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Then I bent and kissed her.
CHAPTER 5
MADDY
Hours later, I still felt his mouth on mine. The gentle possession of his lips molded to me. The way he held me tight, as if keeping me safe. I felt his concern, his understanding.
His desire.
He made me feel seen. Wanted.
They were odd sensations.
I sat up, touching my lips.
We had finished our picnic, the air between us more serious than earlier, but not uncomfortable. He shared a few more stories of his parents and siblings. Talked about the hospital. Asked me questions about Sue. My travels. He was a great listener, never interrupting, asking the right questions so I knew he was really hearing me. That he was interested in what I had to say.
He had expressed I had the qualities of a good nurse. He was, no doubt, a fabulous doctor. Empathetic and caring. I imagined he gave each patient the attention they deserved—that everyone deserved but few received these days.
I hoped one day to work with doctors like him.
He drove me home, walking me to my door. I hesitated, then smiled.
“Do you want to come in?”
“I can’t,” he replied. “I have a six a.m. shift, and if I come in, I’ll want to stay.”
“Perhaps you wouldn’t be invited.”
He cupped my cheek. “Or maybe I would be, and I wouldn’t be able to resist.”
I covered his hand with mine and rolled up on my toes, our mouths meeting again. He kissed me with such passion, his tongue twining with mine, his hold tight and secure. He explored me with a low groan deep in his chest, one of such satisfaction, it made me shiver. My nipples tightened as he tugged me closer, his muscles a hard wall between us. I whimpered as the kiss deepened and he pressed me to the wall beside the door. I wanted more. More of his kisses, of his breath, of the satisfied moans he was making.
More of everything.
All too soon, his deep kisses stopped. They became gentle, light brushes of his mouth on mine. Teasing little pecks on my cheeks, forehead and eyes. He stepped back, shaking his head.
“God, what you do to me, Maddy,” he murmured, tracing my bottom lip with his finger.
Teasingly, I licked the end of his finger, trapping it between my lips and nipping it.
“Back at you,” I murmured.
“Keep that up, and I won’t be able to control myself,” he replied, his eyes darkening.
I kissed the digit and lifted my eyebrows. “Promise?” I asked.
With a groan, he kissed me again, then stepped back. “Vixen. I have to go. Can I see you Sunday evening?”
“I can make us dinner if you want to stay in.”
“Really? I’d love that. But I want to take you out.”
“Next time. Let me take care of this one.”
He bent down and pressed his lips to mine. “Thank you,” he breathed. “I look forward to it.”
He straightened. “Inside. I’ll wait until I hear the door lock.”
