Healing Her Heart

by Kimberly Smith

  The silence between them was deafening as Edwin drove back to her place. He wanted to know what he’d done wrong, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask. He glanced at her from time to time. She kept her face turned away from him. He turned the radio up. Maybe some music would lighten the mood a bit. He’d been listening to a satellite station that played country music.

  As the music filtered through the speakers and filled the car, and Edwin sang the words along with Sam Hunt. The song had already started, and he’d missed his favorite part at the beginning, but he joined in on the chorus. “I don’t want to steal your freedom. I don’t want to change your mind. I don’t have to make you love me. I just want to take your time.”

  Denise refused to look at him as he sang with the radio. He was off key in some places. As he sang the next verse, he grabbed her hand pulling it to make her look at him as she turned away. She rolled her eyes at him, snatching her hand away from him. Before the song ended, she turned the volume down. “That was really corny.”

  Edwin laughed which, he noticed, caused her to smile. “You want to tell me what I did to mess things up back there?”

  Her smile faded, and she turned back to the window. “You didn’t do anything. I just got the sense that you’re thinking that I’m interested in having a relationship with you.”

  “Is there something wrong with that?” Edwin gripped the steering wheel a little tighter as he waited for her answer.

  It took her a moment to verbalize her thoughts. “Yes. I don’t do the boyfriend thing.”

  “What does that mean?” Edwin was confused. She had made comments as if she were interested in him. Was she saying that she didn’t like men, him in particular, or she didn’t like commitment?”

  Denise turned to look at him. She needed to be clear with him about this. She had to make sure that he understood that she could only offer him a physical association. “I only have casual relationships that are mutually beneficial, if you catch my drift.”

  Edwin understood precisely what she was saying now. Could he live with that kind of relationship? He didn’t think so, and he found it hard to believe that she could either. “Why?”

  Denise didn’t feel like she had to justify it to him or anyone else. “I have my reasons. I’ve just found it better to live by a specific set of rules when it comes to men and relationships, that’s all.” They were turning into her apartment complex. When Edwin stopped the car, Denise got out and watched as he did the same coming around to her side of the vehicle. She looked up at him with a small smile. “Thank you for today,” Denise said turning to walk away from him.

  Edwin took his sunglasses off and slipped them in the collar of his tee shirt. He wasn’t letting her get away that easily. Edwin grabbed her by the arm, spinning her. He looked into her eyes briefly. He saw it. It was the same look that she’d had at the arboretum, desire.

  Denise hadn’t made a full step away from him when she felt his hand on her arm and then she was face to face with him. She stopped breathing as their eyes met. Denise was close enough to feel the heat coming off his body. If she leaned forward a few inches, she could kiss him. His eyes drifted from hers to her mouth.

  Edwin wanted to kiss her, but instead, he said, “What if I don’t want to be just some guy you sleep with? What if I don’t want to play by your rules? What if I want more than that?” His gaze shifted back to hers.

  Denise’s body shivered involuntarily. She swallowed the lump in her throat, licking her lips. “Well, I guess that we would go our separate ways.” That wasn’t an acceptable choice to Edwin. He raised his hand to her face, cradling it. His thumb brushed against her lower lip.

  Denise’s eyes closed, then his lips touched hers and something in her sparked. His kiss was slow and intoxicating. His lips brushed against hers before he began to suck her lower lip. Denise reacted to him instantly. She meant to push him away, but her hands found their way up his chest and around his neck until she was pulling him closer. Their tongues danced against each other. Denise hadn’t realized that he’d removed his hand from her arm until she felt her hair coming undone and Edwin’s hand tangled in her tresses as the kiss intensified.

  This had to stop. Denise slipped her arms from around his neck pushing herself away from him. Her chest heaved with the effort to breathe as she looked at him. He pressed his lips together. He wanted more, “Far sweeter than I expected.”

  There wasn’t enough space between them; she thought as he licked his lips and looked like he was going to grab her again. She bent down grabbing her purse. She’d dropped it when he kissed her. “Dr. Sexy, I’m not sure that your behavior just now will redeem you in Ms. Lewd’s eyes.” She hoped by reintroducing their game; it would control her rapidly beating heart and keep Edwin at bay. It was evident that he was precisely the kind of guy she’d developed her rules for.

  Edwin’s smile was slow and deliberate. “If It doesn’t, I’ll have to ask for a do-over.” He moved a step closer to Denise.

  “What makes you think that she’d grant your request?” Denise backed up for every step Edwin took towards her.

  “I’m not sure that she would. Hope is a powerful thing, and that kiss gives me hope in abundance.” Edwin stopped moving towards her, realizing that she was determined to get away from him. Which, in his mind, meant that the kiss gave her hope too, a hope that she wasn’t ready for.

  “Hope is overrated doctor, but I’ll pass your comments on to Ms. Lewd,” Denise said turning her back to him and walking away.

  “When can I expect to hear from her,” he called out watching the gentle sway of her hips as she left him.

  “Patience is a virtue,” Denise said as she reached the staircase. He’d be waiting a long time. She had no intention of contacting him again. Edwin was dangerous to her peace of mind. The kiss proved that.

  Edwin smiled as he watched Denise go up the stairs. He waited until she closed the door to her apartment before getting back in the car and leaving.

  6

  Denise felt like a coward. It had been more than a few days since she’d gone out with Edwin and she still hadn’t spoken with him. She was entering dangerous territory with him, and she knew it. He wasn’t like the other men she fooled around with, and that should have been enough to scare her away, but she liked him.

  “Hey sweet cheeks, you all right? You look like you’re a thousand miles away right now.”

  Denise looked up from the computer screen to Alec, “I’m fine.” Denise had been thinking about kissing Edwin again and doing other things with him as well. She was still trying to decide what to do about Dr. Sexy. Ms. Lewd was horny and wanted to play more tongue tag with him. Oh crap, she thought. She’d just broken rule four. She was fantasizing about a man she hadn’t slept with.

  “It’s almost quitting time. Wanna grab a beer after work,” Alec asked sitting on the edge of her desk?

  Denise smiled at Alec, “No thanks, I’ve got plans.” Alec Johnson was the oldest son of her boss Jacob, and a bounty hunter. He’d asked her out twice now, and she’d turned him down both times. Under normal circumstances, he’d have been just her type, muscled, sexy and not into a serious relationship, but Denise hadn’t been able to get the kiss with Edwin out of her mind.

  “You got a boyfriend or something?”

  Denise smiled turning her head to look at him. “Or something…”

  Alec shook his head, “Well, if you change your mind, I’m right here,” he said sliding off the desk and walking towards the back of the office.

  Denise liked her new job, even though she was on desk duty for the time being. She was filling in for Michelle, Jacob’s daughter who was out on maternity leave. Michelle had worked as a bounty hunter with her mother, father, and brothers until she found out she was pregnant. From that point on she had been the designated office person.

  Her husband and father had been insistent on taking her out of the field, and now that the baby had arrived, they were sure she would remain in the of
fice. That is why Denise had been hired. She was going to replace Michelle on the team once Michelle came back to work in a few weeks.

  The Johnson family were an interesting bunch. Denise had the opportunity to meet Delores, Jacob’s mother after her interview. She had brought the team some homemade cookies. It was hard to imagine the leather wearing, pistol-packing woman as the cookie making type. She was semi-retired from the bounty hunting business. Denise liked her instantly. The interview was over, and Denise was sure that she had the job, though J.J. hadn’t said so yet. Denise was being introduced to everyone. Delores had come in with a box and carried it past her into the break room.

  “Is this the new hunter?” She put the box on the table and came back to Denise. She grabbed Denise’s chin. Moving her head from side to side, examining her face, “Looks like you’ve seen some action lately.”

  “A little,” Denise said when she let go of her face. Denise was surprised by Jacob’s mother. Jacob was a toasted caramel color with dark brown eyes and his mother was much darker, with platinum blonde hair and amber colored eyes. To see them together you would never have thought they were related. She was intense and spoke her mind. Denise liked that about her.

  Delores stared into her eyes. “You single? My baby boy could use a good strong woman in his life.”

  Denise wasn’t sure who she meant. She was certain that it wasn’t Jacob. He had a wife, Robin or R.J. as everyone called her. She could be referring to one of her grandsons, Alec, Mateo or Drake. “Really Nana D,” Drake said as he passed them to grab some cookies?

  “What, she’s pretty, and by the looks of it, she’s tough.”

  Jacob laughed, “Ignore my momma. She’s always trying to find a wife for Alec. Denise this is Delores Johnson.”

  Denise shook the older woman’s hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  “Call me Nana D., honey.”

  After that Denise was welcomed to the team and she started work the very next day. They’d been having a hard time finding someone who could take over for Michelle. Denise was a natural at tracking people down, and that’s where the team had intended to keep her for a while, at least.

  Denise pulled out her phone and laid it on the desk next to the keyboard. She needed to stop acting like a wuss and just let Dr. Sexy know he was forgiven. Denise unlocked her phone, opening the message app and typed her message.

  **

  Edwin poured himself a cup of coffee and moved away from the coffee pot to add some sugar and powdered creamer. His phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out and smiled as the lock screen showed a message from Denise.

  Dr. Sexy,

  Ms. Through and I have talked regarding your outing on Sunday afternoon, and after careful consideration, you have been granted a pardon.

  Ms. Lewd

  Edwin leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment before typing his reply.

  Ms. Lewd,

  I’m delighted that I have been forgiven. It must have been a difficult decision considering that it took three days to deliver it. Let's get together to celebrate your generous nature.

  Dr. Sexy

  He drank his coffee while he waited for her response. Edwin had spent the last few days hoping that she would contact him. He had told himself that if she hadn’t responded to him by Thursday morning, he would contact her. His phone lit up and buzzed against the table.

  Dr. Sexy,

  It was a hard decision to make, especially since you kissed Ms. Too Through at the end of your meeting. Ms. Through, however, insisted that the kiss wasn’t meant for her. She insists that the kiss was obviously for Ms. Lewd. I’m curious to see if your kissing style is consistent. How do you propose we celebrate my generosity?

  Ms. Lewd

  Edwin typed his message, and while he waited, he fixed a second cup of coffee.

  Ms. Lewd,

  Since I planned our last date, I think you should plan this one.

  Dr. Sexy

  Her response wasn’t quick. Edwin had returned to the emergency room and was examining a child with a high fever when he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. After writing up and order to have some blood work done, he left the room and checked his phone.

  Dr. Sexy,

  I do not go on dates. I go on outings. This is not a date. It’s a test of your manhood. When are you available?

  Ms. Lewd

  Test of his manhood? Edwin wasn’t sure what that meant, but he was sure that it would be an experience to remember. He texted her his off days and went back to work.

  Ms. Lewd,

  If a kiss happens during an outing or at the end of it, it is a date. WE had a DATE, and I plan to make this another DATE. I am available Friday and Sunday.

  Dr. Sexy

  A few seconds later he received another message from Denise.

  Dr. Sexy,

  There is no need to text in SHOUTY CAPITALS. I can see just fine without them. By the way, Sunday works for me. I’ll let you know what time as soon as I figure out what we’re doing.

  Ms. Lewd

  Denise sighed as she sent the last text to Edwin. What was she doing? Had she lost her mind? She was engaging in relationship behavior. This was so unlike her. Maybe she needed to go back to the hospital to have her head examined. Was there such a thing as a delayed concussion? She didn’t have time to contemplate the possibilities. Her phone rang, and she put thoughts of head injuries and sexy doctors out of her head.

  **

  “This is one of the best hamburgers I’ve ever had, Perry said picking up his food to take another bite. “you sure you don’t want one?”

  Edwin looked at him, turning up his lip and shaking his head. “No thanks.” The thought of swallowing a huge amount of flesh soaked in grease was not his idea of tasty. “How are things with your girlfriend?” Edwin was quite happy with his fries and salad.

  Perry set his burger down and wiped his mouth. “She’s not my girlfriend; she’s my fiancé.”

  “Whoa,” Edwin said sticking his hand out to Perry. “Congratulations. When did this happen?”

  “About a week ago. I did it in front of the whole family.”

  “Sweet, and she said yes? I thought she was a smart girl, but now I’m not so sure,” Edwin said dipping a fry into some ketchup.

  “You didn’t talk to her for more than a minute, that night. You wouldn’t know how smart she is.” Perry continued to eat his hamburger.

  “I talked to her at the hospital when she introduced me to her crazy friend.” Edwin smiled as he forked some salad and put it in his mouth.

  “Hold up. I saw that.”

  “Saw what?”

  “That smile. Are you feeling Felicia’s friend?” Perry said wiping his hands and sipping his soda.

  “Who, Denise?” Edwin shook his head, and then he smiled again.

  “You are,” Perry said grinning at him. “Come on, tell me what’s going on between you and her.”

  Edwin toyed with his fries, “There’s nothing to tell. We’ve been hanging out a little.”

  “Is that right? You’ve been going all the way out to Fort Worth to see her? I’d say that it’s more than hanging out.”

  Edwin made a face, “Why would I be going to Fort Worth to see Denise? She lives about twenty minutes from the hospital.”

  “I thought she was staying with her dad since she got out of the hospital,” Perry said confused. He could swear that Felicia had said she was visiting Denise in Fort Worth today. That’s why she hadn’t been able to see him until later.

  “She did go to her dad’s place for a couple of days.”

  Perry humped his shoulders, maybe he’d heard wrong. “Thanks again for meeting me for lunch. I know we haven’t talked much in the last year or so, but I want you to be a groomsman in my wedding.”

  Edwin smiled, “Of course, I will. Is this going to be a big wedding or what?” Perry and Edwin discussed the wedding plans while they finished lunch. Then Perry shifted the conversation
back to Denise.

  “What kind of hanging out are you doing?” Perry wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

  Edwin pushed his plate aside. “Not what you’re thinking. I took her on a picnic at the arboretum, and we are going on an outing that she is planning on Sunday.”

  “An outing?”

  Edwin shook his head slightly while making a face. “Yeah. She refuses to call it a date. She told me she doesn’t do the boyfriend thing.” Perry chuckled. “What’s so funny?”

  “That’s how Felicia and I got together, except there was lots of…” He wiggled his eyebrows again. “She didn’t want to have a relationship. She wanted to use me for sex.”

  “So how did you get to being engaged?”

  “At first, I was okay with our arrangement, but every time she’d run off, I wondered why. Then, one night her car breaks down on her way home from work, and she needed me. I took her home and met her aunt, and I realized that I wanted more than sex. I slowly inserted myself into her life and made her fall in love with me. I didn’t get the feeling that Felicia was a friends with benefits kind of woman, and I was right. She didn’t call it an outing, but she was determined not to get involved emotionally with me.”

  “I told her that if you kiss at the end or during an outing, that it is a date. I also told her that I intend to make our outing Sunday a date as well. So, I’m pretty sure that she’s going to do everything in her power to keep from kissing me. She said that our outing is going to be a test of my manhood.”

  “Good luck,” Perry said laughing.

  “Thanks. I’m going to need it.” Edwin said nodding his head. “She says she has some sort of rules when it comes to men.”

  “Rules? You know what that means, don’t you? It means that someone has done a real number on her and broken her heart.”

  “You’re probably right.” Edwin said thinking about it. It must have been an awful experience for her, if it caused her to set up rules to keep herself from having feelings for anyone else. He would just have to show her that he was different.