Providence (The Velvet Series Book 2)

by Diana Kane

  “I’m sure we will, but the best spot is on her family’s estate.” I smile as I think about the lagoon.

  “Are you leaving?” Abby’s question quickly snaps me back to reality. I can see the concern written on her face.

  “No. Probably not. I don’t know. That’s the problem without an easy solution. It makes little sense for me to leave here, yet I can’t ask Isabella to sacrifice her life to move here if I’m not willing to do the same. But I want to be with her. I don’t know what’s going to happen.” I sigh, trying to release my growing frustration. “You’ll be taken care of no matter what. One of the other partners would take you on in a heartbeat. Don’t worry about your position here.”

  “I’m not concerned about my position, just wondering if my friend is leaving.”

  “There is one other thing.” I pull the legal document out of the pile of papers on my desk. “I’d like you to look this over when you have some time. If it’s agreeable then sign it and get it back to me.”

  “What is it?” Abby asks as she reluctantly takes the document from me.

  “That would be your partner’s contract. It will grant you 10% off the cosmetic clinic profits and a few other perks. No buy in, just a guarantee of commitment to the practice.” Abby does cry this time. “You’ve earned this Abby. Everyone here knows it, has seen the work you’ve put into this place. You developed and run the cosmetic clinic practically on your own in addition to everything else you do for our patients. I certainly couldn’t do this without you.” Abby comes around my desk and hugs me.

  “I don’t know what I’m supposed to say.”

  “You don’t have to say anything. I promised when I hired you that I’d take care of you.” Honestly, there’s still a part of me that feels like I owe her more. She’s been my right hand for years now, and I know without a doubt I probably would have cracked ages ago if it weren’t for Abby.

  *****

  Time passes quickly, and before I can blink, I find myself walking out of the OR after a quick case to prepare for my birthday trip to Chicago. I’ve been busy enough that I haven’t had a chance to pack. Catherine and Alex are picking me up in less than an hour. They will likely have to wait a few minutes for me to get my things together. As soon as I walk in the door, I grab my laptop and connect with Isabella. No reason I shouldn’t be able to chat with her as I frantically pack.

  “Sara are you ready?” I hear Alex call from the entryway. I didn’t hear them pull in or Alex open the door.

  “I need a few minutes,” I call out as Alex appears in the doorway.

  “Hey Isabella!” They exchange greetings as Alex surveys my work. “We’ll be in the car.” Alex heads out as I try to gather the last few things I need.

  “Baby I’ve got to get going.” I hate having to disconnect so quickly, but I know I need to get out the door.

  “I know. I’m sorry I won’t be there for your birthday.”

  “Don’t be. It isn’t that big of a deal. I still want to talk to you while I’m in Chicago though.”

  “Of course. I love you. Have a nice trip.”

  “Love you too. Talk to you soon.” I close the laptop and my suitcase and head out the door. We pull into the airport and Catherine pulls directly up to the departures terminal.

  “Uh Catherine, they don’t have valet parking here.”

  “Oh, thank you for that.” I can see her smirk in the rearview mirror. She turns around and hands me my ticket. “You aren’t the only one capable of booking unexpected trips.” I check the ticket and discover that my flight is to Miami with a connection to Punta Cana.

  “You guys…” I feel my own tears threaten to make an appearance. “Thank you, really, thank you.”

  “We’d love to spend the weekend with you, but we all know you’ll be happier spending it with Isabella. Go, have a good time.” Catherine gives me a genuine smile.

  “I don’t have my passport. I’m packed for colder Chicago weather, not Punta Cana.” Alex steps out of the car and pulls a suitcase from the trunk. She opens my door and hands it to me.

  “Isabella packed this while she was here. You’re all set.”

  “Honestly Sara, you have a house without a safe. You keep your passport in your sock drawer.” Catherine turns and gives me my passport. “You should get going.” I quickly switch my toiletry bag from the suitcase I packed over to the one Isabella prepared. I’m happy to see something other than underwear in the suitcase. I give Catherine a quick hug between the front seats and Alex one once I exit the car.

  “Thanks you guys. You have no idea what this means to me.” I shut the door and head into the airport. After checking in and heading through security, I settle in outside my gate and connect with Isabella again.

  “Were you surprised?” she asks, her smile beaming.

  “I was. I didn’t even realize I was missing those clothes. How long did it take you to find my passport?” Isabella laughs.

  “It was a lucky find. We thought we would have to tell you so you’d have it. I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Same here. I was surprised to see you packed something other than underwear for me.”

  “Why would I want you to wear underwear?” She arches her eyebrow before my laughing causes her to breakdown in a fit of her own.

  “Fair point. So do we have big plans?”

  “I may have told my father I need the lagoon. He did have a condition though.” I feel my eyes grow larger when she reveals the next bit. “He wants to meet you when you’re here at the end of November. Not just meet you, he wants you to have dinner with the family.”

  “Uh…” Meeting the family isn’t something I’ve done before. I feel nervous just thinking about it, and now I’ll have nearly a month to work myself up about it. “Ok.”

  “Are you ok?” Isabella’s forehead wrinkles as her concern grows.

  “Yeah, it just makes me nervous is all.”

  “You’ll be fine Sara. They’re going to adore you. I’ve told them all about you, I think they already adore you.” If I’m being honest with myself, I’m curious to meet the people who brought Isabella into the world and raised the amazing woman that I love.

  “Don’t raise their expectations too high,” I tease her. “I’m going to get a bite to eat. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Very soon,” she reiterates before blowing me a kiss and disconnecting our chat.

  *****

  “Nice trip?” Abby’s smile is nothing but mischief and happiness as she enters my office and sits down a coffee for me before taking a seat.

  “It was perfect. You guys are better friends than I deserve. Thank you.”

  “Says the woman who just gave me a dream vacation and an unexpected partner share.” Abby’s smile never falters, even when she’s sitting alone it lingers, but this smile is one I’ve seldom seen, and it looks remarkable on her.

  “One was a personal gift, the other an earned business reward. Never forget you earned that share.”

  “I won’t. Speaking of earning it, I better go set up for my first appointment. We’re still on for dinner tonight right?”

  “Of course.” Abby heads out of my office, leaving me to prepare for my first few patients of the day.

  *****

  Days pass and one week bleeds into the next as I fall into what has become my new normal. Wake up, work out, shower, video with Isabella while I prepare and eat breakfast, work, try to connect with Isabella during lunch, finish work and take care of evening events, and chat with Isabella before bed. Even though I ache for physical proximity to her, this is our normal, how our relationship is, the only way I can see it being. I can’t abandon my patients, and I can never ask her to leave her family. Two more weeks and I’ll be back on a plane to see her.

  “Dr. Hudson.” Abby’s voice pulls me from my mental countdown, as she approaches me in the hallway. “I’m headed out to pick up lunch, can I grab you anything?”

  “That would be great, thank you. I’ve got a few
patients left before then, but I’ll get you some cash when you get back.” I’m only half paying attention to Abby as I review the patient information for my current appointment.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be back.” Abby heads out as I knock on the door to recheck a reconstruction we did a week ago. An hour and three appointments later I find myself with a stomach that’s raging with hunger. Hopefully Abby is back by now.

  “I left your lunch on your desk,” she informs me as I pass her while escorting my last consult to scheduling.

  “Thanks, Abby.” My salivary glands kick into overdrive as I head towards my office. As soon as I open the door the scent of the Mediterranean take out hits my nose, which is buried in my tablet, reviewing my next patient’s information. I shut the door, so I can privately chat with Isabella and walk the familiar path to my desk, not bothering to look away from the images I’m flipping through.

  “I thought we could have lunch.” I jump, dropping my tablet as I look up to find Isabella sitting in my chair grinning at me, the bag of take out perched on my desk in front of her. My heart soars as a wide grin takes over my expression. I retrieve my tablet from the floor and deposit it on the corner of my desk as I round it to gather her in my arms.

  “What are you doing here?” I pull her against me like a child holding on to the teddy bear they have no intention of letting someone take from them.

  “I was in the neighborhood.” My face is buried in her neck, but I still detect the teasing tone in her voice.

  I back up and kiss her as my hands sweep her hair away from her face. “In the neighborhood? Your idea of a neighborhood is much larger than mine.” I let my eyes take her in, how the black power suit she is wearing amplifies her usual sex appeal. The smell of the food hits me again, and my stomach makes its desire to be satisfied known.

  “You need to eat. Sit down.” I begrudgingly release her and sit on top of my desk, a slight pout on my lips. “I had a meeting in New York first thing this morning, I rushed it along and flew here. Abby picked me up.” I smile as Isabella leans in for a quick kiss before unpacking our lunch.

  “I’m so happy you’re here.” I open my shawarma meal and stop the fork as it approaches my mouth. “Wait. Meeting in New York?” Isabella grins as she pushes a forkful of her own meal between her parted lips. I refocus on eating and dig into my meal, happy for once that I have the now innate ability to inhale a meal in under 10 minutes.

  “I have an opening after the first of the year.” She says it so matter of factly; like this information isn’t great news for her, or important at all.

  “Baby that’s wonderful! Congratulations!” I forget my meal and pull her to me, pulling her between my spread legs that dangle over the edge of my desk. Our lips meet, and I can taste the seasoning of her kabobs and rice as my tongue flicks over her lips.

  “You look very sexy today, doctor. I could have you for lunch, but you need to eat.” She pulls away from me, leaving me wanting. I know she won’t bend on this issue, she doesn’t like it when I don’t eat. “I know you’re capable of eating fast though.” She throws down the challenge as she takes another bite of her food and smirks at me. Challenge accepted.

  “I still want to know more about your opening.” I watch her to see if she gives any reaction to my prying, but her look doesn’t change.

  “I want you to be there with me, to blend into the crowd with me.” She smiles, knowing that I would deny her very little in this life.

  “I’d love to. Just tell me when and I’ll be there.” I keep shoveling food into my mouth as quickly as I can, barely tasting it, hardly chewing it before swallowing. An ingrained habit of working in the fast paced environment of human medicine.

  “I’ve already mentioned to Abby that I’d like you to be free for a few days in January. She’s taking care of it. We’ll spend some time in New York together.” She watches me inhaling my food as she takes another meticulous bite, demonstrating restraint and the proper way to consume a meal.

  “How long are you here for?” I toss my fork into the mostly empty container, signaling that I’m done eating. Isabella watches me before sipping from her straw and moving around the desk, away from me. I watch as she locks my office door and her long, graceful legs carry her back to me. She stands between my legs once again, her fingers tangling in my hair as I fall into the depths of her piercing stare.

  “We’ll talk later,” she advises me, before drawing me to her. “How much time do we have?” The whispered question with it’s implied intent is enough to elicit a gush of juices from me. My eyes dart to the clock on the wall, it’s 1:11.

  “Fifteen minutes tops,” I pant into her ear, my fingers winding in her hair as she moves along my neck, alternating between her lips and tongue.

  “Mmm, what do you think doctor? Up for the challenge?” She already has me. At this point I couldn’t care less if it takes an hour, I won’t be leaving my office without touching her, without making her come.

  “If not I’ll be late,” I rasp before my lips crush hers, our eager tongues invading each other, our hands pawing at one another like a pair of out of control teenagers. Isabella pulls on the drawstring of my scrub pants as I work to unbutton her trousers. The door is locked, but the glass panes along the side of it are hardly opaque. Despite the small voice in my head alerting me to this, I do not care. All caution has been thrown to the wind, as Isabella and I frantically work to get each other off.

  “We have to be quiet,” I warn her before latching my lips back onto hers. We slide our hands into each other’s pants, and our fingers start exploring in unison. We both moan into the kiss, refusing to break contact, trying to stay quiet. Isabella is soaking wet and ready. I moan into her mouth again as she quickly inserts two fingers inside of me. I coat my fingers in her juices before sliding up to stimulate her clit. Isabella starts fucking me as I slip my fingers into her pussy, feeling her hips push into the invasion. I slide forward a little allowing her better access as my fingers stimulate her g-spot, ensuring my palm connects with her clit on each upstroke.

  “Fuck I’ve missed you,” she pants as her forehead rests against mine. My hips work to meet her fingers as her thumb glances against my clit with each of her thrusts. Isabella’s hips rock harder against the desk, sending my tablet to the floor. I don’t care. I can feel my climax coming on and sense that Isabella is close as well.

  “I’m close baby. You better kiss me until we’re done.” Our lips collide, and our tongues swirl as we fuck each other, our hips thrusting, as our bodies yearn to fall into oblivion. The room fades away as I fall, letting the darkness swallow me up as I moan into Isabella’s mouth, her fingers working inside me until I finally come down. My fingers are still buried in Isabella, her hips still working herself on them. I resume fucking her with little abandon. I need her to come the same way I need water and air. Her walls finally start contracting around my fingers, pulling them in as she achieves her release, my mouth swallowing the sounds of her pleasure as hers did mine moments ago. When her spasms stop, I withdraw from her, pulling my fingers into my mouth to lick and suck them clean. I open my eyes to see Isabella doing the same, the sight of her devouring my juices sending a fresh bout of lust through me. I check the clock to see it’s 1:28. I’m running late.

  “Best lunch ever,” I inform her. I’m tying my pants up when I realize that I have no idea what Isabella is going to do while I’m working. “Uh, do you want me to get you a ride to the house?”

  “How late is your last appointment?” she inquires as she zips up her pants and attempting to straighten out her jacket.

  “Four. This is my early day. I have class Thursday nights. I can cancel though.”

  “Or you could go and let me watch,” she purrs as she sidles up to me to help make me presentable again. “I’ll wait for you. Can I use your computer?”

  “Yeah, of course.” This isn’t an issue since all patient information is stored in a database that we’re required to log into
in order to access. “Are you sure though? It isn’t an issue to get you a ride.”

  “I’m sure. I have a few things to do, plus I can always sketch something or read. It isn’t that long.” I lean in and kiss her again before unlocking my desktop for her.

  “If you need anything, have someone find me. The bathroom is down the hall on the right. I’ve gotta go.” I kiss her quickly one more time before picking up my tablet and opening the door.

  “Hey, Sara,” Valerie greets me as I pull the door behind me, leaving it slightly ajar.

  “Hi. Isabella’s in my office if you’d like to say hello.” She looks me up and down before giggling.

  “You don’t say. I think you might want to use the bathroom before you see your next patient.” I quickly drop my head and do my walk of shame to the bathroom, grateful that our offices are on the back side of the building, away from the consult rooms.