Harlequin Medical Romance July 2015 - Box Set 2 of 2: Her Playboy's SecretTaming Her Navy DocHer Family for Keeps

by Tina Beckett

  That warmed Duncan’s heart as nothing else had today. This was a wonderful weekend, and he was so glad he’d convinced her to come with him. With an arm around her shoulder he led the way to the golf cart, which had been charged overnight, and sat out front.

  He cupped the back of her head and pulled her closer for a kiss. Her lips were soft and pliant beneath his, letting his tongue search for hers and reveling in the sensations of her passionate response.

  After several minutes of lingering kisses, stroking her face and listening to her soft sighs, he seriously wished the house wasn’t still full of people. Pulling away, he let his hand drift down her arm to clutch her hand. “Let me show you some sights.”

  “I think I’ve already seen quite a few,” she said, and gave a quick laugh.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” He placed his boot on the gas pedal, and they lurched forward onto the path to the farthest reaches of the farm. Away from people and truly alone.

  “I am.” The sound of her voice was a little shy. “I’m just amazed at how friendly and open your family has been when they don’t know me at all.”

  “They know a good soul when they see one. You will always be welcome here, Rebel. Always.” He just hoped she would see it that way.

  They rounded a bend in the road that seemed to go off to nowhere. “What’s out here?”

  “A whole lot of nothing.” He knew every inch of this ranch and there was nothing to draw anyone out here for a while.

  “Seriously.”

  “We have some herb fields I thought you’d like to see. Herbs, as you know, are the basis for all medicine, and we still hold on to the belief that herbs grown and used locally are the best. We have quite a few herbalists and aromatherapists who use our plants in their concoctions.”

  “That’s fascinating. I love lavender.”

  “Then you are in for a treat. We happen to have an incredible crop of it this year. Let me take you to the drying shed. It’s amazing in there.”

  The low building ahead was where they were apparently going. When he pulled to a stop beside it, she knew she was in trouble again. After kissing him again, she wanted more of it. Though she knew this relationship wasn’t likely to last, she wanted to immerse herself in every moment of it while she could. To live in the moment because she wasn’t sure she’d have a future.

  “Take me inside, will you?”

  The double entendre wasn’t lost on Duncan. “Gladly.” He paused as she rounded the cart. Something in him changed and intensified as she approached, as he responded to the electricity between them. Each step she took toward him, each movement that took her closer to him filled her with desire and longing, the power of which she’d never felt before. The alarm bells in her mind grew dimmer.

  He took her hand and pulled her closer until her chest touched his, until she tilted her face upward and her lips were millimeters away from his. His breath came as quickly as hers, his focus on her intensifying.

  “Is there something going on I need to know about?”

  “Yes,” she whispered, her breath mingling with his. “I want to be alone with you.” She cleared her throat. “And naked.”

  As soon as the words left her mouth his lips were on hers, his tongue searching, seeking, parting her lips and devouring her.

  Her desire ripped free as Duncan clasped her hips and lifted her to wrap her legs around his hips. “God, you’re so tall, you fit me perfectly.” He cupped her bottom in his hands and held her close as he entered the drying shed. The dim lighting was no issue as he made his way through rows and rows of lavender hanging from the ceiling. The fragrance only added to the primal feelings stirring within her.

  He found a suitable place to set her down, whipped his shirt off, then arranged it quickly on the floor of the shed. “Come here.”

  She let him lead her down as he lay back on the shirt and dragged her willingly over him. Kisses and hands ranged all over her and soon he had her shirt and bra off and was working on her slacks. Never having been an exhibitionist, nerves started to fray as he unclothed her, but when he pulled back to remove his jeans she forgot her shyness and reveled in the outrageously glorious image of him completely naked and completely aroused. For her.

  “You’re beautiful, Duncan.” Unable to hold herself back, she nearly launched herself at him. He pulled her hips up to meet his and abruptly joined with her, sinking his erection deeply into her.

  She stilled and savored the sensation of him inside her and allowed a moan low in her throat to escape.

  “Tell me,” he said, breathless. “Tell me what you feel, what you want, what you need.”

  Hissing her breath in through her teeth, she clutched his forearms while he held her hips, digging his fingers into her flesh. “Oh, God, Duncan. I don’t know.” Her hair clip flew free as she tossed her head back, giving in to the arousal of her body, of Duncan filling her, of him moving strongly against her as he pulled her hips toward him, then let her rock back.

  Each movement, each pulse of pleasure pushed her closer to the edge. Each time her hips moved forward she stroked her sensitive flesh against Duncan’s. The pleasure built until the pace moved faster, harder, more intent toward a shared goal.

  When it hit, the wave of pleasure overcame her, and she cried out with it, unable to contain the joy of her body and heart joined with Duncan’s. Wanting to bring him the same release, she rocked her hips faster and his sensitive flesh responded the way hers had. Explosively. Duncan cried out and dug his fingers into her hips, clutching her tightly to him as the climax washed over him.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  SHE’D HEARD ABOUT sex as a release of emotion, but she’d never experienced it before. Now it made complete sense as she lay there, contented and at peace in Duncan’s arms. Even though they were lying on the floor of an outbuilding, there was no more perfect place to be.

  She pushed her hair out of her face. “I still can’t believe it. About Eric, I mean.”

  “Neither can I.” He pressed a kiss to her temple and then kept his face close to hers. “I was surprised. Somewhere down inside I thought he couldn’t survive, that there was no way. I was never so happy to be wrong about something.” He paused a second, touching his forehead to hers and sharing his emotion with her. For the first time in a long time he was able to feel and share it with someone. Someone who knew exactly what he was feeling. Somehow, he knew the more he stepped forward, the more Rebel would step forward, too.

  “So what happens now?” She settled against his shoulder, the length of her body against his, as they lay on the floor, looking overhead, soothing him. After today, he’d never get the fragrance of lavender out of his mind.

  “I’m sure there will be an investigation. For the family’s sake, I hope it’s not bad. They’ve been through enough.”

  “Something like this can destroy a family.” Her voice suddenly changed as if she was recalling a memory, then she shook herself and came out of it.

  “We’ll likely be called as witnesses, but I’m hoping that Amanda isn’t prosecuted. I thought she really just forgot about him.”

  “Do you think it’s that simple?” She tilted her head back as she asked the question. His gaze dropped to her mouth and the intensity of him changed.

  “Nothing is ever as simple as it seems.” Moving in, he closed the distance between them, pressed his lips against hers and kissed her.

  This slow exploration of her mouth, the heat of him against her, the emotional day all sought to rob her of her control, of her rationale, and her will to resist everything she knew she shouldn’t have. Shouldn’t want. But she did. With all her heart, she wanted it.

  Duncan’s mouth against hers, his lips soft and hot over hers, his tongue exploring hers, created tangles of confusion in her mind and tingles of desire in her body. Overwhelmed, she pulled away.

  “Duncan, I’m so confused by you. You make me feel things I shouldn’t be feeling or thinking. Or wanting.” Unable to hold his gaze, she l
ooked away. He wished he could impart some of his strength into her.

  “Don’t be. I’m a pretty simple man.” He cupped both hands around her face and forced her to look up at him. “What’s going on here is pretty simple, too. It doesn’t have to be complicated.”

  “You mean making love?” Some people thought of it that way.

  “I mean everything.” How could he tell her he was crazy about her, about her wild red hair and the beauty in her face, the humor in her green eyes and the compassion in her heart? How could he tell her all of that when they’d only known each other for a few weeks?

  He didn’t fall for women that way. Ever. Opening himself up like that wasn’t in his rule book. But now it was happening and it had taken him by complete surprise. People were predictable and usually disappointed him. She was everything he wanted in a partner, he only had to convince her of it. And not listen to the voices in his past telling him he was an idiot for falling for an Irish redhead so quickly. Right now, all he wanted was her skin against his, her heart beating in time with his, her breath hot in his ear.

  * * *

  “You’re just in time to help put the food on the table.” Lupe handed each of them a bowl to take from the kitchen to the table in the dining room. The majority of people had taken off and returned to their homes, satisfied the patriarch of the family was doing well.

  Rafael looked as if he was back to his usual ornery self.

  After a short dinner, and a lovely walk in the garden, Duncan realized their fairy-tale weekend was coming to a close.

  They sat on a wooden bench with the scent of roses, lavender and other things he didn’t know swirling around them. It completed his picture of the perfect evening.

  “I know we have to go back tonight, but do you think we could see Alejandro again before we go?”

  “Yes.” The thought of the situation with that family put a damper on his buoyant mood, but it was part of life. It was surviving the bad times that made the good times even better.

  “What will happen to Alejandro if his father doesn’t go through with the therapy?” She sighed. Concern and resignation flashed in her eyes.

  “I’m going to think positively, that Pedro will go, and both of them will benefit.” He squeezed her hand. “You know time is the only true healer of grief, and it hasn’t been very long.”

  “I’m sorry his mom died. No kid should have to go through all of that at Alejandro’s age. He’s so sweet.” He knew she was thinking of her own family losses, and he wished he could ease the pain in her heart. Given time, and the opportunity, maybe he would be able to.

  Duncan rose from the bench and with Rebel’s hand in his they left the garden. When they reached the machine shed and rounded the corner to the row of tenant housing, tension in both of them rose.

  They arrived at the casita where Alejandro and Pedro lived. Before he could knock, the door swung open, and Alejandro bounded out, a happy smile on his face. “La mujer está aqui! La hada Irelanda esta aqui!” He threw the words over his shoulder to his father and raced over to Rebel.

  She knelt and gave him a hug. Yes, the giant Irish fairy had arrived.

  “Rebel and I wanted to say goodbye before we go. I think Rebel has a soft spot in her heart for him.” He nodded to the boy.

  Duncan watched Rebel trying to communicate with Alejandro. They needed a little interpreting. The sight of her with the boy invited visions of her with her own child in her arms.

  “Oh, Duncan. He’s really trying to tell me something, but I just can’t get it. If I stick around here for much longer, I’ll need to take a course in Spanish.”

  That was the first indication she’d given about not moving on to another assignment and his heart lightened. “That would be great. We always need bilingual nurses.” He stooped beside them and spoke to Alejandro. The boy became very animated in his face, his words and his gestures. Duncan laughed.

  “What’s he saying? I asked him about his back, and he gave me a two-minute answer.”

  “He says his back still hurts a little, but he’s much better since you, the Irish fairy, applied the magical cream to his back and his hands.” He gave her a sideways glance. “He’s enthralled with you.” And so was he, but he couldn’t put words to what he was feeling.

  “Only because you told him I’m magical.” She gave an eye-roll as if doubting his assessment of her magical abilities.

  “To him, you are.” Duncan wanted to believe in magic right then, too. He’d learned to mistrust his instincts where women were concerned and the situation with Rebel had mistake written all over it. But there was something deep in his gut that made him want to kick his judgment to the curb.

  The plane was ready. They just had to get into it and return to reality. He sensed reluctance in Rebel as he buckled her into the seat. She was quiet, her eyes downcast, and she clutched her tartan around her shoulders.

  When they were airborne and he had tipped his wings to those watching from below, he spoke to Rebel in the headset. Mostly it was just pointing out landmarks, how the sunset glinted off the Rio Grande and mindless chatter. He wanted to put her at ease, but it wasn’t working. Though she nodded and responded politely, she had gone deep inside herself again.

  The remainder of the trip was quiet except for the whine of the engine. Maybe the little voice in his head was right after all. Rebel was a bad bet. Not just because she was a coworker but because her family model was so different from his, her emotional status was fragile, and she just shut down.

  That wasn’t how he operated. Although he didn’t like to fight, on occasion the situation demanded it. He taxied the plane to its space and cut the engine. Rebel had removed her headset and was reaching for the door.

  “Wait. We need to talk.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about. It was a moment in time, Duncan. You’ll go back to your life and I’ll go back to mine. We’ll work together, and that’s it.” Her eyes remained downcast.

  “I don’t want that.” He shoved a hand through his hair in frustration. “Since we got into the plane you’ve been withdrawing, and I don’t want that either. We need to talk about us.”

  “There’s no us.” She shook her head as if trying to convince herself. “You’ve got a vastly different life than I do. Meeting your family, your huge family, has made me realize how different we really are. I appreciate the weekend away and meeting your family and all, but nothing has changed for me.”

  “What?” Incredulous, he reached for her shoulders to turn her to face him. “Nothing has changed for you? Are you kidding me?” She tried to pull away from him, but there wasn’t much room in the plane. “Everything has changed, Rebel. I’m not going back to my life and pretend nothing happened between us. I don’t know how you can.”

  Her tearful gaze met his for the first time in hours. “It won’t be easy,” she whispered, then yanked away from him and pushed out of the plane.

  No. Way. There was no way he was leaving things like this. He shot out of the plane and the wind slammed the door shut behind him. Monsoon season wasn’t over and the wind swirled leaves and dust around them.

  She stood beside his locked truck, unable to get into it and unable to avoid him. This was where it all came down to the wire. She had to face her demons and maybe he was the one to make her do it.

  “We’re not leaving things this way.” He stood a few feet from her. “What do you mean, ‘It won’t be easy’? If that’s the case, then why don’t you at least try to have a relationship with me? All I’m asking for is a chance, Rebel.” Demons of his own resurfaced at the word. He’d begged Valerie to take him back, and she’d laughed. He’d vowed never to beg another woman to be with him, and he was on the verge of doing it now.

  Pressing her face against the glass of the door, her shoulders trembled. Her pain was escalating, but so was his. “I can’t do this, Duncan. I can’t do it. I don’t have what it takes. I can’t be what you need, and I can’t give you what you want. It’s better
to end things right here and now, and just say we had a weekend we’ll never forget.”

  “Why? Why pretend? And what makes you think you know what I need or what I want?” Miscommunication led to disaster, and he was done with that, too.

  She turned to him, anger and disbelief in her eyes. “Really? I’m not that stupid. One look at you with your family and it was all there. You want what you have, what everyone there has. A home, children, a family. I can’t give you any of that.” Her voice cracked and her lip trembled. “I can’t give you children, and you know you want them.”

  “I do want them. But I want an amazing relationship with an amazing woman first.” That was true, and the amazing woman in front of him was drawing into herself, moving further and further away from him. He didn’t know if he could bring her back.

  She pressed her back to the truck door as he moved closer to her. This was not going to be the end of it. No. Way. “Are you listening to yourself? You’ve talked yourself into giving up your life, any chance of a happy relationship because of your family history. So. What. Everyone has bad stuff in their lives. It’s what you make of it that makes your life worth living.” He grabbed her by the shoulders as lightning flashed overhead. “I want that with you. I want to build a life with you, Rebel.”

  “It’s not just a bunch of bull, and you know it!” Now she was getting angry and that was good. Time to spew it all out rather than letting it fester inside. “I’ve lost nearly my whole family. You have no idea what that’s like. None! You and your perfect family, have no clue.”

  “Perfect? Really? You think you’ve cornered the market on despair? I could tell you some stories that would rival your family for losses. I’ve already told you about my mother and my sister, but what I haven’t told you is that I also lost my fiancée. Her name was Valerie and I loved her, she was both my lover and my friend. But we argued. I wanted kids, she didn’t, she had her reasons, and I let her drive away knowing she was distressed. She crashed the car and died. I blame myself and I couldn’t save her. But I can save you, and make you happy, Rebel. I don’t want to lose another woman I love. Please listen to me…”