"No. I haven't since I was a kid so this would be a big change."
"Then I'd say to give it some thought and maybe come back later today or tomorrow. You don't want to rush into something like this. It's a big commitment."
"But what if someone else takes him?" Star asks.
"If Lucky's the dog for you he'll still be here." She puts him back in his crate.
I give Lucky one last look before we go. He watches as we leave, looking confused like he's wondering why we didn't take him with us.
"He's a really sweet dog," Star says as we're driving back. "Do you think you'll get him?"
"I want to, but that girl is right. It's a big commitment. I can't make a decision like that without giving it some thought." I check my phone for the time. "It's time for lunch. You want to stop and get something?"
"We could, but don't you have other things to do? I feel like I'm taking up all your time."
"I'm the one who invited you so unless you have other things to do, I say we have lunch."
We go to a restaurant in Cambridge. As we're waiting for our food I look across the table at Star. "What do you think I should do?"
"About what?"
"The dog."
"It's up to you. You need to decide if you're ready for that kind of commitment."
"I've wanted a dog for years but couldn't with my residency hours. Now that I have more regular hours I think I could make it work, especially if you'd agree to dog sit."
She smiles. "How much does it pay?"
"Is ten an hour enough?"
"I get fifteen at the coffee shop."
"Then fifteen. Whatever it takes to hire you."
"You don't even know if I'm good with dogs."
"You did well with Lucky today. That's all that matters." I sigh as I think of all the work it takes to have a dog. "Maybe I'm not ready. I feel like I'm rushing into this."
"Then don't do it. You have enough to deal with right now between work and all the drama with Lauren and your dad, and the girl who's living rent-free at your apartment."
"Hey." I reach over and hold her hand. "Don't feel guilty about that. Letting you stay with me is the least I can do given what happened."
"Corbin?"
I look to my right and see Lauren walking toward us. Her eyes go to my hand, which is still holding Star's.
Chapter Sixteen
Star
"What are you two doing here?" Lauren asks with a fake smile, pretending not to notice Corbin holding my hand. He takes his time letting it go as he slowly sits back.
"We were out looking for apartments and decided to stop for lunch," he says. "How about you? Don't you have to work today?"
"I did, but I left because I thought I was coming down with something."
"You're sick?"
"I'm probably just tired. I'm here to pick up some soup, then I'm going home to rest."
"Well, I hope you feel better."
Lauren turns to me. "Alexis said you were scheduled this afternoon."
"I am?" I quickly get out my phone and check the online schedule. "I don't see my name on the schedule."
"She said she told you yesterday," Lauren says as she types something into her phone.
I call Alexis. "Hey, was I supposed to work today?"
"You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago."
"Shit, I'm so sorry. I don't remember you telling me I had to work."
"Where are you?"
"Having lunch, but I can skip it. I'll leave right now." I end the call and get up from the table. "Sorry, I can't stay. I'm late for work."
Corbin gets up. "I'll give you a ride."
"I don't need a ride," I tell him. "It's only a couple blocks."
"But with your leg—"
"She'll be fine," Lauren says. "The exercise will be good for her."
"Star, wait!" He follows me to the door. "Just let me give you a ride."
"It's not that far. It'll be faster to walk. I'll see you later."
"You're not walking. You could make your injuries worse."
As we leave I look back and see Lauren watching us. I wish I knew what she was thinking. She hasn't been bothering Corbin as much but she still seems possessive of him.
At the coffee shop Alexis is waiting for me and takes me to the back. "I need you to wash cups. The dishwasher broke."
"I'm not supposed to do anything strenuous. I don't have the doctor's okay yet."
"What's strenuous about washing dishes?" She brings me a stool. "Here. You can sit while you wash."
"Then I can't reach the sink."
She sighs. "Then rest on the stool when you need it. I have to go deal with a customer."
When she's gone I go over and check the schedule by the time clock. I'm not listed as working today. I wonder if Alexis called me in last minute and pretended I'd been scheduled. Maybe Lauren put her up to it so I wouldn't be spending time with Corbin.
After an hour of washing cups I'm not feeling very good, my head pounding and my stomach queasy from not eating. I find Alexis out front behind the counter.
"Do you mind if I leave?" I ask.
"It's one-thirty. You've only been here an hour."
"I know but I finished all the cups and I really need to rest. My head is killing me. And I need to eat. I missed lunch."
"Have a muffin." She points to the tray. "I'm tossing them soon anyway."
I take one because I'm starving. "I still can't stay. I'm supposed to rest when my head hurts and it really hurts right now."
She stares at me, annoyed. "Fine. But I need you here tomorrow. Can you be here at six?"
"On a Sunday? I thought we didn't open until eight."
"I need help getting a catering order ready." She straightens the row of coffee cups behind the counter. "Are you really turning down work? I thought you needed money."
"I do. Okay, yeah, I'll be there." I take off before she asks me to do something else.
Back at the apartment I find a note from Corbin saying he's at the gym. Noticing I stink like coffee I decide to take a quick shower before I rest. When I get out I hear the other shower running. Corbin must be back.
I go in my room and lay down in the bed but now I'm not tired. And my head feels better. The shower really helped.
There's a knock on the door. "Star? Are you up?"
"Yeah, come in."
Corbin opens the door, wearing track pants and a t-shirt, his hair wet from the shower. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay. I left work because my head was hurting but I took a long shower and it's better now."
"How's that area by your rib? Still sore?"
"I don't know. I'm trying to avoid touching it."
He smiles. "You have to touch it to know if it's getting better." He comes over to the bed and pulls the sheet back. I'm wearing a t-shirt and panties like I was before when he did this, except now he's not in doctor mode. I can tell by the way he's looking at me. The desire in his eyes as they move slowly up my legs.
"It's up here," I say, pointing just below my ribcage.
"Right," he says, his eyes darting back to mine. "Tell me if it hurts."
He sits next to me and slides my shirt up to just below my breasts. I close my eyes as I feel his fingers gently press down on my skin. "That okay?"
"Yeah," I say, biting my lip. I'm already aroused and he's barely touched me.
He moves his hand down, his fingers making small indents along my abdomen, getting lower each time. "Any pain?"
"No." I can barely breathe I'm so turned on.
My eyes remain closed as his hand slides down to the hem of my panties, still gently pressing down.
"How about now?"
I shake my head, lifting my hips just slightly, enough to let him know I want him to keep going.
When his fingers slip under my panties I suck in a breath.
"Still okay?" he asks, in a deep sexy tone that tells me this is no longer an exam.
"Uh huh," I pant, my eyes st
ill shut.
His fingers slide over the slickness between my legs, stroking me, and I shiver from how good it feels.
I feel his breath by my ear. "You sure about this?"
I swallow and nod, unable to form words. I feel his lips over mine as two fingers dip inside me, his thumb rubbing over that perfect spot and sending me soaring. My hips buck and I feel his palm pressing me down as he continues to work me.
"Oh, God," I say, trying to catch my breath between kisses. I'm breathless, ready to burst. Corbin knows exactly what to do, where to touch. I break from his lips, grabbing the sheet and holding on as pleasure rockets through me.
He waits a moment, then his hand moves to my lower abs, gently massaging, pressing into the area that's still warm and tingling, almost too sensitive to touch. He keeps it going, those soft presses, like we're back in exam mode, except this time, there's nothing medical about it. His touch is meant to tease, torture, make me want him even more.
That hot tingly feeling remains and intensifies as he continues that gentle massage over my pelvis. My eyes pop open as I feel my panties start to lower.
He smiles at me. "I'm going to need to remove these."
I just nod, mesmerized by his deep brown eyes, that chiseled face, and that sexy smile. I lift up as he tugs my panties down and slides them off.
His hands go to the hem of my shirt. "This will have to go too."
I smile. "This is a very thorough exam."
"It is." He smiles back. "And it's barely started. Lift up for me."
I do, and he pulls my t-shirt up and over my head, tossing it aside.
"Now lie down," he says, playing doctor again. I follow his orders, then watch as he yanks off his shirt, revealing his broad shoulders and defined abs.
Leaving his pants on, he sits beside me again, his hand splayed over my hip, his thumb extending down close to the area that's still warm and sensitive. My eyes fall shut as he leans down to kiss me. He deepens the kiss, his tongue moving slowly and sensually in my mouth as his hand moves up to my breast, gently squeezing.
I break from the kiss, gasping for breath.
"Still, okay?" he says over my mouth.
My lips curve into a lazy smile. "More than okay."
His body lowers and I feel his mouth at my breast as his hand massages the other one, his thumb and finger tugging and teasing my nipple. I feel like I'm going to come again. I didn't think that was possible but I can feel it building. But I don't want it yet. I want to wait until he's inside me.
"Corbin." I breathe out his name, my hips rising off the bed, trying to get closer to the part of him I so desperately want.
He kisses his way up my chest, my neck, back to my mouth. "You are so beautiful."
"I want you," I say between kisses.
He stops and smiles at me. "That's not an appropriate request for your doctor."
"It is." I smile back. "It's part of the internal exam."
He gets up and quickly drops his pants and holy hell, he's huge. My eyes can't look away, remaining on him as he grabs a condom from the nightstand. He rolls it on, smiling when he sees me staring.
"It might sting a little at first," he kids.
Hell, yeah, it might. I've never been with someone that size.
"But I guarantee it'll feel better once it's in." He lies beside me and kisses me as his hand runs down my center to between my legs. I'm wet, soaked, more than ready for him. He moves over me, his body covering mine, and I feel the tip of him nudge my entrance. He pushes in just a little. It doesn't sting but I definitely feel stretched.
He thrusts all the way in and I gasp.
"You okay?" he whispers.
I nod, then pull his mouth to mine and kiss him.
He kisses me back as he slowly pulls out. When he fills me again, I break from his lips and suck in a breath, then smile.
"You like that?" he asks in a low sexy voice.
I'm lost in bliss, unable to answer. Being with him is even better than I imagined.
His soft lips brush against my neck, sending a tingle down my spine. My whole body is drenched in feelings of pleasure like I've never felt before. I lift up, meeting his thrusts, our bodies rocking together in a fluid motion. The sensations build. I feel it coming. I grab Corbin just as it hits, holding onto him as the spasms rocket through me even stronger than before.
I collapse back on the sheets, soaked in sweat. Corbin pauses to lean down and kiss me, then starts up again, his hips bucking fast and hard.
He groans as his body stiffens, then shudders as he comes. He pauses a moment to give me a kiss, then rolls off me onto his back.
I turn and lay my head and arm over his chest. "I've never had an exam like that before."
"I've never given one like that." He kisses the top of my head, like it's natural, like something we always do. And oddly enough, that's how it feels. Like we're a couple and we've done this before. It doesn't feel awkward. We're not hurrying to get up or trying to explain why we did it. We're just lying here, calm and relaxed, his arm around me, my body warm and sleepy against his.
"I should probably get up," I hear him say.
I lift my head, feeling drool at the side of my lip. "Did I fall asleep?"
"Yeah." He chuckles. "You were snoring."
"I was?" I sit up. "That's embarrassing."
"Hey." He pulls me back down to him and kisses me. "Don't be embarrassed. I didn't mind. I thought it was cute. And I like that you're comfortable enough with me to fall asleep on me."
"I am." I smile and lay back on his chest. "And I was really tired after what you did to me. Twice."
"It was once but I'm happy to do it again."
"I meant two orgasms. That's never happened before."
"Then you're in for a treat. Two is nothing."
"Really?" I ask, raising my head to look and see if he's kidding.
"I'm an expert in the human body. I know the right spots."
"You definitely do." I smile as I fall back on the pillow. "I've never felt anything like that before. It's never been that intense."
He turns on his side, facing me. "I didn't hurt you at all, did I?"
"No, but I had to adjust to it. It's larger than I'm used to."
He smiles. "I wasn't talking about my penis. I meant your ribs. Your bruises. I didn't hurt you, right?"
"Not at all."
"Good." He drops a kiss on my lips. "I'm going to go clean up."
He gets up and leaves my room to go down to his own. I need a shower but I remain in bed, taking a moment to enjoy how happy I feel right now. It's not just from the sex, although that's part of it, but it's also Corbin. He makes me feel happy. Safe. Cared for.
I don't know if what we just did changes anything between us but I want it to. He's become more than just some guy who helped me after the accident. He's become someone I trust, care about, and don't want to say goodbye to. I want more time with him. I want to keep getting to know him and maybe see where this could go.
Hearing the shower turn on I decide to do the same. As I'm walking to the hall bathroom I stop and go in Corbin's room. His bathroom door is open and I peek my head in.
"Do you have any extra towels?" I ask.
He shoves the shower curtain open, wiping his eyes. "There's a whole stack of them in the—" He stops, smiling when he realizes I'm not here for towels. He holds his hand out to me. "Come here."
"I don't know," I say, playing shy. "Is it really appropriate to shower with your doctor?"
"It's completely appropriate," he says as I join him, the warm steam surrounding us. "I have to check and make sure you're okay after all that physical activity."
His warm wet hands slide over my body as he kisses me.
"How's this feel?" he asks, cupping my ass and pulling me against him.
"Mmm," I hum, wrapping my arms around him. "Perfect."
He leans down and kisses my head and I close my eyes, feeling happier than I remember feeling in a really long time.
The shower leads to sex, then we end up in his bed and fall asleep.
"Star, are you up?" I hear Corbin say in a soft voice as he moves strands of my hair off my face.
I'm lying on my side, facing him. "Kind of. What time is it?"
"Six. I'm starving. How about you?"
"I'd say I worked up an appetite."
He chuckles and pulls me into his chest for a hug. "I had a great time today."
"Me too."
"Not just the sex, but just being with you. Spending the day together. I liked it."
I look up at him. "I did too."
He runs his hand over my hair. "I don't want you to go."
"Then I'll stay, but I don't think our stomachs will be too happy."
"I wasn't talking about leaving the bed. I meant I don't want you to move out. I want you to stay."
"Corbin, we've talked about this. I need to get my own place. I need to give you your life back."
"You already have. Since meeting you I feel like my life is my own now. I'm finally taking control and making my own decisions. Do you know how freeing that is? How much happier I am now that I'm not living my life for other people?"
"But that started before you met me. It started when you broke up with Lauren."
"If I hadn't met you there's a chance I would've gone back to her. It was the accident that changed me. And meeting you. I realized life is too damn short to be unhappy. To keep wasting time trying to make something work that never would."
"So hitting me with your car was a good thing," I kid.
He pulls me closer. "Not at all. And I'll always regret that I hurt you. But something good did come from it. Actually two things. One is the realization that I needed to get my life back. And two is meeting this girl I can't seem to get enough of. A girl I think about constantly and want to fall asleep in my arms, after a thorough medical exam, of course."
I smile, my heart swelling with joy. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I don't want you to leave. I want you to stay with me, and not because you're injured or jobless or need a place to stay, but because I want you here. Because I'd miss you too much if you left. I know we haven't known each other long but I feel like we have. I feel like I've known you so much longer than it's actually been. If you want to move out I'll understand but I still want to see you. I want to take you out." He takes my hand and looks in my eyes. "Will you go out with me?"
Lucky Star Page 15
