Lovers by Night

by Virginia Cavanaugh

  He laughed. “So it’s more of a best-guess type thing?”

  “Pretty much.” She unlocked the doors, and they both got inside.

  Even with the seat pushed back, his long legs looked cramped in her small, compact car. She was all about the gas mileage.

  “This vehicle seemed a little bigger last night.”

  “I’m sorry. Do you want to take yours instead?”

  “No. Besides, if I have to drive, I can’t look at you as much as I want to.”

  The cocky smile he expressed made her laugh. “All right. We’re off then.”

  They entered the highway leading to Hobbs. Part of her thought he was only trying to be funny when he said something about watching her. But he did just that. Not in a creepy, constant stare way, but he stole quite a few looks in her direction. Each one seemed to heat her skin as if he’d touched her. Maybe it was because she wanted him to.

  Better not go there during working hours. It wasn’t as if they could pull over and say screw the luncheon. His presence was expected.

  “So, how did our afternoon schedule look?”

  She stole a glance his way. “Lighter than usual, but we have a patient scheduled for four-thirty, so no chance of getting out early, if that is what you’re thinking.”

  “That’s fine. Just curious.”

  Paige wished she knew what was going through his head. Had he wanted to escape work early, or did he have a date or something? Surely he wouldn’t flirt with her like this and then arrange a date with someone else. And where in the hell was this jealousy coming from? The feeling was so foreign. She didn’t get jealous, least of all about a man she barely knew who’d be gone in a matter of a few months. Shaking off the ridiculous emotion, she turned the volume up on the radio. It was tuned to a top hits station.

  A few seconds later, his soft baritone voice filled the car along with the current song. Holy hell. He had one sexy singing voice. “You’re really good.”

  “That’s what my mother always tells me. She tried to get me to go sign up for one of those singing shows, but I have no interest in doing it for a living. I like being a doctor.”

  “Well, I can understand why she would try to get you to go. Your voice is unique. And with your looks, the ladies would go crazy over you.”

  “There’s only one woman I want to go crazy over me right now.”

  She could feel his stare. There wasn’t any need to look at him to confirm it, yet she sneaked a glimpse. Her nipples hardened as desire coursed through her veins. This was happening. She sucked in a deep, slow breath. He wore a light cologne. Nothing like that advertised stuff that claimed women would chase you down in packs but actually made everyone choke to death. No. This scent complemented his natural male aroma.

  Spotting their turn, she sobered and sat up a little straighter in her seat. “We’re here.” She pulled into a parking spot, and they exited the car. They didn’t speak as they walked to the small building. Other doctors and their plus-ones were also headed in the same direction. Doctors from all over Lea County had been invited to the luncheon. A little more confidence infused her when she noticed no one stared at her as if she were out of place. A few people even smiled at her causally.

  It also helped that other people were in scrubs. Mostly specialty doctors on call. Tables had been set up in a large square arch form, facing a big TV screen. Black tablecloths draped each section, and the tops held small vases with a mix of white and pink flowers. Bread baskets draped with white linen had been sporadically placed.

  Brandon touched her elbow and guided her toward two vacant seats at the corner of the arch. He pulled out her chair like a gentleman, offering her the seat on the outer edge. Her pulse fluttered. She was still turned on from their earlier moment in the car. He didn’t appear affected. And that grated on her nerves a little. Well, two could play at that game.

  She put on her best façade of pleasantly bored and thought of ways to get back at him. A server came by and asked if they wanted the fish or the prime rib. They both answered with the beef choice, and the lady moved on. Water goblets and tea glasses were delivered next. Paige noticed a few people ordered sodas, and they were brought quickly. She was fine with the water. Her body temp had steadily climbed since entering the car with Brandon.

  The physician next to Brandon had engaged him in a conversation about enlarged prostates. She was thankful, as it gave her more time to get her unruly body under control.

  Paige looked around the table and recognized three doctors from their clinic. Each of them either smiled or waved. Two were female. Dr. Deirde practiced in pediatrics and Dr. Hale was part of the OB/GYN clinic attached to the one Paige worked for. Both ladies were in their late forties to early fifties. But where one was tall and slender, the other was short and curvy. Both of them had always been kind to her, and the patients spoke highly of the care they’d received.

  Next down the row was Dr. Mark Lend. He also worked family practice with her and Brandon—was it bad that she thought of him by his first name now? Dr. Lend had male pattern baldness, leaving the top of his head shiny and bare. Instead of shaving the rest, though, like most vain men would do, he was happy to own it. His nurse, Kristi, sat one cubicle away from Paige at work. No one had accompanied Dr. Hale or Dr. Lend. Paige assumed the handsome man with salt and pepper hair at Dr. Deirde’s side was her husband.

  “Thank you all for coming.”

  Paige directed her attention to the front where a tall, slender man spoke. His blond hair was combed neatly, and he wore a navy blue suit jacket and a pale blue shirt. His red tie stood out. He was attractive, and she’d remembered seeing him a few times at the clinic. The lights dimmed, and the screen behind him displayed a bright Merck logo bathing the man in a soft light.

  “My name is Steven Herrick. Most of you know me, but for those of you who don’t, I am a drug rep for Merck. Today I’m here to tell you about a wonderful new medication that will help decrease the need for bladder slings. Also, Dr. Tenisha Robles M.D., an urologist from Midland, Texas, is joining us to tell you about her experience with the medication and its effects on her patients. So without further ado, I’ll turn the floor over to her.”

  A short woman stepped into the center of the arch and everyone clapped to welcome her. Paige’s concentration ended at that point. As soon as the applause died down, she felt Brandon’s hand on her knee.

  No one could see what he was doing. She stole a glance at him. His attention remained forward, and anyone else who looked at him would see a man listening to a guest speaker. They wouldn’t know how his fingers had slowly started to caress her leg.

  She clenched her teeth as the desire she felt earlier returned with a vengeance. He drew a circular pattern on her knee. Such a simple touch turned her on. Why had he chosen now to become bold? Maybe he thought it was funny. The thought made her seek revenge.

  Paige moved slowly, sliding her hand over the curve of his thigh, resting her fingers mid way. He tensed beneath her touch. The corners of her mouth tipped slightly in satisfaction. He wasn’t as immune to her as he’d pretended. Then his hand moved.

  The slide on the screen changed, but Paige couldn’t concentrate. Heat seared her leg where his hand now rested between her thighs. He gave a squeeze, and her nether lips grew wet with wanting. She felt her pulse beating in her core. Shock mixed with a thrilling need to take the adventure further. With effort, she schooled her facial features and moved her hand upward.

  Her pinkie now rested a scant inch from his groin. This time he adjusted in his seat, and a small cough escaped his lips. She wanted to laugh when he shot her a warning look. But she’d also seen something unmistakable in his eyes. Passion. He was as turned on as she was. If she moved and closed that last little bit of distance, she knew she’d find him hard. Her pussy gave a wanting pulse, and she had to bite back a moan as she thought about touching him there.

  Could she do it? In front of all of these people? She�
�d always had fantasies about sexual acts in public. The thrill of being caught. Never had she ever indulged in it though. She had an opportunity to right now. Would he reciprocate? Her panties were soaked just thinking about it.

  He squeezed her thigh a little hard. It didn’t hurt, but she found herself squirming against his hold, wishing his hand would move a little higher. She tried hard to regulate her breathing. Long, slow, deep breaths. She had a feeling if he applied any pressure against her pussy right now she’d come. Her fingers twitched against his leg. She was going to go for it. His other hand gripped hers under the table, and he stopped her.

  Could he be in the same position? So close to climax that he feared her touch? After all, she’d be able to hide the aftereffects of something like that a lot easier than he could. It wasn’t her goal to embarrass him, especially in front of his colleagues. She pushed toward his knee, and he released her hand. The tension in his leg muscles relaxed. He also moved his hand down. Their little game had ended. And there couldn’t have been better timing because lunch was being served.

  Chapter Three

  The female doctor continued to speak, and Brandon took another bite of his food. He didn’t really listen to anything the woman was saying though. The hard-on he sported throbbed like a bitch. He should have known better than to get into a game of dare with Paige. She wasn’t the shy type. But damn, she turned him on like crazy.

  Heat had soaked through her scrub pants, heating his palm, making him crave skin-to-skin contact with her. He’d got so close to touching her at the juncture of her thighs. And somehow he knew he’d find her wet.

  He’d been tuned into her reactions enough to know his caress had affected her. In fact, he was still too aware of her. Every movement she made in the chair next to him. Every small breath that lifted her breasts slightly. He stole quick glances her way. Damn, but he wanted to stand up and snatch her hand, leading her out of this room and across the parking lot to the hotel next door. But he knew he couldn’t do that. Even if this thing wrapped up early, they’d have thirty minutes at most. And he damn sure wanted more than a half an hour to explore her exquisite body.

  The lights brightened, and the people around him began to clap. He joined in, surprised out of his inner thoughts of the sultry temptress next to him. Glancing her way, he noticed she clapped as well.

  Waiters began removing dishes and offering dessert. Paige pushed away from the table, laying her linen napkin on its surface before standing up and excusing herself. He followed suit and quickly buttoned the front of his lab coat to hide his swollen cock. No one at the table needed to know about his lust problem.

  Up ahead, Paige rounded a corner, and he increased his pace, not wanting to lose sight of her. He noticed the restroom sign ahead and closed the gap between them, not allowing her to escape inside the women’s bathroom. Smooth skin slid under his palm as he gripped her upper arm. Hunger for more contact sparked inside him. He wanted to lay her down and touch every inch of her.

  Paige turned and met his gaze. In the depths of her stare, he saw her own passion reflecting back at him. How in the hell had things become so intense? And over only a little thigh-rubbing action? It wasn’t as if she’d stroked his dick. But he’d damn sure wanted her too. Badly. With her hands…and other parts as well. His gaze fell to her mouth, and her lips parted on a sigh. He sucked in a breath as he watched her tongue trace her plump lower lip.

  The need to taste her was overwhelming. He leaned forward. Her lids fell to half-mast. He couldn’t help the small smile of victory lifting the corners of his lips. She wanted this kiss too.

  “Excuse me, but I’d really like to get out of the restroom.”

  The woman’s voice coming from behind Paige had the effect of a bucket of ice water crashing over both of them. Paige jerked to attention, turning partly to see a woman in her mid-fifties standing in the doorway of the bathroom.

  “Oh my! Yes, of course.” Paige sidestepped, and the woman exited.

  Brandon didn’t know what to say, nor did he get a chance to come up with something because Paige took her chance and darted into the sanctuary of the ladies room. The wooden door swung shut in his face.

  Fisting his hands at his sides, he turned and walked back to the gathering in the dining hall. She’d gotten away for now, but there was still the ride back to the clinic, and she wouldn’t be able to hide then.

  Paige looked at her reflection and sucked in a rush of air then exhaled slowly. He’d nearly kissed her. People they worked with had been a matter of only feet away. Anyone could have seen. Did it matter if they did?

  Whether it did or not didn’t change the fact that it should. She didn’t need her co-workers gossiping about her. Lord knew it wouldn’t take long for the news to reach her mother in a small town, and she didn’t want to have to explain the situation to anyone. Hell, she couldn’t even explain it to herself.

  Things were moving fast. Maybe even too fast. She sighed and hung her head, looking at the blue and white tile floor. The attraction to Brandon was off the charts. There wasn’t any denying that she wanted to sleep with him. But anything between them would be temporary. No chance of deluding herself into thinking it could be anything more with him leaving. Question of the day was, could she live with that? Could she take the pleasure without strings?

  Hell, she didn’t know what she wanted. A serious relationship sure hadn’t been on her radar a month ago—or even a week ago for that matter. And if she could handle the temporary, she wasn’t sure she wanted everyone who worked with them knowing they were fooling around. So it was probably better to put on the brakes no matter how badly she wanted to press the accelerator and find out how fast things could really go.

  One more fortifying breath sucked into her lungs. She pushed away from the counter and left the restroom. Surviving the ride back without dying from sexual longing would be hard, but she could do it. At least she thought she could. Damn it! She could and would do this.

  She spotted Brandon talking to Dr Lend. Their conversation became clear as she approached.

  “We could swing by my house really fast if you’d like to, if you’re still interested in my bike?”

  “I’m still interested, Mark, but I didn’t bring my car. I rode here with Paige,” Brandon replied.

  “I can give you a ride back. I have a few patients this afternoon to see.”

  “That sounds great,” Paige interjected from behind them, causing Brandon to turn and pin her with a hot stare. Waves of desire danced through her abdomen. Yes. Him riding with Dr. Lend was a very good idea. “I don’t want you to miss out on getting to see his Harley since you’re interested in it. It’s probably better if I get back to the office a little early anyway.”

  “Good. It’s settled then,” Dr. Lend replied with a smile.

  The narrowing of Brandon’s eyes before he plastered a smile on his face and turned around to face Dr. Lend let Paige know that she’d earned only a slight reprieve. Good. Maybe she’d be able to get her hormones under control before she returned to work. She needed a level head when they discussed the progression of whatever this was between them.

  * * *

  Luckily when Paige arrived at the clinic, their first two patients for the afternoon had already arrived. Getting straight to work on putting them in the exam rooms meant she’d be able to put off Dr. Stud Muffin for a little while longer.

  The drive back to Lovington had been frustrating. Thinking about Brandon conjured mental images of the way he’d looked at her right before he nearly kissed her. As much as she tried to deny it, she had wanted the kiss. Thoughts about his lips on hers had plagued her during the entire drive back to work. Now she was still as sexually frustrated as she had been before leaving the Casino. If he pushed, she knew she’d give in.

  With a quick knock, she entered exam room one. Mrs. Clark sat on the table. The poor woman had urinary infection symptoms. Those could be so painful.

  “Were you
able to leave a urine sample?”

  “Yes. It’s in the bathroom.”

  Paige nodded as she snapped on a pair of latex gloves before entering the connecting restroom to get it.

  She then made her way into the small lab area and began prepping the sample for the centrifuge. With a dropper, she added urine to a test tube and placed it inside the machine. It would need to be spun down to get to the cells for the slide. Thankfully the space was empty. She didn’t feel much like making small talk right now. Once the timer was set, she washed and dried her hands. As she pitched the paper towels into the waste basket, one of the doors opened, and Brandon walked inside.

  In a breath’s time, his arms were around her. His solid chest pressed against her back, and his warm breath caressed her ear. His arousal pressed against her bottom, and she couldn’t repress the moan that tore from her throat.

  “It was very naughty of you to run away.”

  The husky tone of his voice had her nerve endings tingling with anticipation. “I wouldn’t call it running. You had something else you wanted to do.”

  He laughed. “As I’m sure you can tell, the only thing I want to do right now is you.”

  Teeth grazed the sensitive flesh below her ear, and she shivered with delight. “We really shouldn’t be doing this here. People will talk.”

  His hand slid up her abdomen and stopped below her breast. The edge of his thumb teased the underside. Her lace bar and scrub top didn’t do much to dampen the caress. She ached for him to touch her, to squeeze her breast and release some of the tension building there. Her nipples drew into tight pebbles, begging for attention.

  He groaned, dipping his head to nip at the skin near her shoulder. “I know you’re right, but this is torture. Please say you’ll meet me after work.”

  She closed her eyes and sighed. There’d be no going back if she agreed to this. But no rational thoughts beat out the mantra her body sang to. She wanted to be in his bed. Not trusting her voice, she nodded and heard the quick release of the breath he’d been holding.