With These Two Hands

by Lori Ryan

  Drawing in a breath, he sat up straight, holding his right hand with his left. It wasn’t shaking now, thankfully, because it was at rest. He stared up at the mountain that had been part of his life forever, before releasing a heavy breath.

  “My official diagnosis is benign essential tremor,” he said quietly. God, even saying it out loud made him sick to his stomach. The benign part of that was such a joke. In the life of a surgeon, essential tremor was anything but benign.

  Kayleigh scooted closer to him, taking his hand between hers and placing it in her lap. “I’m so sorry.”

  This was exactly what he didn’t need. Sympathy. “It’s all right.” He moved to tug from her hold but her grip on him tightened. Damn, she was strong.

  “Don’t do that,” she said.

  “Do what?”

  “I opened up to you. I didn’t run away. Talk to me. Tell me.”

  He stared at her gorgeous face, into those sky blue eyes that a man could get lost in. “I can’t operate. The hospital won’t let me.”

  She nodded her head in understanding, which pissed him off for some reason.

  “Have you tried medication?” she asked.

  “Yes, and it managed the symptoms for a long time.”

  “When were you diagnosed?”

  “I found out in med school. I’m lucky to have made it this long I guess. I’ve had to adjust the meds over the years, but now none of them are working and the side effects are increasing.”

  She squeezed his hand. “So that’s why you’re back home?” she asked quietly.

  “Yeah. My attending told me I had to take some time off.”

  “How long?”

  This was the part that really sucked. “Six months, minimum. They said I need to relax and rest. I’ve been messing with my meds to try to find a combination that will get me back in the operating room.”

  “Wow,” she said, releasing his hand. “So, there’s no long-term cure? I don’t know a lot about tremors. I know about Parkinson’s Disease but the two aren’t the same, right?”

  “That’s right. It’s not Parkinson’s. My tremor happens when I’m moving. Parkinson’s is typically the opposite.”

  “Moving, as in, during surgery.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Yeah,” he said, “in surgery.”

  “What are you going to do?” she asked, going up on her knees and coming around to face him better.

  “I have no fucking clue. Ever since I did my first rotation in the operating room, becoming a surgeon has been my dream. I fell in love with the heart.”

  Kayleigh smiled. “That sounds romantic.”

  “It’s not. It’s completely anatomical.”

  She laughed and he felt the tug of a small smile.

  “What about before then?” she asked.

  “What do you mean?”

  She leaned back on her legs. “Before you wanted to be a surgeon. What did you want to be?”

  “You mean as a kid?”

  “A kid, or when you were in high school, or college? Before that first rotation.”

  He laughed.

  “What?” she asked.

  “When I was in high school I worked at the med clinic with Doc Olson.”

  “Is that where you fell in love with medicine?” She tilted her head, the blue in her eyes brighter from the sun overhead.

  He took a moment to study her. Gorgeous. That was the only word to describe her.

  Well, stubborn and pig-headed too, but he wasn’t going there. Not with her so close. She was liable to take a swing at him if she read his thoughts.

  “Aaron?” she prompted.

  “Oh, sorry, what?”

  She laughed. “I said did you fall in love with medicine working with Doc Olson?”

  “Yeah, I did.” He smiled at the memories of working on patients, both in the clinic and in the rural areas around the town.

  “He’s a lot like me,” she said, “only with two legged animals. I just can’t picture you liking that.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know, you just strike me as the epitome of big-city doctor.”

  “And what does that look like?”

  She shrugged.

  He didn’t ask any more questions, fearful she meant her father.

  “Honestly,” he said, “I’d forgotten how much I liked small-town medicine until I came home.”

  “So what are your plans long-term? You haven’t been home long.”

  “I’m not sure,” he said. “I enjoyed helping Doc out at the clinic. My tremor didn’t affect my work there nearly as much as in the operating room.”

  “That’s good. At least you have options.”

  He blew out another harsh breath as frustration hit again. “I wanted being the best cardio thoracic surgeon to be my only option. I didn’t want to have to look for something else.”

  “But that’s not reality and it’s not your only option. Plus,” she grinned, “being the best is overrated.”

  “Says the girl who’s busting her ass to prove her ex wrong.”

  Her head fell.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.” He reached out and touched her cheek, letting his hand graze the soft skin, surprised when she didn’t pull away.

  “I guess we’re kind of in the same boat.”

  He stared down at his hands. In his peripheral vision he saw Kayleigh moving closer.

  “I know being a surgeon was what you wanted. I also know that Doc Olson is running himself ragged. You do have options, Aaron,” she said. “You just have to find your passion again.”

  He glanced up and she was just a foot away.

  Dr. Kayleigh Montgomery was his passion in this moment. He slid his hands on either side of her face and pulled her toward him, tilting her head. His lips caressed hers, slow at first then deeper. She moaned into his mouth and he went hard as the mountain beside them in the blink of an eye. Without thinking, he fell backward, taking her with him.

  She lay atop him, her lithe body molding against his. Her legs fell apart and she nestled her mid-section to his. Christ she was hot.

  He wound his arms around her waist and tugged her tighter. His tongue parted her lips and sought entrance.

  She allowed him in, pressing into him, grinding her hips against his. He thought he might explode like a ruddy teen, it felt so good.

  “Aaron,” she moaned into his mouth.

  He planted his feet on the blanket and pushed into her, giving her the friction she wanted.

  She finally broke away, staring down at him. “We really shouldn’t.”

  His brow furrowed. “Why?”

  “Neither one of us knows what the future holds for us.”

  “And?” He’d had short affairs before.

  “What if your mom finds out, or Maggie?”

  “What about them?” God, the mention of his mother killed the mood.

  “Well, your mom is obviously looking to marry all your brothers off. Her track record has been pretty good so far.”

  “Kayleigh, don’t worry. That’s not what I want. Do you?”

  “No. I mean, sure someday, maybe.”

  “You’re stressed,” he said. “I’m stressed. Sex is a great stress reliever. You know that, you’re a doctor.”

  “A pet doctor.” She laughed.

  He fell back onto the blanket with a groan.

  She leaned over him, her blue eyes sparkling with delight, her blonde hair tumbling over her shoulder. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it.”

  His hands traced down to her ass and he lifted against her again. “And I can’t help this.”

  “Ooh,” she said, her mouth forming a small circle

  “I want you. You want me,” he said, raising his hands to brush back her long blonde hair. “Why can’t we just leave it at that?”

  She nodded and lowered her head. “Okay,” she said just as her mouth touched his, but then quickly pulled away. “But no one can know. Especially Maggie,” she added.

&
nbsp; “Why Maggie?”

  “Just,” she paused, “just because.”

  A secret tryst with the hottest woman in Colorado? Hell yeah, he could keep his mouth shut. Well, opened for her, closed for everyone else. “Okay,” he finally said, tugging her mouth down to his.

  Their kiss was a fire burning out of control. Their bodies worked in tandem, pushing them higher.

  Part of him felt bad for basically dry humping her in the middle of the woods like they were in high school, but he’d never felt anything so good in all his life.

  His hands worked lower to the hem of her shirt and his fingers danced along her bare skin. She had the softest skin of anyone he’d ever known. Slowly his hands worked higher, taking her top with it as he searched for the hooks of her bra. He must be getting old because damned if he couldn’t find it.

  She sat up on his lap, smiling as she straddled him. “It’s in the front,” she said. “It’s a sports bra. I tend to bounce around a lot, especially if I’m active.”

  Aaron’s dick twitched just thinking of her bouncing around on him.

  She ran her hand between her breasts where a zipper ran.

  Oh, sweet Mary, mother of Jesus. He could learn to love that bra. If only girls in his high school had worn them. He wouldn’t have had to fumble with hooks that were clearly designed to thwart teenage boys.

  His thoughts were interrupted at the sound of the zipper lowering. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, the anticipation of her magnificent breasts spilling out held him captive. His wait was short as she reached the end of the zipper. The bra gave way but she didn’t immediately pull the material away.

  “Are you okay?” she asked with a smirk. She must have noticed his fascination.

  A shrill ring echoed in the woods.

  “What the hell is that?” Aaron looked around the area.

  “It’s my cell,” Kayleigh said, zipping her bra back up and crawling off him. He wanted to cry.

  She dug in one of the bags she’d brought and slid her finger across the screen before putting it to her ear. “This better be good, it’s my day off.” There was a long pause.

  Aaron took in several deep breaths trying to get himself under control. From the scowl on Kayleigh’s face he could tell their make-out session was all but done.

  “That can’t be good.” Her eyes cut to his. She covered the mouthpiece. “It’s Maggie, about the wedding barn.”

  He nodded, having no idea what could be going on but feeling guilty for not helping more.

  “Sure, yeah, that’s horrible. Okay. What time?” She glanced down at her watch then flashed her eyes back at him. “Yeah, he’s here with me.” She rolled her eyes. “We’re rock climbing, Maggie, jeez, do you want my help or not?” Her face crinkled in a grimace and she mouthed, “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay,” he said quietly. He reached around the blanket and began gathering up items. Whatever was going on at the lodge, he needed to be there to help. Reaching into his back pocket, he pulled out his own phone, surprised to see two missed phone calls and two texts, all from his mother and brothers.

  MOM: If you’re not too busy would you please call? Thanks dear. Love you!

  She’d even included a kissy-face emoji.

  MAX: Where r are you dill-hole?

  The difference between the two messages was night and day. Brothers.

  He pressed play on the first message.

  “Hey dude, it’s Emmett. Almost all the catering staff we use got food poisoning. The company we have as back up from Denver can’t make it. Be at the lodge by four o’clock, ready to serve.”

  There was no need to listen to the other message from Ben. It was likely to be less tactful than Emmett’s anyway. His family needed him.

  “We’re on our way.” Kayleigh said, gathering up items from their picnic. “But I swear to God there is no way I’m wearing that mini skirt again to serve. Dudes were purposely dropping shit just to watch me bend over.”

  Aaron chuckled at the image. Yeah, it was probably something he’d do, too.

  “Whatever,” she said. “You owe me. We’ll be there in ten.”

  Thankfully they were on the mountain and only a few minutes from the lodge. They could shower and change there.

  Kayleigh stood on the blanket, hands on hips, still only wearing her sports bra and yoga pants. “Well, that was a fun way to ruin the afternoon. I would have called Maggie a cock blocker, but I don’t want her to know about us.” She glanced around the ground. “Where’s my shirt?”

  Aaron held out her T-shirt in one hand.

  She smiled and took it from him.

  He slid his free arm around her waist, drawing her to him. He couldn’t resist feeling her skin one more time. “This isn’t over,” he whispered next to her ear.

  “It isn’t?” she asked.

  He leaned back, staring into her eyes. They were tilted at the corners giving her a devilish cat-like appearance. “Not by a long shot.”

  He bent his head and his lips settled on hers, their tongues dancing in a sensual rhythm that had him instantly hard all over again. He pulled her closer, pressing his erection against her for relief.

  “Aaron.” She spoke against his mouth but didn’t pull away.

  His body vibrated with need, his mid-section burning with desire for this sensual creature. He knew if he didn’t pull away soon, he never would.

  Using all his resolve, he broke the kiss and stepped away. He smiled when she stumbled toward him, nearly falling in to him. Her eyes flickered open, heavy-lidded and filled with the same type of desire brewing in him. God she was beautiful, all sexy and mussed up.

  “Come on, we better go before we start a forest fire,” he said.

  She laughed. “True.”

  They quickly packed the rest of their picnic items and headed back to Kayleigh’s Jeep.

  “I had fun today,” he said.

  “You didn’t expect to?”

  “Honestly, I wasn’t too sure how I’d do with the tremor.”

  “You did fine, didn’t you?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I did. But I definitely didn’t think you’d worm all those secrets out of me.”

  They tossed everything into the back and Kayleigh closed the door. “I think you weaseled some secrets out of me,” she said.

  His eyes darted between hers, wondering if he should tell her what he’d been thinking since she’d told him about her family.

  “What is it? I can tell you want to say something.”

  He relaxed his shoulders, not surprised she could read him so well. “I think you should go back to Boston, for your brother’s wedding.”

  Her face looked like she’d eaten a pickle. “Why? Didn’t you hear anything I said?”

  “Yes. Didn’t you hear anything I said? Money doesn’t define your success, Kayleigh. You’re thriving at a job you love with people who are grateful for your service and your friendship. Isn’t that success enough?”

  She looked down and kicked at the dirt. “There’s another reason, too,” she said, so quietly he almost didn’t hear her.

  “What?” He waited but she still said nothing so he gently lifted her chin. “The Kayleigh I know is fearless.”

  A small smile tugged at one corner of her mouth. This was a side of Kayleigh he’d never seen. She was usually confident and sassy, not nervous and afraid like she was now.

  “What is it?”

  “My ex will be there.”

  “Van-dick?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She giggled.

  “Why will he be there?”

  “My brother is marrying his sister, Brittany.”

  “The one you were friends with?”

  “Yep, that Brittany. Kind of funny, right?” She laughed but there was no humor in the sound. “I’m going to be stuck with Van-dick as an in-law my whole life.”

  “You should still go. Show Van-dick what an amazing person you are, that you’ve always been.”

  She shrugged. “I don
’t know. Maybe.”

  Maybe was good enough, for now. He kissed the tip of her nose. “Come on, let’s go before my brother sends me another nasty text message.”

  She slid her arms around his waist and squeezed. “Thanks,” she said against his chest.

  He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “Anytime.” And he meant it.

  Chapter Twenty

  Aaron took Kayleigh’s hand as they raced through his family’s property, past the lodge and cabins to the wedding barn.

  “Aar..Aar…Aaron, slow down.”

  Aaron glanced over his shoulder and instantly slowed his pace. He completely forgot how much smaller than him Kayleigh was. She may be powerful, but nothing could make up for their height difference when they were in a full-on sprint.

  “Sorry,” he said, leaning over. “Jump on.”

  “What?” she asked working to catch her breath.

  “My back. Hop on and I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”

  A slow smile spread across her succulent lips and Aaron’s dick pressed against the zipper of his pants. Damn, this was going to be a hard night. In every sense of the word.

  Kayleigh jumped on his back, settling her hips against his back and squeezing her legs around his waist, giving a little thrust.

  “Christ, woman, are you trying to kill me?”

  She rested her chin on his shoulder and whispered in his ear. “Maybe.”

  “That’s it, I’m dropping you.”

  She laughed and bucked against him with her hips as she hit his ass. “Giddy-up cowboy.”

  “Oh, is that what you want to do, ride a cowboy?” He walked the rest of the way, unable to take long strides thanks to his raging hard-on.

  She kissed the skin against his neck then her tongue did something amazing around his ear. “I want to ride this cowboy,” she said.

  The thick trees cleared and thank heaven and all the gods in the universe the wedding barn appeared before them. “You’re lucky we’re here, little girl.”

  Kayleigh slid down his back, a little too slowly. “Why?”

  He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Because I was about to take you into one of those cabins and ride you, cowgirl.”

  “Promise,” she laughed but quickly pulled away as if she’d been electrocuted. “Hey, Mags,” she said.