With enormous effort, I pulled back a little, dropping small parting kisses on the corners of her puffy mouth.
“If I don’t stop now, I won’t.” My voice was hoarse. “And as good as not stopping sounds, I don’t want to push you into anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
Tasha let out a long exhale and rested her forehead on my shoulder for a minute before easing away from me. “You’re right. I wish I was the kind of girl who’d saywho caresand drag you up to your bedroom, but I’m not.” She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, her brows knit. “And it’s more than just my job and the fact that you’re a patient. I have my own history, too. I can’t do impulsive anymore. I tried it once, and it was a disaster.”
I nodded. She must’ve had a doozy of a break-up at some point. “I get that. I’m not looking for quick and easy, Tash. I want more with you. At least, I think I do. I’d like to have the time and opportunity to find out for sure.”
She met my eyes, searching in mine for something. “I ... I haven’t been looking for anything, Derek. For anyone, I mean. I’m just getting back on my feet.”
“I promise, I won’t push you into anything.” I snagged her hand again and lifted the knuckles to my lips. “Just ... don’t say no, okay? Be open to possibilities.”
She gazed up at me, and I could tell she was thinking, taking stock of every angle of this situation. When she finally smiled, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
“Okay. Possibilities. But—” She raised one finger between us. “We keep this quiet. I don’t want trouble at work. And when you’re at the clinic with me for your appointments, no funny business, got it? There are lines I won’t cross.”
“I understand.” I squeezed her hand. “With that in mind, I need to ask you two questions: one to Ms. O’Hare, my therapist, and one to Tasha, the woman who turns me on just by giving me a dirty look.”
Tasha rolled her eyes. “All right. Both of us are listening. Shoot.”
“After how well I did today, I was thinking about going back to work, at least part-time. What do you think?”
She grinned. “I’ve been waiting for you to ask about that. You’ve been ready for a few weeks, but it had to be on your timetable. I think you can handle it without any problem. Maybe start this week at just three days, and take it easy. You’ll be surprised at first how much it takes out of you, going back to a regular routine after being off for so long. Oh, and no physical training for three weeks—and after that, modified PT. I want you to ease back into that regimen.”
“Will do.” I saluted her, earning myself a poke in the ribs. “Now, Ms. O’Hare, what do you think about me asking this super-hot chick Tasha on a date? I was going to suggest we drive up to Richmond, so she doesn’t have to worry about anyone seeing us and getting their panties in a bunch.”
“Hmmmm.” She tapped her chin, eyes narrowing. “Are you interested in this, uh, super-hot chick?”
“Completely. She’s all I can think about.”
Her lips curled up into a smile. “And you think she might be interested, too?”
“Well.” I leaned down as though I was about to confide a secret. “She just gave me the kind of kiss that makes me think she is.”
“Was it good, this kiss?” Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t look away from me.
“It was the best fucking kiss of my life,” I murmured. “It made me want to drag her up to my bedroom and do things that would make her come until she screams my name. And it also made me want to keep on kissing her until neither of us could breathe.”
“Well, then.” Tasha tilted her head. “As your physical therapist, I think I’d have to recommend that you ask her out. Your idea sounds perfect—very thoughtful and accommodating.”
“But do you think she’ll say yes?”
She slipped her arms around my neck, urging my lips close to hers, and kissed me with her mouth open, her tongue stroking against mine. Just when I was about to reconsider the whole dragging her up to my bedroom idea, she murmured something low.
“I think it’s a pretty safe bet that she will.”
