Prince Charming, M.D.

by Susan Mallery

  His hand rested next to her. Close to her thigh, but not touching. Not moving, not doing much of anything but taunting her. Her whole body was one giant flame, waiting for him to send her into oblivion. But first there was one other question.

  “This is none of my business,” she began.

  “But you’re going to ask me anyway.”

  She nodded. “How many, Trevor? How many women have you made love with?”

  “Less than fifty,” he said, his voice teasing. “Enough conversation, Dana. I want to make love with you.”

  That phrase distracted her. She sank onto the mattress and opened her arms to him. He gathered her close and kissed her. One of his hands buried itself in her hair; the other found and stroked her breasts. With each touch, the tension increased until she felt as if she would simply be reduced to ashes from the heat.

  She was liquid desire. There was nothing she would have refused him. When he tugged at her panties, she helped him pull them off. When he knelt between her legs, she opened to accommodate him. When he gently parted the folds of her feminine place so he could give her the most intimate kiss of all, she yielded to the madness and allowed him to pleasure her.

  She drew her knees back and tried not to moan too loudly. But it was difficult. He licked all of her, then found the tiny point of pleasure and loved it until she was shaking. He circled her, surrounded her, brushed against her; then, when she was so close to her release that it wasn’t even necessary to breathe, he gently inserted a finger inside her.

  The combination of sensations flung her into a release so incredibly complete she had no control at all. She was vaguely aware of crying out something, perhaps his name, perhaps just a few unintelligible sounds. She raised her hips and begged him to never stop. He stayed with her, touching her lighter and lighter, drawing every last ounce of pleasure from her.

  When breath returned to her body, she found herself in his embrace. Perspiration coated her body and shudders continued to ripple through her muscles. She was both incredibly content and embarrassed.

  “It’s never been like that for me,” she said by way of an explanation, and turned her face into his chest

  “I’m glad. I want this to be as incredible for you as it is for me. I enjoy making love with you. I want to bring you indescribable pleasure.”

  She giggled softly. “I’ve long suspected you’re an overachiever, but in this case, I’m not going to complain.”

  She raised her head and looked at him. He was so stunningly handsome, yet at that moment, she didn’t care about his looks. He was special to her. It wasn’t love and never would be. They were in a relationship destined for failure. But right now she wasn’t going to think about that She was simply going to enjoy the man and how he made her feel.

  He brushed the hair off her face and smiled. As he shifted, something grazed against her thigh. His arousal. She touched him there, feeling the length of him beneath his briefs. A shudder rippled through him as he surged toward her. She pressed her mouth to his chest and tasted him. The crinkly hair tickled her nose.

  “I want you inside me,” she murmured against his skin.

  “Yes,” he growled.

  While he peeled off his briefs, she opened the nightstand drawer and removed the unopened box of condoms. She felt herself flushing. “I didn’t know what kind to buy.”

  He glanced at the box. “Right now I don’t care, as long as they work.”

  When he was naked, she helped him put on the protection, then settled onto her back. He entered her slowly, reverently, as if this time were precious to him. She was glad this mattered to both of them.

  He moved in and out of her. Something quickened inside her and she tensed for the inevitable release. As she drew back her knees, he stared down at her.

  “Four,” he said.

  She didn’t understand at first Then she got it. He was answering her earlier question. How many lovers?

  “Four including you,” he added.

  She was stunned. Questions filled her mind. About the stories she’d heard and what people said. About the fact that she’d been his first and in all the years they’d been apart there had been only three other women. Then he moved faster and nothing mattered but how he made her feel.

  She pushed down, driving herself into the tingling he created. She felt her body begin to tense. She hadn’t expected to experience a release again, but she couldn’t help herself. As he stiffened and called out her name, her body began to convulse around him, pulsing rhythmically as the climax filled her.

  She couldn’t catch her breath, couldn’t do anything but absorb the sensations. Then she glanced at him. Trevor opened his eyes. He was still caught up in the passion, and as their gazes locked she felt a connection she’d never ex* perienced before.

  *

  “You don’t have to make breakfast,” Trevor insisted.

  Dana stood up and crossed to the closet. “You’ve got to be starving,” she told him. “I know I am. We never had dinner last night.” She pulled on her robe and smiled at him. “I want to do this, Trevor. Consider it my morning-after thank-you.”

  “If you insist.” He stretched and the sheet slid down his thighs, exposing the most interesting parts of his body.

  Dana paused in the doorway and looked at him. Morning light illuminated the room and him. She could see the perfect shape of his chest, the hard muscles of his flat belly and arms. She supposed they should both be exhausted after all the lovemaking the previous night, but she felt revitalized and alive. And it was all because of Trevor. He had been so incredible. Loving and giving, making love with her over and over.

  “You can go back to sleep if you’d like,” she said.

  “No, I’m getting up. Do you mind if I take a shower?”

  “Please.” She motioned to the bathroom. “There are fresh towels in the cupboard in the hall.”

  She walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. As she collected eggs, vegetables and cheese for omelettes, she thought about the previous night. Something had her worried. Probably because their evening had been about more than just great sex. The physical she could handle fine. It was the emotional that had her concerned. For reasons she didn’t understand, she was feeling close to Trevor. She’d enjoyed being with him, not just touching him, but laughing with him and talking about different things. They’d lain awake for hours discussing their goals for the future. She’d been surprised by how many things they had in common.

  She supposed what made her nervous was that she really cared about Trevor. He’d become a good friend and someone she enjoyed having in her life. She was also starting to sense the potential for something more on her part, and that terrified her. She couldn’t risk their getting close because she wasn’t about to put her heart on the line. Intellectually, she understood that if she really wanted to achieve her goal of a husband and children, she would have to risk trusting a man. But the concept frightened her. She’d watched her mother for too many years to be comfortable with letting someone have that kind of power over her. She didn’t want to be dependent. She wanted to make it on her own.

  Of course she’d already done that. She’d set career goals and achieved them. She tried telling herself that getting married didn’t necessarily mean handing over the power to her life. With the right partner, she could still retain her identity. At least, that was the theory. When she thought about Katie and Mike, she believed it was possible, at least for them. But what about for her?

  Maybe...with someone she could trust. Someone not so dynamic. Trevor would be too risky. She was afraid of him because she knew she could love him too much. Far easier to keep things as they were, using him for practice, then finding someone suitable later.

  She diced vegetables, then grated cheese. After getting out the omelette pan, she reached for the carton of eggs.

  “What are you doing?” Trevor asked, horrified.

  She looked up. He stood in the doorway to the kitchen, hair still damp from h
is shower, a towel wrapped around his waist. Her body responded to his perfection with the same muscle-twitching, bone-melting, everything-quivering dance it always did in his presence.

  “Making breakfast,” she said. “Omelettes.”

  He crossed to her side and snatched the carton from her. “Eggs? You want to cook eggs? What will the children think?”

  It took her a second to get the joke. “You can’t mean T.J.”

  “Who else? I’m shocked, Dana. I thought you were more sensitive than this.”

  She opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say to him.

  He set the carton on the counter and wrapped his arms around her. “Bagels,” he said. “I’ll take you out for bagels or pancakes or waffles. Anything but eggs.”

  “But I—”

  His mouth settled on hers and she decided she didn’t want to talk all that much. The heat flared.

  “What about breakfast?” she asked when she caught her breath.

  “Later,” he murmured, leading her back to the bedroom and stretching out beside her. “Much later.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Dana sipped her morning coffee and didn’t care that it had that burned tinge the hospital cafeteria seemed to pride itself on. She didn’t care about the rain, the six calls she had to return before noon, the run in her panty hose or the three surgeries that would require rescheduling and completely mess up two days’ worth of work.

  She felt like Snow White from the Disney movie. Everything was lovely as she went about her days. She would swear that she heard singing and that little forest creatures greeted her at every turn.

  Dana laughed. Okay, the little forest creatures were a bit of a stretch, but she was one happy lady. Her weekend had been perfect. Except for going home to get a couple of changes of clothing and some more condoms, Trevor hadn’t left her place until Monday, when they’d both had to be at the hospital. They’d made love, laughed, ordered in food, cooked, made love again...and again, talked about their pasts, their futures, their hopes. Oh, and they’d made love some more.

  She leaned back in her chair and sighed in contentment. It was Wednesday and she was still glowing. Perhaps it was because they’d spent the past two nights together, too. Monday at his place and Tuesday at hers. It was very convenient for both of them. If either forgot something, it wasn’t far to go pick it up.

  Dana stared at the paperwork on her desk, but didn’t really see it. She couldn’t remember being happier with anyone before, ever. It wasn’t just the sex, although that was quite amazing. There was more. Something about being with Trevor that made her feel good about herself. It was as if, with him, she felt complete.

  “I’m not getting serious, though,” she reminded herself aloud. “This is dating fun. A temporary, albeit lovely, situation. Nothing more.”

  She would be a fool to expect more. After all, she was talking about Trevor MacAllister here, not some regular guy.

  Angie strolled into her office and sat in the chair opposite hers. “’Morning, boss. You’re looking really happy about something.”

  Dana smiled. “I’m having a good hair day. What’s going on?”

  “You’d asked me if I could trade shifts and it’s not a problem. I’m happy to do it.”

  “Thanks.” Dana made a note on her schedule. “I know you hate working in the late afternoon, but I need someone with your experience for the OR.”

  Angie shrugged. “I’ll be forced to sleep in, so that works for me. After all, I’ve been having some very late nights.”

  A knot formed in Dana’s stomach and she would have sworn the temperature in the room dropped about thirty degrees. Did Angie mean what Dana thought she meant? She couldn’t be talking about Trevor. Dana knew exactly what he’d been doing every night since Friday. They’d been together...sleeping in the same bed.

  She swallowed hard. Except for Monday night, when they’d agreed that they actually had to spend some time sleeping, so she’d gone home about ten-thirty.

  “Wild social life?” she asked, working hard to make her voice sound normal. She wasn’t completely successful, but she didn’t think Angie would notice the difference.

  “Hmm, you bet” The pretty young nurse leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. “I can’t believe how wonderful Trevor is. And not just in bed. While he’s a real—” She stopped and shrugged. “Sorry. I’m sure you don’t want details.”

  “That statement couldn’t be more true.”

  “But it’s not just that,” she continued. “He’s also funny and sweet and wonderful to be with. The only fly in the ointment is Sally. I hate that he’s seeing her, too.”

  Dana couldn’t believe it. No way was Trevor seeing all three of them. He just plain didn’t have time. Besides, she knew in her heart he wouldn’t do that to her. Would he?

  While part of her wanted to believe in him, another part wondered how well she really knew him. Was she expecting too much? Did she have the right to assume their relationship meant as much to him as to her?

  There was one way to find out. She sucked in a breath and clenched her hands into fists. “When did you see him?”

  “Saturday and last night. He saw Sally on Friday, but I don’t think he’s seen her since. So that means I’m winning, right?”

  If she hadn’t been sitting, she would have collapsed with relief. Since Friday, the only night she and Trevor hadn’t spent together was Monday, although they’d shared the evening. So he couldn’t have seen Angie or Sally.

  She opened her mouth to ask the young woman why she was lying, then pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to get into this right now. Asking Angie that question was the same as announcing her relationship with Trevor to the entire hospital, and she wasn’t ready to do that. She didn’t want to deal with the rumors and speculation. To be completely honest with herself, she didn’t want everyone to know they were dating because she didn’t want any pity when they broke up. Even if she were the one to end the relationship, everyone would assume it was the other way around. She’d already had enough humiliation where he was concerned.

  Angie looked at her and raised her eyebrows. “You’re not answering. Don’t tell me there are things going on with Sally that I don’t know about.’’

  “Not that I’m aware of,” Dana said. “I can’t say if you’re winning or not. I suspect you’re both in the same boat where Trevor is concerned.”

  Both lying. But why?

  After Angie got her new schedule and left, Dana wrestled with that question. Why would two young attractive women lie about dating someone? Was it the challenge? Did they need people to believe the most eligible doctor in the hospital wanted each of them? If Angie and Sally were both lying, who else had lied? Joel? Girls in high school?

  She remembered what Trevor had said about his reputation having little basis in fact. She was starting to believe that was true. He’d claimed to have made love with only four women in his life, including her. She had no reason to doubt that, either. She smiled. Okay, she had a little reason to doubt. He was an extraordinary lover, but some of that was because he took the time to find out what she enjoyed. He was attentive and caring, two qualities tough to resist in bed.

  Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She picked it up. “Dana Rowan.”

  “Nurse? You’ve gotta help me. I’m running this fever and there are spots all over my body. Is it fatal?”

  The voice was familiar, but it took her a couple of seconds to place it. The memories stirred in the back of her mind and then she laughed. “Roger, is that you?”

  “Hi, hot stuff. What’s going on?”

  “I can’t believe you called me. It’s been forever. What? At least a couple of years.”

  The man on the phone chuckled. “How many kids did I have the last time we talked?”

  Dana thought about the question. Roger was a man she’d dated in college. When the romance hadn’t worked out, they’d stayed friends. She’d attended his wedding and had eve
n spent a long weekend with him and his wife a few years back. Their happiness had left her with a combination of pleasure for them and longing for herself. She wanted what they had.

  “You had two. Little Emma was about three and R.J. was less than a year.”

  “Well, Marcie just had another boy and R.J. is nearly two. So it’s been way too long. Which is the reason I’m calling. I’m in town on business. I have an unexpected free night tonight and wondered if you’d like to have dinner.”

  The invitation was tempting. Not only did she always have a good time with Roger, but he was someone she trusted, and a male. Maybe he could give her some advice about Trevor. She could use the opinion of a relatively disinterested third party, not to mention a man’s point of view on the situation.

  She and Trevor hadn’t made any plans for the evening. She’d assumed they would spend it together, but Trevor would understand.

  “I’d love to join you.”

  “Great. Where?”

  She named a local restaurant “About seven-thirty?”

  “Works for me. I’ll see you then. Oh, and I can’t wait to call Marcie and tell her I’ll be seeing a beautiful blonde tonight. Think she’ll be jealous?”

  Dana laughed. “Not a chance. She knows you adore her so much the rest of the female population barely exists. My bet is she’ll tell you to say hi and not give it another moment’s thought.”

  “Yeah, I know.” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “I’ve tried explaining that the male ego likes to know that the woman in a guy’s life is at least a little worried about keeping him faithful, but not Marcie. She’s got me good and hooked. What can I do?”

  “Enjoy,” Dana said firmly. “After all, the alternative is to do without her.”