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But for how long?
I close my eyes as his lips descend on mine. He’s searching and soothing. I allow myself to drift away as his fingers begin to explore my body. I don’t want to think anymore tonight. I don’t want to talk. I just want to feel. So, I do.
He takes me against the shower wall with the warm water cascading over our bodies. I’m plunged into ecstasy more than once. And I forget everything that’s crowding my mind. At least for the night.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
WILLOW
We finished with clinic today around six. The rest of the office was quiet. Everyone had cleared out and was gone for the day. When Dr. Cooper invited me out for a drink at a local restaurant nearby, I agreed.
I drove the short distance to the place and met him at the entrance. He opened the door for me and followed when I took a seat at the bar.
The bar was shaped like an oval with booths on one side and tables on the other. It was separated from the main restaurant by a wall. Televisions flared overhead with sporting events. It was busy tonight with two bartenders behind the shiny counter. One handed me a menu, which I politely declined. I came here from time to time. I didn’t need to see the menu to know what to order.
I asked for a vodka tonic with lime. Dr. Cooper asked for a beer. I took a drink as soon as the glass was placed before me. The citrus flavor and bubbles tickled my tongue.
We made small talk. The place bustled around us, but it felt like we were the only two in the room. Once our first drinks werefinished, we ordered another round, neither of us ready to call it a night. Then, we added a couple of appetizers.
I wore a dress today. I caught Dr. Cooper’s gaze on my legs more than once from his spot beside me. Each time I noticed him watching me, the excitement would stir inside my belly. It was a temporary high that I was addicted to. The alcohol loosened us up, and soon, our stares lingered, and our words became playful. Flirty.
“Here, have some of this,” he said as he pushed a plate with artichoke and spinach dip closer to me.
I took a chip and scooped a bite. The cheese created one long string from my chip to the bowl that I broke with my finger.
“That’s good,” I said between bites.
“Ron,” a deep voice bellowed from behind.
I looked over my shoulder to see one of his partners standing behind my back with his wife. And I felt the blush as it rushed into my cheeks, like I had been caught doing something wrong. But wasn’t I? I was having food and drinks with my boss. My married boss. After hours. There was no reason for us to be at the restaurant together. The workday was finished. We were there because we wanted to spend more time together. I knew it. And his partner’s wife knew it—I guessed based on the judgmental expression on her face. I could see the disapproval clearly, but it didn’t seem to bother Dr. Cooper in the least.
The other surgeon was friendly. If he thought it was weird that we were there together, he hid it well. He and his wife were having dinner and then taking a dance class together at a place a few blocks away.
I tried to fake it but felt uncomfortable until they left. I told Dr. Cooper I was uneasy.
“Fuck ’em,” he said with conviction. “His wife is a bitch anyway.”
He had colorful language on his best days, especially in the OR.
We finished our food and drinks. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to drive home if I had another. He paid for the tab and then walked me outside. We said goodbye. I hugged him. I breathed him in as we were pressed together for a few moments. Then, we parted, and I left in my car. He drove behind me as we reached the intersection. I went left. He turned right. When I reached the next stoplight, my phone lit up from the console.
“Hello?” I said.
“Hey,” Dr. Cooper said. His voice sounded gravelly and thick. There was something underlying in his tone that got my attention, though I didn’t fully recognize what it was. “What are you doing?”
It struck me as a funny question. He knew what I was doing. But I didn’t laugh because there was a heaviness across the line.
“Driving home,” I replied instead.
I heard his breath in the silence.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
He paused. And then his next words changed everything. “Thinking about getting naked with you.”
I felt the flush across my skin. I was shocked and frozen. A few beats passed.
“Oh,” I choked out.
