“Okay, if I agree to do that, what are you going to do for me?”
* * *
China felt her cheeks growing warm in reaction to Payton’s wolfish grin. She swallowed the lump of anticipation in her throat. “That would be nice but I really had something else in mind.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Like what?”
“Like going to a botanical garden.”
His look became unsure, as if spending the day looking at plants wasn’t his idea of fun. To his credit he said, “Sure. How about Tuesday? We’re both off.”
“How do you know that?”
“I checked the schedule.”
“Are you stalking me?” She gave him a dubious look.
Payton moved in close, becoming predatory. “And if I were?”
China liked it that he’d been interested enough to check on when she worked. With hooded eyes she said, “I guess I don’t mind.”
“Since I can’t talk you into going parasailing with me today, how about we spend the day on the beach? Maybe try some skinny-dipping?”
“That sounds like fun but I make no promises about the skinny-dipping.”
“Given time, I bet I can convince you it would be fun.” He grabbed her and tugged her to him, suppressing her giggle when his lips found hers.
CHAPTER NINE
PAYTON HAD TO admit the day had been more interesting than he’d anticipated. China had almost hummed with her excitement over visiting the Beaumont Botanical Gardens. Her reaction mimicked his to the thoughts of going sailing or, better yet, having China beneath him. He could appreciate that delight.
He’d picked her up early Tuesday morning. They’d stopped by Dolly’s for donuts and coffee on their way out of town. “So, do you have directions?”
“I do. It’s only about four hours away.”
“Four hours!”
“Did I forget to tell you that?” she said in a sugar-sweet voice.
He chuckled. “I think I’ve been had. I’m glad we don’t have to be at work until two tomorrow. We’re going to make a day of it and a night.” At least he’d have China to himself for a good long time.
“I didn’t bring anything to stay overnight.”
He wiggled his brows. “You won’t need it.”
“Now I think I’m the one being had.”
“Oh, I plan to.”
China turned pink before she leaned back and gazed out his sunroof. “Looks like we’re going to have a nice day. The last time I went to a botanical garden it rained. It was still wonderful but I didn’t enjoy riding home damp.”
“You walked around in the rain to see a garden?” Disbelief filled his voice.
“Sure, why not? It’s a different world when it rains.”
She did truly love this stuff. He was learning a different facet of China. Would he ever learn them all?
Payton enjoyed the drive. His family had always flown when taking vacations. Making long road trips had never really been his thing but he’d taken pleasure in the freedom he’d had when driving down from Chicago. He given credit to his smooth-driving car for making that trip fun but spending time with China on this one was far better. It was also fascinating to see the miles and miles of swamp as they motored through Louisiana. He’d seen pictures of the land but nothing compared to the view from bridge after long bridge over untamed acreage.
He and China chatted about nothing in particular, argued over what was the best fast-food restaurant, both agreeing that a chicken sandwich was far better than a hamburger. They even sang along at the top of their lungs with the radio, like two college students escaping on spring break.
The more time he spent with China the more he discovered he enjoyed being around her. That was in bed as well as out. All in all it was a pleasant morning and far more entertaining than he would have imagined.
But could it continue? Should he let it? Would she leave him if he got sick? No, but China had such a caring heart that she could become like his mom about his illness. He didn’t want that. It would kill their relationship just as surely as if she walked out on him. Right now he was going to make the most of their time together.
Just before lunch he drove into the paved parking lot of the botanical gardens.
They were on their way to the entrance when China asked, “Are you hungry? If you are, we can get something at the vending machines.”
He took her hand. “I’m open to whatever you want to do. This is your day.”
She smiled up at him with such happiness in her eyes that it hit him like a fist to the chest. He’d like to always be the one to put that look on her face. Heaven help him, was there ever a better feeling? He returned her smile.
“Okay, then. I want to look. Those donuts I had are still with me.” China took his hand. It was the first time she’d ever initiated a contact in public. He liked knowing she felt he was hers to touch.
“Maybe you should have thought a little longer about having that third donut.”
She stopped and glared at him. “What’re you trying to say? I’m getting fat?”
Payton put a hand over his heart. “No way.” He slowly looked at her from the top of her head to her feet. She looked breathtaking in her light blue dress that showed her legs off. “No, I’d say you’re just about perfect.”
She giggled. A sound he treasured.
“Thanks. I do love it when you pour on the charm.”
They started walking again. He lowered his chin, giving her a disbelieving look. “I put on charm?”
“Sure you do. You play Jean like a fine violin.”
Payton brow wrinkled. “What does that mean?”
“That you sweet-talk her into getting your way.” She glanced at him. There was a twinkle in her eyes.
“I do not.”
China stopped and put her hands on her hips. “You didn’t think she wouldn’t mention that you’d talked her into changing your schedule?”
He had the good grace to look contrite. “Well...” He drew the word out. “I might have done that. But in my defense, I wanted to spend the day with you.”
China squeezed his hand and grinned.
Oh, yeah, he had it bad.
“Thanks. I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
They’d reached the information stand.
“There’s no charge?” In his Chicago world he was charged for everything.
“Nope. Plants lovers, you know.” China pulled a map of the gardens out of a rack.
Payton looked over her shoulder. “So, have you decided what we’re going to do?”
“I have. We’re going to take this path through the formal gardens, then down to the water gardens, and around this way.” She used her finger to show him the path.
“Maybe I should have said stop by the vending machine after all. That looks like I might need to fortify myself for the trip.”
“Come on. If you pass out I promise to leave you and come back for you later,” she said in a kidding tone.
He chuckled. “You’re a hard woman, Ms. Davis.”
“No, I just don’t want to miss a minute of the gardens. I’ve been trying to come here for years.”
“Why haven’t you?”
“I guess time, and my parents needed me.” She shrugged. “I didn’t have someone to enjoy the gardens with.”
He looped her arm through the crook of his. “It’s not parasailing but I’m glad I came.”
They’d started down a path between knee-high boxwoods when China said, “I’m glad you did, too.”
Some time later they entered a wooded area. “These are pretty. What type of plant is this?” Payton asked.
“Southern azalea. There’re thousands of varieties. They come in all colo
rs—pink, red, white. Many more.”
“My mom would love these. She’d have the gardener planting some at her house if she only knew.”
“It would be a waste of the gardener’s time. They don’t grow well that far north.”
She reached out and touched a petal of a flower gently.
It suddenly struck him that China would make a wonderful mom. “Okay, lesson learned.”
“Well, that’s a first. I taught the smartest doctor I know something.”
Payton squared his shoulders and puffed out his chest as if he were a peacock, strutting. “I’m the smartest doctor you know?”
“Don’t let it go to your head, Doc. But you are the best I’ve seen. You were great with Pete.”
He leaned in close, as if he was going to tell her a secret. “You’re not just saying that because you like other things about me?”
She pushed him away. “Please.” She grinned. “You do think highly of yourself.”
“Those little noises of pleasure you make at just the right moment might make me believe you think I’m pretty nice.” She did have a way of making him feeling special. Something no other woman had ever done. Because of her admiration his male ego was in fine form.
A blush covered her cheeks and she looked away. “Quit trying to embarrass me and let’s go and see the water garden. The pictures of it remind me of Monet’s water lilies paintings.”
“Now, those I know. Mom has one hanging in the living room.”
“Figures,” China muttered, as she led the way.
* * *
By midafternoon they’d found a small café that offered sandwiches and a shady place to eat. China took a seat at a small rod iron table for two under a huge oak that was part of the patio area belonging to the café. She watched as Payton joined her with a heart filled with happiness.
Payton’s hair had grown over the weeks. There was a slight wave to it now. It felt warm and soft in her fingers. That she knew well from the number of times she’d run her fingers through it. He wore dark glasses against the sun but behind them were eyes of pure blue that twinkled when he teased, and he did that often. Her family wasn’t that type. It was seductive to have someone notice her enough that they teased her. Payton had a way of making her feel important, not just being around because she was needed to help.
He put down the tray with the food and sat. They ate quietly, each lost in their own thoughts. Payton was really a fine-looking man, nice, caring, divine lover...
“You’re staring at me. I really don’t mind beautiful women doing that—”
“Sorry.”
“What were you thinking?”
“That I should say thank you for bringing me today.”
Payton took her hand and squeezed it then let it go. “It has been my pleasure and I mean that. You might have something with the ‘stop and smell the roses’ idea.”
She grinned at him. “I hope that wasn’t just a pun.”
“No pun, just a thought.”
“So you found out that you can feel alive without an adrenaline rush.” She picked up her sandwich.
He met her gaze. “Was today about proving a point?”
She shook her head. “No, but it didn’t hurt if I did. I don’t think life is about what we do but about who and what we love.”
“I love to sail.”
“Yes. But why? What is there about sailing you love?”
Payton looked off into space a moment before returning his gaze to hers. “I love the way the water laps against the hull when I’m lying on my back, looking up at a blue sky.”
“That—” her voice had a snap of awe in it “—is what living really is.”
“Okay, Miss Know-it-All. What’s really living for you?”
She almost blurted out, “Being with you,” but she caught the words before they passed her lips. “When I put my hands down in rich soil and feel it crumble between my fingers. Or smell the wholesome goodness of where the sun kissed it.”
“You didn’t even have to think about your answer.”
She met his gaze. “No, I didn’t. I recognized that a long time ago. It’s where I feel like I belong. Where I feel happy and secure.”
“Security is important to you?”
“Yeah, I guess it is. I never really had it after Chad left. I was always afraid I’d mess up and Father would be telling me to get out. So, what are you looking for?”
He took a long moment to think. “I really don’t know.”
“You want to know what I think?”
“I don’t know. Do I?”
She smirked. “I think you’re looking for contentment.”
“You’re starting to sound like one of those Eastern gurus.”
China picked up her drink cup. “I’m no guru. I just know that you can’t always be chasing something to feel alive. The simple, slow-down method works for me. I think you need to look at why you need adventure or danger to feel alive.”
“You might be getting a little preachy now.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Sorry. That wasn’t what I meant to do. How you spend your time really isn’t my business anyway.”
He captured her hand again and her gaze. “I’d like to be your business.”
China’s heart thumped faster.
“I think we have something special here, China. I’d like to believe that I’m your business and you’re mine.”
She gifted him with an easy smile of acceptance. “I’d like that, too.”
Payton leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss that assured her he meant every word.
* * *
Three hours later, he pulled the car to a stop in front of a magical, historical hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans, complete with filigree rod iron balconies, huge green shutters and a wooden, cut-glass door. A young man dressed in red livery circled the car to stand at Payton’s door.
“Payton, this is too much,” China said in a voice breathy with amazement.
“Why?”
“I would’ve been comfortable with a roadside hotel.”
“You would have but I wouldn’t. I’ve stayed here a number of times. They had a room open, we needed one, so here we are.”
“Figures.” Payton moved in a more affluent world than hers. There was his need for adventure also. She wasn’t always comfortable with either of those. Kelsey would appreciate his need for fast living. Kelsey. China missed her. Wished she could share some sister time and tell Kelsey about Payton and the way he made her feel.
Payton had stepped out of the car and leaned down to look at her. “How’s that?”
“You get what you want.”
“Sweetheart, all I want right now is a hot bath and you, and not necessarily in that order.”
She didn’t miss his satisfied grin of male pride before he flipped the valet the keys and came round to help her out of the car. He offered her his arm and they walked into the lobby.
“It’s unreal.” China looked past the polished oak registration desk to the open courtyard beyond with a bubbling fountain.
He smiled indulgently and said, as if he were speaking to a child, “Go on out and look at the plants. I know you want to. Our room is across the courtyard so I’ll meet you out there.”
China gingerly touched the palm that towered over her head and studied the ground cover, which had been carefully cared for, until Payton joined her. He took her hand without comment, led her up the outdoor staircase and along the open walkway above the courtyard until they reached a door located furthest from the busy street outside the hotel.
Payton placed an old-fashioned skeleton style key into the lock and swung the door open. Taking one long step into the room, he tugged her in after him and pushed the door closed.
“Wha—?”
“This is what!” His mouth took hers as his hands lifted and brought her up against his sturdy body. The evidence of his desire stood thick between them. China wrapped her arms around his neck. Payton’s hands cupped her behind. He backed to the bed, bringing her down on top of him as he lay on the mattress of the canopied oak four-poster bed.
Her lips left his. She tilted back, still straddling his hips. “Beautiful bed.”
Payton growled, “Forget the decor. I’m going to show you how comfortable it is.” He rolled her over and took her lips again.
* * *
Once again his life had been turned upside down. Payton smiled. At least this time he was enjoying it. To have China wake in his arms was the height of satisfaction. They had spent the entire night in New Orleans in bed making love and sharing room service. He owed her another visit so they could get out and be tourists for a while. They’d returned to Golden Shores in enough time to change and get to work on time.
Payton was grateful they were busy. Every time he met China’s gaze her eyes held this dreamy look that remind him of the time they’d spent together and he wanted her all over again. She’d give him a Cheshire cat grin as she passed him in the hall and he’d be hard for her.
Did she feel the same way? What if he got sick again? The questions went on and on. What he did know was that he was going to enjoy every minute he could with her.
They both, thankfully and disappointingly, had opposite shifts the rest of the week. They shared the weekend off and spent the time sailing, swimming, tending plants and, best of all, making love. He should have guessed by China’s spirited attitude that she might be rather aggressive in the bedroom but when she’d become the aggressor during their lovemaking he’d almost embarrassed himself by losing control.
On the Monday afternoon after their amazing weekend Payton flipped a chart closed and stared out into space. He had sworn that after Janice he’d never let himself truly open up to a woman again. He’d started over in a new place with a new chance at life, a dream home and a place to live life to the fullest. Then what happened? China.
He glanced at his watch. One-thirty. China would be in at two. To his great woe he and China were working opposite shifts again all week. She’d insisted that he take her home the night before. It had almost killed him but he’d done as she’d requested. Her reasoning had been that she needed her sleep and he wasn’t letting her have any.
The Doctor Who Made Her Love Again Page 14