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“Does there have to be a point? We enjoy spending time together, with and without clothes. That could be the point.”
Teddy nodded, damp hair falling all around her shoulders. “I want to fall in love someday, Cal. I want to fall in love and have a baby with a man who wants that, too. It doesn’t necessarily have to result in marriage, but I want the love and commitment and family, and you don’t.”
She was right, I didn’t want that. When I closed my eyes and pictured my future, it didn’t contain any of those things. “Can’t we just have fun until you find that?” I ignored the ache in my chest at the idea of her finding love and carrying another man’s baby, which was strange. And screwed up.
She laughed. “How will I find him while I’m sleeping with you?” She shook her head. “No, because despite your stance on love and commitment, Cal, you’re a likable guy. You’re charming and handsome and really good in bed.”
“I like where this is going.” I rolled my wrist to motion for her to keep talking and she grinned.
“My point is that it would be easy to fall for you, no matter how loudly you scream that you don’t want it and won’t change for any woman. You are an easy guy to fall for, and I refuse to put myself in that position again.”
Her words were so matter-of-fact, so blunt that I couldn’t be upset if I wanted to, because she was right. I didn’t want that—and more, I didn’t want another scene like the one that had just played out with Alana.
Instead of addressing the specifics, I smiled and leaned in close. “I’ll bet I could change your mind.” I tossed the pizza back in the box and grabbed her ankle, kissing my way up the inside of her thigh.
She leaned back with a smile. “I’m happy to let you give it the old college try.”
So I did.
Teddy
Suzie looked up just as my hand balled into a fist, ready to knock on her open door, and she smiled. “Teddy, I was just thinking about you.”
I froze at her words and pulled my brows together. “Uh, why?” Suzie was hyper-efficient when she was determined, and I got the feeling lately that she was determined to play matchmaker. “Good things I hope?”
She laughed and the sound was a bit rusty, like she didn’t do it often enough. “You first. You have some photos for me?”
I nodded and stepped in with my phone in hand. “The stage is complete, along with the silent auction booths. All I need is your approval so we can start moving it to the auxiliary ballroom.”
Once that was done, it would be another item crossed off my list and a little less stress on my shoulders. I held my breath and waited for a list of changes that would be almost impossible to accomplish at the last minute, because that was just what clients were like in this business.
“They look great,” she said instead, stunning me into silence. “Seriously, Teddy. I never had any doubt, and the dimensions look perfect. Let me know if you have trouble fitting them in, and I’ll see if we can move some things around for you.”
“Really?”
“Yep.” Suzie laughed again and pushed away from her desk. “I’m grateful you managed to squeeze us in.”
I smiled. “Anything for a good cause, right? Within reason, anyway.”
“Right.” Suzie stood and motioned for me to follow her out of her office and down the hall. Thankfully, I had about four inches on Suzie, because her long strides were fast and purposeful. “Do you have a date to the fundraiser yet?”
“No,” I answered, slowing my steps. “Why?” I had a bad feeling in that moment, like a lamb being led to the slaughter, even as Suzie laughed.
“No reason,” she said in a sing-song voice. “Oh, hey, have you met Dr. Rusty Atkins?”
I glared at Suzie’s mischievous smile because she knew damn well I didn’t know the attractive redhead with the closely cropped beard and piercing green eyes.
“No.” I turned with a smile. “I think I would have remembered.” He was beyond handsome, ruggedly gorgeous with an easy smile and kind eyes. “Are you new here?”
“Hopefully,” he answered and flashed a look at Suzie. “I just interviewed to run the emergency department here.”
The job Cal didn’t want. Interesting. “Well, good luck to you, Dr. Atkins.”
He held a hand out to me and his eyes darkened. “Please, call me Rusty.”
“Rusty, I’m Teddy. Nice to meet you.” His hand was big and mostly smooth, but a few calluses said maybe Rusty spent his time out of the ER in the great outdoors.
“Teddy. A beautiful name for a very beautiful woman.”
Handsome and forward? Sign me up. “Thanks. Don’t think anyone has ever said my name was beautiful before.” And I liked him even more for that small compliment.
