The things we do for love.

by Anderson, Abigail

  “Yes but.”

  “You have done nothing wrong.” Adam reminded her.

  “Adam it’s not a good idea. Earlier today he was really angry.

  “You will stand your ground and eat dessert like the true trooper you are. It will be here soon anyway.” Adam reassured her with a little pat on the hand that was resting on the table.

  “I ripped his jacket.” She said.

  “It was an accident you said.” Adam’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. “It was an accident, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes of course it was. I told you.” Cassie defended herself quickly. “You don’t think I would do it deliberately?”

  “Of course not, but…”

  “But?”

  “Well you did offer to sew it for him.”

  “Yes?” She frowned confused.

  “That would have meant that you would have to see him again to give his jacket back.” Adam continued.

  “Are you saying I deliberately ripped his jacket so that I could see him again.”

  “Not knowingly but maybe on some kind of subconscious level.” Cassie shook her head.

  “You have it all wrong.”

  “I do?”

  “Yes.” She affirmed.

  “Good, in that case there is no excuse. Nothing should ever come between you and desserts especially if it’s chocolate.” Adam told her.

  Cassie almost laughed at him. Spoken like a true chocoholic.

  “You have a terrible sweet tooth.” She admonished him.

  “There is no harm in having a little of what you fancy now and then darling Cassie.” Adam told her and she looked up at him she noticed that he wasn’t looking at her but somewhere over her shoulder with a strange little smile on his lips and an arch in one eyebrow.

  “I am not sure I can eat anymore.” Cassie remarked as she fought hard not to turn around and look in the direction that Adam was now looking in.

  she knew that he was looking at Luke. She watched him raise his glass to his lips, holding it mid-air before slowly bringing it to his lips. His eyes remaining fixed on whatever was holding his interest.

  The waitress came over to their table and put their order in front of them. Cassie’s shoulders sagged dismally as she admitted defeat. There was no getting out of it. She would have to stay and see it through to the bitter end.

  “Is there anything else I can get you?” She asked politely.

  “Um... n...n... No. T... Thank you.” Cassie stammered awkwardly.

  “Thank you.” Adam said to the waitress.

  Luckily, the waitress did not seem to notice her growing discomfort or she probably just didn’t care.

  “Please enjoy.” The waitress replied as she left the table. But Cassie wasn’t listening. Her mind had already begun to wander away, at least as far as the table in the raised galley.

  If it hadn’t been for Faye. There really was no point exploring that avenue. Faye had done what she had done and that was that. Faye existed, the situation existed and no matter what she did it wouldn’t change it.

  But still, Cassie caught herself thinking about how things could have been different. How it would feel to be held in those strong looking arms of a certain doctor.

  If only Faye hadn’t been Faye, would there have ever been a chance for her? It was silly to think such thoughts. Luke might not even like her after all. He had never shown any real interest these past couple of months. Well none that she could see.

  But still her mind wandered back. Back to those muscled shoulders and impressive chest under his shirt. A chest that, on at least one occasion, she had managed to get very close to. What would it have been like to have been able to lean on him. What would it be like to be taken into his arms and kissed and…

  “Hello. Earth calling Cassie. Come in Cassie.” Adam’s voice broke through her devastating thoughts and she gave herself a mental shake as she looked up at Adam.

  Adam took in his friends red face and glazed over eyes, her slightly open mouth and he could have sworn she was panting. This looked promising, he decided. Already plans were formulating in his head.

  In fact, this was more promising than he could have hoped for. After all he was watching Dr Luke Pearson, who was sporting the same look on his face as Cassie, as his eyes swept over Cassie’s back.

  Most of the evening Luke had been watching Cassie and Adam had been enjoying every minute of it. He had not told Cassie of course, mainly because she would have been too self-conscious and she would not have believed him if he had told her that Luke was eyeing her up like a tiger about to pounce on his next meal. Yes, this was all very promising.

  “What?” Cassie refocused her eyes and Adam’s warm smiling face swam back into view.

  “You have gone quite pink dear.” Adam teased light heartedly.

  “Sorry.” She mumbled as she picked up her spoon to eat, feeling the heat even more in her cheeks.

  “It’s changed to quite red now though.” He commented and she blushed harder. “Wow, lobster red.”

  And then he put out both hands, showing his palms and then rubbing them together before opening them. As though he were warming them in front of a fire. “If you get any redder you are gonna start a fire. Or maybe…” he paused as he looked back to the man with his eyes fixed on Cassie’s back. “You already have.”

  “Enough.” She said.

  “Sorry darling. I couldn’t help myself, what were you thinking anyway?”

  “Nothing.” She told him as embarrassment set in.

  “You looked to be miles away or...” There was a deliberate pause which filled the air. “...or maybe you were just a few tables away.” Adam commented as he winked mischievously at her and she blushed even more profusely, if that were at all possible.

  Adam laughed a rich throaty laugh and she playfully slapped his arm to try and hide her embarrassment at being found out. “Ah, I do hope you find out whether the real thing lives up to the fantasy one day.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Cassie expressed trying to hide the truth.

  But it was too late Adam had already seen. So much for trying to keep it quiet.

  Now Cassie felt even more miserable. It was bad enough to have feelings for someone that would never reciprocate them but, even worse that other people might also know that.

  “Oh come now. There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of fantasizing once in a while.” Adam told her soothingly. “And he is worth a fantasy or two.”

  “Adam please.”

  “Real life would be terribly boring without it.” He assured his friend.

  “Nothing will come of it.” She reminded him.

  “We shall see. Now, eat your chocolate pudding before it goes cold and your ice-cream melts. It’s good for the soul.”

  Adam popped a spoonful of chocolate brownie into his mouth and closed his eyes for a moment as he savoured the taste. “Of course, there is something else that is good for the soul, way better than chocolate. But it looks like it might be a while before you manage to get that.” Adam said softly.

  “You are incorrigible.” Cassie said.

  “That I may be. But, that doesn’t stop sex being better for the soul than chocolate.”

  “Adam.” She exclaimed in a shocked voice and Adam laughed devilishly.

  “When was the last time you heard anyone singing about chocolate healing instead of sexual healing?” he asked her.

  “Never.” She said.

  “Good, I am glad we cleared that up.”

  “You have a one track mind.” She moaned at him.

  “I’m not the one fantasizing about dishy doc over there.” Adam told her gleefully. “So, in your fantasy just then how far did you get?”

  “Adam.” She gasped again and blushed again. She had to stop doing that.

  “Ooh, that far.” And he laughed at her. “Sex is a normal biological function dear stop being so prudish.” He tutted.

  “Sorry. I will try and work on that.”
<
br />   “See that you do. Now eat your dessert like a good little girl.” And without another word Cassie tucked in to her dessert which, as it turned out was quite delicious.

  Chapter 11.

  Cassie sat back on a contented sigh. Even after deciding that she would not be able to eat all of her dessert. She had managed to surprise herself and scrape the plate clean.

  “I can’t believe I ate so much.” Cassie exclaimed as she put down her spoon. “I am fit to burst.” She felt so full that she was uncomfortable but, she also felt quite satisfied so she guessed she could put up with a little discomfort.

  “See, I knew it would make you feel better.” Adam told her as he took his credit card out of his wallet and motioned for the waitress. She dutifully walked over and with a smile took his card.

  “As always, you are right o wise one.” She said. “I am sorry that I doubted you.”

  “Just you remember that.” The waitress returned with Adam’s credit card and a receipt.

  “I shall.” She agreed.

  “Even when things get a little uncomfortable.” He continued.

  “Why are things going to get uncomfortable?” She asked confused.

  “I think I have a plan.” Adam grinned and looked back over her shoulder.

  “Don’t you dare.” Cassie warned him.

  “Calm down, I haven’t even told you the plan yet.”

  “Okay, what is the plan.”

  “There would be no point in telling you. You would only spoil my fun by thwarting my plans. So you are just going to have to come along for the ride.”

  “Adam please. I mean it.” She tried begging her friend.

  “Whatever happened to, you are always right, o wise one.”

  “You had your moment.” She smiled. “Now it’s gone.”

  “That’s how much you know. I plan to have a few more moments by the time the week is out.”

  “Adam what are you planning?” She tried again. Adam looked at her then and leaned closer to her.

  “Just one week Cassie. Trust me and this will all be over in just one week.”

  “What will be over in one week.”

  “Do you trust me?” Adam asked her.

  “Not likely.”

  “Well that’s just charming.” He complained.

  “You have a lousy track record.”

  “I am right this time. I know I am. Go with the flow Cassie dear, for just one week.”

  “Fine.” She reluctantly agreed. She had no idea what he was up to but she did know that she could not stop him. Whatever he was planning he was going to do regardless.

  “Are you ready to go or did you want to loiter for a while.” Cassie shook her head.

  “I think I am just about ready.”

  “Are you sure, delicious doc hasn’t finished yet. We could wait around. I could order you a… stiff… drink. You know Dutch courage and all that.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

  “Please do not start.” She warned him.

  “Me? Start? Start what?” he tried to look all innocent but he just could not pull it off.

  “You know. No matchmaking. Please.” She said again, trying to stop her friend before he did something that would totally embarrass her.

  “I wouldn’t dream of it. It’s just that he is so enjoying himself.”

  “What?”

  “Luke Pearson. He is enjoying watching you. A little smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye. It would be a shame to spoil his fun.” Adam smiled at her.

  “He is not.” She denied and fought the urge to turn in her seat and see for herself. She almost turned but Adam grabbed her arm and she turned back to him.

  “Okay. He is not.” Adam put up his hands in surrender. “So are you ready?”

  “I’ll just visit the little girl’s room then I’ll be ready.” She told him as she got up from the table and turned towards the direction of the toilets at the back of the restaurant.

  Cassie kept her head firmly down as she walked past the raised galley. She didn’t want Luke to spot her. Adam had been joking. Luke was probably none the wiser that she was here. And that suited her just fine.

  She did not fancy another run in with the man, and as for Adam’s comment about Luke enjoying himself watching her well. Adam was just trying to get a reaction out of her. He was like that sometimes.

  However, Cassie found herself unable to stop herself casting a quick discreet look over in his direction briefly. He was not looking in her direction, see Adam was just teasing her.

  She breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t want to be drawn into any more altercations tonight especially not at this restaurant. She would never be able to show her face in here again.

  After doing what needed to be done in the little girl’s room. Cassie washed and dried her hands and ran a hand through her hair which she had worn down. Mainly because she had been too tired and too lazy to bother with styling it.

  It had been a long day and she wasn’t wonder woman. She wasn’t even organised woman today. More like haphazard woman. She took in a breath to steady her nerves and turned to open the door.

  Cassie made her way back towards the table where Adam and she had been sitting at for the past hour or so. Keeping her head bent so as not to warrant the attention of Luke Pearson.

  Keeping her eyes fixed on the table Adam still sat at she picked up her pace. She wanted to go home and go to sleep. It had been a trying and tiring day.

  She had just cleared the first entrance to the galley and was making her way round to the other side when Cassie felt her foot snag on something and she tripped.

  She cried out in alarm and tried to correct her balance when suddenly warm hands curled around her upper arms and she found her face alarmingly close to a large hard chest. The woody spicy notes of aftershave hit her senses.

  It was a familiar scent, not just the smell of the aftershave. It was the musky scent of the man himself that was familiar. Her body recognising it immediately and responding to it as if it had a life of its own.

  Cassie did not need to look up to know whose broad hard chest her hands were resting on. She had been here before.

  She could feel his breath on her forehead and could hear his heartbeat, if that were even possible.

  Chapter 12.

  “Sorry.” She managed to mumble sometime later as she looked up straight into laughing blue eyes. Her mouth went dry and she shuddered as Luke Pearson looked down at her.

  He was far too close for comfort. She tried to command herself to move away from him, to put some distance between them. But, Cassie was unable to move. Her body not listening to her mind and so she stood there with her hands flayed on his chest and looking up into his eyes.

  The silence stretched out between them and Cassie wasn’t sure what to do. She could feel high spots of colour forming on her cheeks under the scrutiny of his piercing gaze. She mentally tried to give herself a shake.

  She needed to do something instead of standing here like a dummy with his hands still on her upper arms. The heat from his body warming her at an alarming rate.

  “It was entirely my fault. I should have been looking where I was going.” Luke’s warm deep, sultry voice raked across her nerves and a delicious tingle ran down her spine.

  “I...” her voice trailed off. She had to snap out of her daze. She realised that she was making a complete fool of herself.

  It wasn’t as if Faye had done enough damage to her image. Cassie herself was making it so much worse.

  “Are you okay?” Luke asked her as his eyes searched her face. Luke was being nice to her. Actually being nice.

  He even looked concerned but then of course he was a doctor and he probably was taught in medical school how to look concerned. That didn’t mean that he cared, she reminded herself.

  “Yes.” She finally managed to say and she took a step back. Luke still held her arms and the warmth of his fingers permeated her skin. Her head swam dizzyingly.

  “...If you’r
e sure?” Luke withdrew his hands from her arms and Cassie felt the cool air hit her heated skin. She nodded and even managed a weak smile.

  “Say, everything alright?” Adam came over and Cassie turned to look at him.

  She noted the mischievous glint in his eyes immediately as he cast a look first in her direction and then at Luke.

  He extended a hand out toward Luke. “I’m Adam Taylor.” Luke took his hand in a firm shake. “Ooh, that’s a good firm grip you have there.” Adam began and then he winked at Cassie. “You must be Dr Luke Pearson.”

  “That would be correct.” Luke replied with a small grimace.

  “Cassie has been telling me all about you.”

  “I’m sure she has.” Luke agreed in a sardonic tone.

  “Adam.” She warned him.

  “It’s okay, nothing bad.” He smiled a vibrantly bright wide smile at both of them.

  “That does surprise me.” Luke told Adam.

  Cassie was beginning to feel quite awkward and she shuffled from one foot to the other.

  “She has only nice things to say. Cassie doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.” Adam was telling Luke now. “Have you noticed that?” Adam asked him.

  “Yes I have.” Luke told him.

  “Her bones… or her body?” Adam asked.

  “Adam.” Cassie gasped in shock. What was he doing. How embarrassing.

  “It’s hard to miss.” Luke said. What was going on? This was surreal at best.

  “Yes, it is.” Adam agreed.

  “Maybe we should be going and let Dr Pearson get back to his dinner.” Cassie told Adam in as firm a voice as she could muster.

  Adam, however, completely ignored her and carried on regardless. He appeared to have his own agenda and that made Cassie nervous. Very nervous.

  “We’re not keeping you are we? Good.” Adam asked then carried on not giving Luke a chance to respond. “Actually it’s a spot of luck that we ran into you. I was just saying to Cassie that it’s lucky that Damian Lucifer is going away for a while. I bet you’re pleased about that.” Adam asked in as innocent tone as he could muster. Cassie wanted to stamp on his foot very hard.

  “Adam.” She gasped at him.

  “I’m sorry.” Luke said.