Sandy Sullivan

by Doctor Me Up

  The sincerity and hurt in his eyes made her flinch. "Then why not tell me who you were?"

  "The man from the ball isn't me. The whole thing was a masquerade—a fantasy." He rubbed his hands up and down his arms and then across his chest. "This is me. The simple country veterinarian. My days are filled with caring for animals, having my hands inside of a horse to my elbows, neutering cats and dogs so they don't breed out of control. I don't wear tuxedos on a regular basis. I'm usually in a T-shirt and jeans, not the debonair man you saw at the ball."

  The question she wondered about for the last eight months, bounced around in her brain until it finally spilled from her lips. Is what he said true? Is it all a lie? "Why did you kiss me?"

  He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Hell if I know."

  "That doesn't help the self-confidence, Marcus."

  "I wanted to. All right? Simply the magic of the evening. You looked stunning. I lost my head."

  Obviously, the kiss didn't affect him like it did me. "I'm sorry the whole situation was such a letdown for you," she snapped, spinning around to head back into the house.

  "Elizabeth, wait. I didn't mean…"

  "Never mind, Marcus." She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "You're like the rest of the male population. If a woman shows some interest, he wants to throw her on the bed like a caveman and fuck her brains out without regards to her heart or mind. It doesn't matter to you whether the woman is already in a relationship or not. At the time, I was in a relationship yet you had no regard to the fact. You didn't care."

  His gaze held anger. The thought of what made him angry made trepidation roll down her back. "Yes, I did. I didn't know you were seeing someone."

  "You didn't bother to ask either. You just swept me up in your arms and kissed the hell out of me whether I wanted you to or not."

  "You sure as hell didn't fight me." Fury grew in him until his whole body trembled before her eyes. "Or do you go around kissing strange men all the time."

  Crack.

  His head snapped with the force of her hand to his cheek. "How dare you. You don't know me so don't assume to judge me by your own behavior." She spun around and slammed through the front door, letting the screen bang behind her. "The audacity of that man!"

  "Something wrong, sweetheart?" her father asked, poking his head out of the study. "Where's Marcus?"

  "Gone I hope. Good riddance."

  "What happened? I thought you two were getting along famously."

  "We were, but I found out something about him. It made me realize he's a liar and a con-artist."

  "Oh please." Her father's eyes narrowed. "The man is no more a liar than I am. You must have misunderstood. I've known him for almost a year. He's good friends with your brother. You know how Cade is. If the man wasn't worthy of friendship, he wouldn't give him the time of day."

  Her anger deflated rapidly as she chewed on her bottom lip. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe things did get out of control that night. The memory of his kiss returned full force. Her body trembled from head to toe. Damn, the man knew how to kiss. The feeling of his lips on hers had driven her out of her mind with desire. Even Ari's kiss hadn't affected her the same way Marcus' had. The moment their lips touched, she'd been transported to a world filled with color and feelings. Even making love with Ari had been so black and white she hadn't realized how lacking the entire thing was until now. No finesse. No imagination. She rubbed her arms. "Maybe I did overreact."

  "I think so," her father replied, going back to his busy work. "You can go into town to apologize tomorrow. I'm sure Marcus will be glad to see you."

  It doesn't matter. I'm not getting involved with anyone anyway even if the feelings he stirs are disturbing yet intriguing. She shook her head and left her father to head upstairs. Thoughts of the toe-curling kiss danced in her mind as she headed to her room to unpack what few things she might need during her stay at home.

  The next morning, Elizabeth sped down the dirt driveway as dust billowed out behind her. Apologizing to Marcus wasn't going to be easy. The man disturbed her on a level no one had before. The feelings bothered her. He'd played a huge part of her dreams from the night before, always with shadows of mystery surrounding him even as he kissed her, stroking her body until she burned with need. The attraction between them sizzled like bacon on a griddle while she denied the appeal with her last breath. Damn it. She wasn't attracted to him, she wasn't. He totally wasn't her type at all.

  Yeah, I keep telling myself that.

  After several minutes, the buildings of Red Rock came into view. The diner with all of the local's vehicles parked around it waiting for breakfast or their pals for coffee, the new florist shop sitting on the opposite side of the street. A new upscale motorcycle shop selling custom Harleys and several other stores along the street. She knew exactly where Marcus' clinic sat when her father described the building to her. He'd taken over Doc Alexander's practice, but had his own set up established with state of the art equipment. He'd also rented out part of the back to a local pet groomer from what her father said.

  A cop car sat near the front of the diner. She waved at Laurel Dunn, Kale's wife, as she passed by. It seemed like the Dunns and Westons lives were irrevocably connected in one way or another, but more so lately due to Natalie's grandmother adopting both clans. When Natalie dated Cade after her return to Red Rock, Kale had somehow gotten involved in the mix of the dating pool. Her grandmother played matchmaker by pitting the two guys against each other in order for one of them to back off. Then Kale met Laurel after she came to town to rescue her sister from an abusive husband who happened to be one of Kale's ranch hands.

  Her own sister Emma got tangled up with a country singer and his identical twin. Now they were happily a triad living in Nashville with their ever growing brood of kids. Not that a triad situation ever crossed her mind. The excitement of being with two men might be something to try once, but she could never be in a threesome on a regular basis. Kale's sister Delaney recently married Jake Monroe. Elizabeth remembered Jake and Delaney hanging out a lot during high school. Shortly afterward, he took off for parts unknown. Last she'd heard, Colby Mason and Delaney were a hot item. Obviously a juicy story seemed hidden in the confines of those three.

  "Such exciting lives where mine is boring. I really need to get out more."

  Marcus' clinic came into view. Elizabeth pulled into the parking lot. Several cars waited out front and trepidation skittered down her spine. She didn't want to make a scene but by the looks of all the cars, it sure seemed like half the town sat in his waiting room with their animals. "Maybe I should just wait until tomorrow." As she grabbed the gear shift to put the car back into drive, Marcus stepped out the back door of the clinic. A slight breeze picked up the piece of hair falling over his forehead and ruffled it like a set of lover's fingers. The white lab coat molded to his sturdy frame, emphasizing the breath of his chest. Even though he didn't do hard physical labor like a cowboy might, he still had a physique of someone who worked out or did demanding work on a regular basis.

  After a moment, he turned and caught her gaze through the windshield of her car. Great. I can't leave now. She inhaled a sharp breath as a frown crossed his features. He didn't seem pleased to see her. What did I expect? I slapped the man last night.

  She pushed open her car door and stepped out. "Marcus?"

  "Hello, Elizabeth. What can I do for you?"

  Once she shut the door, she approached slowly, her steps faltering at the look on his face. She pressed her lips together for a moment, wishing to be anywhere but here. Apologizing to the man seemed necessary, but it didn't mean she had to like it. The clear blue of his gaze penetrated the iciness in her chest. "I came to apologize for my behavior last night. I was totally out of line and slapping you…well I shouldn't have."

  "Apology accepted. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have patients to see."

  His quiet dismissal hurt. She wasn't sure why. Wasn't he moved by their kiss at the Hall
oween Ball? Apparently not if he could just walk away from her without even a goodbye. "Wait, please."

  "Is there something else?"

  "How about if I buy dinner tonight?"What the hell? Am I crazy? The last thing I want is to be alone with him.

  "Why?"

  "I'm really sorry for how I acted. I want to make it up to you."

  "There's no need, Elizabeth, really. It's fine."

  The clipped tone of his voice told her of his anger and disappointment in her. It hurt. No one had ever been disappointed in her before. "I want to. Please?"

  He tipped his head back, looking up at the sky. At first she didn't think he would go until he finally said, "All right. Where would you like to go?"

  "I heard The Millhouse is really good even if Cade has interests in the business."

  A soft smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest. "Don't let him hear you say something like that. He takes pride in his business decisions." He tilted his head to the side. "Do you really want to go back to the scene of the crime?

  "Scene of the crime?"

  "The ball took place there."

  She dropped her gaze to the wide breath of his chest. "True. They have really great food though from what I hear. Cade would have my head if he heard me. I've never eaten there though."

  "You haven't?" he asked, moving a step or two closer. "I'm surprised the two of them haven't taken you there when you were home."

  "We didn't get the chance."

  "It's a date then. What time would you like me to pick you up?"

  "Oh no. It's fine. How about if I meet you there? It's not like this is a date or anything." The frown returned and she wondered what she'd done to piss him off now.

  "Six o'clock?"

  "Great." She turned to head back to her car, but stopped near the front bumper, glancing over her shoulder. "Marcus?"

  "Yes?"

  "Don't worry about a tux even though I know you have one." She smiled as he grinned.

  "Not a problem, Elizabeth. See you at six."

  Once she slid back inside her car, she felt like she could breathe again. The way his lip lifted when he grinned and the small dimple that appeared in his cheek reminded her of the sexy, tuxedoed man she'd been dreaming of since she'd met him eight months before. He didn't think he could be that man again, but she had a feeling there were two sides to the very disturbingly different Marcus Melton.

  Several hours later, Elizabeth nervously checked her appearance in the rearview mirror for the third time as she fought with herself over why she'd stupidly asked Marcus to dinner. Her father had laughed when she'd told him what she'd done right before she'd left the house.

  "Honey, I think it's great. There's nothing wrong with two headstrong people having dinner and discussions over a mistake one of you has made. Marcus is a great guy. Even if nothing develops past an association, it doesn't hurt to have another friend on the list."

  "Natalie said the same thing."

  "Nat is a very wise woman." He patted her shoulder after he helped her pull on her sweater. "Have a nice time and don't worry about your old man. I'll be fine here."

  "You could come with me, Daddy. I'm sure Marcus wouldn't mind."

  He frowned for a moment. "I'd mind. I'm not tagging along as a third wheel on my daughter's date."

  "It's not a date. We're just having dinner and some conversation."

  "Sounds like a date to me."

  She rolled her eyes as she shook her head. Her father didn't understand how couples could go to a party, dinner or a movie or any other place and only be friends. "I don't have time for a man in my life anyway so quit your matchmaking already. I'm leaving in a month. I won't be back for three years. I'm not doing a long distance relationship. Just so you know, people don't fall in love in a month."

  "You never know, sweetheart. Don't close your eyes or your heart to the possibilities. Things happen for a reason. Only God knows what those reasons are."

  "You miss Mom, don’t you?"

  "Of course I do. Every day. I keep reminding myself that God took her from us for a reason although we don't know why. When it's your time, it's your time in my book. It was His wish to have her by his side and even though she's no longer physically here, she'll always be in my heart."

  "Can I ask you a question?"

  "Shoot."

  "Was Mom the only girl you ever really loved?"

  Her father dropped his gaze to the floor, shuffling his feet.

  "Dad?"

  When he lifted his head and stared into her eyes, she knew he'd loved another. "No. There was someone else early on, but she chose another over me."

  Elizabeth hugged her father whispering, "I'm sorry. I don't know how any woman could ever give you up for someone else. She obviously wasn't worthy of your love if she could walk away from you so easily."

  "It doesn't matter. She has her life and I have mine. I had a beautiful wife for a number of years. One I loved very much. I have great kids who love me. Some awesome grandkids to love. If I could get a few more, I'd die a happy man."

  "Someday, Dad."

  "I know, honey. I just want you to be happy. I know that asshole in Los Angeles wasn't the man to make you happy."

  Now as she sat outside the restaurant trying to get her nerve up to open the door, she chewed her lipstick off for the sixth time. Why she felt jittery and jumpy, she wasn't sure. After all, she didn't think of Marcus as boyfriend material, did she? No. A friend. Nothing more.

  She exhaled sharply and pushed open her car door only to have it wrenched out of her hand. A small squeak escaped her mouth until she looked up into the blue eyes of Marcus. His brown sport coat molded to his broad chest while his white linen shirt emphasized the width of the pecs beneath. Brown tailored slacks and boots completed the picture of the gentleman cowboy.

  "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I saw you sitting here for several minutes. I thought maybe you'd changed your mind."

  "You look nice," she said, locking the door, shutting it behind her.

  "Thank you. It's not a tux, but it's not jeans and a T-shirt either." His gaze raked her from the curls on her head to the toes of her heels. "You look fabulous yourself."

  She smoothed her black skirt down over her hips and adjusted her sweater around her shoulders. Shivers raced down her back when his hands lifted the edges of the material to help her settle it around her. "Thanks."

  "You're welcome. I wouldn't want you to catch cold."

  "I'd forgotten how chilly the weather gets here in the evenings sometimes, even in the summer. Los Angeles never cooled off."

  "I've been there a time or two," he said, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm to guide her toward the entrance of the restaurant.

  "Where did you get your degree?"

  "Why don't we wait until we're seated before we talk shop?"

  "All right," she replied as they stepped through the double doors of the hotel to make their way toward the restaurant in the corner.

  As they approached the gentleman seating people, the man nodded, addressing Marcus by name. "Ah, Doctor Melton. Very nice to see you sir."

  "Thank you. We have reservations."

  "Yes, sir. It'll be just a moment."

  The warmth of his hand over hers where it rested on his arm, made her very aware of the strength he harbored under his clothes. She could only imagine the steely strength it required to wrestle animals all day.

  The lights from the chandeliers overhead highlighted the soft browns of his hair. She had to resist the urge to push the errant lock falling over his forehead back in place. He had such a boyish charm about him. The sharp contrast to the cut of his face seemed chiseled in stone but when he smiled, his whole face changed, softening him to the most handsome man she'd ever met. The blue of his eyes reminded her of a clear stream reflecting the sky above. They seemed so clear, she could see herself reflected back. Long sooty lashes framed those perfect orbs, any woman would kill for. The ful
lness of his lips reminded her of the kiss they'd shared so many months ago. She shivered, almost wanting to feel the pressure of his mouth against hers again.

  A quick clearing of her throat brought her attention back to the crowd around them and the inappropriateness of her thoughts. "What types of animals do you treat, Marcus?" she asked as the waiter led them to their table.

  "All kinds. If they are pets, I treat them if they're sick."

  "Wow. I thought treating the different types, size and diseases of humans seemed tough. I can't imagine keeping all the different animals’ heart rates straight, much less all the other stuff." She nodded to the waiter and took the seat Marcus held out for her with a soft “thank you.”

  "Medicine in general can be a bit overwhelming. It's a good thing there are lots of reference books. If I don't know something, I look it up same as you I assume."

  She opened the menu handed to her by the waiter, glancing over the selections. Lots of restaurants in Los Angeles boasted of great steaks, but nothing beat the beef in her home state. Medium rare meat had saliva pooling in her mouth as her taste buds tingled. It had been forever since she'd had a good steak.

  "What would you like to eat?"

  "I'm going to have a nice piece of red meat. I missed those in Los Angeles." He looked startled as she laughed. "Don't look so surprised, Marcus. I did grow up on a cattle ranch."

  "Yes, but I assumed they had really good restaurants in L.A. and knowing you were dating a very wealthy man, you'd probably eaten at some of the best of them."

  Indignation zipped along her nerves. How dare he think her a snob. "The man I was dating owned an international shipping firm, so yes, we did wine and dine at some of the best restaurants in L.A., but I'm not a snob, Marcus. I like hometown diners and small restaurants. They seem to have the best staff and the best foods. In no way have I ever considered myself above eating at places like that."

  "I'm sorry. I've insulted you." He took her hand in his running his callused thumb over her knuckles. "I never intended for you to take exception to my words. I didn't mean them how you perceived them at all."

  The scrape of his thumb on her hand sent shivers up her arm. She had to press her thighs together hoping for a little relief from the throbbing starting low in her belly. "I'm sorry I snapped. It's just one of the reasons my ex told me he didn't want anything long term with me was because I didn't have the social skills he wanted."