“Well, no,” he said sheepishly.
Mr. Vick pushed some markers his way and winked. “I’ll show him.” Again, there was a wheezing with every word, then a short coughing fit.
She grinned at Sean. “Have fun.”
For the next hour she called numbers. Sean even won a game. He whooped and put a hand in the air, pumping it in a sign of victory. He smiled broadly as he came to the front to receive his prize. There was friendly ribbing among the crowd over the possibility of her cheating so he could win. A few games later Rose called an end to the play.
As Cynthia boxed up the supplies Sean approached her. “So I’m guessing by your reaction to winning you’re now a fan of bingo. Another first for you too.”
“I have to admit I had a good time.” There was a twinkle in his eye.
“That’s what’s important.” She smiled at him.
His face turned serious. “Do you think Mr. Vick trusts you enough that he’d let me examine him if you asked?”
“I guess so. Is something wrong?” She glanced at the older man starting for the door.
“I think I know what might be causing that wheeze he has. It could be serious if it isn’t taken care of.”
Cynthia didn’t hesitate before calling, “Mr. Vick.” He turned to face them. “Wait up a minute, would you?” She and Sean walked toward him. “Mr. Vick, I was wondering if you would tell us about when your wheeze started? Sean here is a doctor and he’s curious.”
The man looked stricken and raised his hand to his throat.
Cynthia gave him a reassuring touch on the arm. “It’s okay. Nothing’ll happen you don’t agree to.”
“Mr. Vick, did you hurt your throat some time ago?” Sean asked, studying the man closely.
The grizzled man nodded.
“I’m a doctor who takes care of those types of things. I think you might have the beginnings of a real problem. I’d like to examine your throat.”
Mr. Vick started shaking his head. “Don’t like doctors.”
“I can understand that but I promise I’ll just touch your throat and look down it. Nothing more.”
“I’ll be right here with you. I promise Sean will be easy on you,” Cynthia added confidently. She knew his tenderness first hand.
The man looked from her to Sean and back again, then nodded.
“Cynthia, would you see if you can find me a flashlight?” Sean had turned into a medical professional on a mission.
“There should be one in the kitchen. I’ll be right back.” She hurried off and returned minutes later.
Sean had Mr. Vick sitting in a chair and was slowly moving his fingers along his throat.
“Here you go.” Cynthia handed him the flashlight.
“Mr. Vick, please open your mouth as wide as you can.” Sean shined the light into the man’s mouth. Seconds later he straightened and turned off the light. “Mr. Vick, you have a tracheal stenosis. I’m afraid it can be serious. Have you had pneumonia more than once?”
A wheezy “Yes” came from the man.
“You’ll have it again. It will get worse each time you have it. You’ll start having to stay in the hospital. I could help you if you would let me.” Sean waited as if the man saying yes was extremely important to him.
Mr. Vick took some time before he asked, “How?”
“It’s a pretty simple procedure done with a laser. You’ll need to stay one night in the hospital but that’s about it.”
Mr. Vick stood. “Let me think about it.”
“If money is the problem, don’t worry about it.”
Cynthia’s heart swelled. Sean might not believe in spending money on frivolous things but he would take care of a veteran without batting an eye.
Sean pulled his wallet out, found a card and handed it to him. “This has my office number on it. Call and make an appointment when you get ready. Tell them I told you to call.”
“Okay.” The ever-present wheeze was there.
“But don’t wait too long,” Sean added as Mr. Vick walked away.
“Do you think he’ll call?” Cynthia asked.
“I hope so. Sooner rather than later.” Sean turned to her. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, just as soon as I put the bingo stuff up in the cabinet.” She started toward the box sitting on the table up front.
Minutes later they were on their way out of the door into the dimly lit parking lot. Cynthia walked toward her car and Sean followed beside her. She didn’t want their time together to end but she was unsure what she should do next. What was happening between them was too new. When they arrived at her car she faced him. “It was sure a nice surprise to see you tonight. Real nice.”
Sean stepped closer, forcing her back against the door. “Nice enough that I can get a thank-you kiss?”
Her arms went around his neck and she went up on her toes to give it to him. Seconds later Sean pulled her tightly against him as he took charge of the kiss. All she’d experienced that morning had been real.
“I can’t seem to get enough of you,” he whispered with wonder in his voice.
She gazed at his face. “I missed you too. Thanks for the email.”
“You’re welcome.” His lips found hers again.
When a couple of veterans walked by them, she and Sean broke apart.
“Hey, are you hungry?” Sean asked. There was a desperate note in his voice. As if he wanted to hang onto her longer.
“A little,” she admitted.
“How about going for dessert?” He took her hand and pulled her toward his car parked a couple of spots away.
She giggled. “Okay.”
* * *
Sean found a diner not far away. He wasn’t going to let Cynthia go for the night until he had to. He led her to a back corner booth. When she stopped in the middle of the seat he said, “Scoot over,” and sat next to her.
Cynthia was obviously pleased with his decision. She smiled brightly. There was a rightness about being next to her that had him thinking of more than just tonight.
When the waitress came to take their order they both asked for a slice of pecan pie. She ordered hot tea and he a coffee.
Taking her hand under the table, he brought it to his thigh and held it there. He wished he could find some way to have her to himself for just a little while. They both had busy lives but hers seemed as if it were wrapped up in doing for everyone but herself. He liked that she cared, had such a big heart, but she needed to move forwards in life. He knew from pleasurable experience that all of the business covered up an uninhibited Cynthia who was amazing.
She leaned her head against his shoulder and squeezed his bicep. “It’s so nice to see you.”
He smiled. “I couldn’t stay away.”
Cynthia turned to him. “What about your grant? How much did you get done on it?”
His look held hers. “Surprisingly a whole lot. Maybe it was because I was so anxious to see you and wouldn’t let myself leave until I reached my goal for the night.”
“So I was the prize?”
“You were.” He kissed her.
The waitress brought their order. Just as Cynthia was about to take her first bite of pie she asked in a worried tone, “What time is it?”
Sean checked his watch. “Nine fifteen.”
“Oh, no, I’m late.” She started burrowing through her pocketbook.
Sean put down his coffee cup, preparing to leave. “For what?”
“To check in with my brothers. We do it every night at nine if one of us is out.” She tapped a number on her phone.
Her obsession with her brothers was a little over the top. He understood concern or caring to a point but it was as if she couldn’t accept that her brothers were grown men. If her relation
ship with him went further, could she let go of them enough to share her life with him?
As she spoke to Mark then Rick Sean finished his pie and coffee.
Done, she smiled at him and pulled her pie plate to her.
“Help out veterans and check on your brothers. You’re always taking care of someone. Who takes care of you?”
She shrugged. “I guess I do. I just do what my mother did. What my father encouraged us to do. See about each other.”
“That must be hard doing everything by yourself. I don’t see how that leaves much time for that fun you keep talking about.”
She looked at him over the rim of her tea cup. “Sometimes that is hard to find. But I try.”
Sean put his arm across the back of the seat. Her shoulder brushed the tips of his fingers and that was all it took for his body to react. How long could he endure sitting so close without kissing her again?
“So tell me what I can do to help with the work on the grant.” Cynthia pushed her half-eaten pie away.
“See, there you go wanting to help me.”
Cynthia gave him a sideways glance. “You do still need it, don’t you?”
“Yeah. I made a list of things I need to finish. There are a couple on there that I could use your help with.”
“Email me the list and I’ll get right on them first thing in the morning.” Cynthia seemed truly excited to assist him. More than that she was being supportive of him. Something that he’d known little of when he was a kid. “It’s nice to be needed.”
“You’re needed all right.” He scooted out of the booth, took her hand, pulling her up to stand beside him. “I think I should take you somewhere private to thank you properly.” He paid the bill and escorted her to the car.
Minutes later he parked next to her vehicle in the empty lot of the community center.
He took her in his arms and nuzzled her neck. Slowly his lips traveled across her cheek until his mouth found hers. Her hand came up to rest on his neck. He loved the feel of her fingers in his hair. The kiss was deep, hot and carnal. He wanted her to the point of pain.
Cynthia yelped when her elbow hit the gear shift. He pulled back, uttering a descriptive word under his breath. Giving her a wry grin, he said, “I’m far too old and too big to make out in a car.”
She giggled. “But I was enjoying it.”
“I was too. Too much.”
“I need to go anyway. My brothers will be wondering where I am.”
Would they really? He would guess not. They seemed to have moved on with their lives while Cynthia continued to live as if her parents were alive. It had to have been tough to virtually become a parent of two teenagers when she was barely out of her teens herself but it was time to let go. Time for her to live some. “What would it take for me to have you all to myself?”
“You will day after tomorrow.” She moved back to the passenger seat.
“That’s not enough.” He sounded as if he were begging, as he had when he’d wanted his parents’ attention. “But I guess I’ll settle for what I can get.”
She kissed him behind his ear. “I’ll...” then she kissed his temple “...make...” then the arch of his brow “...it...” the end of his nose “...worth...” the corner of his mouth “...your...” she nipped at his bottom lip “...while.” The tip of her tongue traced the line of his mouth. “Promise.”
His straining, painful arousal made a cold shower a sure thing tonight.
“You’re a tease. I’m going to hold you to that. I expect you to keep that promise.”
Cynthia kissed him. “Count on it. I’d better go.” She pulled her pocketbook strap over her shoulder and stepped out of the car.
Sean joined her. She reached her arms around his waist, pulled him to her and kissed him. Sean brought her against him and lifted her off her feet. Long, delightful minutes later he reluctantly let her slowly slide down him. “Good night, Cynthia.”
* * *
That night in Cynthia’s bed had been lonely and cold, and incredibly long without Sean. There was an email waiting on her the next morning.
Cyn,
Quick note: crazy day ahead.
I had planned to make Rick’s game but have to speak to a patient about an issue involving the grant app. Tonight is the only time he can do it.
Sorry.
I’ll be home by six thirty tomorrow. See you then.
Miss you.
Sean
P.S. List attached
Cynthia couldn’t deny she was disappointed. She had held out hope he would surprise her as he had the night before and make the game. She so wanted to see him. But he was doing something important.
She emailed back.
Hey,
Hope your day smooths out. I miss you too. Already looking forward to tomorrow. I’ll bring dinner!
Cyn
That night Rick’s basketball game didn’t hold much interest for her. Every minute that ticked by on the clock was a minute she was closer to seeing Sean again. The hours dragged by the next day despite her efforts to keep busy. Finally, she was almost to Sean’s house. The traffic wasn’t heavy so she made good time. Excitement bubbled in her. The last two days had been the longest she’d lived through since her parents had died.
She had it bad for Sean Donavon and she didn’t see any way back. The question was did Sean feel the same way? Or was he having that fun she’d encouraged him to have at her expense?
The minute she pulled into his driveway the front door opened and Sean stepped out. A large smile was on his face. He was obviously glad to see her. Still wearing his usual workday attire, he had pulled his shirttail out of his pants. The slightly rumpled look on him was appealing. He appeared relaxed, as if he was a little more at ease with life. Did he realize this?
It was nice to have someone excited to see her. It had been a long time since something in her life had revolved around her. So much of her time had been about her brothers or them as a family. Rarely had it been about her. Had she kept it that way for them or for her?
Sean met her as she stepped out of the car.
“Hey there,” she breathed.
He grabbed her and lifted her tightly against him as if he’d found a precious belonging that had gone missing. Her arms went around his neck. His mouth found hers. The kiss made it clear on many levels he was glad to see her. When he pulled back he said, staring into her eyes, “I’ve missed you.”
Cynthia kept her arms wrapped around his neck and beamed at him. “I wish you’d taken the time to show me.”
“Funny girl. That’s what I like about you—you always have jokes.” He let her go to stand on her feet.
She turned serious. “I like a lot of things about you too.”
“You keep looking at me like that and the neighbors are going to see exactly how well I like you.”
Cynthia glanced around to see if anyone was watching. “Didn’t you just show them that?”
His voice went into a low growl. “The real show would be much grander.”
She murmured, “We might need to move that one inside. Dinner’s in the bag on the backseat. Would you get it?”
“Sure. But food isn’t what I’m thinking about right now.” Sean winked at her and took the sack out of the car.
They walked toward the front door.
“So what do you have in mind for tonight? Working on your grant? Watching another Western?” she teased.
Sean opened the door, stood back allowing her to enter ahead of him.
Cynthia laid her purse on the table next to his keys. There was something intimate about their belongings sharing the same space. “Let me have that bag. The coleslaw needs to go in the refrigerator unless you’re ready to eat now.”
“I’ll see to it.” He
walked to the kitchen with more purpose than required for food care.
“So how did the meeting go last night?” Cynthia asked as she joined him.
“Very well. I marked one thing off the list.” He sat the bag on the counter and inspected its contents.
“Did you have a chance to do any more on it?” Cynthia watched him. She’d missed him last night with every fiber of her being.
He located the plastic bowl, pulled it out and opened the refrigerator door. “Not much.”
“Then you’ll be pleased to know that I accomplished three.”
Sean looked at her and smiled. “Whatever did I do without you?”
She hoped he never had to find out. “When is it due?”
“Next Monday.” Coleslaw on the shelf, he pushed the refrigerator door shut with more force than necessary. He stalked toward her. Taking her hand, he tugged her through the living room and down the hall. “I’m not really interested in talking about that. I have other things on my mind I’d rather be doing.”
“Such as?” she asked sweetly as she made a half-effort to drag her feet.
He stopped and she just managed not to stumble. Sean had a determined glint in his eye. “Like examining you without clothes.”
Cynthia looked at him as innocently as she could manage. “So, what you’re saying is that you’re only interested in my body.”
He growled low in his throat. “You know good and well I have the highest esteem for your mind but right now I’d like to enjoy your body.”
Cynthia stopped resisting and they entered his room. “Don’t you think we should sit down and talk some?” she said amiably. “After all, we haven’t seen each other in a couple of days.” She was unable to keep the grin from her face as he had her sit on the bed.
“You’re welcome to talk all you want while I’m doing this.” He nuzzled behind her ear.
Cynthia shivered and a soft mmm escaped her. She tilted her head, giving him better access to her neck.
Sean lifted his head and looked at her with a twinkle in his eye. “What? No chatter? I thought you were going to talk.”
“You keep that up and we won’t need any words.” She lay back on the bed, pulling him to her. Her hands went under his shirt tail and found warm skin.
Stolen Kisses with Her Boss Page 13