by Thianna D
Something burned in Corbin’s gut at Marcus’ words, but he refused to consider that it might be anything other than stomach problems. “Don’t suppose you got any antacids?”
“Stomach upset?” Marcus asked, going over to a set of thin drawers and pulling one open.
“Stress from rescuing damsels,” Corbin said dryly making him chuckle.
“This should do.” A small plastic container with a chalky white pill pressed into his palm.
“Thanks.”
Zinnia barely moved for fifteen minutes and when she did wake up, her eyes blinked open and she stared up at him in confusion. “What happened?”
“You passed out.”
She blinked again. “My car?”
“Jonathon’s having it towed.”
Nodding, a small blush covered her cheeks as she realized she was in a doctor’s office. “Umm,” she whispered as her eyes fell on Marcus.
A professional smile crossed his lips. “Hello, Miss Loraine. My name’s Marcus Devon. I’m Corbin’s Bend’s physician. How do you feel?”
“Groggy.”
“You went into shock,” he explained kindly as he took her pulse. “Not unexpected due to the accident.”
He checked her vitals and once it was obvious she was okay, just embarrassed, he allowed them to leave. “If you have any symptoms that seem strange,” he told her, “call me. Shock can do crazy things to the body. Now I want you to rest the rest of the day. And no alcohol for twenty-four hours. All right?”
She nodded and left the office quickly.
“Thank you,” Corbin said, as he held the door open for himself. “I appreciate your quick work.”
Marcus smiled. “No problem. It’s what I’m here for.” Yelling erupted on the other side of his office door and Marcus sighed ruefully. “Three sons and a wife. They keep me on my toes.”
With an attempt at a smile, Corbin nodded before leaving, unlocking his car as he approached it. Zinnia was in the passenger seat before he even got close. He slid into the driver’s seat. “So, where do you live?” he asked.
With a snort of a laugh, she gave him directions. Her house was in a section with a lot of neighbors and he noted all the kids playing in their front yards and a few dogs romping around in a grassy area a little ways away. He walked with her to her door. “Zinnia, will you be all right?” he asked as she unlocked the door.
She turned her bright eyes on him. “I always bounce back,” she said, sounding more like she was trying to convince herself than him.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his wallet and handed her one of his cards. “Call me if you need anything,” he said. “Whether it’s that you need food or just need to get out of town until your car’s fixed. I’m new in town, too, but there’s no reason not to be neighborly.” Except he was smart enough to know he wasn’t just being neighborly. While he would have been willing to help anyone in trouble, he liked Zinnia. Her humor, her ability to bounce back, her nice rounded hips and buttocks. All of it called to him. And while that was dangerous, Corbin felt like dabbling in a little danger right now.
She paused and worried her lower lip with her teeth for a moment. “Would you like some hot chocolate?” she asked tentatively.
“Love some.”
* * * * *
Zinnia wasn’t sure if it was the aftereffects of the shock or Corbin himself, but she definitely felt safer when he was around. “Can I help?” he asked as the two of them walked into her kitchen.
“Cocoa’s in the upper cabinet on the left.”
As he reached for the chocolate, she got a pan and poured milk into it.
“Marshmallows?” he asked.
“Pantry, second shelf.”
There was an ease as he grabbed things while she heated up the milk. If it had just been her, she would have poured a healthy dose of alcohol into the drink, but one of the doctor’s requests was that she not drink for twenty-four hours. And she could really use some, too.
“Are you enjoying Corbin’s Bend so far?” he asked as she poured the milk into the two mugs he had already put the cocoa and marshmallows into.
“So far, so good,” she said and then grinned. “Life-changing accidents aside.”
A deep laugh rumbled in his chest as she led him into her living room. “Met anyone?”
“Besides you and Jonathon? I met my mentor, a Lizzy… something.” Zinnia grimaced. She was bad at names, always had been. Especially last names.
Corbin’s eyes lit up. “Lizzy Mayfield? I haven’t seen her in years. I look forward to seeing her again. She and her wife Marilyn are amazing people.”
“So I’m guessing you know a lot of people already?” It would make sense since the community was named after him, even if it had been a joke.
“A few. All the founders, of course, but since I didn’t move here until now, I probably know ten people here.” His eyebrows furrowed as if he was counting them up in his head. A little dent appeared right at the bridge of his nose and she found herself watching it with fascination. Corbin was a good-looking man, an incredibly good-looking man. “Brent, Char, Jason, Rose, Calbert, Jenna, Benjamin and Jonathon, at least long distance, Marilyn, and Lizzy. Yep, ten.”
She smiled as she took a sip. “Well, that’s eight more than I do.”
A twinkle entered his eyes. “Wait, no. Twelve. I know you and the doctor now, too.”
Laughing, she nodded. “I suppose that’s true. You might want to steer clear of me. I seem to be having lots of accidents lately.” Far too many. Not just here in Corbin’s Bend either. Geez. Was her bad luck following her?
The twinkle drifted out of his eyes and concern took its place. “Are you all right, Zinnia?”
Realizing she must have given herself away, she just smiled and shrugged. “My life seems to have been a series of accidents lately. Not sure why.”
“Maybe they’re guiding you to something.”
“Like what? Flying off a mountain?”
His expression went straight from friendly to stern. It made her flush. “Don’t say that. Never say that. Today was an accident. You’ll pick up and move on.” He took a pause as he sipped from his mug before he spoke again. “I’d miss you if you were gone.”
A shot of warmth flooded through her at his words. Nobody had ever said that before. “You’ll just miss seeing me freaking out at automobiles,” she said, trying to get things on a lighter tone. Corbin was too sweet. And she couldn’t fall for anyone. It was far too dangerous.
He winked at her. “I don’t know. I think helping damsels in distress is something I had become rusty at. You’re helping me there.”
Giggling, she took a sip of her drink. Too suave and good looking. She should be wary of him and that was the problem. Zinnia was a bad judge of character usually. And yet, she couldn’t imagine Corbin turning out into a weirdo. For one thing, the last two guys she trusted she knew weren’t the best of people even when she went out with them. The same could not be said for the man seated in her living room.
“I’ve been told they have a movie theater here,” he commented after he finished his cocoa. “Have no idea what’s running but I haven’t been to a movie in years.”
“Me neither,” she admitted. “Usually I just Netflix it.”
He chuckled. “I never have gotten into that, myself. Tomorrow I thought I’d go check out one of the restaurants and hit the theater. Want to go?” It was said quietly, but something in his eyes as he asked the question set her heart to racing.
He was asking her out. On a date. She should say no, making up an excuse, something. “I’d love to.”
A large, relieved smile crossed his face. “Wonderful. Hopefully the movie will be worth it.”
“If not, we could always come back here and watch something online.” The words were out before she could think and heat filled her cheeks. Oh, she had it worse for Corbin than she thought.
He glanced around looking confused. “Where do you put your television?”
“I watch it on my laptop. And the screen is really tiny.”
Looking over at her, he chuckled. “Well, if the movie is bad, we can come back, grab your laptop and take it over to my place. My plasma TV has a connection for one.” He glanced at his watch and winced. “I would love to stay longer, but I still need to get down to Denver. Is there anything you need before I leave?” The way his eyes looked into hers and the solemn expression on his face, she knew he was completely serious and that robbed what would normally be a flippant reply.
“I’m fine. In fact, I think I’m going to go take a nap. After I call Jonathon, anyway.” She hoped her car wasn’t hurt too bad, though right at the moment she wasn’t sure she wanted to get behind the wheel of one again.
“All right.” He stood and took his mug into her kitchen, taking the time to rinse it out before putting it in the sink. By the time he walked back, she was at the door waiting for him. “Thanks for the chocolate,” he said with a warm smile.
“Thanks for saving me once again.” She just wanted to make him laugh, but the words came out breathier than she had intended. Added to the fact her eyes drifted to his lips, she assumed she was sending out all sorts of signals as his arms wrapped around her and he ducked his head, his warm lips pressing against hers. Oh, his lips were soft and they tasted of hot chocolate. Moaning softly against him, she molded her frame to his and kissed him back as her arms reached up and around his neck. When he squeezed her tighter, she took the chance to sink her fingers into his luscious hair. It was thick and soft and as she tugged on a lock of it, he let out a grunt she wanted to hear again.
Her lungs cried for oxygen. He must have had the same problem as he finally pulled away enough to give them a little air to breathe. “I’m not looking for a relationship,” he said in between panting breaths as he leaned his forehead against hers. “But I do want more than friendship.” His hands slid down her back, squeezing her buttocks lightly. “Think about that and let me know how you feel tomorrow night.” Leaning in again, he nipped her lower lip lightly, making her grasp on to him. “Damn, but you’re a beautiful woman.”
“I’m fat!” she exclaimed, not wanting him to lie just to get laid.
Crying out as his hand landed firmly on her ass, she looked up into his eyes in surprise. “Don’t ever put yourself down, Zinnia. You’re a beautiful, amazing woman. One I haven’t been able to get off my mind. Do you have curves? Yes! And thank god. I’m so fucking tired of women whose bones jab into a man to where it feels like having sex with a corpse. Fucking you would be a little bit of heaven.”
Her mouth dropped open and she stared at him, unable to speak. Patting her rump one final time, he pulled back. “I’ll be here to pick you up at six.” She managed to nod before he moved around her, opened the door, and left. As the door closed behind him, she reached back and rubbed her rump. It didn’t hurt – he hadn’t hit her very hard – but the residual tingle made her grin. He liked her curves. And he wanted what she did. No relationship, no ties. Just fun and sex. And with a man like him, the sex had to be great.
Grinning madly, she trotted back to the living room to pick up her mug. This day had just gotten a lot better.
* * * * *
The next day dragged so by the time five o’clock arrived, she had tried every piece of clothing on at least twice. When she would notice her wide hips and abundant breasts as she looked in the mirror with every outfit, she would remind herself that Corbin liked her curves. As such, when he knocked on her door, she was dressed in a peasant blouse and tight black jeans with a bright purple belt clasped haphazardly over her waist. Slipping her feet into a pair of boots, she took one last glance in the mirror. Eagerness bubbled in her green eyes and her cheeks were bright pink from excitement. Her hair had behaved for the most part today and hung straight down her back. Unfortunately, her eyes instantly went to her wide hips and the deep décolletage of her blouse. “Blast,” she whimpered, knowing it was too late to change.
Taking a deep breath, she walked out of the bedroom and to her front door. Nervous as to his reaction, she opened it and glanced up at him as he spoke. “There you are. I thought—” His voice cut off and his bright blue eyes slid over her body hungrily. “Hot damn, Zinnia,” he murmured. “Can I have you for dinner instead?”
Relieved and beaming at his praise, she laughed softly. “Only if you include chocolate and whipped cream.”
His eyes flashed up from where they had settled at the apex of her thighs and he grinned wickedly. “Oh, that could be arranged. Come, let’s go out for dinner before I ravage you in your doorway.”
“Why, Mr. Nelson,” she teased, walking out the door, emphasizing the swing of her hips as she passed him. “Promises, promises.” His wonderful laughter followed her to his car. When she got to the passenger door, she found it still locked and turned, cocking an eyebrow at him. “Do you want me frozen?”
His eyes flicked to her breasts where her nipples shown even through the bra and her blouse and his grin grew. “Well, it does have its pluses, Miss Loraine, but for now, I figured I’d try to be a gentleman.” As heat flooded into her cheeks, he unlocked the door and opened it, waiting until she had settled herself before shutting it behind her.
A few seconds later, he slid into the drivers’ seat and started the car. “Where are we headed?”
“Brent spoke highly of all the restaurants, but I thought Endelé sounded good. Do you like Mexican food?”
“Love it. The hotter, the better.”
“Oh, I’m sure if they don’t make it hot enough, we can.”
Damn, the man was going to kill her… or make her jump him before they even arrived at the restaurant. That could be fun, she thought, grinning out the window.
Chapter Four
Corbin hadn’t been kidding when he told Zinnia that he wanted her for dinner. Damn, the woman was absolutely edible. That blouse showed off her tits nicely, not to mention those tight black jeans and what they did for her hips and ass. As they walked back to his car, he reminded himself part of his physical reaction was because he hadn’t had sex in too long. For a brief moment he tried to remember the last time and then realized if he had to think about it, it had definitely been too far in the past.
The interior of his car usually smelled of the cinnamon air freshener that sat in one of the cup holders between the seats. Now it was combined with a heavenly feminine musk that was part perfume, but also part Zinnia. Internally grimacing at a hard-on that over the last twenty-four hours had been very cumbersome, he couldn’t remember ever being so turned on. Not even by Lena in the days when he truly wanted her. It must be this release from his marriage, he supposed. He was finally free and was on a date with a beautiful woman. Of course his body would be pleased.
All of the parking places were full near the restaurant so he drove around until finding a place. Once they got out, they walked a brisk block to get there. “I hope the wait isn’t too long,” he remarked as he held the door open for her.
“If it is, I hope they have good margaritas,” she said, an impish smile crossing her face.
Grinning back, he said, “You on tequila. Is this a good thing?”
“Oh, it’s a very good thing,” she murmured, walking toward the hostess’s desk with a distinct swing of her hips.
Damn. He would need to tease her more if this was her reaction.
There were two tables open, one near a table with a bunch of rowdy kids and a booth surrounded by adults. It seemed like a no brainer to him when he said he would prefer the booth. As they slid in across from each other, he noticed Zinnia was giggling. “What?” he asked, pulling off his coat and sitting it next to him.
“Not a fan of kids, I take it?” she asked in amusement.
“Children are fine. When they’re quiet.”
Laughing, she nodded. “Yes, I agree.”
Their server took their order, bringing their drinks and a large basket of freshly made tortilla chips almost immediately before leav
ing. There were two bowls of salsa. “Which do you think is which?” she asked, picking up a chip.
“Not sure. They both look the same. I guess we’ll have to try and see if we can stand the heat.” He looked her in the eyes as he said the last few words, pleased when her eyes dilated a little and her breathing picked up.
“Oh, baby, I can always stand the heat,” she said in a deep purr, dipping her chip into one of the bowls and putting it in her mouth. A loud “Mmm,” came from her throat making him lick his lips as she chewed and then swallowed. “Good, but not very hot,” she said, picking up another chip. “How about this one?” As soon as the chip entered her mouth, he knew the salsa was hot. Her eyes widened and she started making little blowing noises through her mouth, trying to calm down the heat. As soon as she swallowed, she grabbed two chips and tossed them into her mouth, chewing fast and swallowing them soon after.
Taking a deep breath, she pointed to the salsa she tasted first. “Good flavor, very little heat.” Then she pointed to the one she’d just tried. “Fire-alarm.”
Chuckling, he dipped his chip into it and took a bite. “Holy hell.” Fire danced along his taste buds, singeing everything it touched. Shoving the rest of the chip in his mouth, he swallowed half his beer in an effort to douse some of the flames. She giggled, dipping her chips into the heat again. “You can have that one. I’ll stick with the one that won’t turn my tongue into dust.”
“Afraid of a little heat?” she teased, licking salsa off the edge of a chip.
Leaning forward, he looked directly into her eyes as she popped the chip into her mouth. “Not at all. I just prefer the heat to be a little lower.”
After swallowing her chip and taking a drink of the large lime margarita she had ordered, she looked up at him through her lashes, sending heat directly where it had been simmering all day long. “Oh, that area’s already hot, if you know what I mean.”
Reaching down to reposition his painful hard-on, he cocked an eyebrow. “So someone’s spanked you already today?”