One Night with the Army Doc

by Traci Douglass

  “Cool.” Joe adjusted the camera angle. “All right. Let’s see a smile from the happy couple.”

  “Oh, we’re not a—” they both started in unison.

  Snap. Snap. Snap.

  “Awesome.” Joe handed Molly her phone, then slapped Jake on the back. “You’re a lucky man. Take care of her.”

  I will.

  Jake watched Joe walk away, somewhat stunned at his inner response.

  Molly stood across from him, frowning down at her phone screen.

  “What? Are they awful?” he asked, moving in beside her again.

  “No.” She shoved the device back in her pocket before he could see what was on the screen. “I’m just... It’s nice being here with you today. Spending time with you.”

  Funny how much her thoughts mirrored his own.

  “My shooting schedule and difficult cases don’t leave me much time outside of work. That’s another reason why Brian left,” Molly said, leaning against the railing again, staring out to sea. “His text said he doubted I’d even notice he was gone.”

  “And do you?”

  “What?”

  “Notice he’s gone?”

  “Honestly? I haven’t—not really.” She laughed, short and sweet, then smiled. “I’ve been too busy. Thanks to Bobby and a certain Head of Emergency Medicine.”

  Jake’s body warmed with affection and he moved a tad closer to her to block the harsh wind, a now familiar surge of protectiveness joining the simmering passion inside him.

  “When I was growing up, my mom always said love can’t be rushed. That if you stop searching it’ll happen.”

  “She sounds like a wise lady.”

  The earnestness in her voice made his heart clench. His scores in the lasting relationship department might not be stellar, but at least he’d been there, done that. The fact that Molly hadn’t, made those staunch barriers Jake had built around himself crumble even more. Yes, she was leaving soon, and maybe whatever happened between them could only be temporary, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t also be real.

  “I have a suggestion,” Jake said, before common sense made him rethink his actions.

  “What?”

  “How about I take you to dinner when we get back to Anchorage? A true date this time.”

  “I was going to go to the hospital and check on Bobby.”

  Jake pulled out his phone and showed her a recent message. “Gladys says he’s stable and resting comfortably.”

  Molly chewed on her bottom lip. “Are you sure?”

  “More than anything, Bolt.” He put his arm around her and cuddled her close, unable to resist any longer. Against all odds, God help him, his walls were crashing down. “More than anything.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  “I JUST HAVE a bad headache,” Molly said over the phone to Neal, doing her best to keep the guilt from her voice.

  She still couldn’t quite believe she’d agreed to go to dinner instead of going to the hospital. Yet here they were, back at Jake’s favorite pub, splitting another order of salmon nachos. The tiny rebellion both thrilled and terrified her.

  “I’m going to sleep it off and be ready to go again tomorrow.”

  “Hmm...” Neal said, his tone concerned. “Maybe it’s a brain tumor.”

  “It’s not a brain tumor.” Five years of working on a medical reality TV show had made her crew into hypochondriacs.

  She peered through the glass doors of the small lobby. Jake caught Molly’s eye and waved. With a sigh, she tugged at her long-sleeved black T-shirt, this one proclaiming Bacteria—It’s the only culture some people have, then smoothed her hand down her faded jeans.

  “Listen, I need to get off the phone.”

  “Are you losing consciousness?” Neal said. “I’ll dial 911.”

  “No. I’m fine. I’m going to take a hot bath and a couple of ibuprofen, then go to bed. I’ve instructed the hospital staff to call me if there are any changes to Bobby’s condition. Talk to you later.”

  Before Neal could respond Molly shut off her phone, then walked back through the doors, joining Jake as the server placed a large platter of nachos and two sodas on the table.

  Molly slid onto the bench seat across from him, shoving her pink coat into the corner to make more room. “Sorry.”

  “Everything okay?” he asked. “Nice shirt, by the way.”

  “Oh, thanks.” Her snarky tees were one of her favorite means of creative expression. “Some people don’t get my sense of humor.”

  “That’s one of my favorite things about you, Bolt.” He winked and her heart did a flip. “Hand me your plate.”

  “Thanks again for dinner.”

  “My pleasure.” Jake handed Molly a heaping pile of nachos, his long legs nudging hers under the table. “Is that enough for you?”

  “Pretty sure this is enough for four people.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and stared down at her plate, suddenly shy. “I had an excellent time today.”

  “Me too.” He passed her a fork, his fingers lingering longer than necessary. “Let’s eat.”

  She’d been hungry before, but the spicy smell of the nachos made her famished. They both dug into the food with relish. Minutes went by, filled with small talk and lots of crunching as they devoured the Mexican treat.

  At last Molly took a final bite then sat back, stuffed.

  Jake grinned over at her. “You have something in the corner of your mouth.”

  “I do?” She wiped her lips. “Gone?”

  “Nope.” He pointed toward the right side of his face. “Right there.”

  Molly tried again. “Did I get it?”

  “No.” Jake shook his head, then reached for her napkin. “Here—let me.”

  She leaned forward, meeting him halfway across the table. Her gaze fell to his mouth as his fingertip grazed her skin.

  “There...” he murmured, with unmistakable desire lighting his eyes.

  “Thanks,” she whispered, not pulling away.

  “You’re welcome.” Jake closed the tiny gap between them and brushed his lips over hers.

  The sound of a throat being cleared broke them apart.

  “Sorry, folks,” their server said. “I’ll just leave the check here for whenever you’re done.”

  Jake sat back, one dark brow cocked. “I’m ready. How about you?”

  Molly nodded, her frenzied response to him raging higher.

  “Great.”

  He flagged down the server and handed over cash before leading Molly from the pub. They’d left her Range Rover at the supercenter and driven here in Jake’s truck. Once inside the vehicle, he started the engine and cranked the heater, turning out of the parking lot and heading in the opposite direction from her hotel.

  “Where are we going?” Molly asked.

  “I thought I’d show you my house.”

  Jake took her hand again, and the gentle stroke of his thumb against her skin sent a frisson of need through her body.

  “Sound good?”

  “Yes.”

  She stared out the window beside her as they zipped through the nighttime traffic, heading out of downtown Anchorage and into a residential neighborhood. He pulled into the driveway of a ranch-style home with lots of construction supplies stacked around the perimeter.

  Jake cut the engine, then came around to help her out. “Excuse the mess. I’m doing some remodeling.”

  “No. It’s great.”

  Molly’s breath hitched as he kissed her against the side of the truck, the cold metal at her back at direct odds with the solid heat of Jake pressed to her front. She surrendered to the wonderful sensations storming through her—passion, affection, aching want.

  At last he broke away, resting his forehead against hers. “I’ve wanted to do that again since that
night in the gym.”

  “Me too.” She smiled, tangling her fingers into the silky curls at the nape of his neck, her pulse thudding and her knees weak.

  Molly wanted him so much she hurt. This wasn’t like her. This wasn’t logical. This wasn’t like anything she’d ever experienced before and she was loving every single second.

  “C’mon.” Jake led her to his front porch, then fumbled to get his key into the lock.

  The notion that he might be as affected as she was made Molly giddy with hope. He tugged her inside and flipped on the lights, removing his coat and his flannel shirts to leave only the Henley behind.

  “Let me show you around.”

  The open-concept interior of the house was exceptionally tidy for a bachelor pad, if a bit sparse. Tools and construction equipment filled several corners, but the kitchen was finished and well-appointed, with gleaming appliances and granite countertops. The floors were hardwood, shining as if newly waxed. The smell of sawdust and fresh paint tickled Molly’s nose as she gazed around.

  “You’re doing all this yourself?”

  “Yep. In my spare time.”

  “Right... All that spare time, huh?”

  “Yeah.” Jake gave Molly a self-deprecating grin, heading toward a large double-sided fridge. “Can I get you anything? Water? Wine?”

  She shrugged out of her coat and hat, draping them over the back of a folding metal chair. What she really needed to find was a place to plug in her phone. “Got a place I can re-juice?”

  “Sure.”

  Jake led her down the hall and into a master suite, complete with king-size bed and a large walk-in closet attached to a luxurious travertine-tiled bath.

  “Right there.” He pointed to a spot on the nightstand.

  “Great.” Molly plugged in her device, then straightened.

  The air crackled with sexual tension and her muscles were tight with need. She wanted to touch Jake, taste him, burrow beneath his rigid self-control and make him pant with desire. She’d never had this kind of amazing chemistry with anyone before and she longed to explore every facet.

  As if reading her thoughts, Jake closed the slight distance between them, taking her hand. “I like you, Molly. A lot.”

  She rested her forehead on his chest, inhaling his comforting scent, and waited for the inevitable caveat that always followed such statements, whether from her father or Brian or any other man.

  “Except you need me to work harder, or stop arguing, or—”

  “No.” Jake silenced her, placing his finger beneath her chin and forcing Molly to meet his gaze. “I like you. Just as you are.”

  Then he kissed her again, his strong arms pulling her close. His lips were demanding, yet gentle, and every cell in her body felt heavy and buoyant at the same time. Her head fell back as his mouth traveled down her neck to her pulse point and... Oh, my...

  With Brian, sex had always felt a bit detached and, well...clinical. Now, though, Molly didn’t know where to touch Jake first.

  He took one of her fluttering hands, kissed her palm before placing it over his thudding heart, allowing her to feel just how much she affected him. His mouth returned to hers, deepening the kiss, tasting her, seducing her. His caresses grew hotter, more insistent, until he pulled away to stroke the hair back from her forehead.

  She swayed closer and Jake cupped her cheek. “Do you want to go to bed with me?”

  “Yes, please,” Molly whispered, every nerve ending in her body poised on a precipice. “Are you sure you want to go to bed with me?”

  “Oh, yeah, Bolt. I’m sure.”

  Jake smiled as he picked her up. Her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms went around his neck and she returned his kisses, hard and deep. His low moans only served to stoke her passion higher. She couldn’t get enough. She had to have more of him...would die without him.

  Desperate, Molly pulled at his clothes, needing to get closer to this beautiful man who made her feel beautiful too.

  Tearing his mouth from hers, Jake kissed his way down the side of her neck as he laid Molly on the bed, then stretched out beside her. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once—touching, stroking, undoing and removing things. Her T-shirt was the first to go, followed in short order by his Henley, and then she reveled in the first brush of his naked chest against her skin.

  Jake made quick work of her bra too, cupping her bare breasts gently, his thumbs circling their sensitive pink tips while Molly, emboldened, slipped her hand between their bodies to feel his rigid length pressed tight against the front of his jeans.

  He groaned softly while she caressed him through the soft material. His breathing grew raspier and she kissed him again. At last, he rolled her beneath him and she looped her legs around his waist once more, craving the feel of his hard body against her.

  “This first time should be special, but I want you too badly. It’s been too long.”

  “I want you too.” Molly flicked open the top of his fly, then snuck her fingers inside his waistband. The zipper crept down slowly, to accommodate her touch as she traced the outline of his erection through his briefs. “So much.”

  His breath caught and his gaze was searing, hot and demanding. “Keep that up and I won’t last.”

  “Endurance is overrated,” she said, grinning.

  Quickly discarding the rest of his clothes, Jake lowered himself beside her once more, reaching between her thighs to stroke her wet folds. Gently, he thrust first one, then two fingers inside her, while his thumb circled her most sensitive flesh, preparing her.

  She whimpered, arching hard against his hand. He seemed to know exactly how to touch her, how to tease her to the brink of ecstasy in no time flat. Her orgasm loomed closer, closer, and she buried her face against his shoulder as her first climax struck.

  “I’ve got you.” He held her until her body quieted against him, then smoothed her hair from her flushed cheeks. “Good?”

  “Amazing.”

  Molly pressed Jake down onto his back, straddling him. She wasn’t a vixen, by any stretch, but she had to see him, touch him, taste him. In control, she grasped the hard, hot length of him, draping her hair over his chest and hips as she leaned forward and licked his skin, savoring the salty flavor.

  “My turn...”

  * * *

  Molly’s warm breath and tongue against his aching flesh was almost Jake’s undoing. Then she engulfed him in the wet embrace of her mouth and he damned near passed out. He slipped his fingers through her silken hair while she pleasured him with her lips and tongue, but soon his need grew too strong to deny.

  Unable to wait any longer, Jake rolled over, pinning Molly beneath him as he kissed a slow descent down her body, stopping along the way to pay homage to her delightful breasts, then nuzzling her navel before traveling lower.

  She was everything he’d ever wanted and more. All creamy soft skin and dreamy soft sighs.

  Gently he licked once, twice, over her heated core, making love to her with his mouth, only stopping when she’d reached her second climax. Then, at last, he kissed his way up her body until he settled atop her again.

  Molly laced her fingertips in the hair at his nape, her bright blue eyes glittering with passion. An involuntary shudder ran through Jake at the soft caress. She reached for his hard length again, but he placed a restraining hand atop hers.

  “Stop, or I won’t last more than a few seconds.” He nipped her earlobe. “And I want this to last forever.”

  Levering himself up on his elbows, Jake grabbed a condom from the nightstand drawer and smoothed it on before entering her in one long thrust. Molly moaned, the sound low and laced with satisfaction. Buried hilt-deep, he stilled, savoring the exquisite sensations.

  “You feel amazing, sweetheart. You are amazing.”

  “S-so are you,” she whispered, her gaze locked w
ith his as he began a slow, steady rhythm, driving them both closer to the brink.

  He loved the sexy catch in her voice. The way their lovemaking seemed to chase all coherent thought from her brilliant mind.

  Molly ground against him, increasing the delicious friction. “Please...don’t stop.”

  “Never.”

  He moaned as she clutched him closer, riding out the waves of another orgasm. Unable to deny himself any longer, Jake slipped his fingers through hers, his senses overwhelmed by her passion, her...everything.

  Soon a familiar tightness filled his groin, signaling his looming release. Jake drove into Molly one last time before his body went whipcord-tight, a deep groan tearing from his lungs. He murmured her name again and again, lost in an endless avalanche of endorphins and pleasure.

  As the intensity ebbed and drowsiness overtook him he rested his head in the valley between her breasts. He felt boneless, weightless, yet heavy as concrete, sated beyond belief as she toyed with his hair.

  She always smelled like citrus and sunshine.

  Like home.

  He wanted to stay inside this heavenly private universe and never come out. This was what he’d searched for and never found—this closeness, this connection, this trust. He struggled to keep his heavy-lidded eyes open, not wanting the moment to end.

  Eventually Molly’s breathing evened out into the pattern of sleep and Jake rolled to his side, spooning her against him beneath the covers before drifting into slumber.

  CHAPTER TEN

  MOLLY WOKE BEFORE dawn and looked over her shoulder at the man snoozing beside her. Jake Ryder was one sexy beast. No doubt about it. In fact she couldn’t stop admiring the gorgeous corded muscles in his strong arms, the design of his tattoo visible on the tanned perfection of his left bicep. Couldn’t stop admiring the chiseled lines of his back as he hugged the pillow beneath him, admiring the way his torso formed a perfect V down to his slim waist, then dipped into his lower back.

  She eyed the covers. If he moved slightly those sheets might reveal the tight globes of his butt too.

  Molly grinned like a dope as she stared up at the ceiling. What a spectacular night.