Stolen Kisses with Her Boss

by Susan Carlisle

  He didn’t sound as if he would allow any argument. She nodded and told Rick, “You drive my car home. I’ll be there as soon as I see about Ann Marie. You can have cake and ice cream here. It’s in the car. The ice cream’s in the cooler in the trunk.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” one of the girls called as Cynthia hurried to catch up with Sean, who was already headed toward the parking area. “Ann Marie, I’ll save you some for when you get home.”

  Ann Marie gave the girl a weak wave.

  “Thanks,” Cynthia said, over her shoulder. Nearing a midsized four-door car that Sean was obviously headed for, she hurried past him to open the back door. It was locked.

  “The keys are in my pocket. You’re going to have to get them.”

  What? She wasn’t going to stick her hand in his pants pocket.

  “I can hold An—”

  Sean gave her a stern look. “They’re in my right pocket. Get them.”

  Cynthia stepped around him. Swallowing hard, she slowly slipped her hand into the top of his front pocket. Thankfully Sean’s pants weren’t super tight. His body tensed. The hiss of air told her Sean wasn’t unaffected by her actions.

  She bit down on her lower lip as her hand continued to push farther along his leg. Her fingers found the keys and jerked them out. Cynthia released the breath she had been holding, unlocked the doors, and opened the rear one.

  Sean worked to sit Ann Marie on the seat in the small confined space. Cynthia went around to the other side and, by putting her hands under the girl’s arms, pulled her across the seat. “Ann Marie, I’m going to close the door and you can lean against it. It won’t be a comfortable ride but your leg and foot need to rest straight on the seat.”

  She watched as Sean quickly pulled his sweater off. A hint of a firm abdomen showed above his beltline when his shirt came untucked. She hated to admit her disappointment when it disappeared as his arms came down from over his head.

  “Here.” He wadded the sweater up and handed it to Ann Marie. “You can use this to cushion your back against the door handle.” Cynthia closed the door and watched through the window to make sure the girl was settled before she started around the car to the front passenger seat. The other car door slammed, and Sean met her halfway around the car.

  “Thanks for your help,” Cynthia said.

  “Not a problem.” Sean continued to the driver’s side.

  * * *

  Half an hour later, Sean drove up to the entrance of Emergency Department and stopped. He hopped out of the car and circled it to find Cynthia at the rear door with it already open. She was helping Ann Marie to slide across the seat.

  “Don’t let her stand. I’m going to get an orderly and a wheelchair.” Sean headed toward the sliding glass doors.

  “We’ll be right here,” Cynthia called after him.

  Minutes later he returned pulling a rolling bed while a member of the medical staff pushed it. They positioned it beside the car. With the wheel brakes on, Sean said, “Cynthia, if you would help scoot Ann Marie as far to the edge of the seat as you can, then I’ll lift her onto the rolling bed.”

  Sean waited until Cynthia had the girl in position. Supporting her back with one arm and the other under her knees, he lifted Ann Marie gently and placed her on the bed. Turning to Cynthia, he handed her his keys. “Why don’t you park my car? I’ll see to Ann Marie. I have a buddy who’s an ortho guy. I’m going to give him a call.”

  “Okay. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  Sean didn’t have to wait long before Cynthia joined him in the examination room. She’d removed her coveralls and now wore a sweatshirt with a local college insignia on the front and jeans. She looked about the same age as Ann Marie.

  The orderly finished settling the girl. “The doctor’s on her way in.”

  Sean said, “I’ve already phoned Dr. Mills. He has agreed to consult. He should be here soon.”

  Cynthia immediately stepped to the bedside. “Are you feeling any pain?”

  “It throbs,” Ann Marie said quietly.

  Cynthia patted her hand. “I’m sure they’ll do X-rays and have you out of here in no time.”

  “I hope so. Mama and Dad are not going to be happy when they see me.” The girl seemed more concerned about her parents than she was about her foot.

  While on their way he and Cynthia had listened as Ann Marie called and told her parents what had happened and which hospital she was being taken to. Her mother’s voice could be heard loud and clear from the backseat. She wasn’t happy.

  “I’m sure they’ll just be glad you weren’t hurt worse,” Cynthia assured her.

  Soon a tech from X-ray entered and whisked Ann Marie away leaving him and Cynthia in the empty room.

  “Uh, here’re your keys.” She pulled them from her pocket and handed them to him. Her cheeks went pink. Was she thinking of when she’d had to fish them out of his pocket?

  Sean took them. Her hand touched his for a split second. Even that sent an electric shock through him. What was it with this woman? “You did a nice job out there with Ann Marie. It looked like you’ve had first-aid training.”

  She moved to “her” side of the room, as if they were boxers facing off but unsure of the next move. “More like nursing training.”

  “Really? You’re in nursing school?”

  “I was, or was planning to be. I took nursing classes in high school. I was going to college to be a RN.” Cynthia took one of the two chairs in the small space. She sat straight in her chair with her hands in her lap as if she wasn’t completely comfortable around him.

  “Well, it showed. You were cool, calm and collected.” Sean meant it. He’d been impressed. If he hadn’t stepped in, he was sure she’d still have been able to handle the situation.

  Cynthia looked at him. “You did a nice job on wrapping her foot. Quick thinking.”

  He shrugged and grinned. “I have had some medical training after all.”

  “Wrap a lot of noses in scarves, do ya?”

  He laughed. “Not so many. There’s always a first time for everything.”

  “You get an A plus for effort. I do appreciate you driving us over and having your friend see Ann Marie. I know you had other plans tonight. Please don’t feel like you have to stay.”

  Sean leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “Trying to get rid of me?”

  “No, but I know you’re concerned about that grant application. And time is tight. You must need to go.”

  He checked his watch. He did have to meet Charles soon but he still had time. “I’m good. I have the report with me. I’ll call my colleague and make new arrangements. I want to make sure Ann Marie doesn’t need me to cut any red tape before I leave.”

  “You have the report with you?”

  “Yeah. I stuck it in my car while you were hunting for the first-aid kit.”

  There was a commotion in the hall. The door to the room opened and a middle-aged couple hurried in. It could only be Ann Marie’s parents. Sean straightened and Cynthia stood.

  She took a step toward the couple. Sean came to stand behind her as she said, “Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, I’m Cynthia Marcum. Rick’s sister. I want to assure you that Ann Marie is doing fine. She’s having an X-ray done now.”

  The woman took a threatening step toward Cynthia. “How could you’ve let this happen? I told Ann Marie she couldn’t come to the party. There wouldn’t be enough supervision with just you there. I blame you for this.”

  Cynthia recoiled until her back met his chest. Sean felt a slight tremor roll through her. His neck stiffened. What was he missing here? He wasn’t going to allow anyone to talk to her that way.

  “I can assure you that Ms. Marcum has taken and still is taking extremely good care of Ann Marie. What happened to
Ann Marie was merely an accident.” Stepping around Cynthia, he put himself between the irate mother and her. “I’m Dr. Sean Donavon. She handled the situation admirably. Ann Marie is doing fine.”

  Cynthia shifted to stand ridged beside him. She was going to stand her own ground, it appeared. “Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, I can assure you that your daughter has been under continuous supervision and has had capable care. She took a fall and twisted her ankle. We brought her here only as a precaution. I’m sorry it happened but she’s doing fine. She’ll be back here in a few minutes.”

  “I told Dan—” the mother glanced at her husband before turning her leer on Cynthia again “—that Ann Marie wasn’t to go to the party. I just knew something like this would happen,” she hissed.

  Sean’s shoulders relaxed when he saw Ann Marie being pushed into the room, ending the conversation. He touched Cynthia’s shoulder and nodded toward the far wall. She joined him out of the way. Cynthia must be as glad the discussion was over as he was. His jaw was tight in an effort not to say what he really thought to the over-the-top mother. Ann Marie’s father hadn’t said anything. Sean wasn’t surprised; he couldn’t be anything but browbeaten.

  The mother hurried to the bedside, hardly letting the transporter get the bed back into position. “Oh, honey, are you okay? I told you that you had no business at that party.”

  “Rick is my friend,” Ann Marie whined.

  “Yes, but you know how we feel about his family,” the mother said in a tight voice, glaring at Cynthia.

  “Mama, hush,” Ann Marie hissed.

  Sean had heard enough. He hated to leave the young girl to fend for herself but his and Cynthia’s presence wasn’t helping the situation. “Ann Marie, Cynthia and I will go now that your parents are here. We’ll call and check on you. Let me know if you have any problems. My buddy Dr. David Mills will be in here soon to look at your foot. He’s a nice guy. You’ll like him. Get him to show you a picture of his pet ferret.”

  Ann Marie gave him a weak smile. “Thanks, Sean. Cynthia. Sorry I messed up the party.”

  Cynthia stepped to the bed with shoulders squared and head high as if she were daring the girl’s parents to say anything. “You don’t worry about that. We’ll have plenty of ice cream and cake left. When you get home I’ll send Rick over with some.”

  “That sounds great.”

  Cynthia went out of the door ahead of him. They stopped at the nurses’ station, where he let them know he was leaving and that Ann Marie’s parents had arrived.

  “What was that all about?” he asked as soon as they were out of earshot of everyone.

  “I guess it’s about the fact that I am responsible for my two brothers and that Ann Marie’s parents don’t think I’m doing a good enough job. I appreciate your support back there. You’re a good guy, Dr. Sean Donavon.”

  Was this feeling of pride in his chest the same one as a knight of old experienced when he saved a damsel in distress? He sure hoped so; he rather liked it. “I know it’s been an emotional few hours and you’re probably ready to get home but I need to run this report upstairs to my buddy’s office.”

  Cynthia gave him a weary look. “It’s not a problem. I’ll just wait in the car.”

  “You sure? You could ride up with me if you want.” Sean hated to leave her sitting in the car.

  She took a second to answer. “Okay.”

  “I’ll go out and get it.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Cynthia said in a sad voice. He wished he could put that upbeat sound back into it. “I need to walk off this anger I’m feeling ever since Mrs. Lucas showed up. My parents would be so upset to know someone thought so poorly of our family.”

  Hoping to make her feel better, Sean said, “I, for one, would consider the source or give her the benefit of the doubt because her child was hurt and forget it.”

  “I wish it was that easy.”

  His gaze didn’t leave her face. “I know it isn’t.”

  They walked to the car, he got his file and they returned to the building. He led her to a staff elevator and they rode to the fifth floor. There they walked down the hall to where there were a group of nondescript doors.

  Sean knocked on one of them. A voice called, “Come in.”

  Sean glanced back at her and she said, “I’ll just wait out here.”

  A few minutes later he joined her again. “All done. Let’s go.”

  She nodded and they headed back down the hall toward the elevator. On it once again, Sean looked her as she took a spot on the opposite side of the car. Studying her as she watched the floor numbers light up, he noticed a small blob of yellow in her hair. “You have some paint just at your temple.”

  Cynthia pushed at her hair but missed the spot.

  He reached out and brushed his fingers against her skin. Sean didn’t miss the catch in her breathing as his hand continued into her hair. Removing the paint, he showed it to her on the end of his fingers. “See?”

  She looked at him wide-eyed as if all her senses were on alert. His certainly were. Cynthia smelled of grass, sunshine and a hint of something that could only be hers alone. Her skin had been smooth as a flower petal. She looked wild and vulnerable in her sweatshirt and jeans with her hair slightly disheveled.

  A whispered “Oh” escaped her lips.

  The only sense he hadn’t experienced was her taste. He wanted to. Would it be as good as he’d imagined? He leaned forward, his mouth moving toward hers. The bell of the elevator announced they had reached the lobby.

  Cynthia jerked back, and he straightened. He’d been so close to what he was searching for. A charmingly guilty look came over her face as three people stood on the outside of the elevator looking at them. She hurried out. He followed more slowly.

  Sean was feeling anything but embarrassment. It was more like need, want, desire, lust...

  * * *

  Cynthia was still trembling from the almost kiss when they reached Sean’s car. Even in her fantasies she’d not gone that far. Had he really been going to kiss her? She would never have thought a man like Sean would ever be interested in her. With his looks and beautiful voice a tall, leggy blonde who wore tight dresses seemed more his style. Yet, he’d almost kissed her and she hoped he tried again. Soon.

  Sean was ready to pull out of the parking lot when she said, “I live out in Bessemer.”

  He nodded and turned into the traffic headed south. “I didn’t want to ask until we were alone but would you mind telling me about what happened to your parents?”

  She didn’t want to go into her family dynamics but Sean deserved an explanation. She looked out of the window, but not really seeing anything. “My parents died a few years ago in a car accident. Since I was of age I assumed guardianship of my brothers. It hasn’t been easy all the time. Mark hasn’t always stayed within the lines but we’re still together.”

  “Mark?”

  “Yeah. My other brother. He is in college and has a part-time job. He had to work this evening. He should be at home when we get there.”

  Sean glanced at her. “How old is he?”

  “About to turn twenty,” she said in a flat tone.

  “No wonder. He was about, what, seventeen when your parents died? Hard age to lose your parents.”

  “Day after his eighteenth birthday. He took it hard. We all did.” She hadn’t talked about this in a long time. She had focused on living. Making each day the best she could for herself and her brothers. Now they were both adults but she still felt a responsibility to see they had a good start in life. Saw fun in life.

  “So how old were you when you became their guardian?”

  “Twenty-one.”

  He let out a long whistle. “That had to be tough.”

  “Not really. I was determined our family would stay together. I wouldn’
t have had it any other way.” It hadn’t been. She knew what she had to do and had done it.

  “I’m impressed. Not everyone’s willing to sacrifice like that.”

  She couldn’t imagine anyone not putting their family first. “I was taught that family was everything. I was not going to let us be split up. The boys needed to stay in the same school, have the same friends, stay in the only home they have known.”

  “So you gave up nursing school to take care of them?”

  She shrugged. “Not gave it up as much as postponed it. I did what had to be done at the time. Nursing school could wait.” She would do the same again.

  “It seems that a lot would have to wait to devote your life to others for years.” He said it as if he’d never known someone who’d sacrificed for their family. Or couldn’t believe that anyone would.

  Thankfully traffic was light and they were turning into her drive only a few minutes later. Her family home was a simple one-story brick on a tree-lined street in a rural neighborhood. Nothing special but it was theirs. She liked this time of day when lights shone through the windows of the other houses. It gave her a sense of security to know she was surrounded by others.

  When he’d turned off the engine she turned to him. “I can’t say thanks enough for your help.”

  He smiled. “I have to admit it was a different evening for me. Especially the paintball. It was fun.” Sean sounded surprised by that.

  “Even the part where you had to take Ann Marie to the hospital?” Sean really was a gorgeous man. But she’d found other things to like about him besides his looks and voice. He’d been great with Ann Marie, even more amazing with her parents.

  Sean shrugged and chuckled. “Every doctor loves a trip to the hospital.”

  She laughed. “I guess they do. I’m glad you were there. Having a doctor along in an emergency is reassuring.” Add another positive. A good sport. She could fall for this guy. And that idea was crazy.

  “It wasn’t like you needed me. You could have handled it.” He glanced at the house.

  “I appreciate the vote of confidence. Would you like to come in for some cake and ice cream? It’s not much in the way of a thank-you but it’s the best I can do.”