by Erin Wade
“You’re still upset that I never told you I was married,” David complained.
“Not upset as much as I was hurt,” she said. “But that’s water under the bridge. I understand why you didn’t tell me, and I forgive you.”
David nodded. “I’m truly sorry. I should have trusted you and our love.”
“Moving forward, we need to be completely honest with each other,” Shay pointed out.
She finished her coffee. “I’m not very hungry,” she said. “I think I’ll make my hospital rounds. I guess I’ll see you in court Monday.”
David tossed a ten on the table and followed her from the restaurant. They discussed patients as he drove her back home. “Do you want me to accompany you on your rounds?” he asked.
“No, I’m good,” Shay explained. “I like to spend time with my patients and chat with them. You tend to check the chart, pat them on the arm, and leave.”
David laughed. “I suppose we do have very different bedside manners.”
After David left, Shay hid the manila envelope and put on makeup and earrings. Jeans and a ponytail it is, she thought as she glanced at herself in the mirror. Her patients loved it when she visited them in comfortable clothes instead of the severe hospital attire. She suspected it made her look more approachable, and they often told her things she needed to know in order to treat them.
As she backed from her driveway, the car phone announced a call from Katie. Shay’s heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath and answered the call.
“Good morning,” Katie chirped. “How’s my favorite doctor today?”
Ecstatic that you’ve called, Shay thought, but answered, “I’m great. How are you?”
“Lonely,” Katie said, giggling. “Bear and I want to get out of the apartment. A new barbeque place just opened on the west side. I’ll buy lunch if you’ll drive.”
“How can I refuse an offer like that?” Shay laughed. “I can be there in fifteen minutes.” I can make hospital calls tomorrow, she thought.
“Perfect. I’ll walk Bear, and we’ll be waiting outside for you.”
Chapter 26
The warm spring day was typical of Texas in April. Shay knew the sun was poised to produce another scorching Texas summer, but today was perfect.
As promised, Katie and Bear were playing on the lawn in front of the apartments. They waved gleefully at Shay as she pulled into the parking lot. Katie was beside the car almost as soon as Shay stopped. Bear jumped into his usual place in the back seat, and Katie slid into the passenger seat beside Shay.
“Thank you for coming,” Katie gushed. “I know I’m being selfish, but I wanted to be with you today.”
“I can think of nothing I’d rather do than spend the day with you and Bear,” Shay said. “If you’ll give me the address for the new restaurant, I’ll put it in my GPS. Then we can visit without worrying about watching for the location.”
“Just head, west on twenty,” Katie instructed. “I’ll enter the address for you.”
“How has your day been?” Shay asked.
“Good. I’ve pulled together most of the things Chandler requested. I have a meeting with him tomorrow to go over everything. David is pushing so fast and hard on this that I’m having trouble producing all the information he’s requested.”
“He asked me to be a character witness for him,” Shay informed her.
“What did you say?”
“I said no,” Shay answered. “I don’t think I’d be a good character witness for him. I’m your doctor. He forgets that.”
“When did you see him last?” Katie mumbled.
“I had coffee with him this morning.” Shay hoped her confession wouldn’t ruin their day. For a brief moment, she considered telling Katie about the envelope David had entrusted to her, but she knew that would be wrong.
“He dropped by unannounced to take me to breakfast, but I told him I only had time for a cup of coffee,” Shay explained. “I was going to visit my patients, since I’ll be in court next week.”
“Yet, here you are with me,” Katie said, grinning at Shay.
“No way I could turn down barbeque.”
Both women laughed and the uncomfortable moment passed.
“I’m trying to be fair with him,” Katie said. “I’m willing to give him part of the companies, but I must retain fifty-one percent of everything in order to make certain my businesses are run the way they need to be. Of course, he wants fifty-one percent. That’s why he’s trying so hard to convince the courts that I’m mentally incapable of running a Fortune 500 company.
“I don’t know what he does with his money. He filed his assets with the court, claiming he’s broke. He swears he sold his shares of Brandt Technologies and Face2Face, but the shares he held in those two companies were worth billions. None of it makes sense.”
Katie reached for Shay’s hand and pulled it into her lap. “But let’s talk about happier things.” She smiled. “I’ve put everything in place to set up my Texas human resources department. As soon as the divorce is final, I can begin hiring technicians, engineers, programmers, scientists, and everyone else needed to set up our operation here. They will come from all over America, so it will take time to do that.
“I tried to find a deserted manufacturing plant to use, but nothing is large enough to produce the vehicle.
“My land acquisition department has contracts to purchase over a thousand acres surrounding that tract of land we surveyed. I’m so excited. I hate this intrusion into my life and my plans.
“Sometimes I wish God would remove David from this earth.” Katie tightened her grip on Shay’s hand.
Shay glanced sideways at the beauty sitting beside her. A dark, menacing mask of hatred covered Katie’s face. A shiver ran through Shay’s body.
“I’m sorry.” Katie gave her a bright smile. “I shouldn’t think that way.”
“You’ve reached your destination,” Shay’s GPS system announced.
##
The afternoon was like every other afternoon Shay had spent with Katie: pleasant, interesting, and informative. They talked for hours, enjoying their lunch and each other’s company. For the first time in her life, Shay felt like she’d found someone who truly understood her deepest thoughts and concerns. Katie’s knowledge of medicine almost rivaled Shay’s.
“I can’t believe you know so much about medicine,” Shay marveled. “Did you go to med school too?”
Katie chuckled. “No, but I was married to a doctor. Remember? I helped him get through college. I suppose some of the knowledge stuck with me.”
“It’s nice to be with someone who understands what I’m talking about and how I feel about my patients,” Shay said. “I wish I understood more about your business so I could discuss what you’re doing more intelligently.”
“You help me a lot,” Katie assured her. “Your questions and suggestions are right on the mark and have made me rethink some of my ideas. It’s wonderful to get feedback from someone who isn’t buried in the technology. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the technical aspects of it that I forget about the practical applications.”
“Thank you . . . I think.” Shay laughed out loud. “I only know that I find you fascinating.”
“Just fascinating?” Katie’s eyes sparkled. “Don’t you find me a tiny bit desirable?”
Shay couldn’t pull her eyes away from Katie’s. The woman was mesmerizing, and her question had come out of left field, leaving Shay speechless.
“Dogs aren’t allowed in here,” a newly seated diner bellowed at the two women. “My girlfriend is scared of them.”
Shay overcame the urge to punch the inebriated man in the face and quietly explained that Bear was a service dog.
“I don’t care what he is,” the drunk challenged. “He’s a pit bull. Everyone knows how dangerous pits are.”
Shay stood, but Katie caught her arm. “We’re leaving,” the brunette said.
“No need to leave, ma’am,” the wa
iter said, approaching with two other muscular men. “We’ll escort this gentleman and his friend from our premises. You ladies continue your dining.”
As the two men took the drunk by the arms, he kicked at Bear. Shay sucked in a deep breath but was pleased to see the dog obey Katie’s command to “stay.”
After removing the man and his date from the restaurant, the owner visited Katie and Shay’s table to apologize.
“No apology needed,” Katie said with a smile. “You weren’t the crude one.”
“We should have realized he was drunk and not seated him,” the owner insisted. “I hope this incident won’t ruin your dining experience.”
“Quite the contrary,” Katie answered. “The food was perfect and the service excellent. We’ve enjoyed our afternoon, but we do need to go, if you’ll bring the check
“Please, your dinner is compliments of the house,” he said. “I want to see you ladies in here often.”
“That truly isn’t necessary,” Katie said.
“For me it is,” he insisted.
They thanked the owner and the others who had intervened on their behalf. Katie left a nice tip and motioned for Bear to come from under the table.
The dog trotted between them as they walked to the car. Katie didn’t bother clipping his leash to his collar. They were laughing and discussing their day when the drunk stepped from behind a van to confront them with a tire tool.
“You had me thrown out of the restaurant,” he stormed. “Embarrassed me in front of my date. She took a cab home. Thanks to you, I won’t be getting any tonight.”
“Sir, put that down,” Katie warned. “Don’t threaten me with it.”
“I’ll do more than threaten,” the man bellowed as he drew back the tire tool.
“Bear, go!” Katie commanded.
Sixty pounds of solid muscle and gnashing teeth sprang into action as Bear hit the man in the chest, knocking him to the ground. The tire tool flew into the van and bounced back, barely missing Bear and imbedding itself in the man’s thigh.
The restaurant staff, who had been watching the incident on their security monitors, ran out to help the women. Katie called off Bear and put him in the car as the man screamed and cursed.
“Pull that out and you’ll bleed to death before the ambulance arrives,” Shay warned him as he wrapped both hands around the tire tool, ready to yank it free.
He glared at her but did as she said.
“I’ve called the police,” the owner informed them, “and an ambulance. I’ve got this recorded on the security system, if you want to press charges.”
They spent the next half hour giving the patrolman their statements.
“Well, that certainly escalated quickly,” Katie noted as they got into Shay’s car. “Is life always this exciting with you, Dr. Shay?”
Shay laughed out loud. “With me? Katie Brandt, you’ve brought more excitement into my life in the last few months than I’ve experienced in my lifetime.”
Katie leaned into the back seat and scratched behind Bear’s ears as she praised him. Shay could hear the big guy’s tale thumping against the seat as he basked in his owner’s attention.
“You know he’d die for you,” Shay pointed out. As would I.
“Would you like to come in for a drink?” Katie asked as Shay parked the car.
“I better go home,” Shay mumbled. “I still need to visit my patients tomorrow, and you have a meeting with Chandler in the morning.”
“Will you walk Bear with me?” Katie asked.
“Of course.”
“Bear likes to check out the entire perimeter,” Katie reminded her as she pulled a plastic bag from a dispenser mounted on a pole. “I’m thankful the apartment provides these in convenient places for dog walkers.”
The two discussed how well trained Bear was as the dog ran from bush to bush. He finally decided the grounds were safe and ran to Katie’s apartment.
Katie unlocked the door and turned to Shay. “Are you sure you won’t come in?”
Katie was so close that Shay could feel the warmth of her. She didn’t know what came over her. One minute she was looking at Katie’s full lips, and the next minute she was kissing them.
Katie slipped her arms around Shay’s neck, pressing the full length of her body against the doctor. Shay had never held a woman in her arms. It was easy to lose oneself with a woman like Katie Brandt. She felt lightheaded and clung to the brunette.
“Are you sure you won’t come in?” Katie murmured against Shay’s lips.
“I . . . shouldn’t,” Shay whispered. “The last thing we need is David’s attorney asking if I’m having an affair with you.”
The mention of David sobered them, and the women said good night. Katie closed the door before they could change their minds.
Chapter 27
Shay undressed and stepped into the shower. Her day with Katie had been exciting and interesting. A tremor ran through her body as she recalled the thrill of holding Katie in her arms and kissing her.
She turned on the water as hot as she could tolerate it and slowly shampooed her hair, taking her time, loving the feel of the hot water against her skin.
She towel-dried her hair before turning on her computer She pulled on an oversized T-shirt as the machine whirred into action.
Part of her hoped Katie would message her. Another part of her felt decadent for wanting the sexual encounter the brunette always described in their text messages. Shay had a hard time reconciling the explicit messages with the brilliant scientist. It’s like talking with two different people, she thought. Like someone with DID.
As Shay tried to sort her thoughts, Katie’s text dinged in.
“Hey,” Katie typed. “What are you wearing?”
“A T-shirt,” Shay replied.
“Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“I was just lying here thinking of how our life together would be,” Katie typed.
Shay encouraged her to continue.
You come home after a hard day at the hospital. You walk into the apartment to the aroma of Chicken Tetrazzini in the oven. I’ve just finished the salad and poured wine for both of us. I have a nice bath waiting for you. I grin as I tiptoe to kiss your soft, sweet lips.
‘I’m glad you’re here,’ you whisper, but you know I couldn’t stay away. I kiss you again. A slow, easy kiss, thrilling to the softness of your lips. I lead you to the tub and slowly undress you, coveting every inch of you but trying to remain cool.
I sit on the floor beside the tub, and we laugh and talk about our day as we sip our wine. I wash your back, rubbing your neck and shoulders. Your shoulders are so tight. I massage them until you relax and lie back in the tub.
I kiss you and get up to check on dinner, but you catch hold of my arm and flash me an impish smile. ‘Can we eat later?’ you ask. I stop, my heart pounding. I take your hand as you step from the tub, and then slowly, gently I dry your body. Then I drape the towel over your shoulders and pull you against me.
I hold my breath as you run your soft hands under my blouse, and I gasp when they reach my breasts. You begin to caress them gently. I pull you tighter against me and kiss you slowly then deeper and harder. Our tongues dance a tango of desire as we move to the bedroom.
You pull my blouse over my head and unfasten my jeans. You are agonizingly slow as you unzip them and slide them down my hips. ‘You’re packing,’ you whisper with a giggle. ‘I guess I know who’s going to be on top tonight.’ I moan as you run your hands down my back, and I crush you against me, wanting to feel every inch of your skin against mine.
You sit down on the bed and pull me into your lap. You love holding me on your lap, kissing me, running your hands all over my soft body. You and the wine are going to my head. I must fight to maintain control. To refrain from laying you on the bed and stretching my body out on top of you.
Instead, I lay down on my side facing you and trace your lovely face with my fingertips, committing each l
ittle detail to memory. The way your brows showcase your sparkling blue eyes. The little dimples at the corner of your lips when you smile. I kiss your eyes, then your lips. Wanting you so badly I can hardly stand it. I kiss my way to your ear and inhale the fragrance of your hair. I’ve been thinking about you all day. About being with you like this.
I slowly kiss the throbbing pulse point in your neck. I smile to myself. I know it’s pounding because of me. You begin to breathe faster, wanting me as I want you.
Oh, how I love you. How I want to touch you in every place imaginable, drive you as crazy as you do me. As I kiss you, I move my right hand to your breast and slide my left arm beneath you. I caress your breast and slowly kiss my way to your left breast. I kiss it softly. Kiss around your nipple, but never touch it. You moan and tangle your hands in my hair.
I place my lips over your left breast and catch your right nipple between my forefinger and thumb, rolling it slowly. You become more vocal, calling out my name, pulling my mouth onto your breast. I slowly begin to suck as I circle your nipple with my tongue, pulling it deeper into my mouth. Suddenly, I can’t get enough of you. I move my hand between your legs and inhale sharply at how wet you are. I fight to keep from taking you too quickly.
I move between your legs, continuing to suck your breast. I slip my fingers between your folds and marvel at the silkiness of you. ‘Please give me a little, baby,’ you plead with me. I move the head against you so you can feel it poised to enter you. You arch against me, trying to get what you need. I move it around to get it wet so it will enter easily.
You moan, begging me for more, and I ease the head into you. You gasp and claw down my back, arching up to meet me. I slide a little more into you, then draw back, teasing you. You whimper, and I push deeper, in and out, until you have it all. Then I begin rhythmically moving with you, slowly at first, until you clutch me to you. You wrap your legs around my waist, holding me inside you while you move on me, getting exactly what you want, hitting me exactly where you want to hit. I ride you hard, giving you what you want. We move together, calling each other’s name. Crying out into the darkness. Knowing that we will always be together, always love one another.