by Ella Jade
“But they want you,” CC said. “Not a new doctor.”
“If I had ten more hours in the day, I’d see them all.”
When she laughed, two subtle dimples revealed themselves. I hadn’t remembered those. I also hadn’t recalled how perfect her posture was or how toned her frame appeared. She was a pretty teenager but she’d morphed into an exquisite woman. Back then, I was too busy trying to get into her panties to notice just how spectacular she was.
“There’s Judge Howell,” CC said to Jameson. “Will you go say hi with me?”
“Of course.” He rested his hand on the small of her back. “We’ll see you two in a bit.”
“Take your time.” I sipped my beer. “Kirsten and I will get reacquainted.”
As Jameson and CC walked away hand in hand, Kirsten spoke softly. “Were we ever really acquainted?”
Not as acquainted as I would have liked. “We were friends in school, weren’t we?”
“For a short time, we were.”
When she played with the diamond pendant that dangled from her neck, I wondered where she’d gotten such an elaborate piece of jewelry. A boyfriend? A lover?
“If I recall,” she continued. “You weren’t very pleased with me when I refused your request for a ride in your fancy car.”
“Ah, yes.” I wasn’t pleased at all. “You said no. I wasn’t used to hearing that word.”
“I know.” She let go of the pendant. “You never spoke to me again.”
“Didn’t I?” I was stubborn and immature. There were enough girls interested in me but I wanted her attention. You always want the one you can’t have.
“No.”
“Then I was a fool.”
“You’re still as charming as ever.”
“That was twelve years ago. Should we still be held accountable for hormone fueled teenage choices?”
“Which one of us?” She grinned. “You for asking or me for saying no.”
“Both of us.” She had a playful side. “Maybe we should start over. As adults.”
“The past is forgotten, Miles.” She held up her champagne glass. “We’re adults. I’m not holding any grudges.”
“Adults who will be spending the next few months together as we get through these wedding festivities.” My beer bottled clinked against her glass. “God help us.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Me too.” I peered around the yard. “It seems to be getting more crowded as the evening goes on. My mother invited the whole town and then some.”
“I’m not used to such large functions.” She set her glass on the tray a server held. “I’ve been working so much lately.”
“I have too.” I finished my beer. “I don’t remember the last social function I attended.”
“I guess I haven’t seen you in the papers lately.”
“Do you look for me?”
“The Clark brothers are hard to miss.”
“Max gets most of the press these days. They used to torture Jameson but I’m pretty low key.”
“Middle Child Syndrome?” She gazed into my eyes, lingering a second or two before continuing. “I see it all the time in my line of work.”
“I’ll bet you do.” I never complained about being the middle child except when I had to run interference between Jameson and Max. “Would you like to go for a walk with me?” There were too many people on the patio and I wanted to be alone with her. “There’s a lake down that path.” I pointed to the side of the yard. “Beyond the pool.”
“Sure.”
“Would you like another drink before we go?”
“No, thank you. I’ve already had too much.” She followed me to the path. “This is the first night in months that I’m not on call.”
“Do you have other doctors in the practice? Maybe you could rotate?”
“In theory that’s what we’re supposed to do but they have families. Small children of their own. I don’t, so I offer to do it.”
“That’s very kind of you but what about your social life?”
“What social life?” She giggled. “I don’t have one.”
“Maybe I could help with that?’
“Didn’t you say you were too busy to attend social functions?”
“I could make an exception.”
“What kind of exception?”
“Dinner.” We proceeded down the pathway, in the direction of the gazebo. “What night are you free?”
“Are you asking me on a date?” She stopped and studied me as if my request was a foreign concept.
What are you thinking, goddess? “Would it be inappropriate if I am? We just said we were going to get reacquainted.”
“I’m just curious why you would.”
“Seriously?” Was she playing with me? Making me work for this? “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Well, I don’t know. We haven’t seen one another in years. We weren’t that friendly when we did know one another.”
“Let’s forget about high school. That was a lifetime ago. We’re not the same people.”
“You’re not?”
“You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
She tried to suppress a smile but I saw those dimples. She was teasing me. I liked it.
Before I could respond, Max came toward us.
“Where are you going?” He stumbled into me with a stupid grin on his face. “The party is that way.” He pointed behind me. “Where’s Jameson?”
“Over there somewhere.” I motioned toward the house. “Why?”
“I need to fill this and I don’t want him to see.” He held out his flask as he made eye contact with Kirsten. “Hello.”
“Hi.” She laughed. “Having a good time?”
“A really good time.” He patted my back. “My brother is a great guy.”
“I’m sure he is,” she said. “All of you Clark men are irresistible.”
“I won’t keep you.” Max looked at me. “I need a drink.”
“If you’re out here with who I think you are.” I noted his loosened tie and the lipstick stain on his collar. “Getting caught filling that flask is going to be the least of your problems.”
“Don’t worry, big brother.” He headed back to the house. “I can handle Jameson.”
No, you can’t.
“What was that about?” Kirsten asked as Max swayed down the path.
“Nothing.” Max needed to find his way. The same way Jameson did.
“You seem stressed.” She took my hand, taking me by surprise.
“My family can be a little complicated.” I led her to the gazebo, searching it quickly to make sure Rayne wasn’t down here. It was Max’s business. Jameson would have to deal with what the two of them chose to do. It wasn’t my problem.
“It’s lovely.” She glanced out at the lake. “So serene. Breathtaking.”
“I was thinking the same about you.” How had I missed such an extraordinary woman? “I really would like to get reacquainted.”
“Are you the same guy you were in high school?”
“I thought we were starting fresh?”
“I’d like to know the man you’ve become before I make any decisions.”
“You’re a tough one.” I took a seat facing the lake. “If you must know, I’m not as wild as I once was but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the company of a beautiful woman.” I patted the spot next to me. “I’ll be honest with you.”
“Please.” She settled in next to me, close enough that I was fully aware of the scent of her floral perfume. “Honesty works best with me.”
“I’ve slowed down some in my late twenties. I’ve never really done serious but it doesn’t mean I can’t.” What did she want me to say? Was this an interview?
“Oh, I’m not looking for serious.” She rubbed the top of her arms as the breeze from the lake blanketed us. It was a warm May evening but it could get cooler under the trees when the sun went down. “I didn’t mean to imply that.”
“Thank you.” She held my jacket over her. “It’s a bit cooler down here.”
“Whatever I did to you in school, I hope you can forget.”
“I told you, I’m not holding a grudge.”
“Neither am I.” I smirked. “Not at all.”
“What would you have to hold a grudge for?”
“You shot me down.”
“Your inappropriate advances.”
“How do you know they were inappropriate? You didn’t give me a chance.”
“I... what?” She shook her head. “You wanted to have sex with me.”
“That’s probably still true.”
Her eyes widened.
“You wanted honesty.”
“Yes but I...” The fluster in her face was cute. I’d thrown her off balance. I could work with that. “What were you warning Max about?”
“Changing the subject?”
“CC once told me you were the keeper of sorts. Is that true?”
“I look after my brothers when they seem to be spiraling in the wrong direction. Jameson has found himself and now that he has CC he’ll be just fine.”
“Max?”
“Max thinks he’s different from Jameson but they’re very much alike so they clash. I’m stuck in the middle when that happens. I usually side with Jameson because he’s right most of the time. Max sees that as a betrayal. He doesn’t understand that we have more experience. I’m in his corner, he doesn’t always see it.”
“That must be difficult for you.”
“I bury myself in our business. I’m learning that I need to let the two of them to work it out. I wish Max would come home for good. He’s fighting us on coming to work at the agency.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing if he and Jameson don’t get along.”
“Coming home will do Max some good. He needs our guidance, or I’m afraid he’ll travel down the wrong path.”
“Like Jameson did?”
Max’s obsessive drinking had been on my mind lately. “I don’t think he’s as far gone as Jameson was at that age but addiction runs in our family.”
“What are you addicted to?”
Women... especially intelligent, sexy women who will indulge my whims.
“This topic is too heavy.” I stood, extending my hand. “We can hear the band from here and they’ve slowed it down.”
“You want to dance?”
“Yes.” I guided her into a standing position as my jacket fell behind her onto the bench. “Will you dance with me?”
“I haven’t done that in a long time.”
“I’m sure you haven’t forgotten.” I took her hand in mine as I wrapped the other around her waist, wondering what else she hadn’t done in a long time. “It’s like riding a bike.” I gazed into her eyes as we swayed to the soft music. “See, you’re a natural.”
“Maybe it’s my dance partner.”
“Have you decided if you’re going to have dinner with me?” I spun her around the gazebo. “Fresh start and all?”
“You’re not too busy for dinner?”
“I’m not too busy for you.” I leaned her back, holding her in a dip. “Tomorrow night?”
“I can arrange for that.”
“Perfect.”
I brought her back to meet me, bringing her close enough for her breath to caress my lips. Kissing her would be so easy. Like breathing. What would she taste like? Lowering my gaze to her mouth, I bit my bottom lip as she closed her eyes in anticipation. Something sparked between us. An electricity of sorts. I couldn’t explain it. I wanted to kiss her but should I? We’d be spending time together this summer and then there was the wedding. What if there wasn’t any chemistry between us and it didn’t work out? Only one way to find out. I could deal with the consequences later. The kiss would be worth it.
Those lips...
“There you are.” Rayne stepped into the gazebo, effectively killing the moment.
Damn it! I released Kirsten from my hold as she opened her eyes, an expression of shock crossed her face. Was she disappointed?
“Sorry to interrupt but your mother is looking for you.” Rayne eyed me with a mischievous look. “Max said you might be down here.”
“Why is she looking for me?” I straightened my tie and retrieved my jacket from the bench. “Is everything okay?”
“She wants you to make a toast.” Rayne took Kirsten’s hand and led her toward the house. “You know, as the best man.”
You mean as the keeper of the gate?
Kirsten turned and smiled at me as Rayne hurried her up the path, giggling as they went. I took a deep breath as they disappeared into the trees. It would have been one hell of a kiss.
Until tomorrow, Dr. Dunlap...
Chapter Three
Kirsten
Dinner with Miles was light and fun. He made me laugh. A lot. He had this goofy charm about him but there was also a seriousness in his expression. One I hadn’t remembered when we were younger. I saw it when he spoke of Jameson and Max. He didn’t like being in the middle.
After we ate, we moved to the lounge of the posh restaurant. The manager sat us at a large leather couch that overlooked Capitol Hill. The lights of the city twinkled in the distance. Once she uncorked a new bottle of wine for us, she made herself scarce, but not before she lingered on Miles. I’d noticed most women couldn’t get a long enough glance when they were in his presence. The server, the hostess, the woman sitting at the table across from us as she ate with her husband. Miles seemed to be oblivious. He was obviously used to such displays of blatant desire because he managed to stay focused on me all night.
“Dinner was lovely.” I gazed around the bar. “Some of my colleagues have eaten here.”
“The colleagues you’re so busy filling in for all the time?” He poured the wine and handed me a glass. “The reason you don’t have much of a social life.”
“I choose not to have a social life.” At least I did until CC got engaged, and then I realized I woke up one day and I was thirty. “My career is very demanding.”
“I understand that.”
“That must make seeing someone difficult for you.” I didn’t know why I was so intrigued with his social life.
“I can’t say that I’ve had many relationships lately.” He swirled his wine around, looking a bit lost. “Most women get tired of being second. I don’t blame them but Jameson and I have worked really hard to become successful. We’re at the top of our game. Maybe when Max comes home things will be different.”
“In the meantime, how do you unwind?” Where am I going with this? “I mean, how do you find balance?”
“I guess I seek out companions who don’t mind my um... company for a few hours.” There seemed to be a hint of embarrassment in his tone but I was intrigued. “Those who aren’t looking for a conventional association.”
“That sounds convenient.”
“Not that I have time to indulge in that behavior often.” He drank his wine. “It works when it works.”
Would it work with me? Could I take part in that behavior? With him? As I drank my wine, I thought about how happy CC and Jameson looked last night. Would I ever find that life? When I gazed up from my glass, I found him staring at me. I was delusional. I could never find that kind of love with Miles Clark. He was too much of a wildcard. A man like that couldn’t settle down. No woman could tame him. But he could be useful for something else. Something that he was probably really good at.
“So, I was thinking since we are both so busy that maybe that kind of relationship wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”
“What kind of relationship would that be?” He sat back in the chair, studying me with that gorgeous, will you do anything I say, if I asked you to? stare.
“You know.” I gulped my wine, hoping it would help. “The kind that you’re used to.”
�
��No strings attached sex?” He smirked. “That kind?”
“Yeah, that kind.” I set my glass down on the table in front of us, my hand trembling from nerves. “I’m sure you’re the one who usually does the proposing but I didn’t think you would with me.”
“Why not?”
“Oh, well, I just... would you have?”
“Why don’t you tell me what you’re thinking?” He lifted the bottle to pour me some wine. “So there’s no confusion.”
Confusion? I couldn’t get it together if I tried. What the hell was happening here? “I probably shouldn’t.” I held up my hand but he ignored me. “I’ve had enough.”
“I’ll get you home.”
Was taking back this whole conversation an option?
“I thought we were having a nice, traditional date,” he said. “You’ve taken me by surprise, that’s for sure.”
“You don’t do traditional.”
“I don’t do nice either.” He bit the corner of his bottom lip, making it difficult to concentrate on anything else. “I can make an exception.”
“That’s the thing.” I took a calming breath. “I don’t want you to make an exception for me. I want you to treat me the same way you do all the other women you’ve slept with.” It would be easier for me to justify what I was asking if he treated me that way. Wouldn’t it?
“I haven’t slept with you.” He leaned close to me. “Back in high school, you didn’t want me to treat you the same way I did the others. That’s why you wouldn’t sleep with me.”
“I thought we agreed to forget about high school but since you brought it up...”
“Let me see if I understand all of this.” He motioned between us. “You want to have unattached sex with me. No commitments? Nothing traditional?”
“Yes.” I shifted in my seat when an image of him taking my clothes off entered my thoughts. It had been far too long since I’d had sex. “I’m not the first person you’ve done that with.”
“You’re the first woman who has asked me to do that.” He shrugged. “High school was a long time ago. I’m not the same person I was then. I’ve matured, you know.”
“I’m sure you have.” It had to be the wine that made me so bold. “I don’t mean to offend you, it’s just that I really need something like this in my life right now.”
