by Janice Lynn
Seeing a woman regurgitate a chunk of ice wasn’t exactly the kind of event that made a man suddenly aware of what he’d been overlooking for almost two months.
“My keys?” he prompted when she continued to stare up at him, probably with stars in her eyes and drool on her chin. “If you’ll grab them and hit the unlock button…”
“Oh, right.” Embarrassed that she’d left him standing, holding the bag so to speak, she reached down for his pocket.
That so wasn’t his pocket, but my, oh, my, what a package.
He cleared his throat and Madison tried again, finally sliding her fingers into the pocket of his loose cargo shorts.
She pulled out his keys, pressed the unlock button twice, and sighed in relief at the resounding click of the lock.
“You can put me down now.” Or hold me for ever, your choice. No, not for ever, that didn’t fit with her new never-have-her-heart-broken again persona. Just for however long the fun lasted. Yep, that was better.
“I know.”
But he didn’t until he’d maneuvered the door open. And had that been her imagination or had Levi’s voice sounded hoarse? As if maybe she wasn’t the only one affected by his arms around her, by how close her entire body was to his.
Just how long had she gone without oxygen anyway? Maybe she’d suffered brain damage and just didn’t know it.
“Feeling okay?” He gently settled her in the passenger seat. “No light-headedness or dizziness? Shortness of breath?”
Only from you holding me. She rolled her eyes, determined to get her thoughts under control, to focus on her promise to herself to never again be made a fool of, to never again feel as if her entire world had come crumbling down around her.
“I choked on an ice cube.” Because she’d been ogling him. “I’m fine. Really.”
He reached across her, secured her seat belt into place, his arm grazing across her breasts, sending shockwaves of tingles through her.
“You’re a tiny little thing,” he pointed out, sounding a bit breathy himself, “and I did the Heimlich maneuver on you.”
She could think of a few other maneuvers he could do on her.
No. Thoughts like those were what had gotten her into this mess to begin with. Thoughts that had blasted off with his very buff body working up a sweat during the softball game earlier.
After the game, she’d still been distracted by his lean physique, by the sinewy calves on display. She’d never seen him in anything other than scrubs or dressed casually. She’d never seen his bare legs, that was for sure.
Oh, baby, she was a legs woman, if there was even such a thing. But surely if there could be legs men, there could be women with preferences for certain body parts. As of the moment she’d set eyes on Levi’s calves, she was most certainly a legs woman.
Or maybe she was a butt woman.
He certainly did it for her there, too. Nice, tight, squeezable. Oh, yeah, she was a nice tush and legs woman.
And eyes. Those dark chocolate eyes…she was certainly into those, too.
And pathetic.
Had she mentioned how pathetic she was?
She’d never reacted to the opposite sex this way. So physically. Not even to Simon. Maybe it was all the pep talks she’d given herself about her new playgirl persona, all the books and tapes about becoming the modern woman. Wasn’t that why she’d relocated? To start over? To not be goody-two-shoes Madison Swanson any more? So why was she mooning over the first guy she’d set her sights on? Why hadn’t she flicked her fingers and said a resounding “Next”?
CHAPTER TWO
YEP, Madison was definitely pathetic where Levi was concerned and obviously hadn’t learned a single thing from past mistakes.
And obviously was failing miserably at getting her thoughts under control. That much did seem to have morphed into playgirl persona. Because never ever had her hormones been so…so…omnipresent.
Levi slid into the driver’s seat, closed the door, and started the engine.
Without glancing his way, Madison winced. What was wrong with her? Sure, she’d decided to be a playgirl, but that hadn’t prepared her for her reaction to Levi. Not even during the peak of her relationship with Simon had she felt such inner need.
After years of wondering what all the fuss was about, she’d gotten a crash course when Levi had called her into a mutual patient’s hospital room on her second day on the job. She’d rushed into the room, worried she’d done something wrong. Instead, Levi had smiled at her and short-circuited her internal networking.
From where he expertly steered the vehicle, he shot her a quick glance. “You okay over there? You’re too quiet. Makes me wonder what’s going on in that sharp mind of yours.”
Ha, if he only knew what was racing around in her head he’d run far, far away. Thank goodness he didn’t know.
No, that probably wasn’t true.
Levi probably knew every woman wanted him, had wanted him since he’d been old enough to crook his little finger at the opposite sex. He had that kind of personality, that kind of looks. No doubt he expected every woman to fall under the lethalness of his smile and sinfully dark chocolate eyes.
What woman could resist chocolate?
No matter how much she’d tried, she’d not been able to put him out of her mind. Since moving to Angel Creek, Levi had monopolized her dreams, her thoughts.
Good thing she’d thrown so many barriers around her heart. Otherwise her cookie would really be in a crumble because she wanted Levi in ways she’d never wanted Simon.
And Simon had wanted her in return.
In the beginning, at any rate.
Leaning against the headrest, she stared out the windshield. “This isn’t necessary, you know.”
“You’re not hurting anywhere?”
“Only my pride.” Okay, so her chest hurt when she took a deep breath, but she’d live. What was a little pain in comparison to being alive? To having been in Levi’s arms?
“Seriously.” He cut his scrumptious eyes toward her again. “Choking isn’t something to be embarrassed about.”
“Easy for you to say,” she scoffed. “Whereas I played the damsel in distress, you got to be the hero of the day.” Despite the ache in her chest—or maybe because of the much stronger ache pounding behind her ribcage—she smiled at him. “Lucky you.”
“That’s me. A regular knight in shining armor.”
“Right.” What was it about the man that turned her brain into such mush? Not to mention the rest of her ooey-gooey self?
“Well,” he intoned, his eyes straight ahead, “if it makes you feel any better, I wasn’t feeling heroic.”
“You weren’t?” That surprised her. She’d imagine a man like Levi often played the role of hero, saving lives and slaying dragons. “What were you feeling?”
“Scared witless,” he answered, so quickly that she knew he was telling the truth. He’d hidden it well. Or maybe she’d been too distracted by lack of oxygen and his arms around her to notice that she’d scared him.
“Your secret is safe with me,” she promised, thinking she’d keep her pleasure at his admission a secret, too.
“Good thing,” he mused, his expression deadpan. “Otherwise I’d have to kill you.”
“Kill me?” She tried to keep a solemn appearance, too, but her lips twitched. “Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of today’s efforts?”
He shrugged, continuing feigned sincerity. “You’re right. Best save my honor and keep my secret, fair maiden.”
White knight? Slaying dragons? Fair maiden?
Oh, this was fun. She fought another smile, enjoying this unexpected attention, this unexpected side of him. Okay, so she enjoyed all sides of Levi, but still…
“Done,” she promised. She also liked the fact he’d not been as calm and collected as he’d appeared, that he’d felt some matching anxiety to what she’d experienced during her choking session. Somehow that made him seem more human, less Greek god fallen to earth
to star in every woman’s fantasy.
Less like Simon, who never would have admitted to a flaw of any kind. He’d been perfect and had had no qualms telling her that over and over while reminding her how lucky she was to be in his life. Gag. She should have dumped his cheating butt months and months before things had ended.
So Levi’s admission softened her resolve, made her smile. And for a short while she wasn’t going to analyze every minute detail. She was just going to enjoy that she was with Levi.
He parked his SUV behind the medical complex where his office was located, right next to the hospital, and pulled the keys from the ignition.
“Need me to carry you?” His crooked grin dug a dimple into his left cheek. “Damsels in distress are my specialty.”
Yes, she almost rushed out just so she could feel his arms around her again. Oh, yes, yes, yes. But she didn’t. This damsel had taken advantage of him enough for one day. She had to bite back a happy sigh at his continued feeding of her castle-in-the-air fantasy.
“No, I don’t need you to carry me, not when God gave me two perfectly good legs. Thanks, though.” It struck her that she couldn’t recall if she’d thanked him for his Heimlich. “Thank you for coming to my rescue earlier, too.”
“You’re welcome.” He flashed his straight white teeth in another grin, ratcheting up her heart rate and causing a reflexive Kegel contraction between her thighs. “You’re too beautiful to meet such a tragic fate.”
All righty, then. She didn’t know how to respond to his flirting. But, really, he was probably just being nice, right? Just here because he was afraid he’d broken her ribs during his rescue efforts? He was an excellent doctor who went above and beyond for his patients. At the moment, she was his patient.
“I thought I was going to die,” she admitted, hoping her smile looked appreciative and not too much like please-take-me-into-your-arms-and-kiss-me. “You saved me.”
He cast her a mischievous look that both thrilled and reminded her he was way out of her league. It also reminded her that she really wanted to play in that big-boy league—with him.
“Yep,” he continued, “I saved you and now you owe me.”
“I guess I do.” Was she imagining the gleam in his eyes? The spark zapping back and forth between them? The electricity in the air?
“I can tell you’re excited about being indebted to me.” He laughed, climbing out of his truck.
Oh, she was excited all right. From her head to the tips of her toes.
“Who likes being indebted?” she quipped when her door swung open, eyeing him and wanting to lick him from his head to the tips of his toes.
“Good point,” he agreed, offering his hand to help her get out. “But I won’t ask for more than your complete and total devotion and servitude.”
Okay, so he was absolutely flirting back.
And she absolutely couldn’t breathe.
Help! Someone do the Heimlich again. Quick.
When she slid her hand into his, her breath gushed from her body in a rough swoosh. Oh, my. Now she needed mouth to mouth as well.
Seriously. She needed his mouth on hers.
She’d just been in his arms a few minutes ago when he’d carried her to his SUV, but already she’d forgotten what the warm contact of his skin against hers felt like, was shocked by the intensity.
Electrifying. All consuming.
The most wonderful feeling in the whole world.
Pathetic, Madison. Absolutely pathetic. Apparently you really suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen when you choked.
“You’re going to send a bill for this, right?” she asked, desperately trying to detract from his magnetic pull. Desperately trying to keep from launching herself at him in the hope he’d catch her and never let her fall. Of course he’d let her fall. Eventually he’d push her down and trample on her heart if given the chance. It’s what men did. It’s why she’d decided if she couldn’t beat them, to join them, so to speak.
“Nope.” He snorted, not letting her pull her hand free as he led her toward the back entrance to his office.
“I have health insurance.” I have quivers all over my body from your hand clasping mine.
“I wouldn’t feel right about charging you to examine whether or not I broke your ribs.”
Promise you won’t break my heart.
Now, where had that come from? Of course he wouldn’t break her heart. She wouldn’t let him anywhere near her heart. Yes, she was physically attracted to him, but that didn’t mean she’d let him or any other man near her heart ever again. But she could be like men, enjoy the physical side of life without letting her heart become involved. All fun, no pain.
“My ribs are fine. Just a little sore.” Very sore. “But even if you’d broken each and every one of them, I’m glad you saved me, Dr. Fielding.” She flashed him what she hoped was her most appreciative—and alluring—smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and the name is Levi.” Another crooked thigh-melting grin. “I want you to call me Levi.”
Madison sat on the exam table, waiting for Levi to rejoin her and trying not to let her imagination run away from her. Just because she kept having lust-induced fantasies about Levi, it did not mean he wanted to push her back on the exam table and do a thorough hands-on investigation of all that ailed her.
Mainly him.
From the moment they’d stepped into his office he had been the consummate professional. He’d shot the X-ray films of her ribs, not balking when she’d insisted on keeping on her T-shirt. She’d taken off her bra to avoid the underwires and hooks from showing on the film, but no way had she been going to take off her shirt.
Levi might be a doctor, but if and when he ever saw her bare-breasted she didn’t want the blessed event to be when she was about to be blasted with radiation.
She put her B-cup push-up bra back on the minute he’d finished shooting the film. He probably thought her a prude and that was why his flirting had come to a quick halt.
“Good news,” he said, coming back into the room. “The X-rays don’t show any breaks.”
“I told you I was fine.” Thank goodness she’d been right. There had been small niggles of doubt when she moved certain ways and sharp pain had stabbed her chest wall. “Just sore.”
“If that soreness doesn’t ease in a few days, I should order a CT scan. Sometimes rib fractures don’t show as well on X-ray, especially non-displaced ones.”
“We both know that even if my ribs had been broken all you’d do is bind my chest and tell me to give it time.” She gave him a bright smile. “I’ll be fine.”
“I suspect you will.” He studied her, his expression serious and not a hundred percent convinced. “You want me to write something for pain?”
“I wouldn’t take it even if you did.” She couldn’t imagine many circumstances in which she’d take pain medications. She’d seen one colleague too many end up with addiction problems.
“You might regret that decision later tonight.”
“I won’t.” Feeling the pain would remind her that she was alive, that Levi had come to her rescue, saved her life.
“You’re one tough cookie, Madison.”
Her insides melted at her name rolling off his lips. “I try, Dr. Fielding.”
“I asked you to call me Levi.” His gaze lingered on her mouth long enough to make the pit of her stomach dip to her toes and boomerang back like an overstretched rubber band.
“That you did.” She tried not to read too much into his look, but failed miserably. How could she not when he looked as if he was wondering what kissing her would be like? When she really wanted him to kiss her? She lowered her gaze to his lips, hoped she conveyed that she wanted him to lean in, to touch his mouth to hers. “Levi.”
Not leaning in or touching his lips to hers, he cleared his throat and glanced at his watch. “There’s still another hour at the picnic if you want to go back.”
“No, thanks.” She shook her head. �
��Going back to work tomorrow and dealing with all the embarrassing commotion of having choked will be soon enough.”
“Did you get to eat?” he surprised her by asking, his gaze flicking to hers.
“No.” She’d poured a drink, taken that fateful gulp that had gone down the wrong pipe, and had never made it to prepare a plate of food. “I’ll grab something later.” She gave a self-derisive smile as her gaze met his, held. “Maybe this time I won’t get choked.”
“I didn’t finish and I’m starved.” He rubbed his belly, emphasizing his point. Or was it those flat abs she wanted to lick he was emphasizing? She had to stop looking at Levi like human eye candy. She had to. Or did she? Maybe that was how playgirls saw the opposite sex? After all, he was delicious on the eyes, sugary sweet and made her want to go into a Levi-induced diabetic coma.
“You want to grab a pizza before I drop you off?”
She wanted to grab a lot more than pizza.
“You’d miss the rest of the picnic.” Now, why had she pointed that out? Why hadn’t she just said, “Yes, take me now, I’m yours, but don’t go messing with my heart because it’s off limits”?
“Oh, no, not that,” he teased.
A hot flush spread across her cheeks.
“Pizza sounds wonderful.” Reminding herself that him asking her to eat meant nothing, absolutely nothing except that he probably wanted to make sure she didn’t choke on her food again. Madison managed not to melt at his feet, managed to keep her hands to herself. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind, Madison,” he said in an all-too-serious voice, then blew it by adding, “Just ask anyone who knows me. They’ll tell you what a naughty boy I am.”
There he went with that flirty tone again. And with the eyes. Those eyes screamed with pure male naughtiness.
Dr. Levi Fielding was definitely flirting with her. Question was why hadn’t he all along when she hadn’t hidden her interest? Currently, he was looking at her as if they’d been typed and crossed and were a perfect match.
Based on his supposed history with women, his interest wouldn’t last long. She’d wanted his attention from the moment they’d met. Why not soak up every morsel and enjoy whatever the day brought? Just so long as she remembered she was a player, too, one who kept her heart locked away, what could spending time with Levi hurt? Wasn’t that what she wanted, after all?