Michelle returned to the same spot on the sofa. He took the other end.
“You hungry? I didn’t even wake you for lunch,” she finally said.
“Yeah. I could eat.”
She hopped up as if she was looking for an excuse to get away from him. “I’ll fix you something.”
He grabbed her wrist with his uninjured hand. She stopped and looked down at him. He pulled her down gently, this time closer to him. “You know what I’d really like to have?”
Michelle’s eyes widened and she shook her head.
“A meat-lover’s pizza. Why don’t I buy you dinner?”
She pulled her hand from his. Her look of relief was almost laughable. “Did you think I was going to say something else?”
“No. No, I didn’t. I’ll call for the pizza. While we’re waiting I’ll give those bandages a look. You went to sleep so fast that I didn’t have a chance to change them and I hated to wake you.”
“I buy dinner if you want me to let you look at my stitches.” He raised a challenging brow.
“You make it sound like I want to look at a tattoo on your butt.”
He laughed. “Wouldn’t you like to see it?”
Michelle rewarded him with an appalled look before she stood. “I’ll call the pizza delivery place and get the supplies so I can give your arm and knee a look.”
Ty listened as Michelle spoke into the phone and rattled around in the kitchen. It seemed like forever since he’d heard those sounds of domestic tranquility. It hadn’t happened since he’d lived with his grandparents. His grandmother had made the same noises while his grandfather had sat in the den, reading the paper. They were the sounds of a home.
Bitter-sweet memories filled him. His grandparents had been both surprised and perplexed to see a teenager they’d barely known existed standing at their door. Despite that, they’d invited him in with open arms. It had been the first time he’d ever slept in the same place for over three months. The only time he’d known true stability.
They’d been so old when he’d arrived that he’d not only taken care of himself but often times them too. Somehow doing so had seemed to ease the pain he’d felt at not doing more for Joey. When they’d died within months of each other while he’d been in medical school he’d been devastated. What little foundation there had been in his world had crumbled. The last time he’d heard from his parents had been over three years ago. Who knew where they were now?
Michelle, returning with her hands full of supplies, interrupted his morose thoughts. “Interesting. A surgeon who is prepared,” he said as she laid gauze, tape, and surgical scissors on the low table in front of them.
“It’s just the usual first-aid type of stuff. Nothing special. Everyone has them.”
“I don’t.”
She met his gaze. “And that would be because you don’t stay in one place long enough to have a real home.”
Michelle couldn’t have made a more accurate shot if she’d punched him in a boxing match. She was right. He didn’t, and he wanted it that way. Saw to it that he remained uninvolved.
“Remind me to stop by the drug store and buy a first-aid kit. How does that sound?”
“Smart. Now, let’s have a look at your stitches first then I’ll redo the gauze on your hand and knee before putting antibacterial ointment on those scrapes.”
Michelle carefully cut the gauze and removed the pieces from his arm. She had a tender touch. A mother’s touch. That was a completely random thought. If she ever became a mother it wouldn’t involve him.
“All looks well. I’m going to just put a four-by-four over it but you’re going to have to promise to keep it dry. No hair-washing on your own.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll let you do all my hair-washing.”
She looked up at him with serious crystal-blue eyes. “You know making fun of the person who’s taking care of you really isn’t very smart. They might do something that hurts.”
“I might be worried if it was someone else but I don’t think you have a truly mean bone in your body. Under that armor of designer clothes, sexy shoes and all-business demeanor you’re a softy. You’ve made a major mistake, Dr. Ross. You’ve let your guard down where I’m concerned.”
Her pupils enlarged and she bit her upper lip. He could almost see the cogs turning in her brain. She looked so endearing and mystified he came close to leaning over and kissing her. She blinked and met his gaze again. The realization she’d been caught darkened her eyes.
Ty placed his hand over one of hers. “Hey, it’s not the end of the world. I won’t tell anyone, I promise.”
She pursed her lips and that old resolve returned to her eyes. “Now you really are making fun of me. Let me see that hand.”
He offered his bandaged hand. She took the same care with it as she had with the other but this time unwrapped it slowly. The last bit of gauze stuck to his raw skin. He winced.
Her head jerked up, eyes full of sympathy. She pressed her lips tightly together as she continued to work. When she pulled the last fragment free she said, “Oh, Ty, I’m so sorry. That has to hurt.”
He looked at the red, angry area of his palm, which no longer had the top two layers of skin, then back at her. Michelle’s eyes were luminous, heavy with tears. The woman did heart surgery and she was crying over him losing skin.
“Hey, don’t cry, Michelle, ma belle. I’m okay.” He brushed her cheek lightly with his uninjured hand.
She didn’t say anything or look at him. Instead she picked up the ointment and started spreading it gently over his wound. Done, she covered it again. She didn’t speak and neither did he.
After she’d rewrapped the gauze she said, “Hold this.” He placed his fingertip where she indicated. Pulling a piece of tape off a roll, she secured the gauze.
“For me to rebandage your knee you’re going to need to take off your pants and I need more gauze. While I’m gone, pull them down and make yourself decent using this blanket. I’ll be right back.”
“It’s been a long time since a woman told me to pull down my pants.” He chuckled at the snort she gave as she left the room.
Michelle soon returned. “Put your heel on the table.”
He did so and she started to work on removing the bandage, all business.
“You know, you have gorgeous hair,” he said.
She gave him a quelling look.
“So you don’t like to be complimented.”
Her fingers continued to work with the same efficiency she did in the OR. “I didn’t say that.”
“Then you do like to be complimented.”
She gave him a pointed look. “What I do know is that I’m used to my patients being sedated and I like it that way.”
He laughed so hard he had to hold his sides because the pain was so great. “You are too much, Michelle.”
“Would you be still and let me finish this?” Her lips quivered in her effort not to smile.
Minutes later she announced, “Good. There’s no redness around the stitches.” She began wrapping the new gauze into place.
Finished with the knee, she turned her back and let him pull his pants back up. Together they applied ointment to his other lacerations. Done, she gathered supplies. “I’m sorry I can’t do something more for those bruises. They have to hurt.”
“Maybe kiss them and make them better,” he quipped.
“My mother isn’t around.” The words were as crisp as the leaves on the ground in fall.
He narrowed his eyes. “What does that have to do with it?”
“The only reason we would kiss is to make her happy.”
Grabbing her, he jerked her against him. His hurt hand smarted but he didn’t care. “I couldn’t kiss you like I wanted to with your mother watching but I sure as hell can now.”
He ran his fingers into her hair and, holding a mass of the sunny threads in his hand, he brought his mouth down to hers. Michelle would know this one was for her and not her mother.
&n
bsp; * * *
Before Michelle could catch her breath, Ty’s mouth seared hers. His tongue broke the seal of her lips and entered. He didn’t ask permission but took. He demanded her attention, her acceptance. She held onto his shoulders, the only stable thing in her spinning world of pure pleasure.
Could she feel more alive? Need more? She was on fire.
Ty’s tongue swept, demanded and conquered. His strong arms pulled her tighter until she leaned against him, almost sitting in his lap. Her fingers bit into the muscles of his forearm in an effort to find control.
It felt so good to be against him.
He pulled his mouth away just far enough to say, “Let go, Michelle. Experience it.”
The dam burst on her control. She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her mouth to his again. This time he didn’t have to ask for entrance—she was there waiting with a welcome. She took all he gave and returned it. Blazing need pooled heavy and low in her. She writhed against him, pressing her breasts against his chest.
When he tried to pull away she moaned in resistance. She moved her hands up through his hair and directed his mouth to hers. His deep chuckle ripped through her as well as him, they were so close. Yet they weren’t close enough. Time stood still as he took over the kiss.
The doorbell rang.
Ty’s hands came down to rest on her waist. He gently pushed her away. “I do believe I might have created a monster.”
Michelle stiffened and looked away, embarrassed and angry at the same time. Could she have acted more desperate? Humiliated herself more?
The doorbell sounded again.
Ty placed a finger under her chin and lifted it so that she had to look into his eyes. “Hey, I’m not complaining. Desire is the most perfect form of flattery. And I’m definitely flattered.”
She gave him a wry smile.
He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “I’ll get the pizza.”
She and Ty decided to eat on the floor in the living room and watch a movie. They found that they were both big fans of action adventure films. She would never have guessed when he’d come into her OR that day that she would have ever had anything in common with Ty. He continued to dumbfound her. By just riding into town he’d tipped her ordered world sideways. Somehow he’d added an excitement to it that she hadn’t even known had been missing.
With the movie credits rolling, she pulled herself up off the floor and started to gather the plates and pizza box.
“Do you always have to clean up? Have everything just so?”
She looked down to where Ty still sat with his back against the sofa.
“Leave it. You’d be amazed at how freeing it is. Bet you can’t do it.”
She dropped the empty box onto the table with a thud and turned to walk away. “Goodnight.”
“I didn’t mean to make you mad.” He sounded truly apologetic.
“It does get old when you’re always making snide remarks about how I live, dress, act.”
“Hey…” Ty made an effort to stand and groaned in the process.
Unable to help herself, Michelle rushed to him. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just stiff from sitting so long. How about giving me a hand?” He reached his hand towards her.
If she touched him again, what would happen? She’d made a point to keep distance between them as they’d watched the movie she’d still been acutely aware of him the entire time. Particularly after their hot unforgettable kiss earlier. Fear controlled her. She was afraid she could go into his arms far too easily, into his bed. And why shouldn’t she? He’d be gone soon. She’d be able to return to her settled life. But could she keep her heart uninvolved? She knew what losing someone did to a person. Would it be worth it?
“It isn’t a commitment for life. I just need a tug up.”
The man was perceptive. He didn’t miss much about her or people in general. That was a trait to be admired.
“Come on, Michelle, ma belle,” Ty sang, “live a little. Help a man out.”
His grin, as always, was infectious.
Michelle put out her hand and his firm, large one encircled hers. It was emblematic of what he was doing to her life. Blanketing it, binding her more securely to him.
She stepped back on one foot and pulled. Ty, in a lithe movement that made her suspect that he might have been faking his aches and pains, came to his feet. As he moved upwards she leaned further back. When she started to stumble his grip became stronger. He pulled her forward against his solid body, his arm circled her waist and held her firmly in place.
Ty’s eyes captured and held her attention. His mouth hovered inches from hers. She wanted to lean forward and touch them with her own, feel them pressed against hers again. Swallowing, she said, “You made up needing help.”
“Truthfully, I didn’t but it worked out well anyway.” His mouth lowered, taking hers gently, testing. This time he was asking.
Her cellphone sitting on the table rang and rattled against the wood.
“You’re not on call. It’ll keep,” Ty whispered against her ear, before he kissed the sweet spot behind it.
She wanted to do as he’d asked but she couldn’t throw away ingrained habits so easily, despite being on the road to heaven.
“I can’t.” She stepped away and Ty let her go.
“I know. It’s who you are.”
Michelle picked up the cellphone and answered. She listened, suddenly feeling sick. “I’ll be right there.”
Tears hit her cheeks before she could get them under control.
Ty put his hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“My mom’s in the hospital. She collapsed. Her neighbor found her. I forgot to call,” she said frankly.
“Because of me.”
Michelle didn’t answer. “I have to go.” She headed towards her room for her shoes.
“I’m going with you.”
She stopped and looked at Ty. “No, you need to stay here and rest. You look like a postcard for a hospital stay yourself. Being black and blue.”
“If I were a man with less self-esteem I might be devastated by that comment. I’m going with you.”
“You don’t—”
“I said I’m going.”
She’d been alone with her mother’s illness for so long that she couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have someone along for support. It sounded nice, really nice. “Okay, but I don’t know how long I’ll be.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll stay as long as you do.”
“If you start hurting you’re getting a taxi back here. I don’t need two people in the hospital to care for.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She knew that tone well by now. Ty would do as he pleased, no matter what she said.
“Michelle.”
She looked at him. “Yes.”
“Don’t think what was happening here is over.”
Heat zipped through her, carrying anxiety, apprehension and the sweet thrill of anticipation. Ty wanted her. Not only now but later.
CHAPTER SIX
TY WAS GLAD to see Mrs. Ross settled in a room and comfortable. Her blood count had dipped, making her feel light-headed and causing her to fall. With a blood transfusion and a couple of days’ stay in the hospital, she’d be home again.
Michelle had stress written all over her face. Was this the same self-assured woman Ty was beginning to know so well? Her mother’s illness was taking its toll. Her breakdown in the OR and the over-the-top fear she’d experienced when she’d been called about her mother said her emotions were tissue-paper thin. She’d been carrying the load of worry by herself for far too long.
At least he was here for her now. He hadn’t been for Joey. That pure, raw panic in Michelle’s eyes had reached deep in him, to the place where he didn’t want to return.
Ty looked at the mother and daughter as they spoke quietly. Where it had once been a strong woman and a weaker one, now all Ty saw was two fragile women who loved e
ach other. Even though he wasn’t completely comfortable with how involved in Michelle’s life he had become he would support her to the best of his ability until it was time for him to leave.
“You two need to go home. I’m all right. The nurses will take good care of me tonight,” Mrs. Ross said, looking past Michelle to where he sat.
“Mother, I don’t want to leave you in here alone,” Michelle said.
In a stronger voice Mrs. Ross said, “Ty, please see that Michelle gets home safely. She’s tired and you don’t look much better. You shouldn’t have come anyway with all those injuries.” She looked back at her daughter. “I’ll go to sleep as soon as you are both gone.”
“Mom—”
“No argument. Ty, take care of her.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He went to stand beside Michelle’s chair. “Come on. We’ll come back first thing in the morning.” He took her elbow with his uninjured hand and urged her to stand.
Michelle leaned over and kissed her mother. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll be here.” Her mother gave her a weak smile. “Thanks, Ty.”
He nodded. In the parking lot he said, “Let me have your keys. You’re too done in to drive.”
“You drive a motorcycle.” Michelle yawned wide and long.
“I assure you I remember how to drive a car.”
Michelle handed over the keys without further argument. Ty helped her into the passenger side of the car and closed the door. She was dead on her feet. He’d had induced sleep the night before while she’d been up checking on him every hour or so. He didn’t remember every time she had, but as conscientious as she was he knew she’d done it. If he didn’t miss his guess he’d say she’d not slept any today either.
As a surgeon part of her job was to have the stamina to work long hours but that wasn’t when you were emotionally involved. Worry over her mother had drained her.
Before he’d pulled out of the lot, Michelle’s head was bobbing. “Put your head on my shoulder.”
The Rebel Doc Who Stole Her Heart Page 9