AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ty placed a finger under her chin and lifted it so that she had to look into his eyes. “Hey, I’m not complaining. Desire is the most perfect form of flattery. And I’m definitely flattered.”
She gave him a wry smile.
He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “I’ll get the pizza.”
She and Ty decided to eat on the floor in the living room and watch a movie. They found that they were both big fans of action adventure films. She would never have guessed when he’d come into her OR that day that she would have ever had anything in common with Ty. He continued to dumbfound her. By just riding into town he’d tipped her ordered world sideways. Somehow he’d added an excitement to it that she hadn’t even known had been missing.
With the movie credits rolling, she pulled herself up off the floor and started to gather the plates and pizza box.
“Do you always have to clean up? Have everything just so?”
She looked down to where Ty still sat with his back against the sofa.
“Leave it. You’d be amazed at how freeing it is. Bet you can’t do it.”
She dropped the empty box onto the table with a thud and turned to walk away. “Goodnight.”
“I didn’t mean to make you mad.” He sounded truly apologetic.
“It does get old when you’re always making snide remarks about how I live, dress, act.”
“Hey…” Ty made an effort to stand and groaned in the process.
Unable to help herself, Michelle rushed to him. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just stiff from sitting so long. How about giving me a hand?” He reached his hand towards her.
If she touched him again, what would happen? She’d made a point to keep distance between them as they’d watched the movie she’d still been acutely aware of him the entire time. Particularly after their hot unforgettable kiss earlier. Fear controlled her. She was afraid she could go into his arms far too easily, into his bed. And why shouldn’t she? He’d be gone soon. She’d be able to return to her settled life. But could she keep her heart uninvolved? She knew what losing someone did to a person. Would it be worth it?
“It isn’t a commitment for life. I just need a tug up.”
The man was perceptive. He didn’t miss much about her or people in general. That was a trait to be admired.
“Come on, Michelle, ma belle,” Ty sang, “live a little. Help a man out.”
His grin, as always, was infectious.
Michelle put out her hand and his firm, large one encircled hers. It was emblematic of what he was doing to her life. Blanketing it, binding her more securely to him.
She stepped back on one foot and pulled. Ty, in a lithe movement that made her suspect that he might have been faking his aches and pains, came to his feet. As he moved upwards she leaned further back. When she started to stumble his grip became stronger. He pulled her forward against his solid body, his arm circled her waist and held her firmly in place.
Ty’s eyes captured and held her attention. His mouth hovered inches from hers. She wanted to lean forward and touch them with her own, feel them pressed against hers again. Swallowing, she said, “You made up needing help.”
“Truthfully, I didn’t but it worked out well anyway.” His mouth lowered, taking hers gently, testing. This time he was asking.
Her cellphone sitting on the table rang and rattled against the wood.
“You’re not on call. It’ll keep,” Ty whispered against her ear, before he kissed the sweet spot behind it.
She wanted to do as he’d asked but she couldn’t throw away ingrained habits so easily, despite being on the road to heaven.
“I can’t.” She stepped away and Ty let her go.
“I know. It’s who you are.”
Michelle picked up the cellphone and answered. She listened, suddenly feeling sick. “I’ll be right there.”
Tears hit her cheeks before she could get them under control.
Ty put his hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“My mom’s in the hospital. She collapsed. Her neighbor found her. I forgot to call,” she said frankly.
“Because of me.”
Michelle didn’t answer. “I have to go.” She headed towards her room for her shoes.
“I’m going with you.”
She stopped and looked at Ty. “No, you need to stay here and rest. You look like a postcard for a hospital stay yourself. Being black and blue.”
“If I were a man with less self-esteem I might be devastated by that comment. I’m going with you.”
“You don’t—”
“I said I’m going.”
She’d been alone with her mother’s illness for so long that she couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have someone along for support. It sounded nice, really nice. “Okay, but I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll stay as long as you do.”
“If you start hurting you’re getting a taxi back here. I don’t need two people in the hospital to care for.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She knew that tone well by now. Ty would do as he pleased, no matter what she said.
“Michelle.”
She looked at him. “Yes.”
“Don’t think what was happening here is over.”
Heat zipped through her, carrying anxiety, apprehension and the sweet thrill of anticipation. Ty wanted her. Not only now but later.
CHAPTER SIX
TY WAS GLAD to see Mrs. Ross settled in a room and comfortable. Her blood count had dipped, making her feel light-headed and causing her to fall. With a blood transfusion and a couple of days’ stay in the hospital, she’d be home again.
Michelle had stress written all over her face. Was this the same self-assured woman Ty was beginning to know so well? Her mother’s illness was taking its toll. Her breakdown in the OR and the over-the-top fear she’d experienced when she’d been called about her mother said her emotions were tissue-paper thin. She’d been carrying the load of worry by herself for far too long.
At least he was here for her now. He hadn’t been for Joey. That pure, raw panic in Michelle’s eyes had reached deep in him, to the place where he didn’t want to return.
Ty looked at the mother and daughter as they spoke quietly. Where it had once been a strong woman and a weaker one, now all Ty saw was two fragile women who loved e
ach other. Even though he wasn’t completely comfortable with how involved in Michelle’s life he had become he would support her to the best of his ability until it was time for him to leave.
“You two need to go home. I’m all right. The nurses will take good care of me tonight,” Mrs. Ross said, looking past Michelle to where he sat.
“Mother, I don’t want to leave you in here alone,” Michelle said.
In a stronger voice Mrs. Ross said, “Ty, please see that Michelle gets home safely. She’s tired and you don’t look much better. You shouldn’t have come anyway with all those injuries.” She looked back at her daughter. “I’ll go to sleep as soon as you are both gone.”
“Mom—”
“No argument. Ty, take care of her.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He went to stand beside Michelle’s chair. “Come on. We’ll come back first thing in the morning.” He took her elbow with his uninjured hand and urged her to stand.
Michelle leaned over and kissed her mother. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll be here.” Her mother gave her a weak smile. “Thanks, Ty.”
He nodded. In the parking lot he said, “Let me have your keys. You’re too done in to drive.”
“You drive a motorcycle.” Michelle yawned wide and long.
“I assure you I remember how to drive a car.”
Michelle handed over the keys without further argument. Ty helped her into the passenger side of the car and closed the door. She was dead on her feet. He’d had induced sleep the night before while she’d been up checking on him every hour or so. He didn’t remember every time she had, but as conscientious as she was he knew she’d done it. If he didn’t miss his guess he’d say she’d not slept any today either.
As a surgeon part of her job was to have the stamina to work long hours but that wasn’t when you were emotionally involved. Worry over her mother had drained her.
Before he’d pulled out of the lot, Michelle’s head was bobbing. “Put your head on my shoulder.”
