Temporary Doctor, Surprise Father

by Lynne Marshall

  For someone who’d dropped him the minute he’d left town, it seemed odd that she’d keep the egg he’d used to bribe her into going out with him that first time. The eggshell, as delicate as their love, had not only been kept but had been enshrined on a pedestal in a glass box.

  She whisked back into the room. He glanced up to find a sheepish expression in her eyes. He didn’t want to put her on the spot, or to stir up old emotions, not on his night of revenge, so he removed his fingertips from the top of the glass box and didn’t mention the egg.

  “Something smells great,” he said, reverting back to flirt-on-a-mission mode.

  She smiled, obviously grateful for the distraction. “I hope you’re hungry. It’s a special recipe.”

  That would be just like January, and, nope, he wasn’t going to let the fact that she’d made something special for him get in the way of his goal. As he followed her into the other room, he tried to figure out if being seriously turned on was off limits with revenge sex.

  Standing in her kitchen, inhaling the delicious smell of baking chicken and savory spices, certainly increased his senses, which seemed to be putting him in the mood… faster than he cared to admit. But revenge sex was supposed to be cold and, calculated and above all, manipulating. And he was supposed to be totally in control. He’d never actually had revenge sex before, but that was how he imagined it should be.

  Damn. Why had he noticed that egg? And, oh, no, she was putting on a cute and frilly apron that said, “Kiss the cook.” How was he supposed to get ruthlessly even with the happy homemaker materializing before him?

  She handed him a glass of wine, and he didn’t have the heart to tell her he didn’t like wine. So he thanked her, took a sip, and tried not to pucker his lips at the dry tartness.

  Maybe he’d put his revenge scenario on hold until after dinner, then he’d steel himself against her sweet gestures and soft, round curves and concentrate on cold, hard sex as he lured her into her bedroom.

  She passed him a plate of spring rolls, his favorite since forever, and actually batted her eyelashes at him. Was she flirting, too?

  “Could you carry this into the other room?” she asked, gathering two small saucers of dipping sauce and following behind with appetizer plates and a wad of napkins.

  They wound up facing each other on the neatly upholstered couch, sharing the best-tasting spring rolls he’d had in years.

  “You didn’t get these from that place we used to hang out at, did you?”

  She shook her head. “No. But I found this ma-and-pa restaurant nearby that makes spring rolls almost as good.”

  “Almost? Nah. These are the exact same recipe. You’ve got to tell me where they’re located.”

  “Sure.” She smiled and he thought the wine must have gone to his head, except he hadn’t taken another sip since the first horrible taste.

  He dipped and popped another spring roll into his mouth. How in the hell was he going to pull off his plans? After a few more crunchy chews, as contentment settled in, he didn’t much care.

  Jan had carefully removed every picture of Meghan from the living room and placed them in her bedroom for safekeeping. She’d even closed the door, something she never did, but her room was next to the only bathroom in the condo and she couldn’t take the chance of him seeing them.

  Something strange had happened since Beck had arrived. New energy thrummed through her veins just from being in the same room with him. Her jitters had calmed down, too, and she was actually enjoying his company, just like the good old days, but that was no surprise.

  He’d worn a classic crew-necked pullover sweater in deep forest green, which made his eyes even more striking. The last thing she wanted to do was stare, but she couldn’t stop looking into those dark and mysterious pools. And when he smiled, like he was doing right now, he still looked like a gentle little boy posing for a school picture. Damn, she was easy. Forcing her gaze away, she studied how he’d pushed the thin sleeves of the silk knit up his brawny forearms and how angular his hands were. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea either. She nibbled on her spring roll and pretended to be fascinated with the small bean sprouts stuffed inside.

  How odd to be sitting across from the guy she’d thought she’d die over when she’d had to give him up. Yet here they were, sharing spring rolls and chattering on about all the silly things they used to do, as if the world they’d once known hadn’t come to an abrupt end. And an innocent baby hadn’t been sent to strangers to be raised.

  “Remember that time someone set off firecrackers under the bleachers during a football game and everyone assumed it was me?” An ironic grin spread across his face.

  “You used to get blamed for everything.” She shook her head, remembering how unjust the principal had been.

  “But not that time.” A mischievous twinkle started in his gaze and trickled down to the smirk dancing on his lips.

  As the significance sank in, Jan felt a rush of warmth release and spread up her neck to her cheeks. “I was your alibi!”

  He nodded. “Exactly. You finally had to come out of the closet and admit that we were going out.”

  “I wasn’t ashamed of us.”

  “Right. Let’s just say your reputation changed overnight from being Miss Popularity Queen to Chopper Chick.”

  Unable to resist, she laughed. “It did not.” Many of her so-called friends had dropped her after the news had spread about who she was dating. Turned out they hadn’t really been friends.

  He gave her that challenging, sexy stare that used to drive her nuts, the look that reached inside and jumbled every single sane thought. Damn, he was handsome. An overwhelming urge to run her hand over the fine stubble of his closely shaven head made her sit straighter and fist her hands.

  “You got knocked off your pedestal so fast you probably thought we’d had an earthquake.” His teasing gaze probed deep into hers. “Before you knew it, you were hanging with the outsiders.”

  The truth was, she didn’t care who she’d hung out with as long as Beck had been there. He’d made her feel safe and accepted in any situation, and he’d opened her heart to the biggest adventure of her life—love. As crazy as a loon, go-for-it-and-never-look-back love. She sighed…and covered by pretending the spring roll was the most delicious thing she’d ever tasted.

  This new version of Beck was even more enticing. All man, he could enter a room and immediately lure her in as though connected by an invisible string. The string of their past. Yet what she saw in the here and now was more than she’d ever allowed herself to dream of when they’d been kids. He seemed steady and dependable and a man she could trust.

  His eyes drifted from her face toward her blouse, then, as though thinking better of it, his gaze climbed back up to hers.

  If he kept looking at her in that way, like she was the sexiest woman alive and he hadn’t been with a woman in years, she’d break into a sweat right in front of him. A foreign liquid-warm awareness stirred deep inside and put her on edge. “I’d better check on our dinner,” she said, standing up quickly, running from the persuasive gravity of Beck.

  He followed her into the kitchen. “Anything I can do?”

  Put him to work. Get him away from you. While opening the oven and using oven pads to check the casserole, she nodded toward the dishes she’d placed on the counter. “You can set the table.”

  He washed his hands, picked up the dishes and left for the tiny dining room.

  The pulse that had been picking up speed in her neck settled enough for her to lift the dish without dropping it. But the new energy thrumming through her limbs wouldn’t let her forget that Beck Braxton was in her house and he still had “it”.

  How in the world would she make it through the evening?

  They’d had a great dinner, catching up on all the silly things they’d been up to, and Beck felt a surge of progress when January kicked off her shoes over coffee and dessert in the living room. He glanced around, wishing she had a fireplace
, but no such luck. After catching sight of the painted egg again, curiosity got the better of him.

  “Why’d you save it?” He nodded toward the bookcase, though she obviously knew what he’d referred to.

  Jan grew quiet, as though figuring out how to explain it. Her clear blue eyes clouded, as if myriad memories flew by. They brightened, sparkled, dimmed, and looked pained, all within a single second. A tiny twitch of her brow made him worry she might cry, but the crease soon softened and she smiled warmly at him.

  “I guess that eggshell represented all the possibilities I felt, being with you.” A furtive gaze drifted quickly past his face. Her wistful smile widened. “And it was beautiful because you made it and you didn’t even know how talented you were.”

  A ball of warmth hit his chest with a thud. So much for retribution. Suddenly he didn’t care what phoney revenge he’d told himself he’d come to carry out tonight. He edged closer to her on the couch.

  “Besides,” she said, lifting her chin, “you gave it to me, and it’s not polite to give gifts away.”

  He noticed a sudden hurt flicker in her gaze, and longed to ease whatever pain lived inside her. Something else became apparent. Every atom in his body still craved Jan and he couldn’t stop himself from touching her. He reached for her jaw and gently fingered the soft flesh of her earlobe. She didn’t resist his touch, but instead leaned into his palm and trained her wide-eyed stare on him. There it was, that same look she used to flash at him, as though she was trying to trust him.

  He’d never trust her again. Remember? This was just sex. Get her out of your system. Go on with your life.

  Her delicate nostrils flared almost imperceptibly. He bent forward and nuzzled her cheek with his nose, inhaling the scent of her skin and hair and releasing the last of his restraint.

  Memories, as if a life force, flooded his mind, guiding him closer to Jan. Not sensing the least bit of resistance from her, he lightly rubbed his nose against the tip of hers, and felt her sigh an airy breath over his lips.

  She tilted her head, her mouth searched for his, and his lips danced briefly over hers. A faint thrill was all he could afford to release right now. Needing to get a grip, he pulled back and gazed into her soft, dreamy stare. Instead of coming to his senses, he wanted nothing more than to go there…with her. Now.

  This wasn’t the right mind set, but it was useless to try to change. A faint groan escaped his throat when he allowed himself the pleasure and his mouth covered hers. The pads of her lips were warm and moist and he couldn’t help himself. He pressed harder against her softness and opened her lips, soon finding his way inside to the velvet of her mouth. He inhaled with her, and rediscovered kisses and tastes he’d long missed but had never forgotten. But there was something more. Now he kissed a fully grown woman, the woman his first love had become. She was solid and sexy, and he tightened his grip on her arms to keep her near.

  There was only one direction for them now. Forward.

  Their tongues twined, and her arms snaked around his torso. She clutched him tight. He leaned back on the couch and stretched out his legs, bringing her along with him. His hands found her hips and placed them flush with his. No longer a slim teenager, she had a little more to grab these days, and he liked it. He liked this woman.

  Responding to the feel of her body next to his, a firm, distinctive difference between them couldn’t be ignored.

  She lifted her head and gaped at him with a knowing look, a swath of hair covering one of her eyes. He saw as much fire in her gaze as he felt simmering in every cell of his body.

  Never one to dawdle, especially when on a mission, he made a snap decision.

  “Let’s get naked on the couch.” His gruff whisper drew chills along her neck, before he warmed it with his kisses.

  Something must have clicked with Jan, too, because she smiled and said, “That sounds like a fantastical idea,” then lowered herself onto his chest.

  He took all of her weight as she stretched her arms along both sides of his head and nipped at his ear. Though he’d shaved before coming over, he wondered if his stubble scratched her face. If it did, she couldn’t have cared because she rubbed her cheek against his several more times. Tingles marched down his chest, strengthening his need.

  He clenched his arms around her back and waist, holding her as close as possible, savoring the feel of every inch of her, this new yet familiar woman. Damn, he’d missed her and he definitely liked what he’d rediscovered. No one else had ever felt as right in his arms as January. He captured her mouth and kissed her long and hard. She answered each kiss with several of her own, driving him mad with mounting desire. To hell with revenge sex. He wanted to be with her. One more kiss and he’d never be able to turn back.

  “Are you sure about this?” he managed to utter.

  Beck’s raspy whisper drew her out of her spell. Where was she? She’d been close to heaven one second before, then his throaty voice and fiery eyes had brought her back to earth. Dear God, what was she doing? She’d wanted to butter him up with dinner and conversation, while hoping to get up enough nerve to tell him what he deserved to know, but this bordered on seduction. Who was she kidding? This was seduction. But who was seducing whom?

  They’d resorted to old habits of kissing leading to groping, and if history were to repeat itself, getting naked would soon follow. But this wasn’t some sort of reliving of the past, this would be sex with a new and improved man. A man she wished she could know better.

  Naked with Beck?

  He’d already asked and she’d agreed!

  This wasn’t right, but it felt so good. It had been so long, and he felt perfect. Maybe after they took the edge off with mind-boggling sex Beck would be more open to hearing what must be said. Oh, God, the thought almost chased her libido into hiding…until she looked back into the eyes that only saw and wanted her, right now. Hopefully he’d come prepared.

  “January,” he whispered. “Are you sure about this?”

  She hesitated, a zillion doubts rushing through her mind. “Y-yes,” she said, before one more thought or slight hesitation could drive her off course.

  “Whew.” He smiled, sexy and seductive. “For a second there I thought you were going to change your mind.”

  She answered with a deep kiss and a full body press, wishing her clothes would disappear.

  “First,” he said, “we get rid of this.” He reached for her shirt and raised it above her head in record time. The lacy yellow push-up bra soon joined the blouse on the floor, but not before he’d enjoyed the sight of her with glazed, hooded eyes and a deep guttural sound of approval.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said.

  Excitement rushed over her when he lifted and kissed each breast, suckling until the nipples pearled tight and made her itch for more skin-to-skin contact. Making a quick break, he removed his clothes faster than her next breath while she peeled off her slacks.

  For one heartbeat they went completely still and stared at each other. She’d never seen a more beautiful man in her life. She prayed he wasn’t disappointed with her, but when she looked into his eyes, all her worries vanished.

  The look on his face was a combination of lust and awe, and she remembered seeing that same expression every time they’d ever made love. “You still take my breath away,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

  The phrase knocked the breath out of her and nearly made her cry. Unable to answer, she reached for him. They came together again in a tight embrace. Being flesh to flesh almost made her dizzy with sensation. She was with Beck, the love of her life, and he’d kissed her alive again. Longing to quench the awakening between her legs, she slid her hips down his body and caressed his tall erection with her thighs, moaning with delight at the feel of him. Smooth. Hard. Pulsing close to her core. Passion nipped in her belly as if a flame, and moisture blossomed in readiness between her legs.

  Just short of lightning-bolt speed, he repositioned her on her back on the narrow couch. His h
ands ran down to her hips, ready to remove the last barrier between them. He slid the lacy panties over her toes and once at the foot of the sofa he gave a seductive, drop-dead grin before tossing them over his shoulder.

  He was beautiful, sexier than any man alive, and she wanted him more than her next breath. If memory served her right, he had something else in mind first. As a foolish schoolgirl, he’d actually convinced her that this little trick of his wasn’t having sex. She smiled, remembering. Oh, but she begged to differ.

  As he smoothed his hands up her thighs, she tensed in crazy longing, super-sensitive to his touch. He tongued her navel, setting off a rocket of heat. He peppered her stomach with delicate kisses she could barely endure. Shivers and tingles gently tortured her. The kissing trail moved lower, and her pulse thrummed stronger and harder as tension coiled deep inside. She reacted to him, as she always had, more intensely than anyone on earth. As he kissed her lower and lower she dug fingers into his surprisingly soft hair and held him tightly.

  Jan arched and gasped with a sudden burst of sensation when he opened her with his tongue and over the next several minutes methodically released the pent-up pressure he’d exacted by his touch. Flashing memories of making love with Beck accompanied her heightening pleasure. But this wasn’t a memory. He was here in the flesh and driving her crazy. In record time a deep noise erupted from her throat as lava-hot fireworks shot up and down her spine and out to her fingertips, before curling her toes.