Rescued by Dr. Rafe

by Annie Claydon

  They were both too greedy for these moments for him to do anything that would snatch them away. He made love to her slowly, luxuriating in her gaze. Every sensation, every emotion shared.

  ‘My beautiful Mimi.’ He knew that she was close to breaking point and he wanted her to hear it, and believe it, one more time. When she smiled back at him, he knew that she’d finally learned to accept that compliment completely and that she would accept everything else he had to give.

  One hand found his, guiding it to the top of her swollen leg, asking for what she needed silently but without apology. He wrapped his fingers around her thigh, holding her leg steady on the pillow so his movements didn’t jolt it.

  She felt his other hand curl around her shoulder, steadying her against his thrusts, so she could feel each one more keenly. Mimi raked her nails across his back, feeling him shudder with the sudden sensation, and his rhythm changed. Pushing her further and higher until she came so hard that the earth seemed to tilt.

  He held her tight as aftershocks spun through her body. Keeping her safe, telling her all the things she so needed to hear. How he loved her. That she was beautiful and he was never going to let her go. It was then that Mimi realised that the world hadn’t tipped upside down. It had simply righted itself.

  Rafe could have just watched her for hours. But then he felt her leg arch around his back, and her fingers touching the place where their bodies were joined.

  ‘Now you...’ She didn’t really need to tell him; he was already helpless in her hands. She knew he couldn’t resist when she did that...

  Rafe held on, through each exquisite sensation, until finally it was almost a relief when his shaking limbs began to relax. Knowing they were probably about to turn to jelly, taking his brain along with them, he rolled over to one side of her, pulling her close to feel the beat of her heart against his.

  ‘Wow...’ He felt her snuggle in tight as she voiced the only word that was currently available from his own vocabulary.

  He kissed the top of her head, feeling his whole body plunge into satiated warmth. ‘Mmm. Wow.’

  * * *

  He fetched a sturdy stool with slip-proof feet, for Mimi to perch on while they showered together. Rafe planted his hands firmly on the tiles behind her shoulders so she could hold on to his arms to steady herself while she soaped him.

  ‘All done.’ She ran her fingers through his wet hair, slicking it back from his face.

  ‘You were all done a while ago.’ The last ten minutes had been an exercise in sheer pleasure, just for the sake of it.

  It was so good to hear her laugh again. So good to feel her limbs tangling with his.

  ‘The last time...’ She wrapped her arms around his neck. ‘The last time we were in the water together, you carried me out. You saved me, Rafe.’

  ‘I couldn’t have made it out of there without you, honey.’

  ‘Can we do it again? Save each other.’

  ‘I’m relying on you, Mimi. I’ve been lost and I need you to save me.’ Warm water tumbled on to his back as he kissed her. It was the sweetest sensation because he knew that he was safe in Mimi’s arms.

  One hand trailed across his chest and Rafe braced his limbs securely against the side of the shower. He was strong enough to support her, and keep her safe too. Her fingers tantalised, moving lower, and the words she whispered in his ear told him exactly what to expect next. Rafe closed his eyes...

  * * *

  She was tired now. He let her rest for a while, watching her as she slept. More than once, during those silent nights at the hospital, he’d wondered if maybe they shared the same dreams. Now he knew.

  When she woke she was hungry and he pulled on his clothes and went downstairs to make tea and toast. When he returned, she was wrapped in his dressing gown, smoothing the creases in her dress.

  ‘Can you stay tonight? I can run you home to get whatever you need, and we’ll pick up some shopping. I’ll do a Sunday roast, with all the trimmings.’ Living on his own, he’d got into the habit of making do with pizza on Sundays and it would be good to cook again.

  ‘Sounds wonderful.’ She took the elbow crutch that he’d retrieved from the front step and stood up.

  ‘You want my arm?’

  ‘No, that’s okay. Let me manage it on my own.’

  He waited while she walked carefully down the stairs, and then fetched the tea from the kitchen. She settled comfortably on to the sofa, leaning against him, and he put his arm around her shoulder.

  His heart beat fast and suddenly he couldn’t keep the words to himself. ‘I want to be with you, Mimi. All the time.’

  She flushed red. ‘Are you asking me to move in with you?’

  ‘Yeah. Or we can stay at your cottage, if you prefer.’

  ‘Your work’s here. And I can’t have you doing all that driving...’ She broke off, smiling. ‘The truth is that I’d rather be here with you, if that’s okay. We’re going to do things differently from when we were at the cottage.’

  ‘Yeah. I think so too. So you’ll come here? Warm my bed at night?’

  ‘Yes, my love, I will.’

  Happiness burst into yet another neglected corner of his heart. He took her hand, pulling it to his lips. ‘I’m going to make you glad you said that.’

  ‘And I’m going to make you glad you asked.’ She grinned impishly. ‘Maybe...’

  Rafe leaned back against the sofa cushions, chuckling. ‘All right. What have I let myself in for now?’

  ‘Well, there are a few little bits and pieces I could bring with me. Only if you wanted me to. My breadmaker, perhaps.’

  ‘Bring as much as you like.’ Rafe looked round at the sitting room. Plain walls. Good quality furniture. But it had always felt a little cold and empty. He’d known for a while now that there was one vital thing missing. ‘I said that this place needed a woman’s touch. What I actually meant was that it needs your touch.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Absolutely. There’s a bit of a space, up in the bedroom. I think it needs something...’

  ‘A washstand?’

  Rafe laughed. ‘Perfect.’

  ‘I’ve got some other things up in the loft. Things we bought together. You could go up there and have a look around if you wanted.’

  ‘You didn’t throw it all away?’

  ‘No. I couldn’t bear to. I just didn’t want to look at it.’ She shifted in his arms and settled again comfortably. ‘Maybe this is how we do it. Keep the things we want, but make a new start.’

  ‘I’d like that.’

  They were silent for a moment. Dreaming the same dreams.

  ‘What are you thinking, Rafe?’

  Rafe bent to kiss her. ‘I was just thinking about coming home every day to find you in my bed. Naked. Or maybe something lacy...’

  ‘You will not.’ She poked her tongue out at him. ‘That’s only every other day. Alternate days, you’re the one who gets naked. In the kitchen.’

  He chuckled. ‘Right. Okay, I see how this is going to go...’

  ‘And there are rules.’ She pulled herself up on to his lap and he curled his arms around her.

  ‘Yeah. I was really hoping for rules.’

  * * *

  She’d never felt so loved before. Never felt that she was so exactly in the right place.

  ‘Rule Number One...’ Mimi kissed the tip of his finger. ‘We talk about it. Whatever it is, however hard it is.’

  ‘Agreed. That’s a good one. Number Two...’ He laughed as she kissed his next finger. ‘You remember that I love you. And if I ever do anything to make you feel you’re not good enough, you make me crawl on my hands and knees to ask for forgiveness.’

  ‘I think you’re pretty safe on that score. But yes, I can do that.’


  ‘Good. Number Three...’

  ‘Hey, don’t I get to make the next one?’

  ‘Do you have one?’

  She thought for a moment. ‘No. Not at the moment. Okay, you take Three and I’ll have Number Four.’

  ‘Fair enough. Number Three is that we don’t let the sun go down on an argument.’

  ‘Yes, that’s a good one. That can be Number Three.’ She kissed the top of his third finger. ‘Where did you get that one from?’

  ‘Remember the old guy we went to see?’ He frowned in thought for a moment. ‘Infected cut on his leg. What was his name?’

  ‘Toby? His name’s not really Toby, but his surname is Jugg, so everyone in the village calls him Toby.’

  Rafe chuckled. ‘Okay, well, the wise Mr Jugg suggested it to me.’

  ‘When did he do that?’

  ‘When you were off fetching the dressings and conspiring with his next-door neighbour. He gave me some relationship advice.’

  ‘I wasn’t gone that long, was I?’

  ‘It was a pretty one-sided conversation and he came directly to the point. Toby seemed to think that the fact I was looking at you when you weren’t looking, and looking away when you were, was a sign that I was madly in love with you. He was quite right, of course, and naturally I denied it all.’

  ‘It’s a good rule. Did he happen to mention anything else that might come in handy?’

  A faint gleam appeared in Rafe’s eyes. ‘That was man-to-man advice. Don’t interfere.’

  ‘Okay. Rule Number Four is that I’m going get it out of you.’ She kissed the sensitive skin on his neck.

  ‘Yeah, I imagine you will. Soon, probably.’

  * * *

  Step by step, she was moving back into the world. Rafe had talked to the HR department where he worked, and it had been arranged that Mimi should go in four half-days a week to mentor trainee ambulance technicians. It was unpaid, but it was a start. And, to her surprise, she found that she loved teaching just as much as she loved being on the road. It was one more new possibility in a world that felt full of promise.

  Although the snake bites were still painful and she was unable to put her full weight on that leg, her other leg was strong enough to make walking easier. And although the scar on her face was still there, it was no longer the only thing that Mimi saw when she looked in the mirror.

  When the invitation to the grand reopening of the Old Brewery came, Rafe had voiced his concerns that it might awaken traumatic memories for her. But when Mimi had told him that with him by her side she could take that risk, he’d simply hugged her and promised his support. With his trust, she felt she could do almost anything.

  The afternoon was bright and clear. The colours of the autumn leaves were especially vibrant this year, deep reds and oranges lining the road, and, as they turned into the car park of the Old Brewery, Joe Harding came to meet them.

  ‘So glad you could come.’ He offered Mimi his arm, helping her out of the car. ‘This way.’

  He led them through to the visitor centre, which had been cleared and hung with bunting for the party. A barbecue had been set up in the beer garden behind the building and there were several different kinds of beer on tap.

  Grant made a point of bringing his wife and children over and introducing them, and then Joe Harding made a speech, which was received with general approval, in particular because it was short and to the point. A little girl dressed as a fairy appeared from somewhere and everyone clapped as she presented Mimi with a posy of flowers. Rafe seemed so happy that he was almost shining. And then Charlie turned up.

  ‘Who’s that?’ She turned to Rafe, tugging urgently at his sleeve.

  ‘Um...one of the nurses from the ICU, I think.’

  ‘Really? You mean I was lying unconscious and Charlie was busy chatting up the ICU nurses?’

  Rafe nodded, grinning. ‘Looks like it.’

  ‘Good for him. She’s pretty, isn’t she?’

  ‘Not as pretty as you...’ He leaned down to whisper the words and then grunted in protest as Mimi jabbed him in the ribs.

  ‘It’s not a competition, you know. Aren’t you glad that Charlie’s found someone nice?’

  ‘Of course. Think he’ll introduce us any time soon?’

  ‘He’d better...’ Charlie seemed to finally realise that Mimi was staring at him and she gave him a wave. ‘Go and ask them if they’re free for lunch tomorrow.’

  ‘Ask them yourself. They’re coming over.’ Rafe turned his smile on to the petite brunette who was with Charlie.

  * * *

  It had been a lovely afternoon. Fireworks were promised for the evening, and Mimi and Rafe had escaped the heat of the visitor centre for a while.

  ‘Ah! It’s better out here.’ She had left her elbow crutches behind, in favour of leaning on his arm. ‘Fewer people around.’ She turned and kissed him.

  ‘What’s that for?’

  ‘To thank you for today. And to remind you that I might want to thank you a bit more comprehensively when we get home.’

  Rafe chuckled. ‘You know what, I’m sending you back to work full-time. Four half-days a week isn’t enough to keep your mind occupied.’

  ‘You love it. Anyway, if you want me to stop thinking about sex, then you’d better stop with the How many ways can we do this without my leg swelling? thing.’

  ‘That’s Continuous Professional Development. Not every doctor has his very own adder bite patient to experiment on, you know.’

  ‘So that’s what you call it, is it? What happens when I get better?’

  ‘I experiment a bit more. Long-term effects.’

  They walked a few steps in the darkness and Rafe found a bench. It was obviously designed for visitors to watch the comings and goings at the working brewery because it looked out over the river and across to the floodlit loading bay.

  ‘Do you want to go down there?’ His voice was very tender. ‘Joe Harding lent me the key.’

  ‘You know...’ Mimi thought for a moment, wondering if she really did or she really didn’t, and decided that she did. ‘Yes. Yes, I would.’

  He fetched her coat, wrapping it around her, and carried her across the rough ground between the visitor centre and the loading bay. It wasn’t strictly necessary, she probably would have managed it on her own, but she needed him close.

  ‘I’d like to go inside.’ She could feel herself trembling, but she wanted to do this. She’d shared everything else with Rafe over the last weeks, and both of them had known that she’d share this sooner or later.

  He bent down, unlocking the padlock and pulling the shutter up from the door beside the main bay. Reaching inside, he found the light switch.

  ‘Sure about this?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  He wound his arm around her waist, helping her inside. Everything was clean and orderly, and the smell of the brewing beer was stronger here now than it had been the last time. She looked around. The stairs where Rafe had been standing. The metal door which had flown off the wall. The shuttered entrance that she’d made a dash for before the door had hit her and the water had swept her off her feet.

  She’d dreamed of this place, waking up in the night to find him holding her, comforting her. And, now she was here, it had somehow lost its power. Something bad had happened here, but that was all in the past.

  He helped her across to a bench, which stood against the wall, and she sat down on his lap. When she looked up into his face, she saw tears in his eyes.

  ‘Hey... We made it, Rafe.’

  ‘Yeah. We did. Are you okay?’

  Funnily enough, yes. Mimi hadn’t expected to be, but then she imagined that Rafe hadn’t expected not to be.

  ‘Yes. You’re not, though, are you?’

  He
smiled. ‘Just being here...I thought I’d lost you. When you were under the water and I was searching for you...’

  She kissed his cheek. ‘And you found me. That’s what matters, Rafe.’

  ‘Yeah. I know.’

  She hadn’t expected that this would be the time or the place, but it was. Mimi reached into her handbag.

  ‘I have something for you.’

  He brushed his hand across his face. ‘Yeah? What?’

  ‘Your watch. I know you said you wanted me to keep it...’

  She pulled the jeweller’s box out of her bag and gave it to him. Rafe shot her a questioning look and opened it.

  ‘Mimi...’ His face broke into a wide grin. ‘That’s... It’s great.’

  ‘You don’t mind?’

  ‘Mind? It’s wonderful.’ There were two watches in the box—Rafe’s along with a smaller one for her, each with half the lucky sixpence mounted behind the hands.

  ‘Put it on...’ She could hardly sit still, hardly wait to see it on his wrist.

  ‘Yours first.’ He slid the bracelet of the smaller watch over her hand, fixing the clip to secure it tight. Then he took off the watch he’d been wearing for the last couple of months and let her put his grandfather’s watch back on to his wrist.

  ‘I had to have the dial redone.’ She traced her finger over the glass. After some debate, she’d opted for a dark blue semi-circle, studded with stars, to replace the other half of the sixpence. ‘It’s a reminder of the nights you sat with me. How much that meant to me.’

  ‘It’s perfect, honey. I love it, thank you.’ He stared at the watch for long moments and Mimi hugged herself with glee. She hadn’t dared hope that he’d like it as much as he obviously did.

  ‘I’ve got something for you too.’ He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. ‘I was going to save it for later, but you’re right. This is the place.’

  He was hiding something in his hand and, when curiosity got the better of her and she leaned over to see what it was, he smiled.