The Rebel Doc Who Stole Her Heart

by Susan Carlisle

“Hey, Jane,” Ty said as they passed her.

  “Ty,” Jane called above the sounds of the band warming up.

  “Yeah?”

  “You might want to wipe that red lipstick off before you go on stage.”

  Michelle had no doubt that her face had turned the same color as her lips.

  He grinned and rubbed the back of his hand across his lips. “Thanks, Jane. Michelle attacked me.”

  Michelle held her head high and kept moving, grateful for the low light. For once she didn’t care who knew her business. Ty was at least speaking to her.

  * * *

  Ty had hardly been able to believe his eyes when he’d seen Michelle in the audience. He’d done a true double-take. He hadn’t had to wonder if she’d come to see him—it was as good as written all over her face. Her eyes were for him only.

  He’d worked his way to her table after the first set to find her not there. Without asking, Jane had pointed him in the direction of the restroom. He’d tried to look casual as he’d waited for Michelle to come out, but his insides had been churning. Thinking of little else but wanting Michelle and remembering those extraordinary hours they’d spent together had made the last two weeks apart horrible.

  He wanted her to regret treating what had been the hottest night of passion he’d ever experienced as if he’d been there only to help her through a bad time. But to be fair, he hadn’t led her to believe that their relationship would be anything but a casual thing, only lasting until he left. He hadn’t changed his mind. But at least this way she wouldn’t expect something more, something he couldn’t give.

  When Michelle had finally emerged from the ladies room he’d wavered between relief and insecurity. Would she be glad to see him?

  He’d meant to be cool, to act as if her being there hadn’t affected him. It had worked for a little while before he’d had to touch her. And what had he done? Attacked her like a teen in heat. He grinned. She’d seemed to enjoy it. It had been almost painful to leave her with her lips swollen from his kisses and a flame of desire glowing in her eyes to return to the stage.

  Now he was trying to focus on his music despite his attention continually returning to Michelle. Her eyes were always there to meet his. She had a slight smile on her face, which pleased him. Beautiful any time, Michelle was radiant when she smiled. Something she was doing more often now. She deserved to be happy.

  The band finished their final number and said goodnight. Ty put up his guitar and shook hands with the other members. He searched the area where Michelle had been sitting and found her no longer there. After a moment of panic, he located her waiting near an empty booth across the room. With an excited skip to his heart he grinned and joined her.

  “I saw this one open and thought I should get it before someone else did.” She returned his smile.

  “Great. You have a seat. I’ll go to the bar and order those burgers. What would you like to drink?”

  “A soda would be fine,” she said as she slid into one of the bench seats.

  Ty laid his guitar case on the other bench and made his way across the room. He hurriedly placed their order, worried that Michelle might change her mind and leave. Had he ever felt so insecure about a woman before?

  Returning to the table, he said to Michelle, “Scoot over. Emily is taking up all the room on the other side.”

  She wrinkled up her forehead. “Emily?”

  “Yeah. My guitar.”

  She moved further into the booth. “You named your guitar.”

  “Sure. Doesn’t everybody?” He slipped in beside her, moving close enough that her thigh met his from hip to knee. If he could get away with it, he’d say forget the burgers and let’s go home but was afraid he’d scare her off. He’d already come on too strong.

  “I don’t know. I don’t play a guitar.”

  “Maybe I’ll teach you someday.” He picked up her hand and began caressing each finger. “With these long fingers I bet you could make lovely music.”

  She gently pulled her hand away. “Who knows? I might just take you up on that offer some time. Now, tell me what you were saying about a table here being named for my father.”

  “See that booth over there.” He pointed across the room. “There’s a little gold plaque on the table with your daddy’s name on it.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I was in here the other day and happened to sit at that booth. When I read the plaque I knew the Ross had to be yours.” She looked as if she wanted to push him out of the way and go and have a look.

  “I had no idea.”

  “I figured you didn’t,” he said.

  “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

  “I don’t know, maybe you pretty much told me that you had used me and didn’t plan to have any more to do with me.”

  She had the good grace to appear ashamed. “I’m sorry. I hadn’t meant to imply that.”

  By the expression on her face, he believed she was. “I can’t really blame you. I’ve never given you any indication that I wanted more.”

  Her eyes grew wide and she looked at him expectantly. “Do you?”

  Ty tightened his lips and shook his head slightly. “No. I’ll be leaving in three weeks. That’s how it has to be.”

  She gave him a resigned look of understanding and looked away.

  He needed to get them back on an even footing again, change the subject. “Hey, when that couple leaves we’ll have a look.”

  One of the barmaids brought their meals and refilled their drinks before she turned to another table.

  “I can’t eat all this!” Michelle exclaimed. “This burger is bigger than I remember.”

  “I sure can. I’m starving,” Ty said, picking up his burger from beside a pile of French fries.

  Minutes later, with half his burger gone and Michelle well into hers, he said, “So tell me about your father.”

  He smiled as she wiped her mouth daintily. She was all lady, even in a bar and grill.

  She finished a fry. “Well, he was an accountant with one of the banks here in town.”

  Ty looked at her. “That’s what he did for a living. Tell me about him.”

  Her eyes held a solemn look. She blinked and leaned back into the corner of the booth. As if the words were water pouring out of a pitcher, she said, “His name was Alan William Ross. He played basketball in high school, he liked to fish, and loved to laugh. Fried chicken was his favorite Sunday meal. He wore suits when he went to work and refused to wear one on the weekend. He went with me to the mall one Saturday afternoon but he didn’t come home with me.”

  “What happened?”

  “He died of a heart attack at forty-two years old.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I am too.” She looked around the room. “I miss him every day. He brought me here the Saturday he died.”

  “No wonder you haven’t been back. It must have been tough to come tonight.”

  Michelle’s look met his. “It was. In more ways than one.”

  “I’m glad you did.”

  “I am too.”

  Michelle straightened again, bringing her leg back into contact with his. Where it belonged. They ate in silence for a while. Ty enjoyed sharing a meal with someone, especially when it was Michelle. He was starting to discover that the loner life didn’t have as much appeal has it once had.

  “Now it’s your turn,” she said, eating her burger with more gusto than she had before. “You know about my family. How about yours?”

  The last bite of his burger lodged in his throat. He forced it down. This wasn’t where he’d been planning to go when he’d asked about Michelle’s father. His parents, his past were things better left alone.

  “I don’t think you want to know about them.” With a relief that knew no bounds, he watched as the couple that had been sitting in the booth they’d been waiting for left. “If you’re done, we can go and look at that plaque now.”

  “Yes, I’d like that.”


  Ty watched as Michelle ran her index finger over the gold-colored plaque on the worn wooden table. “Alan Ross sat here.”

  “Ty.” She looked at him and said, “Thank you for this. I’ll have to tell my mother.” She slipped her hand into his.

  He squeezed it. “How is she?”

  “Doing better than she has in months. She’s no worse for wear after her stay in the hospital. She’s even starting to get out more. Maybe she has turned the corner.”

  “I sure hope so. Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you mind giving me a ride home? My motorcycle is still in the shop.”

  “Oh, I can’t believe I’ve forgotten to ask about your injuries. You don’t seem to be favoring them anymore.”

  “They are all better. My palm is still tender but that’s no big deal.” He put his hand out to show her.

  “When did you have the stitches taken out of your knee?”

  “I took them out early last week.”

  “Figures,” Michelle said with a curl of her lips.

  “If you want to give them some TLC, be my guest.”

  “Do they need it?”

  “No, but I do love getting attention from you. Especially if you’re washing my hair,” he said with a grin.

  She lifted her shoulders and let them drop. “Maybe if you’re on your best behavior…”

  “How about that ride, then?”

  Michelle smiled. “I believe I can give a stranded man a ride home.”

  The question was whether she would be willing to come in when they got to his place.

  * * *

  Michelle pulled the car into the parking space that Ty indicated. The apartment complex was as nondescript as any she’d ever seen.

  Would Ty invite her in? Did she want him to? Would she go if he did? She’d been trying to answer those questions with every mile she’d driven.

  “Thanks for the ride.” Ty opened the door and maneuvered his large body out of the compact car. Going to the passenger door, he opened it, leaned in and retrieved his guitar.

  Her stomach dropped. He wasn’t going to ask her in. She watched as he started to walk away. Blinking, she put the car into reverse then pushed it back into park. Perhaps she should reach for what she wanted. She rolled her window down.

  “Hey, you have any coffee?”

  “Yeah. Want some?”

  “Yes.”

  She joined him on the sidewalk and they strolled towards the building. They entered the open stairs area and climbed to the second floor. She followed Ty to the third door. He put his guitar down and slipped his hand into his pocket. “I was wondering how long it would take you to get up the nerve to ask if you could come in,” Ty said with a grin before he pulled a ring of keys out of his pocket and placed one in the lock.

  Had he been playing her? Was he so sure of her he knew she didn’t want to go home? “What made you think that?”

  “I don’t know.” He pushed the door open with his foot. “Maybe the way you looked at me while I was playing tonight.”

  “I didn’t look at you in any way.”

  He chuckled while picking up his guitar and stepping inside. She followed him. He closed the door behind her. The only light was the one burning over the kitchen sink.

  “Yeah, you did. Like you could eat me up.”

  “I did not.”

  “You did. Just like I’m going to do to you.”

  Michelle had no idea when or where he put down his guitar. All she knew was that Ty’s arms held her tightly and his mouth had found hers. Her arms circled his neck. He eased the pressure and found a different angle so that his mouth more completely took hers. This time the passion between them soared. She shuddered against him. Her blood hummed with the heat that Ty generated deep in her. Tingling all over, her heart tap danced to the driving need he created. He pulled away. She groaned in complaint.

  “I thought you wanted coffee,” Ty said.

  She cupped his cheek and brought his lips towards hers. “I don’t even like coffee.”

  He looked at her with twinkling eyes. “Why Dr. Ross, if you’re not interested in my coffee then what do you want?”

  “You.” Her lips found his.

  * * *

  Michelle woke to the smell of coffee and bright sun filling the window. She had slept well into the morning, a luxury she rarely allowed herself. Instantly she knew Ty wasn’t near. The comfort and security she felt when he was around was missing.

  She found his T-shirt on the floor, where she had dropped it after pulling it off him the night before. Slipping it over her head, she tugged it down. She inhaled deeply. His scent surrounded her. She had it bad for the man. Could Ty possibly feel the same way about her?

  She padded barefoot out of the bedroom in search of him. As he’d taken her to his bed during the night, she’d not noticed much about his apartment. Out of the fog of desire she had only seen that it was furnished with the necessities only. There was nothing personal in it outside of Ty’s clothes and guitar. Nothing permanent. Just like Ty.

  For once she refused to dwell on the past or the future and live in the now.

  She found Ty with his hip against the counter, drinking a cup of coffee. He wore nothing but his jeans. She’d never seen a sexier man on billboard or TV. When he saw her a smile slowly creased his face. The smile that was for her alone. Her stomach fluttered. Her ego was going to be a big as Ty’s if he kept looking at her that way. She’d been wanton enough last night.

  “Hey,” she said softly, suddenly feeling shy.

  “Hey, yourself, ma belle.” He lifted his cup.

  “Why do you call me ma belle?”

  He chuckle softly. “Haven’t you ever heard the old Beatles’ song, ‘Michelle’? It reminds me of you. Pretty.” His finger caressed her cheek. She leaned into his touch, liking the idea of belonging to him.

  “Would you like a cup of coffee, ma belle?”

  She shook her head.

  “No, that’s right, you don’t drink coffee.” He put the cup down and looked in the refrigerator. “Bottled water?”

  She took the bottle. “Thanks. You travel pretty light.”

  “Yeah, not much room on a bike.” He grinned.

  “That’s a fine-looking coffeemaker, though. Carry that on your bike?”

  “Naw, but I request a good one to be supplied by the house service wherever I stay. Hey, how about we go to the beach for the day?”

  She looked at him. “I can’t do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “That’s hours away. I need to check on my patients. See about my mother.”

  “We can stop by the hospital on our way out of town and you can call and check on your mother. Come on, Michelle, for once in your life do something spontaneous.”

  A slow grin formed on her lips. “Okay.” His look of surprise made her laugh.

  “You’ll go?” he asked, eyebrows raised.

  “Yes. I’ll go. Sounds like fun. How’s that for spontaneous?”

  “Perfect.” He reached over and pulled her close for a kiss.

  “Let me get a quick shower first. We’ll need to stop by my place also,” she said.

  “I need a shower too. How about I join you? That way it’ll take us less time.”

  She ruined the serious look she’d manufactured by breaking out in a smile. “I doubt that. I think you’re hoping I’ll wash your hair.”

  Ty gave her his best wolfish grin. “Among other things.”

  She gave him a look suggesting she would enjoy the “other things” as much as he would.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  MICHELLE HAD TO admit that there was a feeling of freedom that came with saying yes to a spur-of-the-moment idea.

  Her shower—okay their shower—had taken longer than she’d planned but it had been the nicest and most rewarding one she’d ever taken. She’d agreed to wash Ty’s hair and in return he’d washed all of her. Afterwards they dressed and prepared to leave
.

  “I’m not riding two hours to the beach on your motorcycle,” Michelle announced as she slipped on her shoes.

  “My motorcycle isn’t out of the shop yet. So you can cool your righteous indignation. I’ve arranged for a rental. I’ve gotten tired of bumming a ride. In fact, could you drop me off at the rental place? They’ve got my replacement in.”

  “Okay,” Michelle said as Ty settled into the passenger side of her car after placing his guitar in the back. She liked that about him. Ty wasn’t one of those men who thought he should always drive just because he was the male. He was comfortable with who he was.

  “While I see about the car you’ll have time to check in on your mom and call the hospital,” Ty suggested.

  He knew her so well. She needed to let her mother know she’d be out of town for the day.

  Ty climbed out of the car with a wave of his hand and a “See you in a few” at the car rental place.

  At home Michelle made her calls. She discovered that her mother had made arrangements to spend the afternoon having tea with a couple of friends at a local luxury hotel.

  “You enjoy your day, honey,” her mother said after Michelle had shared her plans.

  Her mother had been acting more like her old self after her recent hospital stay. She’d even begun cooking again. A couple of nights during the last few weeks Michelle hadn’t even stopped by to see her, at her mother’s insistence. The awful thing about it was that it had been during the same weeks she hadn’t seen Ty. The nights had been impossibly long.

  She’d just finished talking to her mother when Ty knocked on the door and she let him in. He looked irresistible. She had to grin. He was hers for the time being.

  “What?”

  “Oh, nothing,” she said, moving further back into her condo.

  “How’s your mother?”

  “Amazingly well. She’s going out to tea with some friends.”

  “I told you she’d be fine.” His deep voice sounded like warm molasses.

  “Yes, you did. It must be wonderful being a know-it-all.” She turned and grinned at him.

  He stepped closer giving her a gentle kiss on the lips. “You know, it’s nice to see you smiling.”

  Michelle kissed him back. “You know, I’m really looking forward to spending the day with you. Hey, I need to get us some towels.” In her room, she looked for her beach bag. It had been so long since she’d spent a day at the seashore she had to search for the bag. Locating it, she stuffed it with towels, sunscreen and a hat for herself before returning to the living room.