Handle With Care

by Patrice Wilton

  “You’d think he was smarter than that, but I’m not convinced. He certainly was heading that direction. Forcing himself on you.”

  “I could handle him.” She bit her lip and looked away. “I think. He did have me scared.”

  “Bastard,” he muttered.

  “I’m glad you didn’t have to bust my door down.”

  He smiled. “Yeah. Me too.”

  “But I love the idea of you rescuing me.” She put her head on his shoulder for a brief moment, then straightened up, regaining her damned control.

  “That’s what I do. Rescue people.”

  “I love that about you.”

  He took his eyes off the road to look at her. She looked so damn pretty, he couldn’t turn away. Her cheeks were flushed, and she wore a special smile just for him.

  The car swerved, and he almost ran off the road.

  “Eyes front, mister,” she teased.

  “Are you always this bossy?” he said with a hint of a smile.

  “And then some. If you stick around long enough, you might see for yourself.”

  There was an open invitation in her gorgeous blue eyes. “Is that an offer?”

  “It is if you want it to be.”

  “I want it to be.” He lifted her delicate, but very capable hand, to his lips. “I don’t want you dating anyone else.”

  “I don’t either. Not after this fiasco tonight.”

  He looked straight ahead. “And I don’t think you should get married just so Josh has a dad.”

  “Trust me, I won’t. I had a good marriage once, and even that took work. But I do get lonely at times, and it would be nice to have someone to share my life with. Besides Josh, I mean.”

  “I know. You’re a smart, beautiful, sexy woman. You should have love in your life.”

  “I do. I have Josh.” She darted him a look. “And you.”

  “I wish I could be more than a friend.” He wanted her so bad it was killing him, but she deserved somebody so much better. “I really do.”

  “Why can’t you be?” She bumped shoulders with him. “I have an idea. Why don’t you date me?”

  “I’ve told you, Lauren. You need someone grounded, someone whole, someone worthy. I’m none of those things.”

  “You are, too. And I like talking to you better than anyone else I know.”

  He glanced at her. “I feel the same.”

  “So what are we going to do about it?” She kept her eyes on him, waiting for a reply. Her face was calm now. She trusted him to do the right thing.

  But what was the right thing? He knew what he wanted, but it wouldn’t be fair to her or to Josh. They deserved better than a messed up guy like him.

  Finally, he shrugged. “Damned if I know, but one thing’s for sure. I don’t want you dating guys like Kevin. You need someone who’ll treat you and Josh with respect and kindness, the way you both deserve.”

  “I only know one guy like that.” Her blue eyes never wavered from his face. They were full of trust, and hope, and warmth. He felt like a complete fraud.

  “You’ve got a one-track mind,” he finally snapped.

  “Don’t you want to go out with me?” she said in a soft, hurt voice.

  “Of course I do. More than anything.” He had no right to take this woman, to want her, to love her, but he sure didn’t want anyone else with her either. He’d opened this can of worms, and it was too late to screw the cap back on. Damn his mouth. Why hadn’t he left well enough alone?

  “What are you thinking?” she asked.

  He darted a quick look at her. “Are you sure about this? Because we both know it’s not a good idea.”

  She nodded. “Yes, I’m sure. Although I know how terribly busy you are, and it won’t be easy to fit me in.”

  “I think I can manage.” Now that he’d agreed, he didn’t want to wait. He wanted her too much. “How about tomorrow? We could take Josh to the beach, then maybe you could find a sitter and we could go out for dinner.”

  “I’m sure Julie can help out. She’s my nanny, and she’s always willing to work extra hours when she can.”

  “I have to warn you, though. I haven’t been on a real date in a couple of years. Don’t expect too much.”

  “Then it’s time you did. And as far as my expectations go, you’ve already surpassed them.”

  “Thanks.” He flashed a smile to hide his fears. Dating her might be a huge mistake. She might expect him to perform sexually, and he didn’t know if he was up to the job.

  A few minutes later, they pulled up in front of Kevin’s apartment building. Josh was standing on the front steps, backpack in hand, the babysitter keeping him company.

  Lauren ran to his side. “You okay, sweetie?”

  He nodded and threw himself into her arms. “Where were you? I tried to call. You didn’t pick up your phone.”

  “Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. My ringer was off and I didn’t realize it. I’ll never let that happen again.”

  The babysitter quickly apologized. “Sorry, Dr. Reynolds. I don’t know what happened. The boys started scrapping right after dinner. They couldn’t agree on a movie, then Brad called Josh some not very nice names, and I don’t know who threw the first punch. I gave both boys a time-out, but Josh wanted to go home. He got very upset when he couldn’t reach you.” She put a hand on Josh’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry. He’s a good boy.”

  “Thank you. I know he is.” Lauren bent down and took her son’s face into her hands. “You did the right thing by calling Shane. We’re both very glad you did.”

  “You got that right.” Shane ruffled the boy’s hair. “How’re you doing, champ? You want to go get an ice cream somewhere?”

  “Can we, Mom?” His eyes lit up. “I know it’s past my bedtime, but I’m not tired.”

  “Sure, hon. You had a lousy night, and so did I. We all need a little ice cream to make things better.”

  “Cool.” Josh slipped his hand into Shane’s bionic one. He seemed to prefer it. “What kind are you gonna have? I like Reese’s peanut butter cup. How about you, Shane?”

  “I don’t know. Let’s go to Baskin Robbins and see their flavors.”

  “I’ll have Jamoca almond fudge,” Lauren said, slipping her hand into Shane’s. She preferred flesh and blood to plastic. “A double.”

  The following day they went to the beach, and Shane offered to give Lauren and Josh bodysurfing lessons. Before hitting the water, Shane turned aside to pull off his prosthetic, attempting to hide behind the board.

  Lauren didn’t give a crap about seeing a stump, but she glanced at Josh, wondering how he’d react. It took Josh a second or two, but when he spotted the i-limb on the beach towel, he ran toward it.

  “Holy cow!” he shouted with glee. “It comes off. Super cool.” He picked it up and tried to put it on his own hand, looking frustrated when it wouldn’t fit.

  Lauren and Shane glanced at each other and then burst into laughter. “Looks like you’re going to have to learn to share,” she told Shane, who picked the bionic hand up and chased Josh down the beach with it.

  Later, the three of them waded into the water with the surfboard, and Shane showed them how it was done. He paddled out to catch a wave, then got up on his knees, and rode the wave in. He demonstrated time and again in a tireless effort to teach them. Neither she nor Josh could get the hang of it, but they had fun trying. Lauren especially enjoyed the hands-on lesson, knowing it was all foreplay.

  He was getting to her, and she hoped that she could handle whatever the future held. She trusted Shane, and knew that he’d never intentionally hurt her or Josh, but what if he started drinking again? He’d warned her often enough that he wasn’t whole, but she’d never seen that side of him. She only saw the side he cared to show.

  Like Kevin. Not that she thought Shane had a dark and dangerous side, but she had to be careful. And yet, every time his eyes met hers, she felt a burst of joy bubbling inside. This worried her most of all.

  “Y
ou had enough of this for one day?” he asked finally. He flicked the strap of her bikini top. “You’re getting pink. Probably time to go in.”

  “No!” Josh cried. “We aren’t tired yet, are we, Mom?”

  “Well, honey, truth is, I’m just about done in here. If you boys want to stay longer, okay, but I’m going to head back to the beach and pack things up.”

  Shane gave her a wink. “Ten minutes, tops. Josh and I will try to catch another wave or two.”

  “Be careful,” she warned. “The wind’s picking up.”

  Shane held the board, and after a few attempts Josh managed to get to his knees. Lauren watched from the shore, so proud of Josh. He was trying hard not to fall off, wanting desperately to please Shane. He loved being with him, but she knew he was like that with every man he met. What would happen if their potential romance ruined a perfectly good friendship? Josh is the one who’d wind up getting hurt.

  Maybe she was being selfish, wanting him for herself.

  When Shane dropped them off, he told her he’d be back at seven and to wear something nice.

  “You’re coming back?” Josh asked, his face lighting up.

  “I am, buddy. I’m going to take your mom out for dinner.”

  “Can I come?” he asked with a hopeful expression.

  “Not this time. We’ll be out past your bedtime, and we kept you up late last night.”

  “Yeah, I know, but I can always skip school tomorrow.” He made a face. “I don’t want to see that creep, Brad.”

  “Now, Josh, you know you can’t skip school,” Lauren said smoothly. “And you can still be friends with Brad, just not best friends. Why don’t you invite someone over for a play date this week? Make some new pals.”

  “I don’t know. Some of the kids don’t like me. They make fun of me behind my back.”

  Lauren glanced at Shane, sharing a worried look. “Why is that, sweetheart? What could they not like about you?”

  “Sometimes the teacher asks me questions when I haven’t been listening, and I hear the kids laughing.”

  “That’s unkind of the children and I would be very disappointed if you did that. But, sweetheart, could you maybe listen a little more”—Lauren spoke gently—“so that the next time it happens you’ll know the answer?”

  “I try, but sometimes I forget.”

  “Okay, hon, but try real hard, won’t you?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Shane gave him a hug. “Your mom’s right. I didn’t do real well in school, but I tried hard. What about sports? You could play T-ball. You’re great at it.”

  “Yeah.” A shy smile lit up his face. “I hit a home run. Maybe I can do it again.”

  “You sure did, slugger.” Shane grinned at Lauren. “See you in a couple of hours.”

  She blew him a kiss. “Thanks for today. It was fun.”

  Once Shane left, she bathed Josh and fed him dinner. When Julie arrived, she took her shower and got dressed for the evening. She wondered where Shane would take her for their first date. They could grab fast food for all she cared. Being with him was what mattered.

  She liked him more than she should. For all his warnings, and all her misgivings, she wanted him.

  EPISODE FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  He showed up in a navy blue suit, white shirt, and flashy tie, and looked so darn handsome, Lauren’s knees went weak. To keep herself from melting into a puddle at his feet, she backed up, holding onto the back of the couch for support.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked, looking worried. “Are you okay?”

  “I felt faint all of a sudden. Must be low blood sugar. I’m probably hungry after all that exercise today.”

  He grinned. “Good, because I’m taking you someplace special tonight.”

  “Can I ask where?”

  “No, you can’t. But trust me, you’re dressed perfect.”

  She had selected a soft yellow silk dress that gave a hint of cleavage, had a fitted waist, and flared below the hip. It was one of the few designer dresses she owned. Lauren rarely bought dressy clothes because she had no use for them, but she’d needed something for a friend’s wedding. The moment she’d seen the dress, she’d known she had to buy it.

  Now she was glad she had.

  After a quick good night to Julie and Josh, she followed Shane to his car. He drove a late model Toyota hybrid, which she was coming to learn was typical of him. He didn’t just want to save lives; he wanted to save the world.

  They chatted during the drive along the Pacific coastline, until he pulled up in front of the historic Breakers at the Long Beach Hotel.

  “The Sky Room?” she asked in surprise. The Sky Room was considered the most romantic dining room in Southern California.

  Two valets appeared and opened both the driver’s and the passenger’s doors. She stepped out and Shane took her hand.

  “Do you approve?” he asked, grinning.

  “Most definitely.” She hugged his arm. “But I would be just as happy at McDonald’s with you.”

  He laughed. “Next time, I’ll remember that.”

  She gave him a warm smile. “I was here once, a few years ago. It was a twenty-fifth anniversary party for one of the doctors I work with.”

  “Nice place to celebrate.” He linked her hand in the crook of his arm. “Since I’ve never been through the doors, you can lead the way.”

  They rode the elevator to the top floor. It was eight o’clock on a Sunday night, and they had no trouble being seated. When Shane slipped something into the maître d’s hand, they were given a window table that overlooked the Pacific Ocean and the city skyline.

  A wonderful quintet played easy listening music and pop tunes, and between the salad and their main course, she led him onto the dance floor. He guided her into his arms, and she fell into step, moving against him as if they’d been dance partners most of their lives.

  They lingered over their dinner, enjoying their conversation and the view. Once they’d finished eating and the waiters had cleared they plates, they danced some more.

  He whispered in her ear, “I thought I might take you somewhere else for dessert, unless you’d rather stay here.”

  “I’m open for suggestions.” She tilted her head back and gazed into his eyes. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Key lime pie at my place.”

  “There’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

  He gave her a serious look. “You can if you want to.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  He tugged her tight against him, and she felt his heart hammering along with her own.

  “I hope I don’t disappoint you,” he murmured.

  “You can’t. No matter what happens, I won’t be disappointed.”

  “You say that, but what if?”

  She could see the fear in his eyes, the tight set of his jaw, and hastened to reassure him. “I don’t care about what if.” She nuzzled his neck. “I just want to be alone with you.”

  They retrieved his car and drove back to his apartment, with hardly a word spoken between them. Lauren knew a lot was at stake. If this turned into a disaster, their comfortable relationship would suffer, and he might not want to see Josh anymore.

  She should put a stop to it, but it was already too late. Besides, every inch of her hungered for his touch, and she was pretty sure he felt the same. He needed her as much as she needed him.

  Lauren understood his fear of being a failure in the bedroom, but she’d make sure he wasn’t. And if it didn’t happen, that was fine too. But he needed to get back on the horse, so to speak, and she was more than happy to accompany him.

  She giggled and looked out the window.

  “What are you laughing at?” he asked.

  “I had a funny thought, not worth sharing.” She turned to him and stroked his cheek. “I had a wonderful time tonight, and I’m glad you invited me back to your place. I’d like to see where you live.”

  “Well, it’s no
t really mine. I’m just minding it for a friend.” He told her about Brent, and how he had agreed to take over the rent until Brent returned from Afghanistan.

  He seemed relaxed talking about his friend, so she asked questions and learned more in the next ten minutes than she had in the past two months. She heard in vivid detail about his months of being homeless, how he’d bottomed out in a bottle, and that Brent’s brother Jake had found him sleeping in a car and had turned his life around.

  “I’d like to meet your friends one day.”

  “I hope you can.”

  He parked in the underground lot, and then they rode the elevator. Lauren fought back the butterflies in her stomach the whole way.

  It would all work out. It had to.

  She walked into the apartment, noticing that everything looked new and nice, as well as spotlessly clean, as though no one lived there. The furniture consisted of a black leather couch and recliner, set around a large square coffee table, facing an enormous plasma TV hanging on a wall. Bookshelves lined one wall, and some potted silk plants filled up the corners.

  A wicker table with four chairs separated the living room from the kitchen, along with a granite counter with two bar stools.

  It was a very nice bachelor pad, but lacked a woman’s touch—no carpets or window treatments or pictures to brighten the walls.

  She walked around, nodding with approval. “Very nice,” she said, and then opened the balcony doors to step outside. A lovely sea breeze was blowing. She stood at the railing, enjoying the partial ocean view, trying to calm her nerves.

  He touched her arm, and she turned to face him. “It’s such a beautiful night,” she said. “I’ve had a wonderful time.”

  “It’s not over yet.”

  She laughed. “Oh, I know that, but I wanted you to know how much I appreciated the dinner and dancing and … well, you being you.”

  He put his hands against her back, and only a scant space separated their bodies. “I don’t want your appreciation.” He bent his head and kissed her lips. “I’m not sure what I want, but it’s a lot more than that.”