “Oh…well…I’m glad you’re not…that I wasn’t squeezing you too hard…”

  “You’re good, honey. I think I can handle the squeezing part,” he chuckled, kicking the bike into a higher gear and speeding up as they climbed the low grade heading up the hill where the overlook was and the view he wanted to share with her.

  “Where are we going? How do you ride in the sunshine? These visors are clear,” she said thoughtfully, the vibrations of the bike beginning to feel normal as he guided them along the road. “You have very light colored eyes and the sun probably bothers them.”

  “It does,” he said, surprised at her knowledge until he remembered her profession. “They’re tinted like my glasses and adjust to the light outside. I have contacts in tonight. And we’re going to the bluff overlooking the manufacturing area.”

  “I haven’t been out much,” she lifted her head, her muscles finally adjusted to the weight of the helmet and her mind finally adjusted to the idea that she was really on the back of a Harley with a chap wearing biker.

  “Involved with work?”

  “Yes. Getting used to the idea that the patient is important again and not the amount of time I spend based on squeezing X number of people in a day,” she sighed. “It’s a little bit of a mental adjustment after a few years lost in the insurance realm of how they want medicine handled. Most of my time then was thinking of ways around their rules. I got reprimanded a lot.”

  “I can’t say as I’ve had much personal involvement with the system other than things I’ve heard or read. On both sides.”

  “But you work for someone associated with the resort, so that means you must have some redeemable qualities,” Molly teased, relaxing when his chuckle rumbled through not onl
y her ears but his muscled abdomen.

  “It’s a definite mental shift,” Jonathon agreed, easing the bike down and pulling into the wide strip of concrete with the illuminated sign proclaiming it a viewpoint. “Let me lock the stand in place and I want you to dismount the reverse of how you got on the bike, Molly. Alright?”

  “Reverse…got it,” she responded instantly, straightening up and watching the helmet disappear from his head and then he pulled the gloves free. She peered around his shoulders and saw him set them on the front of the bike before holding his hand out for her. “Right…ready…”

  She tried to picture her first surgery, something else to focus on than her first ever ride on the back of a Harley, and pulled in a long, slow breath before wrapping her fingers around his hand, holding tightly. She crossed her arm over her body and gripped his shoulder as she stood on the peg and swung her leg behind her, counting down until the concrete came up to meet her foot.

  Chapter Seven

  Jonathon decided for the weekend, at least, the smile he was wearing wasn’t going to fade. He watched her beneath the bright lights of the parking lot from the restaurant next door. She’d taken her helmet off and hooked it behind her on the chrome bar. The thick, dark lashes were squeezed shut and he could see her mouth moving but he was sure it wasn’t a prayer.

  Her coloring fascinated and intrigued him. Her brows were as pale as her hair, but her lashes and eyes were the deepest midnight.

  Her fingers closed around his and held tightly and her body moved with the fluid grace of a dancer. She went up on one foot, her leg straight and firm beneath her. He caught a bare glimpse of her other leg swinging out behind her.

  He twisted on the leather seat, his hands moving the instant he released her hand. He gripped her waist and pulled her against the bike, keeping her snugly trapped. He watched her head sway and lips part.