Wild One (Summer Rush #5)

by Cheryl Douglas

  “Which means I also know you’re the guy who got her pregnant.” He dropped the Mr. Nice Guy act and glared at Dec. “Then accused her of being a whore.”

  “I never said that.” Dec knew he had no right to defend himself. He deserved anything Marika’s friends wanted to hurl at him. “But for the record, I feel like shit for being such an asshole about that. I tried to call her and apologize, but by then it was too late. She’d already…”

  “Lost the baby.” Calvin shook his head. “Yeah, that hit her hard.”

  “It did?”

  “Of course it did.” Calvin shook his head, looking disgusted. “She treats sick kids for a living. You don’t think losing her own would’ve hit her hard?”

  “She wouldn’t give me much insight into how she was feeling,” Dec said, watching the hallway, waiting for her to reappear. “I didn’t know if she was sad about the miscarriage or relieved.”

  “I can assure you she wasn’t relieved.” He waited for Dec to look at him before he asked, “So what the hell are you doing here? That happened a long time ago.”

  “I needed to see her again.”

  “Why?”

  He shrugged, not sure he could make sense of it himself. “Just some things I needed to say to her.”

  “Like what?”

  “Look,” Dec said, trying to rein in his frustration, “I get that Marika’s your friend and you’re trying to look out for her, but this is none of your business.”

  He got up in Dec’s face. “The hell it isn’t.”

  ***

  Marika was sitting on a bench outside of the restroom, texting her best friend.

  I don’t believe this. He’s here!

  Who?

  Baby-daddy

  OMG! Are you going to tell me who he is now?

  Calvin wasn’t stupid. He’d undoubtedly put two and two together by now and would report back to his wife.

  Declan Madsen

  SHUT UP!

  Marika could almost hear her best friend squealing. She was a huge baseball fan and had often claimed Dec was the sexiest player on any field. She had no idea…

  I think I’m gonna throw up

  Why is he there?

  Said my brother asked him

  Marika couldn’t blame her brother. He didn’t know about her one-night stand or the pregnancy. He’d just seen them make casual conversation over dinner. He hadn’t seen her get into the limo with him after the event… or the things she’d let him do to her in that limo.

  Have you talked to him?

  Yeah

  And?

  Weird

  He was the same, but different somehow. When she’d met him the first time, he’d been sexy and carefree. He’d laughed and smiled all the time. Now he seemed more intense and maybe a little sad.

  Weird how?

  She swallowed when she saw Dec walking down the hall toward her.

  Gotta go. He’s coming!

  You gotta call me later. I don’t care what time it is.

  Will do

  He sat beside her on the bench after releasing the button on his suit coat. “Hey.”

  “Hey.” She put her phone back in her purse. “So what are you really doing here?”

  “I had to see you.” His eyes grazed every inch of her body before they settled on her face. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Thanks.” So do you. “But you know you shouldn’t be here.”

  He waited until the ladies walking out of the restroom were out of earshot before he said, “I know. I couldn’t help myself, I guess. I still think about you. A lot.”

  She thought of him too. Especially when a child the age theirs would have been walked into her office, needing someone to take care of them. She tried to remain professional and she’d go crazy if she let every child that age trigger a memory, but when she was tired or her defenses were down, she thought about it.

  “I think about… uh… our loss too.”

  “Don’t do this,” she pleaded. “This isn’t the time or place for this.”

  Two men walked down the hall toward the back office. They were engaged in conversation until they spotted Dec. When they stopped in front of Dec and Marika, they demanded to know if Dec was who they thought he was. He put on his game face and greeted them like old friends, giving Marika the opportunity to slip away. But even as she did, she felt his eyes boring into her backside. Damn. It was going to be a long night.

  Chapter Two

  Dec had been trying to get close to Marika all night, but people kept getting between them. Since she had helped her brother and sister-in-law coordinate the event, a fund-raiser for children who’d suffered from acute liver failure and required a transplant like their ten-year-old daughter had, she was being pulled in dozens of different directions.

  Dec finally got a few minutes alone with her brother though, and he seized the opportunity to learn more about the object of his fascination.

  “Does she ever stop?” Dec asked, watching Marika run from one post to another, first talking to someone behind the silent auction table before making her way across the room to have a word with the DJ.

  Randall chuckled. “You mean my sister? No, I’m afraid not. I worry she’s going to burn out one of these days. She works too damn hard. That’s bound to catch up with her sooner or later.”

  Dec could think of a few ways to help her relax. Starting with a full body massage followed with multiple orgasms. He knew for a fact that was a sure-fire way to make her forget her responsibilities for a while.

  “Hey, if you’re going to be in town a while, you should stop by the general hospital tomorrow. I bet the kids there would love to meet you.” Randall grinned. “And my sister works in the medical building right next door. She could show you around, introduce you to some of the patients.”

  “I’d love that.” Not only would he hopefully put smiles on a few kids’ faces, but seeing Marika again would put a smile on his.

  “Good, I’ll tell her to expect you.”

  “Um, would you mind keeping it between us?” Dec looked at the other man out of the corner of his eye. “I do a lot of these hospital visits and it’s usually more fun when it’s a surprise.” Besides, there was no way in hell Marika would agree to it if her brother gave her a heads-up.

  “Yeah, sure. I get that.”

  “So, uh, your sister isn’t seeing anyone?” Dec was past the point of being subtle. He didn’t give a shit who knew he had a thing for Marika.

  Randall chuckled. “When would she have time? My wife and I keep telling her she has to make time, especially if she wants to get married and have a family of her own someday.”

  “You think she wants that?” Dec asked, gripping his glass a little tighter when he saw her agree to dance with a good-looking guy with salt-and-pepper hair. He was older than Marika, but Dec suspected the gray streaking his hair was premature. “Kids? A husband?”

  “No doubt in my mind.” He watched his sister for a minute. “And you’ve got to see her with kids, Dec. It’d be a crime for her not to have some of her own.”

  Seeing her with little Angela had been tough, because it reminded him of the child they’d lost. He wondered if Marika dealt with that every day. He hoped for her sake she didn’t. It seriously sucked.

  “You know that guy she’s dancing with?” Dec asked, setting his empty glass on a passing waiter’s tray with an appreciative nod when the man’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “Yeah, he’s a doctor in the building where she works. He’s asked her out a bunch of times, but I don’t think she’s ever said yes.”

  “Huh.” It had taken him an hour to convince her to say yes, so he didn’t think the guy was a real threat. “Then you don’t think she’ll mind if I cut in?”

  Of course Randall couldn’t answer that—since he was clueless about their history—but Dec had never needed anyone else’s approval before going after something he wanted.

  “I doubt it,” Randall said.

  “
Then I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Hey, Dec? Thanks for being here tonight. And that donation… well, I can’t thank you enough for that.”

  A hundred grand seemed like a small price to pay to see Marika again, especially since he knew it was going to a good cause. “My pleasure.”

  Marika clearly saw Dec before he reached them, and her smile was tight when her date stepped back, allowing him to cut in.

  “What are you doing?” she asked between clenched teeth when her doctor friend walked away.

  “I’m saving you,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re welcome.”

  “I don’t need you to be my hero,” she said, tipping her head back to look him in the eye. She was wearing heels, but she was still a good eight inches shorter than he was. “In fact, I don’t need you for anything. Ever.”

  “You ever think about it?” he asked, refusing to back off. “That night we spent together?”

  “Oh my God,” she said, blushing. “We are not talking about that here.”

  “Fine, you pick the time and place.” He grinned when she rolled her eyes. “You do think about it, don’t you?” He knew she hadn’t had many lovers and it wasn’t easy to forget a night and morning like that. “I know I do.”

  “Why would I think about it? I have more important things to think about, like healing sick children.”

  He curled her hand against his chest and pulled her closer, letting his other hand slide down her bare back. “Don’t you ever need someone to take care of you?” His voice was low, intimate. “I can be that guy, you know. The one who tends to your needs.”

  “You?” Her eyes widened, her pupils dilating. “I’m not even sure you can take care of yourself. You’re nothing but an overgrown child.”

  She wasn’t the first person to call him that. In fact, his family often gave him grief about growing up and settling down. With a nice girl, they’d say. Someone just like Dr. Marika.

  “I took pretty good care of you that night though, didn’t I?” He pulled her closer while thinking about all the ways they’d explored each other’s bodies. He brushed his lips across her cheek. “Made you forget all your problems for a while, no?”

  Her breathing was shallow when she said, “I refuse to go there. You’re not going to make me think—”

  “About how good it felt?” He hadn’t intended to come on so strong—and in a public place, no less—but damn, having her back in his arms felt so good, he couldn’t help himself. He thrust his hand into her hair, bringing her ear close to his lips. They were crossing every line, their stance way too intimate for a public place where kids were present, but if this was his only chance to say the things he needed to say to her, he would make sure she fell asleep thinking about him tonight. “About how right it felt to have me—”

  “Stop it.” She pushed against his shoulders. “You can’t… we can’t…” She shook her head, looking adorably flustered as she gathered the train of her gown and made a dash for the door.

  Dec watched her go, thinking there was no way in hell he could let that woman get away again.

  ***

  Marika was trying to get a breath of fresh air outside, but it was no use. She couldn’t catch her breath. The things Dec said to her, the way he made her feel. She shouldn’t be so attracted to a man who’d basically called her easy as he tried to shirk his responsibilities.

  After slipping her phone out of her purse, she typed two words to her best friend.

  Help me!

  Her reply was immediate. What’s going on?

  He’s too tempting

  OMG! Did he ask you to go home with him again?

  He doesn’t live here anymore

  Fine. Did he ask you to go back to his hotel room?

  Not yet. But I’m sure he would if he thought I’d say yes.

  Would you?

  No! Her fingers were still poised over the keypad as she considered that question carefully. Maybe. Oh hell, I don’t know.

  Just make sure he double bags it this time! Or maybe he needs the XL. That could have been the problem last time.

  Marika smiled at the screen. She may not have told her best friend Dec’s name, but she had told her every other little detail about that experience.

  Yes, ma’am

  She slipped her phone back in her purse and rolled her shoulders, trying to work out some of the kinks. She was stressed and exhausted, which was what made Dec’s offer so enticing. One night. One night to forget her problems. To have someone willing to tend to her needs. She tried to pretend she didn’t need anything or anyone, but damn. A girl needed to a little attention every once in a while. Four years was a hell of a long time to be celibate.

  “Let me.”

  She felt strong hands gripped her shoulders.

  “Oh God.” She should push him away, but it felt too damn good. “This is a bad idea.”

  “Hey, doc,” he said, bending over to whisper in her ear. “My limo’s parked right over there. Why don’t we continue this behind closed doors?”

  “I can’t.” As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t let her guard down with this man.

  “Just ten minutes of your time. That’s all I’m asking.”

  Her eyes closed and her head fell forward, but as soon as she heard voices making their way outside, she instinctively grabbed his hand and hauled him toward the parked limo. He was right. They needed to have this out.

  Dec crawled into the limo behind her, closing the door before he instructed the driver to raise the privacy glass. Marika knew she should object to leaving the party, but she could barely keep her eyes open as he hauled her back against his strong chest.

  His lips grazed her collarbone, her shoulder, her neck. “How long has it been since you let someone take care of you, Marika?”

  His hands were working their magic, kneading her tight muscles and making her think he could make her spill just about anything.

  “Long time,” she whispered, letting her head fall forward as she moaned in appreciation.

  “Beautiful, you can’t make noises like that unless you want me to…”

  The threat was obvious, but Marika couldn’t help the noises that slipped from her lips.

  “Damn it,” he said, pressing his mouth against her ear. “You’re killin’ me here.”

  She wouldn’t invite him to take her. She couldn’t. No matter how good it would feel.

  He unzipped her dress, presumably to gain better access so he could continue his massage, but as soon as the top of her dress fell away and he realized the gown had built-in cups, eliminating the need for a bra, he swore softly. His hands moved to cup her breasts possessively. She leaned into his touch, resting her hands on his thighs as he rolled and plucked her nipples while kissing her neck.

  She didn’t mean to rock back into him, but as soon as she felt his erection prodding her, she was in deep trouble. She didn’t know if she could stop. Or if she even wanted to. She’d convinced herself she was too busy for casual sex and abstinence was a guaranteed way to avoid unplanned pregnancy, but now she couldn’t think of a single good reason not to take him up on his offer.

  “Dec…”

  “Yeah, baby?”

  “Touch me.” She’d never invited a man’s touch before. Only his.

  His growl was rough as he hauled her dress up and found she wasn’t wearing panties. “What the hell is this?”

  “Didn’t want panty lines,” she whispered, letting her head fall back on his shoulder.

  “No way could I have kept my hands off you if I’d known you weren’t wearing anything under this.”

  She closed her eyes when his finger stroked her, stealing her breath. She turned her head, suddenly needing his mouth on hers. He immediately obliged, taking her in as deep a kiss as their awkward position would allow.

  “Damn, I’ve wanted to do that for so long, Mar. I’ve wanted to get my hands on you again. To touch you. To feel you touch me.” His breathing was labored, his arousal obvious
. “I need you. Jesus, I’ve never needed another woman like this.”

  She moaned as his fingers picked up their pace while he continued telling her everything she wanted to hear. He was breaking down her defenses, slowly but surely. Just as he had the first time, when he’d convinced her there was no law against two consenting adults having a one-night stand.

  “I think about you way more than I should.” He dipped his tongue inside her ear before his lips trailed across her jaw. “My fantasies, they’re all of you. Every time I get off, it’s you I’m thinking about.”

  “Oh… I…” She erupted so suddenly, it stole her breath. Her entire body tingled and throbbed, yet he continued that maddening rhythm, trying to convince her she could do it all over again. “I can’t,” she whispered, pushing his hands away.

  When she turned to face him, her dress gathering around her hips, he took her face in his hands. “You are so gorgeous. I need you with me tonight. Please.”

  She wanted to, more than anything. But he’d taught her four years ago it was dangerous to let her body make the decisions. “I can’t, Dec. I have to get back inside.”

  He closed his eyes before drawing her in for a long, slow kiss. “I can’t go back in there like this.”

  She felt a surge of guilt, given how she was leaving him, but there was no way she could help him with his problem without getting in too deep. “Um, I…”

  “Hey, you don’t owe me a damn thing.” He kissed her fiercely. “If anything, I owe you. Big time. And I want to make up for every shitty thing I said and did. If you’ll let me?”

  Could she forgive him? Was she even mad anymore? She wasn’t one to hold a grudge. In her line of work, she knew better than most that life was too short to waste even a single day. “Dec, I’m not mad at you anymore, honestly. But—”

  “I’m still mad at myself.” He slipped her straps up over her shoulders and did the zipper up while placing a tender kiss on her shoulder. “It still pisses me off when I think about the fact that you had to go through that alone because I was too stupid and selfish to—”