Give it Up

by Lori Foster

  Then, in a small voice, Nora said, “What if I fall in love with him? No, Liza, I’m serious. I’m not the type to have an affair. I was a virgin when I married, and I haven’t been with anyone since.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” Liza’s tone sounded disbelieving. “When did your husband die?”

  “Two years ago. We were married only six months. Not long enough. I miss him still.”

  Heart in his throat, Cary moved to stand in the open doorway. Liza had just reached for Nora and embraced her. “Shame on me for bringing it all back up. I’m sorry.”

  Cary stared at Nora and said, “I’m not.”

  The file fell out of her hands again.

  Liza laughed and shook a finger at Cary. “You’ve had your ear to the wall, haven’t you?”

  “More or less.” He wouldn’t lie about it. He may have been a reprobate—almost as bad as Axel—but he would never lie to Nora.

  “Well, you two go on and talk it out.” Liza winked at Cary. “I’ll get this file put away.”

  Before she could react to that suggestion, Cary wrapped his fingers around Nora’s upper arm. She was stiff, silent. “Good idea.”

  “No.” Belatedly, Nora found her voice, although it was little more than a whisper. She pulled back, but Cary already had her through the doorway. He’d been headed to Axel’s office, so he continued on his way there, urging Nora inside and shutting the thick door behind them.

  He turned to face her, considered everything he wanted to say. But she was just standing there, her arms folded over her middle, her soft mouth trembling, her cheeks hot. And he jumped the gun.

  He kissed her.

  Nora didn’t have time to react. She’d done her best to block out his warm masculine scent, to ignore how fine he looked with his shirtsleeves rolled up and his tie loose. His visual appeal got to her every time, but she’d been resisting it for almost a year now. His brown hair, shades darker than her own, was immaculately trimmed but always disheveled in a very boyish way. His green eyes were teasing and they made her feel both lighthearted and needy.

  She’d been prepared to hear his coaxing voice, to withstand the intensity of his warm appraisal.

  But she hadn’t even considered a kiss. At least not now, not in the office. God knew she’d spent too many nights imagining what it’d be like, but she’d assumed it’d never happen.

  It had happened now. And the second his warm, firm mouth touched hers, coherent thought evaporated. Her mind felt sluggish, her skin far too sensitive, while her heart pounded fast and hard, making her struggle for breath. Mercy!

  It wasn’t an invasive kiss. It was gentle and sweet, soft and lingering. Her toes curled.

  Cary hovered so close she didn’t dare open her eyes or she’d be caught. They shared breath. His scent wrapped around her. His body heat added to the heat of the day and her own turbulence.

  “Nora,” he whispered, and his big hand curled around her nape, caressing, keeping her close. His palm was hot, too. Everything about the man sizzled. “Kiss me back.”

  She drew a stuttering breath. “I …” Don’t know how. No, she couldn’t say something that stupid. But it had been so many years, the memories of kissing had long since faded. The need remained, but the mechanics were vague. “I’m sorry.”

  His forehead touched hers, displacing her glasses. “I’m not giving up.”

  She almost laughed. For the length of time she’d known Cary, he’d been gently persistent, crawling under her skin and into her dreams, and not a day went by that she didn’t think of him. During the week, he found one reason or another to come to the office and talk with her. At every social event, he sought her out. “I know.”

  “I do so like kids.”

  That sudden disclosure startled her. “What?”

  He raised his head, gave her a long look, then straightened her glasses with a small smile. “When I bitch about it, that’s just exhaustion talking. If I didn’t love kids, I wouldn’t work so hard to keep them healthy.”

  Heat rushed into her face. “You said plain as day you didn’t want any.”

  He rolled one shoulder. “Men say that crap all the time. It’s nothing, just hot air meant to bloat our images as bachelors.” Then, more firmly, “I want kids. Someday.” And softly, “With the right woman.”

  Why did he have to look at her like that while saying such a thing? Nora tried to back up, but her shoulder blades were already touching the door. “Your someday is probably ten years away.”

  Eyes narrowed in consideration, Cary looked her over. “Will you go to dinner with me tonight?”

  She almost swallowed her tongue at the quick change in subject. “What does that have to do with you and kids?”

  There was that small smile again, teasing her senses, melting her heart. “I can’t start figuring out when someday will be until I start making headway with you.”

  Nora dropped back against the door; she needed it for support. “You just want to have sex.”

  “With you? Damn right.” He braced his hands on the door at either side of her head. “Bad.”

  Somehow, her heart was up in her throat, choking off her breath. She stared up at him, and got snared.

  Cary brushed a kiss to her chin. “Knowing you’ve been celibate two years just honed the knife.” He kissed her cheekbone beneath the armature of her glasses.

  “Knife?” she squeaked.

  “The one that cuts me every time I think of lying down with you.” His breath warmed her neck, then his mouth was there, damp, gently sucking.

  “Oh.” She literally panted. Without really considering it, she put her hands up against his chest—and froze at the delightful feel of solid muscles beneath fine linen. She could feel his heartbeat, too—hard, slow, and steady.

  “I want you bad enough that it hurts, Nora. Tell me yes.”

  He kissed his way up to her ear, leaving a damp, molten path behind on her neck. His tongue touched her lobe, prodded just inside, and her knees almost gave out. “Yes.”

  Grasping her shoulders, Cary lurched back to see her face. “Really?”

  Uh-oh. Nora blinked fast, bringing herself back to reality. What had she said? “Ummm …”

  His hold tightened. “No, never mind. I heard it.” His grin stretched from ear to ear. “Tonight?”

  Tonight. Tonight. “No, I, uh … I’m beat, Cary. I just want to go home and take a swim and then relax.” I want to go home and guard my heart.

  His brows pulled down. “Then tomorrow?”

  She started to shake her head—and Axel shoved the door open. She stumbled into Cary; his arms went around her, bringing her even closer, breasts to chest, belly to groin. He groaned, the sound both excited and pained.

  “What the hell?” Like a bull, Axel pressed in, forcing them out of his way. His eyes darted from Nora to Cary and back again. One brow arched high when he saw their embrace. “Playing doctor in my office, huh? Can’t you rendezvous in your own? It’s right next door.”

  Flustered, almost speechless, Nora shoved away from Cary. “We were just … we were … talking.”

  “Yeah, that’s what it looked like.” Axel’s gaze moved over her red face. “Talking.”

  “Shut up, Axel.” Cary caught her arm. “I’ll call you tonight.”

  Because Nora didn’t know what else to do, she fashioned a smile and nodded agreement. She’d rather deal with Cary on the phone than in person any day. Over the phone, she’d only hear his mouth, not feel it or taste it. “Fine.” She turned to Axel, knew her face was crimson, and brazened it out. “If you’re ready to lock up, I’ll just go get my purse.”

  She literally fled the office, aware of both men watching her, aware of her own awkwardness. It had been far, far too long since she’d dealt with an interested male. Never had she dealt with a man like Cary Rupert.

  Liza stepped out into the hall, intercepting her escape. “Everything settled?”

  Not about to linger for any reason, Nora grabbed her a
nd dragged her in her wake. In the short week that Liza had worked with her, they’d become close. Liza was relaxed and easy to be with, if a little too pushy at times, but she was also very caring and incredible with the patients. “Come on. Time to head home.” Nora wanted to be long gone before Axel and Cary made it outside.

  Liza laughed. “Running like the hounds of hell were on your heels. Or is it just one sexy hound you’re worried about?”

  “I’m not worried,” she lied. She was terrified.

  “You’re worried you’ll fall in love with him. You told me so.”

  Nora shook her head. She knew the awful truth: she’d been in love with Cary Rupert for months. Now that he knew why she fought it, what would he do?

  She bit her lip. “I’m not going to talk about this anymore. I’m going home for a dip in the pool. The water isn’t cold anymore, but at least it’s relaxing.”

  “A cold shower would be better,” Liza told her with a grin.

  “Maybe,” she agreed, accepting Liza’s triumphant laugh. But she knew a cold shower wouldn’t do the trick, either. She wanted Cary, now more than ever. And the wanting wouldn’t go away anytime soon, because Cary wouldn’t go away.

  He wanted only sex. She wanted it all.

  And Nora Chilton was not a woman who settled for half measures. She just had to keep reminding herself of that, especially now that Cary had turned up the heat.

  Chapter Two

  “So you and Nora have something going on, huh? And you weren’t going to tell me?”

  Cary turned away from Axel and started out of the office. Damn it, that hadn’t gone quite as he’d hoped.

  Axel followed along. Like a dog with a meaty bone, he kept chewing. “Never mind that we’re friends. Best friends, in case you’ve forgotten. And Nora works for me. She’s my responsibility—”

  Cary whipped around. “No way.”

  Smiling now that he had Cary’s attention, Axel said, “Way.”

  “Don’t even think it¸ Axel. I mean it.”

  Axel laughed. “What’s this? You struck out, but you’re afraid I’ll hit a home run?” He threw his arm around Cary and dragged him out the door. “Relax, man. I draw the line at fooling around with females in my employ. You know that.”

  Cary did know it, but lust had helped him to forget. “Yeah, I know.” And he added, “Sorry.”

  “Appreciate the vote of confidence, by the way.” They paused beside Axel’s new BMW. Axel put on his sunglasses and stared up at the sky. “The glasses didn’t throw you off?”

  With his mind still buzzing from Nora’s nearness, the feel of her, her taste, Cary was slow to achieve coherency. “What?”

  “Her glasses. I mean, even if you overlook the short hair—”

  “It’s sort of a Halle Berry thing, don’t you think?”

  “—and those shapeless uniforms—”

  “Which you insist she wear.”

  “—she still looks … I dunno. Studious.”

  Cary tried that word on for size. “Yeah, studious fits her. She’s smart.”

  “Of course she is. I wouldn’t hire a dumb woman.”

  “No, I mean beyond being a nurse. We’ve talked about everything from politics to family values, and she always makes sense. Unlike some people I know.” He gave Axel a sharp look, so he’d understand whom he meant.

  Axel ignored the insult. “She’s nothing at all like a bombshell, which since you still appear dumbfounded, I’ll point out is the type of woman you usually gravitate to.”

  Actually, that was the type of woman Axel preferred. Cary just went along for the ride. He grinned at his own sexual pun. Too many times, they’d picked up women together. Not strangers, but friends, acquaintances, sisters … Casual sex had lost its appeal a long time ago. Now he wanted more. He wanted Nora. “She’s sexy.”

  Dubious in the extreme, Axel said, “You think?”

  “You don’t?”

  Axel eyed him. “I’m not stupid enough to disagree with a besotted man. If you say it’s so, then it must be.”

  Cary bristled—until he realized that he sure as hell didn’t want Axel to start lusting after her, too. Talk about awkward. He slapped his friend on the arm. “Wise man.”

  “Yeah, so wise that I’m standing here on blacktop, in sweltering heat, trying to figure out how to tell you that you’re an idiot.”

  Sweat trickled down Cary’s temple. He swiped his forearm over his brow. “So just spit it out.”

  “She wants you, you want her. Why are you planning on having dinner with me?”

  “She turned me down.”

  “So?” With typical Axel mentality, he said, “Seduce her.”

  “You are such a Neanderthal.”

  “Cajole her. Reason with her. Go to her house and spill your guts.” Axel unlocked his car and pulled the driver’s door open. Heat rolled out in a suffocating wave. “Get laid—and then maybe you can be worthwhile company again.”

  Now there was a thought. She’d said she wanted a swim … Cary’s brain stalled at the image of Nora in a swimsuit with lots of skin showing. Almost to himself, Cary said, “I know where she lives.” Her neighborhood wasn’t that far from his.

  “So what are you waiting for?” Axel gave him a shove. “Go before you start sweating like a pig and gross her out. But if this screws up my office dynamics, I’ll kick your ass.”

  Cary saluted him and headed on his way. He heard Axel muttering about friends who didn’t even say good-bye anymore, but he paid little attention to Axel as his thoughts leaped forward. Would Nora let him in? Would she give him a chance to spill his guts?

  The idea of seducing her appealed to him in a big way. Cary got behind the wheel of his SUV and considered his options. By rote, he started the engine and turned the air on full blast before putting the vehicle in drive.

  Nora had been pretty pliable in the office, all because of one small kiss. How would she react to him touching her breasts, her belly? What would she do when he sank his fingers into her, making her wetter, making him hotter? He drew a shaky breath. She said she’d been two years without sex—she had to be primed, so it’d be easy…

  But no, that wasn’t fair to do to her. His hands clenched on the steering wheel. Damn it, he didn’t just want her carried away for the moment. He wanted her to want him, today and tomorrow and next month. Like Nora, he wanted more than a fling.

  He was almost to her home before the air-conditioning finally cooled down the interior. Not that he’d noticed much. The heat inside him put the sultry day to shame.

  Parking at the curb, he got out and surveyed her house. Small, neat, a Cape Cod with roses growing everywhere. She had a sprinkler going in the front yard, a summer wreath of flowers on the door. It looked homey. It looked like Nora, like what he wanted with her.

  A knock on the front door brought no results. Stymied, Cary thought about it a moment, then remembered her pool. Disregarding formality, he walked around back, his hands in his pockets, his reflective sunglasses shielding his eyes from the low-hanging sun. And there was Nora.

  Christ Almighty, she looked good.

  Cary drew to a halt and just stared. Like crystals, setting sunlight danced on the water around her. She rested on her back atop a float, her glasses gone, her short hair wet and slicked back—her belly showing.

  She was relaxed, limp, drifting in the small, rectangular in-ground pool. One hand rested above her head, the other trailed in the water. Her peach-colored suit was by no means a bikini, but the modest two-piece suited her. It was wet, clinging to her breasts so that the plump shape of her nipples showed. Cary stiffened his thighs, locked his knees. He wanted her in his mouth. He wanted to feast on those nipples and hear her cry out, feel her moving against him.

  With an effort, he got a grip on himself and continued his perusal.

  The swimsuit’s bottom was wide, but still rode beneath her belly button and was cut high on her thighs. He could see the rise of her mound, the tender inside of her t
highs.

  She wore sunscreen, because she was creamy pale all over, her fair complexion emphasizing her femaleness.

  Knowing he couldn’t continue to stand there like a voyeur, Cary forced himself forward, moving silently on the lush lawn until he stood at the very edge of the concrete pool.

  “Nora.”

  She jerked so hard she fell off her raft, legs and arms pedaling, sending a splash of water onto Cary’s shoes. When her head resurfaced, she sputtered, then squinted toward him, one hand shielding her eyes while she tried to see him without her glasses. “Cary?”

  “Yeah.” He sounded hoarse, but damn, he was getting hard already just looking at her. Water droplets beaded on her shoulders—and her nipples were no longer soft.

  As if she’d only just realized that herself, she crossed her arms over her chest. “My … my glasses are up there somewhere.”

  Cary located them on a lawn chair beneath a towel and knelt down to hand them to her. “Here you go.”

  She bit her lip, hesitated, and inched forward. Breathless, she said, “Thanks.” Maybe hesitant to face him, she slid the glasses on with slow precision. She kept her head bent. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “I know.”

  She swallowed, breathed fast, and finally, with excruciating slowness, raised her face.

  Cary pulled off his sunglasses. He wanted her to see his eyes, to know what he felt. “Can I join you?”

  Her jaw loosened and her mouth fell open.

  “My briefs will look like trunks to your neighbors, if any of them can even see us here.”

  She looked from one side of her privacy fence to the other. “Neighbors?”

  Her confusion charmed him. Gently, he explained, “There are houses, so there must be people living in them.”

  She nodded.

  Making the decision for her, Cary stood and unbuttoned his shirt. Her big doe eyes widened even more, and a pulse thrummed wildly in her throat. Her fascinated gaze tracked his progress, button to button, the widening of material, until he pulled the shirttails from his slacks and shrugged it off his shoulders. The sun on his bare skin felt good after the long day, and he stretched before putting the shirt on the back of the chair.