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It had been so long for him and he found China irresistible. She hadn’t complained and she was always eager to please. Maybe he’d demanded too much. She’d seemed reluctant to leave him during their long kiss that had had him hot for her again before she’d climbed the stairs to her apartment. In fact, if he hadn’t been afraid he’d sound pathetic, he would’ve beg to go up with her.
Heaven help him, he had it bad. If he didn’t pull it together he’d pounce on China the second she entered the clinic. Robin, Jean and Doris would appreciate that show but he had no doubt that China wouldn’t. He glanced at his watch again. With a snort of disgust he pulled another chart off the stack.
Payton sensed China before he looked up to find her standing in the doorway.
“Hey,” she said almost shyly.
“Hey.” He grinned and came around the desk. To his disappointment, Larry came up behind her.
* * *
China didn’t know what she was thinking when she stopped by Payton’s office. That wasn’t her habit when she came in for her shift but she’d been dying to see him. Even her gardening hadn’t interfered with her daydreaming about him. She’d relived every moment they’d spent together, had even started to believe they might be building something lasting. Still, the closer she’d come to work time the more insecure she’d become. Maybe he’d just wanted her because she’d been available. He’d been sick, she was the first girl...
With nervous jitters, she’d approached his door and spoken. She had been relieved to see Payton smile and heat had come to his eyes. The same disappointment she felt showed on his face when Larry stepped up behind her. Just a look as simple and unsolicited as his made her stomach flutter. A warm, mushy feeling washed over her.
For all her believing she’d never let it happen, she’d fallen hopelessly in love with Payton.
“Hi, China,” Larry said, as he squeezed by her into the office. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” He glanced at Payton and then at her.
“No,” she and Payton said in unison.
Larry gave them both curious looks. She lowered her eyes and said, “I’ll let you two talk.”
China took a report from Robin then headed down the hall to speak to the two patients who were waiting in the exam rooms. Payton met her coming up the hall. He glanced around then grabbed her arm and pulled her into an empty exam room. Closing the door, he leaned back against it and brought her against him.
“I’m not leaving without this.” His lips found hers.
Any concern she’d had that Payton might not still be interested in her vanished. His mouth was hot and heavy, asking, begging and taking. She tugged his knit collared shirt from his pants and slipped her hands underneath, finding his warm skin, letting her fingers trail around to his back.
One long delicious kiss later China pulled away. Payton’s eyes held an intensity that said he wanted more. He desire pressed thickly against her. She sighed. Nothing had changed.
She said softly, “Payton, this isn’t the time or place.”
He let his forehead rest against hers. “I know. Can I see you tonight after you get off?”
“My parents are expecting me for dinner tonight.”
He let her step away but didn’t release her. “I’d love to meet your parents.”
Was she ready for that? That wasn’t a step forward she was sure she could make. What would Payton think of them?
“I don’t know.”
“Why? I’ve got to meet them some time. Come on, China. You’re not ashamed of me, are you?” He grinned.
How could she say no? The man she loved should know everything about her. Especially her parents. “Don’t be silly. If you want to go then be here at seven.”
* * *
Payton was sitting in the parking lot talking on the phone with his friend and physician when China slipped into the passenger seat. He smiled in welcome.
“Yes, John. I’ll have it redrawn tomorrow first thing.”
“This won’t wait, Payton. None of that pretending it will go away stuff. There may be nothing to it but I’m not taking any chances at this stage.”
“I understand. I’ll be a model patient, I promise.”
“That’ll be a change for the better.”
“Funny, buddy, very funny.”
“Tomorrow. No excuses.”
“I got the message. Later, John.”
Concern marred China’s features. “What was that all about?”
“Nothing. Just a friendly reminder to have my blood drawn.”
“That’s all there is to it, isn’t there?”
“Yes.” He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the lips before starting the car.
She gave him a suspicious look. “You would tell me if something is wrong?”
“China, stop fussing. I’m fine. Leave it alone,” he said, more sharply than he’d intended.
“I only asked because—”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “I know you care. Okay, which way to your parents’?”
“They live out the Bay Road but we’ve got to stop by the grocery store first.”
He backed the car out of the parking spot. “What? You don’t do the grocery shopping?”
“Mom needs a few things and she asked me to stop by and get them.”
“Is she sick?”
“No. Why?”
“I was just wondering why she couldn’t do her own shopping.” Payton pulled into the main street and headed toward the store.
“She mentioned she needed to pick up a few things and I offered to get them for her. Do you have a problem stopping?”
“No, I was just surprised, that’s all.”
Forty-five minutes later Payton turned the car into the crushed shell drive China indicated. It was a simple board and batten house on stilts, facing the bay. Painted a light gray and trimmed in white, it was similar to the other homes lining the road. It had a long green manicured lawn that met a pier that stretched out into the water. Plants graced the porch that wrapped around the place on three sides. It was obviously a well cared-for home.
Payton gathered the grocery bags from the trunk and followed China up the steps to wait beside her at the front door. A woman with short gray hair and world-weariness about her mouth greeted them at the door. She offered a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. How long had it been since she’d been truly happy?
“Hi, honey, come on in.” Mrs. Davis stepped back and allowed China and Payton to enter.
“Mama, this is Payton Jenkins.”
“Welcome, Payton. China told me she was bringing a friend. It’s nice to meet you.”
At one time being China’s friend had sounded good but now he wanted to be more. “Hi, Mrs. Davis. It’s nice to meet you.”
She closed the door and led them into a large, comfortable-looking room.
“China, I’ve waited for you to start dinner.”
Payton looked at China. She seemed okay with the arrangement. Why wasn’t her mom cooking? China had been at work all afternoon.
“Well, I’ll get started on the potatoes. I guess Father will want pork chops. I’ll add a salad as well. Father should be home soon, shouldn’t he?”
