A Doctor for Keeps

by Lynne Marshall - A Doctor for Keeps

  She didn’t say it back, and he could see that sassy glint in her eyes. Maybe things were looking up. She shot up on her tippy-toes and kissed him a beat or two longer. A kiss that promised more than good-night. “I’ll see you later,” she whispered.

  Kent’s mood lifted, and he took the stairs then strode across the yard toward his house, grinning, a sexy buzz vibrating through his body. On this count he definitely liked the way Desi Rask thought.

  Around ten, light tapping came from the front door. Waiting for Desi, he’d been reading a medical journal on the latest superbacteria and had lost track of time.

  He opened the door. Desi stood on his doorstep bright-eyed and as refreshing as the evening breeze, and she nearly took his breath away. She rushed into his arms. Their earlier conversation about her still wanting to find her dad may have been a cold shower to his brain, but not his body. He kissed her the way he’d wanted to earlier, and her mouth welcomed him. With their bodies wrapped tight, they made out for several more minutes. He loved lifting her hair and kissing the spots on her neck and shoulders that made her purr. He couldn’t get enough of that Polynesian-flower scent in her hair. It had messed with his mind all day at work.

  Her hands couldn’t seem to get enough of him, either, and his body went directly into conquer mode.

  As things heated up, his thoughts got out of hand. Before he could censor himself, he broke from their kiss. “I just want to say one thing.”

  Her first answer was another mind-jumbling kiss. “Lay it on me.”

  “I want you to consider staying in Heartlandia.”

  * * *

  Desi had never felt more wanted in her life. A huge and gorgeous hunk of man was hot for her and asking her to stick around. When had that ever happened before? Never. She’d promised her mother she’d go to her grandmother’s, but she’d promised herself to go even further—to find her dad. She didn’t have a clue if he was even still alive, but now was the time to make the journey.

  Kent kissed her again, and her thoughts turned to mush. Men knew how to disconnect emotions from sex. If they could, so could she. It was probably for the best.

  But Kent’s comment gave the impression he wasn’t any better at it than she was. I want you to consider staying in Heartlandia.

  “Maybe you should shut up and kiss me,” she said, avoiding his question and going right for his mouth. Kent didn’t need coaxing. Nope, she was completely aware of his firm response and it was pressing into her belly. She’d made an extra stop in town today, at the drugstore, and came prepared with a couple of condoms of her own. She wondered when Kent’s hand roamed to her bottom if he’d notice the wrappers tucked inside her jeans pocket.

  “Did I mention my kid sleeps like a rock?”

  With fire in those natural bedroom eyes, he took her hand and led her upstairs, straight to his king-size bed, where he slowly undressed her and laid her down, soon joining her after shedding his clothes.

  It’s just sex, she told herself, but Kent had a look on his face that communicated something more. His hands were slow and thoughtful as they explored, his every touch intentional. She quivered as he caressed her, as he worshipped her breasts and belly and the sweet spot between her legs.

  She could get used to this.

  Just sex, Desi, just casual sex.

  They came together and she got the distinct impression he was offering so much more than sex this time. Or she’d distorted this perfect little setup of hooking up with the sexy doc next door, had read into it, made it out to be more than what it was. S. E. X.

  He kissed her then looked deep into her eyes as he stroked in and out. The intimacy threw her. Staring into his baby blues, she knew it wasn’t just sex. He’d asked her to think about sticking around, and he was making her dizzy with that intensely sexy gaze.

  She closed her eyes and shut down her brain, letting their bodies do all the communicating. And as the moments clicked by, he knew exactly how to take her all the way.

  At midnight, sated from making love with Kent, she gathered her clothes to head for home. The last thing she wanted was for either Steven or Gerda to find out what she and Kent had been up to.

  He lay on his stomach with the sheet over his waist, his tousled blond hair sexy as hell, his jaw relaxed and eyes closed, his broad back dappled by moonlight. A gorgeous sight.

  An ache planted itself behind her chest, and it had nothing to do with the stupendous sex they’d shared. Longing for something she’d never had before—a real relationship—left a bittersweet taste in her mouth. Was she one foot in or out of Heartlandia?

  Their timing was off. But maybe down the road after she’d found her father and discovered the other half of herself, after she finally knew who she was, and Kent had enough time to completely move on from his divorce, maybe then they could make whatever this was work.

  Wanting nothing more than to climb right back into bed and cuddle up with Kent, Desi got dressed, tiptoed out of the room and padded across the yard to her grandmother’s house.

  Once in bed, she savored the way it felt to be wanted for the first time in her adult life, and to help soothe her brain for sleep, she pretended things didn’t have to be different.

  Chapter Ten

  “My arthritis seems to have settled down,” Gerda said. “I think I’m ready to take over the piano students again.”

  Gerda and Desi shared the piano bench Tuesday morning, having just practiced a duet together for fun. Gerda had suggested it after tending to a few morning mayoral duties. Sunlight streamed through the side windows, making everything look golden. Desi wanted to imprint the moment in her mind as a special memory.

  “Are you sure, Grandma?”

  “I’ve missed them. Those students added purpose to my life long before I became mayor. Besides, I’ve been thinking too much about our pirate problems.” She’d hushed her voice when she’d said “pirate problems,” as though the walls had ears. “I need to get my mind on something else.”

  “How’s that going?” Desi studied the thin skin of Gerda’s hands as they rested on the piano keys, the pencil-point-thin blue veins beneath.

  Her hands flew to her lap and knotted. “Elke Norling is deciphering the journals, and she’ll report back at the next meeting.”

  “Deciphering? Isn’t it in English?

  “Have you ever seen Old English? It’s like another language. S looks like F, and there’s all kinds of extra swirliques—I don’t know what to call them, but you know what I mean. His cursive is poor at best, and much of the ink has smeared or faded.”

  “I get it. It’s nothing like we write today.”

  “Yes, and it’s one big whopping job for someone who has a full-time position at the city college.” Lines fanned from the corners of Gerda’s eyes as she smiled at Desi. “Some of us still hold out hope that Captain Nathaniel Prince—” she put her hand over her mouth and spoke to the side toward Desi “—also known as the Prince of Doom, did his terrible deeds somewhere else and maybe only shipwrecked around here. Everything has to be verified. We’ll see what Elke reports at the next meeting.”

  “Captain Nathaniel Prince. Hmm.” Desi made a quick sketch of how the Prince of Doom might have looked. Not being very imaginative this morning, she figured he looked a lot like Jack Sparrow.

  Gerda shook her head and sighed. “Yes, he was captain of a treacherous ship called Neptune’s Fortune, according to the initial information we’ve gleaned from that chest. For all we know, it could be sunken somewhere near Heartlandia.” Her hand went to her breast. “God, I hope not.”

  “But wouldn’t it be cool if that sunken ship had buried treasure? Think of the tourists who would flock to see it.”

  “That’s a major concern. We don’t want to upset our community. We love things just the way they are. And if and when we make our decision about what to do, it will all land on my shoulders as mayor pro tem to deliver the news to the Heartlandians.”

  Though Desi was entirely amused by th
e possibility of her newfound hometown possibly being tainted by wicked pirates, she also understood the grave disappointment her grandmother felt about the historical black eye to her beloved Heartlandia. Besides, Desi had rocked her grandmother’s world enough lately simply by showing up. Maybe it was time to change the subject, before Gerda started grabbing her chest again and needing sedatives.

  “I was wondering,” Desi said as she slipped her arm around her grandmother and drew her close. “Would it be okay if I kept on with Steven?”

  “Of course. You’ve brought him so far along in just a few weeks. It’s nothing short of amazing.”

  “And he is your last student today, which will give me plenty of time to prepare before his lesson.”

  “Are you going somewhere?”

  “It’s Kent’s day off, and he offered to take me on a tour of the city college and the Ringmiren wall, so it really is convenient for you to take over the first lessons today.”

  Gerda clapped. “Oh, how wonderful. I should have taken you there myself, but…”

  “You’ve been really busy, Grandma. Not to mention not feeling well.”

  “True.” Gerda looked into Desi’s eyes, hope shining in her own. “Are you and Kent dating?”

  Could Desi call it “dating,” or maybe she should say they were neighbors with benefits? She felt a blush coming on. “I’m not sure what we’re doing, but he’s a super-nice guy.” And, oh, he’s so much more than that. He’s an outrageous lover and a fabulous father, a respected doctor and… “And he needs a break from his routine as much as anyone, don’t you think? So when he suggested showing me around, I jumped at it.”

  “Well, I, for one, couldn’t be happier.”

  That was what had been nagging Desi, too. She hadn’t been this happy in…well, a long, long time, and she knew it wouldn’t continue, not if she went searching for her father. Which she still really and truly needed to do.

  * * *

  After a late lunch outside at the Fika Bakery, Desi relaxed back in her chair, enjoying the sunshine and Kent’s handsome face. The awning cast sharp shadows over his profile. She watched the grooves that formed on either side of his nose and mouth when he smiled, straight teeth peeking out from between his lips. The lips she’d made out with under a pine tree and leaning against the Ringmiren wall only a half hour ago.

  Watching him made her heart tighten. It wasn’t the usual feeling she had when dating a guy, that was for sure.

  He’d started growing a beard along his jawline, which was brown in contrast to his blond hair. The finely manicured beard, mustache and soul patch curtained the edge of his jaw and lips, making him look chiseled and gorgeous. She liked how the new mustache tickled when they kissed. Combined with that dashing smile and those heavy-lidded blue eyes shining her way, one word surfaced in her brain. Sexy. Then two words—scary sexy. As she took in the full picture of the man—with a gentle smile only for her—a warm ball of want curled deep inside her.

  He took her hand and squeezed. Was he thinking what she was thinking? The first signs of desire coiled tighter.

  “I’ve got an idea,” he said.

  Oh, yes, they were on the same page.

  “I’m up for anything.” Desi went for coy and a double entendre.

  “How about I take you—”

  Take me, yes—exactly what I was thinking.

  “—to the police station. Maybe Gunnar can help you out with your dad.”

  Not what I had in mind, but, what? You want to help me find my dad?

  “Wow. That would be great.” How could she refuse his generous offer?

  * * *

  The police station was larger than she expected and it was in the same building as the local newspaper. The standard concrete facade was decorated with huge columns on either side of the entrance. Marble floors in the foyer echoed as they turned left and headed for the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows under the Heartlandia Police Department banner and official emblem. She wondered, since it was a police station, if the glass was bulletproof.

  It was stuffy inside, and Desi was nervous, but Kent held her hand and guided her to the desk.

  “Is Sergeant Norling here?”

  At the sound of his name, and before the young, narrow-necked desk clerk could answer, Gunnar’s head popped around a corner. His face brightened at the sight of Kent. “Hey, I thought I recognized your voice. Come on back.” He pushed something under the counter that released the lock and Kent was able to open the door at the end of the desk. They shook hands and patted each other’s backs affectionately.

  “You remember Desi, right?”

  Gunnar nodded at Desi with a fleeting knowing glance. “Sure do. How you been?” he asked, even though they’d just seen each other yesterday. He shook her hand. His grip was firm and rough around the edges, nothing like Kent’s.

  “I’m good. Thanks.” She let go a beat before he did, edging closer to Kent and away from the imposing figure in the don’t mess with me uniform. Which, she noted, fit him to a tee and outlined a striking figure. Muscular guys, however, were not her type. At all.

  “Hey,” Kent broke in. “Desi is trying to locate her father. All she has is a name, a ballpark birth date and a last-known address.”

  “He was a jazz musician,” she said. “Played with some biggies. Don’t know if that will help at all.”

  “I can’t use our database for something like that.” Gunnar scratched his cheek, noticing Desi’s obvious disappointment. “But I know a guy in Portland who’s a P.I., and he specializes in this exact thing. Finding people.” He strode to his desk and flipped through his Rolodex. “Yeah, here’s the guy.”

  Desi caught his eager-to-please expression and smiled. “Do you think he’d help me? How much does he cost?”

  After a surreptitious glance toward Kent, Gunnar lifted a brow, engaging Desi again. “He owes me a favor. Tell you what—give me the information and I’ll have him run a check on your father. If he finds anything, I’ll get back to you.”

  “That’d be great,” Kent said, touching Desi’s heart by his generosity of spirit, arranging this meeting and helping in the search for her birth father. That unusual feeling she sometimes got when she looked at Kent swelled once again in her chest.

  Desi wrote down everything she knew about her father, which struck her as so meager and sad, and handed it to Gunnar along with her cell-phone number.

  Kent had made it very clear as they toured the city college that he thought Desi should stick around Heartlandia, try out some classes at the school, give them a chance to get to know each other better. The idea struck her as especially appealing.

  Did he want more than great sex? Might he feel that same strange sensation about her that she always got when she thought about him? Don’t get carried away.

  Kent looked at his watch. “Oh, hey, it’s almost time to pick up Steven from summer day camp. We’ve got to run.”

  After a quick goodbye, Desi followed Kent out of the station house, and taking his hand, she rushed along with his brisk pace back to the car.

  How normal it felt to be with the man she had definite feelings for, rushing off to get his son. A quick snapshot of the future, a hope and dream she’d never realized she’d had before, popped into her head.

  “So I guess we’ll just wait and see what happens about your father,” he said, shoving the key in the ignition, making a point not to look at her.

  Firmly back in reality, she switched out of fantasy gears.

  Maybe helping her locate her father wasn’t selfless generosity after all. Maybe it was his way of trying to take control of the situation. Or maybe it was a test.

  * * *

  Later that night, after Gerda had gone to bed, Desi stole across the yard to Kent’s, unable to stay away. It was after ten, they’d been texting, and he was waiting for her. He opened the door wearing a broad grin, shirtless on the warm night. They came together in a hot embrace and that growing desire she’d put on hold earlier i
n the day came back to life.

  She’d decided to keep her involvement with Kent a secret from her grandmother, to let her think they were merely dating, not sleeping with each other. Desi didn’t want to disappoint Gerda or change her old-style attitude toward Kent. Oh, but making love with Kent Larson seemed like so much more than secret sex. Especially now, with his mouth warm on her lips and his hands slipping up and down her sides, igniting every cell along her skin.

  * * *

  A little after midnight, Desi lay naked and cuddled under Kent’s arm, her head resting on his chest. Each of his contented breaths lifted her head ever so gently. He played with her hair, tickling her neck with it.

  “You know, you really should give some thought to enrolling in a few classes this fall.” Knowing she’d protest like she had when they were on campus earlier, he covered her mouth with his free hand. She playfully bit a finger.

  “You should quit telling me what to do.”

  “And I think playing piano for Cliff’s restaurant is a great idea. You’re a gifted pianist—why not share it for others to enjoy?”

  She knocked her knuckles lightly on his temple, wishing she hadn’t shared Cliff’s job offer with Kent. “Did you hear what I just said?”

  “Then you could work part-time while you’re taking classes.”

  She let her feigned protest rest. His complete trust in her capabilities and confidence in her talent made her want to please him, want to show him she could do anything she set out to do, just like her mother had always said. She admitted his having a plan all mapped out for her was sweet to a certain extent. But it was her life, and she had every intention of making her own decisions about it.

  Not having a father, and her dating life up to now being far from ideal, she’d never had a man believe in her before. The way Kent’s hands roamed aimlessly across her shoulders, drawing her close for a tender hug, she believed him. Maybe he cared about her as more than a sexual partner. Maybe he wanted her in his life beyond the bedroom.