“No ma’am. I have the best bed money can buy, even on my tour bus.”
I figured he did.
“How’s your posture?”
“You tell me.”
“Well, like most people you hunch over some. I can give you some exercises to help with that. Can you lay down for me?”
“Well I can, but usually a woman buys me dinner before she asks that.”
“Does that happen a lot? You know what? That’s none of my business.” I was turning red for all sorts of reasons, embarrassment and disappointment to name a couple. I scooted my chair to the head of the treatment table.
He didn’t lay down. Instead he scooted closer to me. “I wish you would quit hiding your face from me. I was teasing you.”
I lifted my eyes.
“Doc, I’m not the man I used to be. I haven’t so much as looked at another woman since I met you.”
I threw being professional out the window. “Why?”
“Because I haven’t been able to get you off my mind. And I wanted to be a year sober before I even thought about a relationship. That’s why I waited so long to contact you.” He went ahead and lay down without letting me respond.
Not like I could really talk after that news. “I’m going to raise the table.” I pressed the handy button.
“Have you thought about that night at all?”
I looked down at his face. This was kind of awkward. I bit my lip. “Yeah.” Every day.
He grinned.
“Tuck your chin for me.”
He obeyed with a smile.
I used my fingers to assess his neck and shoulder region. “Relax for me. Now tuck again for ten seconds. Relax.”
“Everything feel all right, doc?”
“It’s a little tight. Don’t take this the wrong way, but can you unbutton your shirt for me?”
“Do you talk to all your patients like that?”
“No. Typically we tell them to wear comfortable clothing like t-shirts when they come in for treatment. Or . . .”
“Or what?”
“For men we usually ask them to remove their shirt.”
“Why didn’t you just say so, darlin’?”
“Because you called me darlin’.”
He sat up fluidly. “Now, doc, you can’t blame a guy.” He unbuttoned his shirt with ease and removed it.
I stopped breathing. Literally I did. And the room was suddenly the temperature of hades.
He gave a come-kiss-me grin before laying back down.
I was tempted, sorely tempted. I let the breath out that had been stuck ever since I got an up close view of heaven. “You forgot to mention you lift weights.”
“Did I now?”
I hesitated to touch his chest. I kept telling myself it was my job, but he didn’t really need my help and I really wanted to touch him.
He kept staring up at me, daring me with his eyes.
“I’m checking to see how tight your muscles are. Tell me if you experience any pain or if you feel pain anywhere else while I manipulate the tissue. Okay?”
“Sounds fair enough.”
I slid my hand down his pectoral muscle. I had to think clinically or there was a high probability I was going to lose my job when I attacked him. “Does that feel all right?”
“Better than all right.”
“You’re not supposed to enjoy this.”
“I don’t know any guy who wouldn’t.”
I shook my head and closed my eyes, trying to concentrate on what his muscles were trying to tell me. I moved my hands ever so slightly. Trying my best not think about how amazing his taut chest was. Or that he had a few chest hairs that were gray and how sexy I found that.
“I felt that in my back.”
“That’s normal. Any pain?”
“No.”
With regret, I removed my hands from off his bare chest and scooted back to give myself some space. “You can sit up now. I really think what you need are exercises to improve your posture. I can also give you a foam roller to use on the floor or you can roll around on tennis balls. I would even recommend icing for fifteen minutes a day.”
He sat up, giving me a better view of the whole package.
I averted my eyes.
“Those sound like fun, but I’m going to need to come back until this problem is solved.”
“Okay . . . You can make a follow up appointment for next week if you would like. We can check your progress, but I really don’t feel like you need a long term treatment plan.”
“I’m going to have to disagree with you there, doc. I need something long term.”
“That’s your prerogative. And I can certainly recommend another physical therapist for a second opinion.”
“You misunderstood me. See, you’re the only one that can solve this problem. So, I guess I’ll be seeing you around.” He grabbed his shirt and proceeded to put it back on.
I sat speechless.
Chapter Eight
Little did I know that Zach and Dr. Jenner had already worked it out so that Cole would come in every day until he felt like his problem was solved. I hoped he was paying all out of pocket because no insurance company was going to buy that he needed therapy every day. I knew I wasn’t. He knew darn well, too. But I didn’t have a choice. Zach was insistent that we, or should I say, I, cater to him. Cole refused to see anyone else but me. Zach had my whole schedule moved to accommodate him.
I walked out of work into the light of the warm evening tired and a little annoyed. I was supposed to be getting him out of my system, not letting him crash right in and make himself at home in my life. Though that sounded kind of nice. And now I was going to go home and dream about his bare chest and my hands all over him; again, not horrible, but definitely not helpful.
You know what else wasn’t helpful? Him, leaning against my car when I walked out of work, smiling like he had not a care in the world and eyes only for me.
There he stood with his legs crossed in tight jeans looking ready for someone to take his picture. Maybe someone was. Who knew with his type. “Doc.”
I sighed. “How did you know this was my car?”
He grinned.
“Let me guess, Call?”
His smile said yes. “Now, don’t get mad at her. I can be persuasive.”
“I’m sure you can be.” I walked to the driver’s side of my Audi. My gift to myself. I thought it was a nice way to spend part of my divorce settlement. That and my house.
He followed right after me.
“Can I help you with something?”
He leaned his hand against my car door, preventing me from opening it. “As a matter of fact, you can. I want to take you to dinner.”
“Sorry. I don’t date patients.”
“Who said this was a date?”
I arched my eyebrow.
He cracked another smile. That smile of his was going to be my undoing.
“Then what is it?”
He took my hand and gently tugged on it. “This is me keeping my promise to you.”
“And what promise would that be?”
He tried to pull me along toward his dark colored Range Rover. “I promised you I would come looking for you, and we would get to know each other better.”
I stopped and looked down at our hands. “That’s not a good idea.”
He wasn’t giving up. I didn’t expect him to. He rubbed his thumb across my hand. “Jillian, please. I can’t stop thinking about you.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. I knew how he felt, but this? This was dangerous. “This isn’t a date. And I don’t want to go anywhere you’ll be recognized.” Though I wasn’t sure a place like that existed. “And I want to go home and freshen up.” I looked down at my beyond causal work clothes.
He tipped my chin right back up. “You keep hiding those eyes from me. You look beautiful just the way you are. And I promise, where we’re going, nobody will care who I am. They’ll think I’m the luckiest guy in the room when I
walk in with you.”
“I’ll follow you over.”
“No, ma’am. I don’t want to waste another second.”
“Fine, but this still isn’t a date.” I dropped his hand.
He picked it right back up. “This is just a way for us to get to know each other better.”
“I’m not buying it.”
“Come on, darlin’.” He wasn’t taking no for an answer as he pulled me along to the passenger seat of his SUV. He opened my door for me.
“Do you do this on all your nondates?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been on one before. Who knows what will happen tonight.”
“I can tell you some things that won’t happen.”
He pressed his finger to my lips. “Let’s just see how the night goes.”
I shook my head. “You’re tenacious.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. Now get in.” He opened my door and helped me in.
I sat in the fine leather seat and breathed in the new car smell, wondering why I had agreed to this. Then he got in and smiled at me, and there was my answer.
I buckled my seatbelt, wishing there was one for my heart.
He turned on the charm before we even made it out of the parking lot. “How are your parents, Alan and Joyce?”
“Doing well. They are getting ready to take a road trip to visit my brother and then my sister. Well, really their grandkids. How are yours? Wes and Sadie, right?”
“Very good. They’re great. Daddy is ornery as ever and Momma is sweet as anything.”
“And your son? Where’s he?”
“He went home to stay with his momma and stepdad for a while.”
“You sound like you miss him.”
“Always, but Melissa and Greg miss him, too.”
“Does he have a good relationship with his stepdad?”
“Yeah. Greg really stepped up to the plate when I was in the dugout making a fool out of myself.”
“Is that hard for you?”
“I’m glad for it, but it comes with a lot of regret.”
“I’m sorry. Am I being too nosy?”
He glanced my way and smiled. “Not at all. I want to be completely open and honest with you.”
“Are you sure? That could be risky, you know.”
“I do know, but I want you to go in with eyes wide open.”
“And what am I heading for?”
“That’s up to you, doc.”
“At least tell me where you’re taking me tonight.”
I could see the corners of his mouth turn up. “It’s a little place called Dalton’s near music row.”
“You said you were taking me to a place where no one knew you.”
“I said they wouldn’t care. Trust me. They’ll be more interested in you, I promise. Are you embarrassed to be seen with me?”
“I don’t want the attention.”
He reached over and rested his hand on my leg. “I know. I’ll do my best whenever we’re together to make you feel comfortable and shield you from any undue attention.”
I looked down at his strong capable hand. “Cole, I’m just your physical therapist, remember?”
“Whatever you say, doc.” He gave my thigh a little squeeze before placing his hand back on the wheel.
We made small talk the rest of the drive over. He parked in a small private lot that charged an exorbitant amount of money. Before we got out, he put on a baseball cap and some sunglasses. “Just in case.”
“You still look like you.”
“It’s only for the walk over.”
I nodded. My nerves were creeping up.
“I’ll come around and get your door.”
“You’re the nicest nondate ever.”
He laughed before he jogged around to get my door. He opened it and took a moment to look at me. “You grew your hair out.”
I touched my ponytail. I had cut several inches off my hair after I separated from Danny. He liked it long and complained whenever I cut it too short for his taste. I liked it best longer, too, but cutting my hair at the time felt like an act of independence. “I suppose you’re one of those guys that only likes long hair.”
“I was going to say you look beautiful either way.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
He held out his hand. “Are you ready to have the best food you’ve ever tasted?”
“That’s a pretty tall order.” My hand easily ended up in his.
He held on for dear life and didn’t let go, even after I was out of the car. “This is a safety precaution.” He looked down at our entwined hands.
“Oh, yeah. Nashville is real dangerous.”
“It can be, darlin’.” He sounded as serious as a heart attack.
It worried me. I stayed close to him as we navigated the semi-crowded downtown streets. I prayed no one recognized him and that the feeling that this is who I belonged with would go away. Being near him felt so right.
Our pace was swift and it only took a few minutes to arrive at our destination. A hole in the wall with a small sign out front that said “Dalton’s.” It was unassuming and a little off the beaten path. I had probably walked past it several times and never noticed it.
I took a deep breath before Cole opened the glass door.
He smiled down at me. “Just relax. I promise this will be painless. You may even have a little fun.”
I breathed out, slow and steady, to the jingle of the bell on the door.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when we walked in, but I was pleasantly surprised that only a few heads turned our way, and no one gaped or even acted like it was anything special. The place was bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. It was cozy and clean. The brick walls were filled with pictures. One side of the rectangular shaped restaurant was lined with wooden booths, in the middle were free standing tables, and the other side held a counter with stools. That’s where most of the action was taking place.
The tall, handsome, older gentleman behind the counter was the only person to let his gaze linger on us. The way he smiled at us said he knew we were coming, or that he at least knew Cole. He excused himself from the group he was engaged with and made his way over to us. His smile grew the closer he got.
Cole let go of me and embraced the distinguished man. “Dalton.”
“It’s about time you showed your ugly mug in this place.” The man patted Cole on the back.
Both men turned toward me when they were done greeting each other.
Cole reached for my hand and drew me closer. I knew I shouldn’t let him, but it seemed rude not to allow it and heaven help me, I wanted nothing more than for him to hold me close.
“Dalton, this is Miss Jillian Jones, or as I like to call her, doc.”
Instead of a handshake, I was wrapped up in Dalton’s strong arms. “Nice to finally meet you.” His voice was gravelly.
Finally? “You as well.” I barely got that out. His hold was tight.
He released me and took my hand, to my surprise. “Well, pretty lady, let’s you and I get acquainted.” He gave a nod toward the back when he addressed Cole. “Your apron’s waiting for you in the kitchen.”
I looked to Cole for an explanation.
“Did I forget to mention I was making dinner for us?”
“It must have slipped your mind.” I smiled.
He stepped close enough to make my heart skip a few beats. “My mind has been a little preoccupied.” He kissed the top of my head.
“Nondate, remember?”
He laughed and turned his baseball cap around to wear it backwards. If possible, it made him look even more attractive. “Whatever you say, doc. And by the way, don’t listen to a word this man says.” He slapped Dalton on the back before he walked off. His backside looked just as good as the front. I wondered why people weren’t bothering him as he made his way to the kitchen, but then I noticed a large sign on the wall back behind the counter. Ain’t no one special around here. If you can’t mi
nd your own business, you best leave. I loved it.
Dalton laughed at Cole and led us to a booth at the rear of the eating area near an open space in the back with more tables, a piano, a pool table, and some dartboards. Dalton waited for me to slide into the booth before he sat down across from me.
It gave me a better look at his handsome, lined face. I would guess he was in his mid-fifties, maybe sixty. He had these soulful brown eyes, darker brown than mine. His salt and pepper hair was as thick as his southern accent.
He took a moment to memorize my face. “Cole said you were the prettiest thing he had ever seen; I’d have to agree.”
I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Thank you.”
“I like a woman who can still blush.”
My cheeks pinked up more. “So, tell me how you know Cole.”
“He didn’t tell you about me, darlin’?”
“No, sir. We hardly know each other.”
“That’s strange. He talks about you like he’s known you his whole life, but I’ve known him long enough to know that’s not true. Our friendship has outlasted five marriages, his two and three of mine.”
“Three?”
“Always looking for the next ex.”
I laughed at him, but had to ask, “Does Cole think that way, too?”
He shook his head. “Not to worry, darlin’. He’s a better man than me. But I wouldn’t mind you being the next ex Mrs. Dalton Tanner.”
“Hey, now.”
I turned toward that seductive voice I was missing.
Cole appeared with a glass filled with a reddish colored liquid in one hand and a strawberry in the other. He tossed the strawberry and it flawlessly landed in the liquid. “I hope strawberry lemonade is still your favorite.” He set the glass in front of me.
I was touched he remembered such an insignificant detail of that night ten months ago. “It is. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. I’ll be back with dinner shortly.”
It was a mistake for me to have come. Describing him as charming was a disservice; lethal was more like it. Did it sound weird to say he made me feel like a queen? I had never experienced that before.
I grinned before taking a sip of the most delectable strawberry lemonade I had ever tasted. “Mmm.”
“He’s been working on that recipe.”
Cole and Jillian (Pianos and Promises - A Novella Series Book 3) Page 7
