the eye of the tiger

by Unknown

  The image made her smile. "Lecher," she scolded, shaking her head. "Behave yourself, or Til send Nurse Wren after you."

  He shuddered. "God forbid!"

  "Then mind your manners," she ordered, backing toward me door, "or I'll...Oops!"

  "Oh, excuse me," Maureen O'Clancy said sweetly as she opened the door right into Eleanor. "I'm sorry, nurse, I didn't see you!"

  Nine

  Forcing a smile to her lips was the hardest thing Eleanor had ever done. But she managed it. "No harm done," she said sweetly. "If you'll excuse me, I'll get back to my paperwork."

  "Amazing, that you can find time to visit the patients," Maureen said as sweetly, her blue eyes flashing.

  "Visiting them is my job," Eleanor reminded her. "And despite the posted visiting hours, we don't like our patients to get too tired," she added in her best floor nurse's tone. "Good day."

  "Well!..." Maureen said haughtily as the door closed.

  Eleanor couldn't help smiling as she strode down the hall. There was something about mat Irish girl....

  "Phone call, love!" Darcy called to her from the desk. "It's your Mr. Granger, I think."

  "Finally, a bright spot in my day," Eleanor laughed as she took the receiver from her friend's outstretched hand.

  "I heard that," Wade drawled in her ear. "Have you missed me? I just heard about Keegan. How is he?"

  "Reviving nicely, and at die moment being cuddled and cooed over by his Irish girlfriend," she replied carelessly.

  "If I were in his place, I'd settle for you, pretty girl," he laughed. "How about dinner tonight? I'll take you out for spaghetti."

  "I'd love it!" she said enthusiastically. "What time?"

  "Pick you up at six."

  "I'll look forward to it. Bye."

  She hung up and hummed a tune as she dealt with supply sheets. Minutes later, Maureen O'Clancy marched past the desk with her nose looking definitely out of joint. She didn't even spare Eleanor a glance as she left the hospital.

  "Well," Darcy huffed, "what was that all about?"

  "I don't know. Uh-oh, looks like she upset our patient," Eleanor added, glancing at the board: Keegan's light was on. "I'd better go and see about him."

  She found him lying back on his pillows looking grim, his arms folded defensively over his chest. He glanced up as she entered the room.

  "What kept you?" he snapped at her. "I want my clothes. Now!"

  "What brought this on?" she asked.

  He sat up straighter. "That Irish bounder O'Clancy is about to talk my father out of Straightaway. For God's sake, he won the Preakness last year, I don't want him sold! And Dad's a sucker for a sob story. O'Clancy will have him charmed if I don't get home!"

  "Why not phone your father and talk to him?" she suggested.

  '"That won't help," he said curtly. ''Just get my clothes."

  Eleanor leaned back against the door with a sigh. "Do be reasonable. You're just barely off the IV. You're too weak to be running around yet. Besides, are you sure it's the truth, about Maureen's father, I mean? Perhaps Maureen just wants you home again."

  Saying that was a mistake. "Do you think so, honey?" he asked softly, his eyes cold and angry. "Maybe it'll be refreshing to have a woman want me for a change."

  "Then by all means, we'll send you home as soon as Dr. Welder says we can release you," she replied acidly. "But for now... What are you doing?"

  He was climbing out of bed, that's what he was doing, and without a stitch of clothing on his body. He faltered a little, then he straightened and went directly toward Eleanor.

  She tried not to look. Arrow-straight body, hairroughened chest and stomach and thighs, powerful long legs, powerful shoulders without the camouflage of clothing. He was beautiful.

  He stopped just in front of her, breathing a little heavily from the exertion. "My clothes," he said quietly. "Or I'll walk out just me way I am."

  Eleanor swallowed. "I don't have the authority to release you," she said.

  He put his hands against the door on either side of her head and searched her soft dark eyes with Ms. "Every time I do this, you fight. Or you run. You won't even give me a chance, will you?''

  "As you just observed, it might be refreshing to have a woman want you for a change," she said softly. "You might as well give Maureen a whirl, Keegan. She'd fit very well into your life."

  Gendy he fingered a strand of her honey-brown hair, testing its silkiness. "Snob," he murmured.

  "I'm realistic," she corrected.

  "Is that what you call it?" He hesitated, searching her eyes for a response. "Ellie, could we kiss each other just once without any coercion at all, do you think? Just for old times' sake?" "I'm on duty," she protested weakly.

  "You don't have anything to be afraid of," he said softly. "Not anything at all. Just close your eyes, little one, and let me do it all this time." There were a thousand reasons why she shouldn't have Ustened, but she couldn't think of a single one. Instead she reached her arms up and slid them around his neck, seeing the shock in his blue eyes before they closed and his mouth settled softly on her lips.

  "Yes," he whispered hungrily. His arms slid past her waist, bringing her against the length of his bare, warm body. "Yes, that's it, open your mouth...."

  She did, letting his tongue probe inside and tangle with her own, feeling the hardness of his body, the sudden heat of him as he pinned her against the door.

  "Eleanor," he breathed. His hips moved against her in undeniable need and urgency, and the kiss grew even more passionate—open mouths mingling fiercely together, voices breathing harshly, soft moans.

  Eleanor whimpered as the old magic worked on her, as she felt her breasts crushing against his chest, her body aching to join with his. Her hands moved, searching out hard muscle and smooth flesh, working their way down his body, learning it with fingers that trembled softly.

  "Yes," he groaned, drawing back, inviting her caresses. "Yes, touch me," he whispered shakily, opening his eyes to search hers. "Touch all of me, baby."

  Insanity, she thought, but her hands were insistent, eager. She looked at him, watched the muscles ripple as her hands drew over them warmly, tenderly. He could have died—this might have been impossible. She thought that, and couldn't resist this once to know him, to possess him.

  When her hands found and caressed his muscular stomach, he groaned and shuddered. She looked up at his hard, drawn face and exulted as she felt him tremble. He looked down at her, his eyes blazing with desire.

  "I wish we were any where... except here," he said, his voice low and rough. "I want to do this to you. Touch you, with my eyes and my hands, in broad daylight. I want to be part of you."

  "I'm afraid of you," Eleanor admitted at last, her eyes wide and vulnerable in her pale face.

  "I'm sorry for that," he replied. "For so many things. I'd take back the past four years if I could. I'd start over with you."

  "Once broken, a mirror is never the same."

  "I could prove you wrong, if you'd let me," he said softly. "If you'd give me half a chance."

  Eleanor closed her eyes in anguish. She wanted that, with him: wanted a new beginning. But there had been so much wounding, so much hurt.

  "Come up to the house next Saturday and have lunch with us," he coaxed. "Mary June will be better by then; she'll do something pretty."

  "Your houseguests will still be there," she reminded him.

  "No, they damned well won't," he said shortly. "Not if I have to drive them to the airport. I've had pretty Maureen up to my neck! I'm sick of being chased. I like to do the chasing myself."

  He always had. Now he was in pursuit of her, and once he caught her it would be just as it was before. Only this time she wouldn't recover.

  He held her hands in his, searching her frightened, anxious eyes. "Trust me, just once. Just this once, Eleanor."

  He sounded sincere. She knew she shouldn't believe him, but the sound of his voice was weakening her, as was this unnerving proximit
y to his unclothed body. He was so much a part of her already that nothing he did was unpleasant to her.

  "All...right," she agreed reluctantly.

  He smiled. "All right." His blue eyes twinkled. "Now kiss me and I'll get back in bed."

  "Promise?" she asked breathlessly.

  "Scout's honor." He tilted Eleanor's face up to his and brought his mouth down, then kissed her as she'd never been kissed before. It made her go hot all over with mingled, confusing emotions.

  "Here," he whispered unsteadily. His hands caught hers, moving them to the back of bis powerful thighs. "Now come close," he murmured against her mouth. "Come very, very close and let me feel you...."

  His legs actually trembled when she obeyed him. Delicious, exquisite tingles of pleasure throbbed along her nerves as she felt his powerful body surge against her. She jerked a little and he smiled against her warm mouth.

  "See how helpless I am with you?" he whispered. "Just like a boy, all hot and bothered and out of control. And I think it would embarrass me like hell with any other woman."

  That was flattering. She sighed, then returned his kiss hungrily until he shuddered and gently eased her away.

  He drew in a steadying breath, holding her by the waist as he searched her flushed face. Then he smiled slowly, wickedly. "Knocked the breath right out of you, didn't it? Same here."

  "I...have to go," she faltered.

  "You'd better fix your face first," he said, touching it with gentle fingers. "You look loved, little Ellie."

  So did he. His red hair was disheveled, his mouth a little swollen, like her own. She felt the smile in her eyes, her lips, as she reached up and traced his eyebrows, his straight nose, his firm chin.

  He brought her palms to his lips and kissed them. "That was the best medicine I've had since I was admitted," he whispered.

  "And highly unethical it was, too," she teased. She moved discreetly away, her eyes fascinated by the beauty and symmetry of his body.

  "It shouldn't embarrass you," he said quietly. "I don't feel like this with most women. I'm not ashamed of the way you affect me."

  "No. I'm not, either," she said, surprising herself. She even managed to smile at him as he climbed back under the sheet and drew it up to his waist. "You're beautiful," she blurted out.

  His warm eyes swept over her body. "So are you." Suddenly his face hardened. "Make love with me, Eleanor. Let me make the memories sweet. Let me show you how sweet it can be with a man who isn't a selfish brute."

  "You weren't all that selfish," she murmured, embarrassed. "I was just inexperienced. I pushed you over the edge too soon."

  "Another first," he replied. "Because you were the only woman I ever lost control with. Is that a shock, baby? It's the truth."

  It was a shock. So was what she'd just let happen. She turned and went into his bathroom, smoothing her hair and wincing at the sight of her big dark eyes and swollen mouth. Well, she'd have to make a mad grab for her purse. Maybe Darcy wouldn't notice.

  "You look fine," he said when she came out again. He held out his hand, and she went to him without a word, letting him press it to his mouth. "Come back and stay with me when you get off duty."

  She started to agree, then remembered Wade. "I can't," she moaned. "Wade's taking me out to dinner."

  His expression was indescribable. He hesitated a moment, then released her hand and leaned back against the pillows. "Granger again. Well, you can just break the date. I don't want you seeing him anymore."

  "Oh, here we go again, slinging orders around like hash in a greasy spoon." She glared at him, stepping back. "Well, Mr. Taber, honey, you just lie here and give all the orders you like, but don't expect me to come to heel. I'm not your personal slave, despite your undeniable expertise at lovemaking. You won't seduce me a second time!"

  "Won't I?" he challenged, bright-eyed. "Wait and see."

  "You wait. I have work to do."

  She whirled and stomped out the door, hating herself all over again for having trusted him in a moment of weakness.

  Darcy pretended not to see the results of Keegan's mouth and hands, but she spent the rest of the day grinning.

  "He wants to see you," she told Eleanor just before quitting time as she returned from answering Keegan's light.

  "I'll have a photograph made, he can look at that. Look at the time!" Eleanor clucked. "I have to run. I'll give my report and see you tomorrow, darling. Have a nice evening."

  "Eleanor, you can't strand me with him," Darcy wailed. "He doesn't like me!"

  "That's all right. He doesn't like anybody," Eleanor assured her with a smile. "Just don't make any sudden moves, and you'll be fine. See you!"

  Wade picked her up at six, and they went to a nice little Italian restaurant, but Eleanor's heart wasn't in it. She picked at her food and made halfhearted responses to Wade's teasing, and was thoroughly miserable.

  "Is he getting to you, honey?" Wade asked sympathetically.

  "He's just horrible," she muttered, "and I don't know why I can't manage to put him out of my mind and my life. I feel like such a wimp."

  "It's called love," he told her. "A malady to which we are all vulnerable at one time or another. Chin up, girl, don't surrender now. We're just on the verge of victory!"

  "Think so?" She sighed.

  He grinned. "Well, I hear through the grapevine that the O'Clancys are on their way back to Ireland this very minute."

  "Then as soon as Keegan is on his feet, he'll probably be right behind them," she replied.

  "Care to bet? Unless I miss my guess, young lady, you're the target, not Maureen."

  "Then he'd better be prepared for a long siege," she retorted.

  "You said he invited you to lunch Saturday. Go. And while you're there, lay it on thick about how close you and I are getting," he added. "Then stand back and watch the fireworks."

  The word "fireworks" brought back vivid memories of mat afternoon—of practically swooning in Keegan's arms while he all but ravished her with bis mouth. She felt like someone in the grip of a savage fever, burning up with unsatisfied longings, perishing for lack of love. She had no strength at all anymore; Keegan, on the other hand, was very strong—and single-minded.

  "Save me from him," she pleaded.

  "You don't need saving, beautiful girl," Wade chuckled as he finished his coffee. "He does. You wait. We've got him in a corner now."

  "I wouldn't bet on that," she said. "He's slippery. He doesn't really want to settle down."

  "I think you're wrong. I think he wants that very much. Why don't you listen to him for a change, Eleanor," he added quietly. "Ask some questions. Be receptive. You might be astonished at the results you get."

  She shrugged, and the smile that touched her full mouth was wistful. "All he'd want is an affair. I don't need that."

  "You need him," he told her. "How are you going to survive without him? Honey, sometimes it takes a compromise to satisfy both parties. You might think about that."

  "I don't mind compromise. But I'm not going the whole way alone," she replied.

  He lifted his coffee cup. "I don't think you'll have to. I think very soon I may have to start looking around for a new companion." He sighed. "And I'll never find a girl like you again. I'd have Keegan pushed out of an airplane if I thought it would get me you. But I would like to see you happy. And I don't think you'll ever find what you want with anyone except Keegan."

  She was beginning to think that herself. It was kind of depressing, though. She watched Wade drive away an hour later, feeling as if her last friend had deserted her. He hadn't even fixed another date. He seemed to expect that she and Keegan would work it out, but she had reservations. Maureen might be out of the picture—but only temporarily, only until Keegan had satisfied his lust for Eleanor. There were too many differences socially and economically between the Tabers and the Whitmans for anything more permanent. And Eleanor didn't want a backstairs affair. Problem was, she admitted ruefully, she didn't know what to do an
ymore.

  When she went on duty the next day, it was to find that Keegan had checked himself out the night before and gone home. It was a disappointment and a relief.

  She worked her shift, dodged Darcy's questions and was emotionally exhausted by the time she went home. Her father was busy in his woodworking shop and didn't question her when she announced, that she was going to take a nap before she cooked supper.

  She was dreaming. She was being held and touched and loved, and she smiled as Keegan's face came into focus above hers. Then she realized with a start that it wasn't a dream. He was real.

  "Don't panic," Keegan said with a soft, deep laugh as he lifted her from the bed in his arms. "I'm just going to take you up to die house to see my new colt."

  "But...but I'm asleep," she protested drowsily, wiping her eyes with her hands.

  "No, you aren't, pretty thing." His eyes wandered over her. She'd changed into white shorts and a pink button-up sleeveless blouse, and he loved the softness of her tanned body, the sweet weight in his arms. "God, you're pretty."

  He bent and kissed her sleepy lips gently. "Wake up, beauty."

  She linked her arms around his neck with a stifled yawn and buried her face in his throat. He smelled of Oriental cologne and soap, and she nuzzled closer.

  "Don't do that," he said uneasily, "unless you want me to find a satisfying use for your bed."

  Her breath caught. She was half-asleep and all too vulnerable, and suddenly the atmosphere in the room was hot and tense and full of promise.

  ' 'Your father went up to the house with my dad to see the colt," Keegan said, his voice deep and husky. "I told him I'd bring you along." He drew her closer. "It will take them half an hour to miss us.... Eleanor?"

  She drew her head back to his shoulder and looked up at him, and she didn't have time to hide the hunger.

  His eyes darkened, shifted to her breasts. She hadn't put on a bra, and he could see the dark, taut outline of her nipples. This wasn't how he'd

  DIANA PALMER n»

  planned it, but his body was in torment. He wanted her unbearably. And she wanted him. "We could love each other on that bed," he whispered shakily, moving back toward it. "Cool sheets, hot bodies twisting together like twining vines. I can give you pleasure and watch you give yourself to me, Ellie. I can let you watch me go crazy when the time comes. Let me."