His lips moved close to hers. “I think our bodies are long overdue for a conversation.”
Cynthia’s hips flexed against him. “Talk all you want.”
An hour later they were sitting at his kitchen table, eating. Sean wore only a pair of worn jeans. Cynthia could hardly concentrate on her meal for watching the ripple of muscles across his chest. She’d pulled on one of his T-shirts that she’d rejected as too thin the other night.
“You’re staring at me,” he said between bites of coleslaw.
“I would think you would be used to it.” Cynthia’s gaze didn’t waver.
“Why’s that?”
“Because you’re so good-looking.” She couldn’t believe he didn’t know it.
“Who says that?” Doubt filled his voice.
“Me. You’re almost breathtaking.”
He looked up and grinned at her. “Breathtaking, eh?”
“Now I’ve messed up. That’s going straight to your head. I’ll hear about that forever.”
He leaned in close. His eyes remained fixed on hers. “Would you like to hear about it forever?”
Cynthia’s heart skipped a beat then righted itself. What was he really asking? Was he talking about forever between them? How should she answer that? “I could stand that.”
“Just stand?” His look didn’t waver.
“I would like that,” she said with all the conviction she felt.
“Me too.” Sean leaned over and kissed her. “We are good together.”
Had he just said he loved her in an around about way? It didn’t matter. He cared about her. No one talked about forever with someone they didn’t truly care about.
They ate for a few more minutes before Sean said, “I hate to do this to you but I’ve got to work on the grant application some tonight. Do you mind?”
“Not at all. Is there something I can do?” She took a drink of iced tea.
He pushed back in his chair. “I was hoping you’d ask. I have one small project.”
“Do I need my laptop for it? I didn’t bring it.” She wouldn’t be much help after all.
“You will, but you can use mine.”
She stood. “I’m going to put my pants on. I feel a little underdressed to be working.”
“It’s probably just as well, because if you sashay around here with that cute behind showing I’m not going to be able to concentrate.”
She looked down at him. “So you’re saying that I disturb you?”
“Yeah, a lot.” His voice turned stern. “Now, go and get back here and help me.” He grinned and gave her a light pop on the behind.
“Ouf,” she said, and giggled.
* * *
Sean had never enjoyed being around a woman as much as he did Cynthia. Their relationship was playful. Fun. He liked having fun. More than one of his woman friends had called him uptight.
His parents had accused him of being an old man in a young man’s body. Those had been times when he’d been disgusted with them over being excited about a new product or plan. After a while he’d stopped even complaining. For him most of the enthusiasm had been taken out of life except where his work was concerned. With Cynthia, he laughed. Her quick wit made him think. Life had become pleasurable, something he looked forward to. She gave him something he hadn’t realized was missing in his life. Laughter. As Cynthia would call it, fun.
They had talked around the subject of forever earlier. She seemed as if she wanted the same things as him but he’d held back on telling her what he felt. But did he really know? Their relationship was so fresh yet he knew it was something special. For a little while longer he would settle for just enjoying having her in his life.
They worked for a few hours and he was pleased with what they had accomplished.
“I should be done tomorrow. I’ll review it and it’ll be ready to go before next Monday.” He was optimistic that he would receive the grant.
“I’m glad.” She stood and put her arms around his neck, giving him a hug from behind. “I’m proud of you.”
His heart swelled. When was the last time someone had said that to him? Cynthia knew how to make a person feel special.
Sean brought her around him to sit on his lap. “Thanks for your help.”
Her arm lay along his shoulders and her fingers caressed the shell of his ear. “All part of a transcriptionist’s service.”
“I think you’ve gone above the call of duty.” He kissed her temple.
“Maybe, but I’m still glad I could help. As much as I hate it I’ve got to go. It’s getting late.” She slipped off his legs.
“Go? Can’t you stay the night? I hate for you to have to drive home so late.” He took her hand and pulled her back toward him.
“Sean, you know I can’t. I have to think about the example I’m setting for the boys.”
For once Sean would like her to think of them before her brothers. Would Cynthia ever put her wants ahead of others’? Let her brothers grow up in her mind? He made a point of using an even tone and not sounding antagonistic. “So the idea is we’ll just catch each other here and there?”
She slumped and gave him a sad look. “I guess we’ll just have to play it day by day. I can’t come over on the nights Rick has games. You’re always welcome to go with me to those.”
Sean stood and put his hands on her shoulders. “I have to be honest. I want more but I’ll take what I can get. For now.” He kissed her.
“I’m sorry it has to be this way for now. I need to get my clothes and shoes.” Cynthia headed for the bedroom.
Sean’s frustration was growing with her constant need to treat her brothers as if they were children. They were adults just as she was and it was time for her to treat them as such. Sean cleaned up what they had been working on and met her in the living room. “I’ll walk you out.” He took her hand.
At the car, he brought her close and kissed her with all the passion he felt. She returned it. With every fiber in his being screaming no, he let her go.
CHAPTER NINE
SEAN MANAGED TO make one of Rick’s basketball games that week. He had to admit he had a good time but he still wished he could spend more time alone with Cynthia, instead of competing with everything else in her life.
Still, the last few days had been wonderful. The nicest he could remember. He’d even enjoyed the family aspect of it. There was a feeling of belonging that he’d not known in a long time. Even acceptance. Her family was one he could be proud of. He puffed with pride when Rick was named most valuable player at the end of the game.
Cynthia did spend Sunday in his bed. After making long, lazy love they were wrapped in each other’s arms when she asked, “So the grant application is ready to go?”
“First thing in the morning. Now all I have to do is wait.”
“That’ll probably be the worst part.” She frowned, then brightened. “We should celebrate.”
The idea startled him. He never thought to do that. “Like how?”
“You know. Have some fun.”
There was that word again. “Don’t we need to save that until we know if I get it?” Sean asked as he ran a finger along her arm.
“No, we should do something special.” She sat up and looked at him while pulling the sheet up to cover her gorgeous breasts.
“What we were doing just now was fun.” He snatched the sheet away.
“Stop.” She grabbed at the material. “I want you to concentrate on what I’m saying.”
He did have a hard time thinking straight when she was naked.
She looked at him earnestly. “Making love is enjoyable but you need to let loose some, Dr. Donavon. Go somewhere, do something. Have fun.”
Could this be a chance to get her to himself for a little
while? No interruptions. No having her running home. Fun wasn’t something he was well versed in but he knew how he’d like to celebrate. By having Cynthia all to himself. “Maybe that’s not such a bad idea.”
She perked up. Excitement filled her voice. “What would we do?”
“Something like you and me going away for a few days. I have a buddy who has been trying to get me to use his cabin on a lake north of here. We can celebrate there. He said something about it being available next weekend. How does that sound?”
Cynthia withered, seemed unsure. After a few seconds, she rallied to say in a cheery voice, “Okay, that sounds nice. I’d like that. Rick’s season is over this Tuesday night so I’m free.” She grinned. “And I like going to a lake even in the early spring.”
“Then I’ll set it up.”
* * *
Monday afternoon there was an email in Cynthia’s box:
Cyn,
I got our trip to the lake all set up for this weekend. Let’s plan to leave about three.
Looking forward to having you to myself.
Sean
She anticipated the coming weekend like a child waiting to open a long-expected gift. An entire weekend with Sean sounded like pure heaven. The last week, despite the juggling of their schedules, had been amazing. She’d never been happier or felt more complete.
As she daydreamed the phone rang. She picked up her phone hoping it might be Sean.
“Cyn.” It was Mark.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
“My car has died.” He sounded disgusted.
“Where’re you?” She was already thinking about where they were going to get the money to pay for the repairs.
“I made it to work but it was smoking when I got here. I don’t know if it can be fixed. I’m going to have the guy here give it a look but it doesn’t look good.”
“All right.” This was all they needed.
“I’m going to need to borrow your car to get to work the rest of this week,” Mark said.
“I know. I’ll be there to pick you up after work.” And she wouldn’t be going to Sean’s tonight.
She emailed him:
Hey Sean,
You don’t know how much I hate it, but I’m not going to make it tonight. Mark has had car trouble and needs me to pick him up.
I won’t make the rest of the week either, as he’ll need my car to get to work. You’re welcome here anytime.
I can’t wait until this weekend.
Sorry...
Cyn
Sean wasn’t going to like that email at all. More than once she’d noticed his lips thinning into a tight line before he’d realized she was watching him as she’d mentioned something she needed to do for her brothers. But with the weekend coming up she planned to focus all her attention on him. With his family background, he must have felt as if he was secondary to anything her brothers were doing. She never meant for him to feel that way but it must seem so to him.
Cynthia had already told Mark and Rick she’d be gone over the weekend and could be reached by phone. They’d had a few questions and grinned at her knowingly but otherwise hadn’t been interested. Maybe they didn’t need her as much as she thought they did. The idea was sort of liberating. She’d been living on hold for so long it was nice to have a change in her life.
After Tuesday night’s game that week, on the drive home Rick told her that his coach had announced an unscheduled tournament the coming weekend. The same one she and Sean would be out of town. Rick had already made arrangements to stay with a basketball buddy for the weekend, but she hated to miss the games. Still, she wouldn’t let Sean down again. He deserved better. This time she would choose him over her brothers.
She’d never done anything like going away with a man before. Had never been straight up about where she would be when it came to her brothers. She had it bad. No, she was afraid she might be in love.
Where that was going to get her she had no idea. Did Sean feel the same way? It didn’t matter; her heart was going to take a beating if he didn’t feel the same.
After waiting impatiently for the coming weekend, Cynthia gazed out of the windshield as Sean pulled up the pine-lined drive to the side of the log cabin. A porch spanned the length of the front. The fading evening sun glistened orange off the lake nearby. There couldn’t have been a more perfect spot in the world. She could hardly wait to have Sean to herself for a couple of days.
Together they climbed the steps to the porch. He unlocked the door and entered ahead of her as she looked off over the lake.
Cynthia joined him. “Sean, this is wonderful. I may never leave.”
He flipped on a light over the sink. Coming to her, he pulled her into his arms. “That would suit me just fine. I’m not sure I could ever get enough of you.” He kissed her.
Minutes later and leaving her panting for more of his kisses, he said, “I’d better get things in before it gets dark.”
“I’ll help.” She started toward the door.
“No, you won’t. This weekend is about me taking care of you. And you doing nothing that isn’t just for you.”
She followed him out on the porch. “Hey, when was that decided?”
“I did it on the way up here,” he threw over his shoulder. “Now hush and go explore the rest of the place. I’ll be done here soon.”
Cynthia did as he instructed. The main area was just one large room with the kitchen on one side and a sitting area with a fireplace on the other. She found two bedrooms at the back of the place. One was smaller with bunk beds and the other was larger with a bed that took up most of the space. A quilt covered it and there was another on the end of the bed. Outside the back door was an open-air shower.
“So what do you think?” Sean called.
“I love it.” She went back to the kitchen where he was unloading the bags of groceries they’d bought at a small store a few miles away.
“You hungry?” he asked.
“No. I’m still full from that burger. It was good.” They had stopped on the way at a local burger place his friend had recommended.
“I could tell from the amount of juice running down your chin.” He grinned at her then put a jug of milk in the refrigerator.
She raised her nose in the air. “Like you were any better.”
“What would you like to do first? We can walk down to the lake. Sit on the porch. Or watch the rest of the sunset. Start a fire. It’s up to you.” Sean put the last of the supplies away.
“I think I would like to try out the interesting shower before it gets completely dark.” She picked up her bag and carried it to the large bedroom. There she pulled out a new short nightgown and headed for the bath. She found what she needed before going outside. Hanging the towel on the rail, she turned on the water and made sure it was warm before she quickly undressed and stepped under the steaming water.
“I had no idea the shower was outside. I don’t know about this,” Sean said from the door opening above her.
“Come on in. This is rather liberating. Live a little, Doc.”
Her face was lifted to the water when Sean stepped in behind her. His hands skimmed her hips, stomach and then cupped her breasts. “I’ve missed you to the point of pain,” he said as he nuzzled at her ear. “The days were long and I can’t wait to have you.”
She turned and took him in her hand. “Doctor, I have just the cure for that.”
* * *
Sean woke to Cynthia’s body curled against his and his arm across her waist the next afternoon. They lay on the floor in front of the now cold fireplace.
To his great pleasure he’d woken this morning in bed with her tucked under him. The air had been crisp and he’d been warm and content. When was the last time he could have said that?
&nbs
p; They’d had a late breakfast, then gone for a long walk along the edge of the lake. She’d dared him to go skinny-dipping. Laughing and shivering, they’d run back to the cabin for a hot shower. They’d then built a fire, and made love again. Now he hoped to do it all over again.
More than once she’d asked him if he was having fun. He was. A lot.
He’d never spent so much uninterrupted time with one woman and still wanted more of her. He wished he could have her in his life forever. Needed her was more accurate. He wasn’t going to settle, nor let her, for one day here and another there. This weekend had proven he had to have her to keep him open to possibilities.
He was in love. There was no doubt about it. How that had happened he had no idea. Maybe he did. It was simple: Cyn.
He looked down.
Cynthia was watching him. “Hey there, handsome.”
Sean smiled. “Hey, beautiful.”
They didn’t even have a chance for a kiss before her phone rang. She looked away. “I’d better get that. Probably someone trying to sell me something but still. I told the boys not to call me unless it was an emergency.” She untangled herself from him and went naked to pick up the phone.
He’d expected she might call home but to his joy she hadn’t. Yet as a doctor, he knew the importance of people being able to get in contact so he accepted her need to answer.
“Hello.”
“Yes. This is Cynthia Marcum.”
“Oh, no.”
Sean stood and came toward her.
“I’m on my way. Yes. I’m his sister. Next of kin.”
This wasn’t good. He moved closer.
“What hospital?” There was a pause. “UAB. Good. I’m on my way. I’ll be there in an hour and a half.” She hung up. “We have to go.” She started to the bedroom.
“What happened?” Sean followed her.
“Rick got pushed into the bleachers during the game. His face has been injured. He’s going to need surgery.”
Cynthia started dressing. She wouldn’t even look at him.
“I’m sure he will be fine.” He tried to take her into his arms but she pushed him away. “We need to go.”
Stolen Kisses with Her Boss Page 14