by Lucy Clark
‘Thanks.’ His tone was sincere yet had a hint of surprise. He squeezed her arm before letting her go and returning his attention back to his sister. Nicolette walked back to his car feeling…accepted. As she drove the few short blocks between their houses, she realised she’d been well and truly accepted by Stephen. It was an amazing feeling and one which she felt bound her closer to him. Acknowledging that was a little scary but extremely powerful at the same time.
She knew how close brother and sister were and appreciated that, and it seemed Stephen was willing for her to be a part of it. How on earth was she supposed to fight her growing feelings for the man when he made her feel so special?
When she pulled into her own driveway, she retrieved her keys from the glovebox and headed inside.
Even though her house was cold, she quickly dealt with things, packing clothes into a bag, trying to decide what Stephanie might like to wear. Although they were the same size, they had completely different tastes as far as clothing went. Nevertheless, you could never go wrong with jeans and a woollen jumper. She found an extra toothbrush and packed it along with her own. Stephen would have to take his sister shopping tomorrow for the bare essentials if nothing else.
Nicolette frantically tried to think of what else they might need and then remembered she had to work in the morning. Stephanie might have been given two days off by the hospital director and Stephen could certainly take time out from renovating, but she still had to go to work. She grabbed a two-piece suit, top and shoes from her cupboard, adding them to the pile.
Ten minutes later she turned back into Stephen’s driveway and garaged his car. She’d popped open the boot to get her things when he came outside. He’d showered and changed his clothes, and although he was most probably warm she didn’t want him breathing in the cold air.
‘Go back in.’ Her tone was stern and bossy. ‘It’s cold out here and I don’t want you getting worse.’
‘I’m fine,’ he insisted as he grabbed her bag. ‘Your pillow?’ He raised his eyebrows.
‘I can’t sleep without it. It’s a special pillow,’ she defended herself.
‘Hmm. Did it make it to the war zone?’
‘Yes.’
‘Really?’
She smiled. ‘No, of course not, but I missed it the whole time.’
Stephen returned her smile and she had an instant feeling that things were going to work out fine. It had been an extremely tense couple of hours but hopefully they’d all be able to unwind and get things into better perspective.
‘How’s Stephanie?’
‘She’s just getting out of the shower. Did you bring a hair drier?’
‘Yes.’
‘Hmm.’
‘And, no, I didn’t take that to the war zone either.’
His smile increased. ‘Funny. Steph said you’d bring one.’
‘So? Is that a bad thing? I have work in the morning.’ She picked up her suit where she’d carefully laid it out on the back seat. ‘I’ll need to do my hair.’
He shook his head. ‘Women.’
‘What?’ she demanded as she gathered the last few things and locked the car.
‘Nothing. It’s just been a long time since I’ve lived with a female. I’d forgotten about all the paraphernalia you lot have lying around.’
Stephen headed into the house and Nicolette tried very hard not to let his words get to her. Lived with a female! Jealousy stabbed at her and she just stood there, staring at his retreating back, unable to believe she felt the way she did.
He turned. ‘What are you doing? Are you coming in or are you going to stay outside and become a snowman?’
She snapped out of it. ‘I’m coming.’ Why was his comment bothering her so much? As she closed the front door behind her, she remembered that in the war zone it was sometimes necessary for men and women to share the sparse accommodation.
Stephanie walked into the room, wrapped in a huge fluffy towel. Nicolette closed her eyes for a second, amazed at the way her thoughts had gone haywire at Stephen’s offhand remark. He had a sister! Duh! He’d grown up with a female, which would account for his words.
‘Hey.’ Nicolette crossed to her side. ‘Feeling better?’
‘A bit. Did you bring some clothes?’
‘Yes.’
‘Hairdryer?’
‘Yes.’ Nicolette smiled as her thoughts came full circle. ‘Stephen has the bag with the clothes. I packed a few sets of pyjamas but help yourself to whatever you need. I also found a new toothbrush.’
Stephanie came forward and hugged her friend. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered in her ear.
‘You’re more than welcome. Come on, let me find somewhere to hang my clothes for tomorrow and then we can get his slumber party organised.’
Stephanie smiled at her words. ‘Slumber party. Good idea. I’ll just pretend I’m having a slumber party.’
The only place Nicolette found to hang her work clothes was Stephen’s wardrobe. It felt strange and decidedly intimate to have her suit hanging next to one of his, but she told herself not to be ridiculous. His bedroom seemed to be the only room in the house properly painted and decorated, at least from what she’d seen as she’d walked through.
The walls were a relaxing gumleaf green colour, the ceiling off-white. The timber-framed bed in the middle of the room was the largest she’d ever seen. A matching wooden wardrobe and chest of drawers were against two walls and the whole room had a highly masculine feel. It was so Stephen—and she loved it.
Nicolette left Stephanie to take her pick of the clothes and went in search of Stephen. This was the first time she’d been inside his house and it appeared he had as much work to do here as he had next door. She found him in the large living room, the slow combustion fire burning and rapidly heating the room. He was standing, looking down into the orange glow of the flames as though mesmerised by them.
‘You OK?’ He turned quickly and she realised she’d startled him. ‘Sorry.’
‘How’s Steph?’
‘She’s getting dressed.’
‘Thanks for lending her some clothes.’
Nicolette shrugged. ‘That’s what friends are for.’
Stephen nodded. ‘You are a good friend.’
A smile touched her lips. ‘Know me that well, hey?’
‘Better than I did this morning.’
She rubbed her arms and walked over to warm herself by the fire. ‘It certainly has been a long day.’
‘I think I aged an extra twenty years going into that fire.’ His words were soft and Nicolette couldn’t help but reach out to him. Taking his hand in hers, she squeezed it gently. There was no need for words because between them was an unspoken understanding. Putting your life on the line every day was something they’d both been through and once more, Stephen had lived through those emotions today.
They stayed there for a few minutes, just holding hands and looking into the fire. There was nothing romantic about the touch, just two people who understood each other, and Nicolette could feel the tension slowly leaving him. It was human contact and it was an important part of medicine. Just a reassuring touch to someone’s shoulder or an understanding squeeze of the hand could make all the difference and let the person know they weren’t alone.
‘What do you want to do about the sleeping arrangements?’ Stephen eventually asked. ‘The spare room is full of boxes and paint tins.’
Nicolette reluctantly dropped his hand and turned to survey the room. ‘This room will be by far the warmest in the house, and both you and Stephanie need to make sure you don’t breathe in cold air tonight. What type of heating do you have for the rest of the house?’
‘Gas, but it’s not the best and I’d rather not risk it.’
‘No. That’s the last thing we’d all need. OK, so it’s this room.’ She pointed to the two lounges, which were facing each other. ‘Are they comfortable?’
‘To sit on, yes, and both are sofa beds as far as I know. They were only del
ivered last week.’
They each crossed to a lounge and checked beneath the cushions. ‘This one is,’ Nicolette reported.
‘And this one, too.’
‘Good. Then I suggest we rearrange your furniture and pull them both out.’
‘I’ll do that. Why don’t you check on Steph?’
Nicolette agreed and headed back to Stephen’s bedroom. She knocked on the door and when she heard sobbing on the other side she quickly went in to find her friend, dressed in track pants and sweater, curled up in a ball in the middle of her brother’s bed.
‘Oh, Steph.’ She offered comfort, letting her friend cry. When all the tears were spent, Nicolette looked up from where she’d been sitting on the edge of the bed to find Stephen in the doorway.
‘I’ve made up one of the beds. Let’s move her now before she falls asleep.’
‘Might be too late.’
Stephen came into the room and Nicolette let go of Stephanie’s hand, standing to move out of the way. With what seemed like effortless ease he scooped his sister off the bed, whispered to Nicolette to grab a few pillows and walked out of the room, being careful not to bang Stephanie’s head on the doorframe.
Stephen placed Stephanie on the sofa bed and pulled the covers up around her, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead before he straightened. ‘She’ll sleep through the night.’
‘But how do you know—?’ Nicolette stopped and nodded. ‘She’s relaxed?’
‘Very. Let’s get something to eat, then we can both turn in, too.’
Nicolette glanced across at the other sofa bed and then back to Stephen. He seemed to be inside her head because he said, ‘I’ll take that one and you can sleep in my bed.’
‘Uh, but—’
‘My doctor has ordered that I sleep in a warm room.’
Nicolette looked down at the floor. ‘That’s right, I did. I just feel horrible, kicking you out of your own bed.’
Stephen shrugged as he walked out of the living room. ‘It’s just for one night. It won’t hurt.’ He headed to the kitchen, firmly pushing any thoughts of Nicolette curled up in his huge bed from his mind. It was the most logical solution and that’s all there was to it. ‘Tea and toast?’ he asked as she followed him.
‘Thanks.’ She took in the décor of the room as he filled the kettle and retrieved a loaf of bread from the fridge. ‘Interesting colour scheme.’
‘I was actually thinking about leaving the orange, brown and purple swirling wallpaper up and just replacing the benchtops, but Steph has convinced me otherwise.’
‘Thank goodness.’ Nicolette chuckled. ‘It really is 1970s, isn’t it.’
‘The wallpaper, yes, but the house is a lot older than that, but, then, you’d know that because you used to come to Blackheath with your family when you were a girl.’
She smiled. ‘Yes, I did. Wow. A man who listens when a woman talks.’
‘I resent that comment for my entire sex.’ Stephen coughed a little. ‘What would you like on your toast?’
‘Jam, please.’ She eyed him warily, waiting for him to cough again. She continued to watch his every move as he shifted around the cramped kitchen, preparing their supper. ‘So what are you going to do with the kitchen?’
‘Rip it out.’
‘Completely remodel it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Will you do it yourself or get someone to do it for you?’ Stephen shrugged as he took the sugar down and scooped some into both cups of tea. ‘Uh, I don’t have sugar in tea.’
‘You are tonight. The last thing Steph and I need is for our doctor to go into delayed shock.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Drink it.’ He pushed the cup and plate of toast towards where she stood. ‘I might do parts of the kitchen myself. Naturally, I’d get the professionals in to do the plumbing and electricity but I’ve been known to wield a hammer from time to time.’
‘Orthopaedics?’ Nicolette took a sip of the sickly sweet tea and then had a bite of her toast.
‘There was quite a bit of it in the field but, no, that’s not what I meant.’ He coughed again. ‘I built the furniture in my bedroom.’
That’s twice, she thought, but continued with their conversation. ‘Really?’ Nicolette was highly impressed. ‘When?’
‘While I was at medical school. I had it in storage for the past few years while I was out of the country so it’s nice to finally have it back. I’d forgotten how big I’d made the bed.’ He smiled as he began to eat.
‘It’s huge. However did you find a mattress to fit it?’
‘I had it made.’
‘Of course you did.’ She asked him a few more questions about the art of making furniture as they ate and drank, and after he’d rinsed and stacked their cups and plates, he coughed once more.
‘Three strikes, you’re out,’ she stated, and left the room. She came back a moment later with the salbutamol inhaler and her stethoscope. ‘Lift your shirt up, please.’
‘Pardon?’
‘You heard. I want to listen to your chest.’ When he didn’t move, she put the stethoscope in her ears and moved closer.
‘I’m fine.’
‘I’ll be the judge of that.’
‘I thought you might have forgotten.’
‘Would you?’
‘No.’
‘Then stop insulting my intelligence.’ She held out the bottom end of the stethoscope. ‘Lift your shirt, please,’ Nicolette repeated. This time he did as he was told. She listened closely, closing her eyes, desperately trying not to breathe in his fresh, masculine scent. The close proximity was starting to make her own heart race and she forced herself to concentrate harder.
‘You’re a little tight.’ Was that her voice sounding so husky? She shifted around him, being careful not to touch him except with the medical instrument, as she listened to his back. ‘The wheeze is definitely there but mild.’ She cleared her throat and moved away, reaching for the inhaler. She held it out him. ‘Two puffs of this.’
Stephen eyed the inhaler with disgust. Nicolette took another step back, hoping the distance would ease the overwhelming attraction she felt for him. She was treating him, she was his doctor, she needed to be professional. ‘Don’t you know how to use one?’ she asked in her best no-nonsense tone.
‘Of course I do. I don’t need to take it.’
‘I’m not asking you to take it, Stephen, I’m telling you.’
He shook his head and took it from her. Once he’d finished, he handed it back.
‘Now, was that so hard? If you’d been a good boy and done as you were told the first time, you would have received a treat.’
‘I was good,’ he complained.
‘Oh?’ Nicolette raised her eyebrows. ‘Really? If that was good, I’d hate to see you when you’re bad.’
‘Actually…’ He paused for a moment, his gaze meeting hers. ‘I think you’d like it.’
CHAPTER SIX
NICOLETTE’S eyes widened at Stephen’s words and her jaw dropped open.
‘Huh!’ The word was said with a mixture of disbelief and repressed desire.
‘Sorry.’ His cute little smile was back in place, which only continued to create more havoc within her. ‘Couldn’t resist teasing you a little, especially as you were in your prim and proper doctor mode.’
She didn’t feel at all prim and proper now. In fact, her heart was racing, she felt as though she were about to hyperventilate and if she didn’t find a chair soon, she’d probably end up collapsing in a heap at his feet. Now that he’d mentioned being bad, she realised he was right—she probably would like him in that mood, especially if being bad meant she’d get more of those delicious kisses they’d shared earlier.
She closed her mouth and looked away, working hard on controlling her breathing. ‘OK, then.’ Come on, girl. Get it together. ‘I’ll…um…be checking on you both during the night, but hopefully the salbutamol will help you get a good night’s sleep.’
‘I doubt it,’ he mumbled.
‘Pardon?’ Nicolette glanced up, unsure she’d heard him correctly.
‘Nothing.’ They stood there, neither moving, their gazes locked. They were having a conversation but not one that included words. Didn’t Nicolette have any idea just how desirable she was? Not only had she been plaguing his thoughts for the past few days; not only did she understand his past experiences; not only did the memory of her mouth on his electrify him—but she somehow smelt totally addictive.
He was insane to let her sleep in his bed because, regardless of how many times he changed the sheets, he knew he would never be able to rid it of her alluring scent. At least he wouldn’t have the image of her lying in the bed to contend with because he planned to stay in the living room. He would focus on monitoring his sister and keeping as far away from Nicolette as he possibly could.
With superhuman effort, Stephen looked away. ‘I put clean sheets on the bed whilst Steph was in the shower and there are spare towels in the bathroom.’
‘Thanks.’ Nicolette picked up her stethoscope and the inhaler before shuffling backwards out of the kitchen. ‘I’ll just check on Stephanie and then turn in.’ Without waiting for him to reply, she quickly went to the living room.
Thankfully, her other patient was far more co-operative and she listened to Stephanie’s easy breathing, glad her chest seemed clear. She pulled out the other sofa bed but wasn’t sure where to find the linen. Stephen walked in, his arms loaded with clothes, linen and pillows.
‘Do you want help, making the bed?’ She gestured to the sofa bed.
‘I’m fine. I’ve done two tonight, one more won’t hurt.’
‘Uh, OK.’ The awkwardness was starting to settle over them again. ‘What about the fire? Can I put another log on?’
‘It’s fine. I’ll stoke it up. There’s an alarm clock by the bed if you want to set it for work tomorrow.’
‘Thanks.’ Oh, they were being so formal, so polite. Why wasn’t he making any move to kiss her again? She was sure it was what they both wanted and he’d certainly had ample opportunity. His arms were still cradling the stuff he’d brought out, as though he needed it for protection against her.