by EMILIE ROSE
She threw her head back to gasp for breath and opened her eyes just in time to see his face contort, jaw muscles straining as he erupted inside her.
And then the room went still. In the aftermath their gasping breaths mingled. The sensual haze slowly cleared. He shook his head. “I haven’t tasted you yet.”
And just like that her ebbing desire returned full force. “Maybe next time?”
A grin lifted one corner of his mouth and his blue-green eyes sparkled with mischief. “I like the way you think, Doc.”
Her heart swooped like a seabird diving for fish. In that instant she realized she was falling for her husband’s identical twin. Another Drake. The thought terrified her. Her fight-or-flight instincts kicked in. But if life had taught her anything, it was to seize each moment while she had it, because it could be gone in the blink of an eye.
Before she could gather her thoughts Adam glanced at the digital clock. His expression turned to one of frustration. “I guess I’ll have to wait. We need to get you to work. We’ll have to hurry if we don’t want to be late.”
And that, Madison remembered, was why she was here. To do a job. And when that ended...so would this.
* * *
THE EMPLOYEES’ CARS were already in the parking lot when Adam turned into Drake Veterinary. Madison checked her watch. They were running a few minutes later than usual, but still well ahead of the first scheduled patient.
Adam sat up straighter. “What in the—?”
“What?”
“That’s Dad’s Corvette.”
She spotted the convertible at the far end of the lot by the building’s entrance and her heart went straight to her throat. “Danny’s here?”
“Has to be him. He won’t let Mom drive the ’Vette. What’s he up to?” Adam speculated.
How could she face Danny after what she and Adam had done this morning? She gulped down her panic and tried to think. Danny couldn’t possibly know what had happened an hour ago, and as long as she kept calm he never would.
“I’ve been pushing him to come in for a few hours when he feels up to it. I guess today he feels like it.”
Adam pulled up to the front door, parked and shoved open his door. She grabbed his arm. “What are you doing?”
“I’m coming in with you.”
That would only make facing his father worse. “No need to make yourself late. I’ve got this. I’ll call you if it’s anything other than routine.”
He turned his palm over and held hers on the console, lacing their fingers. Her pulse skipped and the tingly, satisfied feeling she’d ridden to work with became an achy I-want-more-of-that weight in the pit of her stomach.
“Madison, Dad has taken a big step by coming in. It would be rude to leave without saying good morning.”
Thoughtful and considerate. And right, unfortunately. Her heart melted a little more. Why couldn’t she have met Adam first? He was a genuinely nice guy. No. Cancel that crazy, irrelevant thought. She didn’t want to be part of the Drake family again. She couldn’t trust her heart to any of them—especially one who had identical DNA to the man who’d betrayed her. She’d always wonder if or when they’d turn on her again.
Too late, a little voice in her head whispered.
“It is a big step for him to not only come in but to drive himself in.” It was embarrassing that simply holding his hand could arouse her. Her gaze dropped to his mouth. She wanted him to lean across the space and kiss her. But not here where they might be seen. Then before she did something she’d regret, like initiate the embrace, she shoved open the door and bolted for the building.
Adam beat her to the entrance and opened the door for her. Danny sat in the waiting room with everyone gathered around him like a king holding court. Madison stopped abruptly. Adam grasped her waist to keep from barreling over her.
“You have to stop doing that,” he whispered into her ear.
His breath stirred stray tendrils, and desire shimmied over her. She glanced over her shoulder at him and their gazes locked. For a second all she could think of was this morning. To cover, she pasted on a huge smile and turned back to the room’s other occupants.
Danny was looking straight at them. “Danny, this is a big surprise. I’m glad you’re here,” she said.
“Had to see what these disreputable characters were up to.” He grinned and his staff smiled back. “Morning, son.”
“Dad, it’s good to see you getting the ’Vette out of the garage.”
Danny smoothed a hand across his bald head. “Letting the wind blow through my hair.”
Everyone laughed, as he’d no doubt intended. “Madison, my girl, you used to be an early bird and the first one in the office.”
Her cheeks caught fire. “I’m sorry. I overslept.”
Adam stepped forward and hugged his father, then straightened. “Give me a call if you need anything. I’ll see you tonight, Dad. Madison, walk me out?”
Another rush of heat hit her. “Sure.”
Conscious of all eyes on them, she followed him back outside. “Keep an eye on him,” Adam said.
“I’ll try to make sure he doesn’t tire himself out so much that he needs a ride home. On the other hand, if he does, maybe he’ll let me drive the ’Vette.”
He chuckled and the rich, deep sound danced along her nerve endings. “Not going to happen.”
He caught her hand and squeezed, holding her captive for a dozen heartbeats. “Have a good day. I’ll see you this evening.”
The words were nothing special, but the hunger in his eyes promised something rather extraordinary after the dinner with his parents. Her mouth dried and her heart raced. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Not half as much as I am.” He climbed back into his car and left. She realized she was staring after him like a lovesick teenager, then snapped into action and went back inside. The staff had scattered to their positions throughout the building.
Danny rose from the chair. “Looks like a full day ahead. Working as a team again is going to be good.”
“Yes, it is. But take a break whenever you need to.”
“Step into my office.”
Filled with anticipation, Madison followed him down the hall. When he’d been her mentor, every morning had started with Step into my office, then Danny would go over the highlights of the day, the patients they were expecting, the interesting things she could expect and how they would handle each incident. He’d often given her topics to research before tricky patients arrived. Those mornings had been some of her most valuable learning experiences.
He sat behind his desk, and she took her usual spot, perched on the seat across from him. There were no files waiting on the surface as there had been years ago.
“Andrew was always the most charming twin, the most outgoing, the one with a ready smile. People gravitated to him. Like they did me,” he added with a sardonic shrug.
Her expectations crash-landed, but she kept her mouth shut. It was only natural for him to feel nostalgic for the days when the three of them had worked together and Andrew had occupied the chair beside her.
“But the downside to that was that everything always came too easily to him. He never had to fight for anything, so he never learned how. That made him lazy. Adam, on the other hand, always set a goal just beyond his reach, then he plotted to get what he wanted. Sometimes he failed, but he tried again and learned from the experience. He always saw the big picture and not just the flashing lights and bright colors immediately in front of him.
“When the boys went to separate colleges I think Andrew missed Adam’s stabilizing influence. Then he found you and you became that for him.”
Yet another conversation she didn’t want to have. “Danny—”
He held up a hand the way he always had when he want
ed her to hold her questions until the end. She bit her tongue, but every cell in her body wanted to run.
“You and Adam have more in common than you know. You’re both fighters. You both look out for the underdog. You both play fair and have a strong sense of right and wrong. You make long-term plans instead of only seeing the present. Adam is a much better match for you than Andrew ever was.”
Horrified by where she suspected this was headed, she shook her head in denial. “He’s just giving me a ride and a place to stay, Danny.”
A smile, so like Adam’s, lifted one corner of his mouth, and mischief sparkled in his eyes. “Adam always had a good head on his shoulders, even if he didn’t go into veterinary medicine. He’ll be a better partner for you than Andrew was.”
No. No. No. “Danny—”
“I’m telling you that you have my blessing, Madison. Helen’s is going to be a bit harder to get. Though she’d deny it to her last breath, Andrew was always her favorite, because he made her feel important. He ran to her with every little thing. But we’ll work on her. Between the three of us we’ll win her over.” He winked.
“Doctors, your first patient is here,” Kay’s voice said through the speaker on Danny’s phone.
Dismayed, Madison rose on shaky legs. Having Danny’s approval should’ve been a good thing, but considering she intended leaving them all in two weeks, it was the last thing she wanted. It would be just one more way she’d disappoint her mentor.
* * *
HELEN DRIED THE last supper dish and put it into the cabinet. Her vegetable lasagna had been a big hit. Danny had eaten more than she’d seen him consume since his treatment had started. Even Madison had eaten well, something she hadn’t done since returning.
Exhaustion from Danny’s half day at the office weighted his eyes, face and shoulders, but he was happy, and Helen would take that over Danny being bored and cranky any day.
But something was off with them and she couldn’t put her finger on what it was. She’d refused help with washing up because she wanted to watch the trio. Adam had checked his watch four times since she and Madison had cleared the table. That wasn’t like him. Though he was always punctual, Adam was her patient son.
Madison had spent the evening with her attention focused on Danny and Helen, ignoring Adam almost to the point of rudeness, and that was out of character for her. Had Adam and Madison argued? But neither seemed angry.
Adam caught Helen staring and rose. “Mom, is there anything we can do for you before we leave?”
Tell me what’s going on, she wanted to say, but didn’t. “Do you have to go so soon?”
“Dad’s had a big day. He needs to rest before chemo tomorrow and so do you.”
True, but... “When will you be back?”
Heavens, that sounded needy. But it was as if he couldn’t wait to get out the door. And she’d enjoyed tonight—it had been almost like old times.
“I’ll stop by Wednesday after work to give you a chance to get out and go to the store or whatever you want to do.”
She instinctively wanted to refuse, but she had unfortunately learned she couldn’t handle everything by herself. She could thank Madison for that. She searched Adam’s face, trying to read him, but couldn’t. Andrew’s moods had always been easier to gauge than Adam’s. Danny rose and hugged Madison. As he drew back he winked. What was that about?
All afternoon she’d heard “Madison this” and “Madison that.” He couldn’t stop talking about his morning in the office, but she wasn’t jealous anymore, because today she had her old Danny back—the one she’d had before Andrew’s death—and again, she had Madison to thank for it.
Madison approached, and her wariness was hard to see. She briefly embraced Helen. “Consider your new recipe a success. It was delicious.”
“Thank you, dear. I guess we’ll see you Sunday night?”
“Definitely.”
Helen looked from one face to another. It was as if the three of them knew something she didn’t. What? And then it hit her. Her birthday was next month. Were they planning a surprise party? Surprise parties weren’t Danny’s or Adam’s cup of tea. But they were Madison’s. That had to be it. She wouldn’t let on that she’d guessed and spoil their surprise.
The door closed behind Adam and Madison. She folded the dish towel and caught Danny looking at her.
“She’s a good girl, our Madison,” he said.
“Yes, she is.”
“It’s good having her back.”
“Yes. I’ve...I’ve missed her.”
“You know I’m still hoping to convince her to move home and join my practice.”
“She’d never leave her clients in the lurch, and you have to admit her farm is quite adorable. She’s put a lot of work into it. And her animals... She’d never abandon that ragtag bunch. Could you find someone to take over for her?”
“Who would want a practice that doesn’t pay the bills?”
“It would have to be someone who wants to semi-retire and maybe only work three or four days a week and who already has a healthy retirement account.”
“I don’t know of anyone off the top of my head, but I’ll think about it and I can put out discreet feelers.”
“Please do. In fact, I think I’ll whip up some food for her to take back this week and surprise her at the airport tomorrow before she leaves. You heard her friends. Madison doesn’t bother to cook for herself. She lives off yogurt, fruit and sandwiches. But she loves my cooking.”
Danny smiled. “You’re mothering her, Helen. That tells me you want her back, too.”
Helen hesitated, hating to admit she’d been wrong. But Danny was one of those men who would move heaven and earth to give her what she wanted. He spoiled her with everything except his time these days. If she said it out loud he’d become even more determined.
“Yes, Danny, I want Madison to come home to Norcross. I miss having her as part of our family.”
And that was that. Danny would make it happen.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
MADISON FOUGHT THE urge to squirm in her seat. Each mile closer to Adam’s house was a mile closer to being in his arms. The looks he’d given her during the ride from the office to the Drakes’ had nearly made her self-combust. She’d had to quit glancing his way lest Helen or Danny see her hunger reflected on her face.
Adam turned the car down a road they hadn’t traveled before. She sat up straighter. “Where are we going?”
“We’re taking a short detour.”
She tried to hide her disappointment. “Why?”
He cut her a smile sexy enough to make her toes tingle. “If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
Loving the twinkle in his eyes, she swallowed her protests. Andrew’s surprises had rarely been pleasant. But, she realized, she trusted Adam in a way she’d never trusted her husband. Curiosity replaced frustration.
Ten minutes later he turned into the gravel lot of an old white cinderblock building. The hand-painted sign read Denton’s Dairy Bar, Home of the Freshest Homemade Ice Cream, and the parking lot and picnic tables were packed with patrons.
“You’re craving ice cream? Now?”
His chuckle rippled over her like a caress. He parked and twisted in his seat. “Madison, I’m as eager to get home as you are. I have a taste for something they don’t serve here—you.”
Her breath hitched. She flushed all over.
“But we have never been on a date, and I know how much you like ice cream.”
“This is a date?” The silly, romantic gesture melted her. She was a sure thing. He didn’t have to win her over, but in delaying his gratification for some one-on-one time, he’d made her feel young and giddy, as if her heart hadn’t been ripped from her body six years ago, smashed to bits then returned
in broken fragments.
“I was afraid Mom would keep us so late Denton’s would close before we got here. Do you want to taste my version of the best homemade ice cream or go home?”
“Ice cream first. Then you.” Fire lit Adam’s eyes and, subsequently, her belly. “And Adam, it’s a perfect date.”
“I still owe you a candlelight dinner.”
Her pulse fluttered faster. “I’m more of a roadside-ice-cream-stand girl.”
He rewarded her with a quick peck on the lips, then returned for a second and a third. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and hold on, but the console prevented her. They were both gasping by the time he lifted his head and whistled under his breath.
“G-rated parking lot. No more of that. What flavor ice cream do you want?”
She’d never considered eating ice cream as foreplay, but he’d turned it into exactly that. Anticipation simmered in her veins and happiness swelled inside her. A smile she couldn’t contain stretched her lips.
She scanned the menu board. “The specialty of the day. A waffle cone of blueberry cheesecake, please.”
He winked. “Coming right up. Find us seats if you can.”
She made her way to the only vacant table. Minutes later Adam wound his way through the noisy families and sticky-fingered children without flinching.
He passed her a cone. “Live dangerously. It’s a double scoop.”
“Thank you.” Then the hospital executive dived into his treat with boyish excitement. She couldn’t look away. Like her, Adam found his thrills in simple pleasures. This was the life she’d always wanted.
A cold drip ran across her fingers, snagging her attention.
She dutifully ate her dessert, lapping up the time spent with Adam along with the smooth, creamy sweet. This was what a relationship was supposed to be.
Neither spoke while they raced to consume the melting ice cream. Once the cleanup was done he captured her hand. “I want you to consider helping Dad beyond the time you stipulated. I know it’s an imposition, but, Madison, I’ve just found you. I’m not ready to let you go.”