by Tara Rose
He laughed as he stepped out of the car and sprinted around to open the passenger door for her. “Now I’m the one who is underdressed.”
She laughed, too, and then glanced at his jeans and sweater. “Do you want me to change clothes?”
“Absolutely not. You look wonderful.”
“So do you.” He really did look sexy. The man filled out a pair of jeans like nobody’s business. She climbed into the car, and he surprised the hell out of her by leaning in to give her a quick kiss. Before she could react, he was already sliding into the driver’s side. Luke wasn’t home from work yet, but he didn’t know that. Was that why Preston had kissed her? In case Luke was watching?
“We haven’t had a chance to talk much this week,” she said. “How are things going in the unit?”
He finished pushing buttons on his GPS then backed out of the driveway. “Well, let’s see. I now know the difference between a Yankee and a damn Yankee. I know that ‘bless your heart’ is not an endearment. I know that ‘fixin’ to’ means ‘I’m about to do this,’ and I know that ‘put up’ means ‘put away.’”
She tried not to laugh, but what he’d just said was both funny and poignant. “Give them time.”
“Oh, it’s all right. I’ve had more than a few sincere compliments on my skills as a physician, so at least they recognize that I know what I’m doing.”
“I’m sure they do. In time, they’ll warm up to you. They’re not used to strangers.”
“I’ve come to realize that.”
“And your reputation precedes you. There was no way to keep it a secret.”
He nodded, and she caught the way a muscle in his face twitched.
“But that doesn’t mean everyone thinks of you as guilty.”
He gave her a quick glance. “How do you know?”
“I don’t. Just show them the person you are inside, and give them time to draw their own conclusions.”
“In other words, hope they judge me for what I do now, not for what someone else said I did once.”
“Yes. That’s what I mean.”
He was silent for long moments as they made their way toward Interstate 24, and Vivian began to wish she’d canceled. What could she possibly say to him to make this right?
“You know, I have a confession or two to make.”
She didn’t answer, but she did turn in her seat slightly to face him.
“I don’t need to work. My family is very wealthy, and I have a generous trust fund. I’m working because I love what I do. It makes me feel alive, and the rush I get when I’m able to help someone is like nothing else out there.”
“That’s perfect. Let them see that passion.”
“When I first took this job, I was determined to hate it. I told myself I’d try it for a couple of weeks, but there was no way I could learn to love living in such a small town, or even in this state.”
She’d heard that from northerners before.
“But you know what I found out this week? People really are people, everywhere you go. I was right about that one. Their injuries are the same. The crappy way they take care of themselves is the same. Nurses and other physicians are the same. Hospitals are even the same. The bottom line is that we’re each there to help our patients get better and go home.”
She nodded.
He gave her a quick smile. “And there are some definite perks to working in a small place. It’s nice to go home at the end of the day instead of camping out in the physician lounge for a week. And it’s wonderful to have time during the day to breathe, or actually go through a patient chart without having to skim by most of it.”
“Our pace is likely much slower than you’re used to.”
“Much slower. But I like that. What I’m saying is, I could get used to this.”
She smiled. “Once you get a taste of life here, it’s going to get under your skin. It changes you from the inside out. Mark my words, Dr. Preston Benson. You will learn to love living in the South.”
As he merged onto the Interstate, the quick glance he gave her was nothing short of molten lust. “I have a very good reason to learn to love it. At least, I hope I do.”
“Me?”
“You. Unless I’m misreading you, that is.”
Her pulse raced. “What do you think you’re reading in me?”
“That you’ve been denied passion and fun in your life. You spent ten years waiting for a husband you barely knew to be released from prison, only to find out he hadn’t been waiting to get out for the same reason. And you’ve spent much longer than that wishing you could have a man who married someone else. Am I wrong on that score?”
Wow. Was she that transparent, or had he been talking to folks at work? “No, you’re not wrong at all.”
“So, isn’t it about time you had your needs met?”
She swallowed hard. This was the perfect time to tell him about last night, but something stopped her. “Yes. I would say it is more than time for that.”
“I’d like to help you do that, Vivian.”
She studied his profile for a few seconds. This man was easily the most confident one she’d ever met, but at the same time, he was out of his element here and he knew it. Her heart went out to him at that moment. He had to be very lonely. Did he have family and friends he’d left behind? What about old girlfriends? He’d told Luke he’d never been married, but had he ever been engaged? Who had met his needs?
From what little he’d told her so far, Preston Benson sounded like a lonely man.
Chapter Eight
Vivian couldn’t get enough of the Mekhong whiskey at Thai Phooket. “I’ve never tasted anything so delicious.”
“Go easy on it.”
“I can hold my liquor.”
He chuckled as he held up another forkful of his pad phet that she also couldn’t seem to get enough of. She made a show out of taking it into her mouth then made soft noises in the back of her throat as she ate it. “Thank you. I’m so glad we came here. This is incredible.”
“I’m pleased you’re enjoying it so much.”
During dinner, Vivian had found out that Preston had never been engaged, and most of his family was still in the Baltimore area. He’d had a few friends in Chicago, but it sounded like he hadn’t left anyone close behind. She’d told him that was sad, and he’d given her a long, searching look then told her he hoped to make new, lasting friends in Tennessee.
He talked her into fried bananas and Thai iced coffee for dessert. “The coffee will help take the edge off some of that whiskey.”
“I’m honestly all right.”
“Okay. I just want to make sure you have your wits about you tonight.”
She frowned, then leaned closer and lowered her voice, even though there weren’t any other customers seated close to them. “Preston, I would never take advantage of your past and accuse you of anything.”
A shadow of pain crossed his face, and her heart melted even more than it already had this evening. This man was charming, sophisticated, and so lonely. He was also afraid, although he’d never admit that. She reached across the table and took his hand. “You asked me earlier if it wasn’t time to get my own needs met. But who meets yours? This past year couldn’t have been easy for you.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, and his beautiful blue eyes filled with admiration. “How do you do that? How do you look right into someone and see who they are?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve always been this way.”
“I’m guessing it gives you an advantage in your position at the hospital.”
“It does, but I’m not thinking about work right now. I’m focused on you.”
He averted his gaze for a second, and then he looked into her eyes. “No one has met my needs for quite a while. Longer than I care to admit.”
Vivian took a deep breath. What kind of a person was she? She wanted to make love to this man tonight, despite having done the same thing with Luke the evening before. Sh
e’d never behaved this way. Never. But why did that make it wrong? She was an adult. And she hadn’t promised Luke anything. She’d never hurt him, but she didn’t want to hurt Preston, either. This was crazy, but it didn’t feel wrong. Vivian knew that much, down to the very depths of her soul.
“I would like to meet them,” she said. “If you’ll let me.”
“Sounds like we have a mutual goal, then. But I have a question first.”
Here it comes.
“What about Luke?”
There was no point in keeping this from him. She couldn’t have sex with this man unless he knew what had happened. “I had sex with him last night.” She watched his face carefully, but he barely registered any emotion. She imagined he was used to keeping his personal feelings in check as a physician.
“I knew something was different. I didn’t know what, but I knew something had happened.”
“Am I that transparent?”
He smiled. “Yes, you are.”
“Good to know.”
“I don’t mean it in a derogatory way. It’s actually quite refreshing not to have to guess what someone is thinking, or constantly be looking for a hidden agenda.”
She shook her head. “Not this girl. What you see is what you get.”
He gaze her hand a squeeze. “I know. And that’s what I like about you.”
Vivian didn’t know if her physical reaction to Preston was because Luke had finally awakened the beast within her, but it didn’t matter at that point. It was as real as her feelings for both men, and she was tired of denying it. “I like you, too. Very much. And that’s why this is so damn confusing for me. I like you both.”
“Thank you for being so honest.”
“Are you upset with me that I slept with him?”
He shook his head slightly. “Vivian, this isn’t high school. No, I’m not upset. We’re all adults. The only concern I have is what it meant to him.”
“No promises were made.”
“Then we wouldn’t be crossing any lines. That’s all I need to know. That I’m not interfering in anything going on.”
“You’re not. I’m not even sure what’s going on at this point.”
“I think Luke has a lot of guilt where his feelings for you are concerned, because of his deceased wife.”
She nodded. “Yes. I do, too.”
“That’s common when a spouse, or in your case a good friend dies. Doesn’t make it any easier to deal with, though.”
“No, it does not.”
“So what do we do now?”
Vivian stared into his eyes, letting her fantasies take over. A loud party was currently being seated close to them, making the decision easier. She pulled her hand away. “Let’s get out of here, for starters.”
After Preston paid the bill and they were back in his car, he pulled her close over the console and kissed her. This time, he gave her more than a quick one, and when she parted her lips to let his tongue inside, Vivian moaned as he deepened the kiss. Two men who could kiss this well... How lucky was that?
When he finally released it, a sexy smile graced his face. “I’m no longer in the mood for a movie, but we can still see one if you want.”
“I’m not in the mood for it, either.”
“Would you like to see my house? I finally have boxes unpacked and actual furniture in the rooms.”
She smiled. “I would love to see it.” That would be better than going back to her house, where Luke might be watching. She’d have to tell Luke,, but this way it would be on her own terms, not after he’d watched Preston’s car parked in the driveway for hours.
“Do you need to run home and get anything to spend the night?”
She covered up her surprise with a slight cough. “Um, no. I’m all set.”
He gave her a quick sideways glance. “I believe in being forthright, Vivian.”
“I see that. And I do appreciate it. Thank you.”
“I want you to spend the night. I want to make love to you. There’s no point in pretending I don’t.”
She glanced at him as they made their way along the dark highway. “I want that, too.” She’d wanted it ever since she’d first looked into his eyes, if she were being brutally honest.
He only lived a few streets over from her, but it might as well be on another planet. This particular subdivision had been under construction for close to five years. The homes started at half a million dollars, and in these hard times, they weren’t selling quickly. Most of the top physicians at the hospital lived here, as well as several executives and attorneys who worked or practiced closer to Nashville, but didn’t want to live in the city.
She’d been inside his house already since her daddy’s company had built it, but the last time had been when it was still empty. Now, it was totally transformed. She walked through the rooms with him, asking questions about some of the pieces, or complimenting him on his choice of carpet and window treatment colors, but she was only being polite. And, she was far more nervous now than she’d been last night with Luke.
Finally, he led her to the master bedroom. The lights were low, and she inhaled the scent of his cologne and stared at the large four-poster, her body trembling as she imagined lying in it with him. He crossed the room and opened an armoire, then fiddled with the buttons on an impressive-looking stereo system. The room was filled with soft jazz, and she smiled. “That’s a nice compromise between country and rock.”
“Mood music.” He took her purse strap off her shoulder and placed the bag on a chair, and then he kissed her again. Vivian moaned softly as desire coursed through her. Every worry melted away as he pulled her closer and she molded her body next to his. He tangled his fingers in her hair, and she pushed against his erection. Her pussy was soaked and her nipples tingled. The physical attraction was just as strong as it had been last night for Luke, and that both surprised and delighted her.
Preston released the kiss and stared into her eyes. Even in the dim light of the room, she could see the lust in them, and it made her want him even more. “I need to know you’re absolutely sure about this,” he said quietly.
She understood his reluctance to trust someone again, but this man had been through enough. Vivian wanted there to be no doubt about her wanting to make love to him. She took a step back and pulled off her sweater. Then she stepped out of her skirt, and took off her boots and socks.
His gaze traveled over her red lace underwear, and she could hear him breathing heavily, even over the music. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “I mean that. You’re stunning.”
“Thank you.”
“Red is my favorite color. How did you know?”
She giggled. “I didn’t, but now that I do, I’ll remember it.”
He stepped closer and kissed her again, this time with an urgency that was almost frightening. She moaned loudly in the back of her throat as his tongue worked magic inside her mouth, sending her arousal to crazy heights. When he unhooked her bra, she took her arms from around him so he could pull it off, and then he broke the kiss to slide down her panties. Once he’d helped her step out of them, he led her to the bed.
“Lie back.” She did as he asked, and then he pulled a chair over and positioned himself between her legs. “Eating pussy is my favorite thing in the whole world. Just thought you should know.” He winked at her, and she laughed as he dove between her legs.
Vivian cried out in pleasure as he teased her pussy lips and clit with his teeth and tongue. He knew exactly how to use his fingers, too, and in less than two minutes a powerful climax overtook her. She tossed her head back and forth, barely conscious of the sounds she made. She’d never been eaten out like this. Not even close.
When he finished, he stood and shed his clothes before she had time to catch her breath. He was absolutely beautiful. Muscled, with a nice, thick dick. “I have no diseases. May I assume the same of you? Guess I should have asked that before…”
She shook her head. “None.” Words were di
fficult right now. “And I’m on the pill.”
“I use condoms as a matter of principle, regardless.” She watched him walk to the nightstand and take out a box, then put one on.
“That was incredible,” she said. “What you just did to me. Thank you.”
He turned and gave her a grin that nearly brought on another orgasm. “Thank you for saying so. You taste like heaven. But now…” He climbed on the bed and pulled her closer to the pillows, then covered her body with his and kissed her like he might never do so again. She tasted her pussy juices but it hardly mattered now.
When he slipped his dick into her wetness, she clung to him and cried out again as he fucked her deep and rough. She was still sore from last night, but she didn’t care about that right now. She only wanted him to keep going.
He withdrew and moved up to gently bite and suck her nipples, grasping her breasts in his strong hands as if they were brains he was about to operate on. “You’re stunning. And you feel incredible. Thank you for this, Vivian. Thank you so much.”
“Preston…thank you. You’re an amazing lover.”
The look of gratitude in his eyes made her heart flutter. It was difficult to believe a man with his power and prestige didn’t have scores of women chasing after him. What had happened to him must have devastated him more than he let on.
He let go of her breasts and gently rolled her onto her side, then moved behind her and pushed his dick into her pussy from behind. She cried out as each thrust massaged her clit. When he reached around to caress her pussy with one hand, and tease her nipple with the other, she thought she’d lose her mind.
Vivian clutched at the comforter as another climax drew near. He kissed her neck as he continued fucking her and playing with her clit and nipples, and when the orgasm washed over her, all she could do was moan weakly. Both of them were bathed in sweat as he withdrew a second time.
“Turn onto your stomach, beautiful.”
She couldn’t have disobeyed that voice if she’d wanted to. He straddled her thighs and gave her ass cheeks a couple of playful swats. “You have an ass that was made for spanking. Is Luke a kinky country boy in disguise, by any chance?”
