She unlocked the door, and the first thing she did when she walked inside was bend down to pick up Fifi and give her a snuggle. He wondered if she was nervous, or if she was overly comfortable. He found that he was both. He was overly comfortable with Ally and he was nervous about where to take things from here.
Her efficiency apartment smelled like spring, fresh and floral. To the right was a small kitchen counter and a row of three cabinets, with a breakfast bar and two black stools tucked beneath it. Scarred hardwood floors and white walls gave the small space an airy feel. Heath’s eyes rolled over the simple sofa and television and moved to the king-sized bed just beyond.
“Wine okay?” she asked as she reached for two glasses.
“Yeah, sure.” He picked up Fifi and petted her while he discovered more about Ally. “I like your apartment.”
She looked around the room. “The efficiency makes it easier for Fifi to navigate. The fewer walls the better.”
That made sense. He thought about his mother and the way she trailed her fingers along the walls of the home she refused to give up. He was sure she knew every squeaky floorboard, every nook and cranny on each floor. He lifted Fifi and kissed her head as he eyed Ally. It took a special person to care for a blind pet, and as he watched Ally put fresh water into the cat’s bowl before pouring their wine, he knew she was the perfect person for Fifi. The question was, was she the perfect person for him, too?
On the coffee table he found her library books—all medical, which surprised him. He picked one up and waved it in Ally’s direction.
“So the lab is more than just a place to work for you?”
She shrugged as she joined him by the sofa and handed him a glass of wine. She sipped her wine, and Heath wondered how anyone could make skinny jeans and a turquoise blouse look sexy as hell.
He set Fifi in her bed as they sank down to the couch beside each other.
“There was a time when I thought I wanted to go to medical school, but I didn’t have the money, and I’m not sure I really wanted it enough to succeed. So, when something medical catches my eye, I read up on it. It’s really just hit or miss. A weird hobby, I guess.” She flipped through a book about human anatomy and physiology. “What I really like is the patient interaction and figuring out the puzzles. Fact finding, I guess. The ability to find definitive, or close to definitive, answers.”
“The lab work.” There were very distinct people in medicine, those who belonged behind the scenes and those who belonged with the patients. And Ally was definitely not a behind-the-scenes woman. She had a warm, charming personality, and he imagined she would have made a wonderful doctor.
“Yes, but I love the patient contact, too. Right now the position at the hospital fulfills both of those sides of my personality. It’s a good match.”
He took the book from her lap and set it and his wineglass on the table, then sat back, facing Ally with one arm across the back of the sofa. She set her wineglass next to his and relaxed beside him.
“You said you volunteered at the conference. Why?”
“If I volunteer, I get to take home transcripts of the lectures and discussions. I know that makes me nerdy, but I like it. It’s like Christmas several times a year.”
“So, it’s not the trip itself, or access to all the docs…”
She narrowed her eyes, and he held her gaze. “You think I went to hook up with doctors?”
“I wasn’t thinking that, but I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t crossed my mind. Considering the way we met, didn’t it cross yours that I might go to conferences to hook up with women?”
She lowered her eyes and traced the seam of her jeans with her finger. “Yes, but I’ve been trying not to think about it.”
He lifted her chin and pressed his lips softly to hers. “I’m an honest guy, and tonight I feel closer to you than I’ve felt to a woman in years. I want to keep seeing you, and I don’t want any secrets. I won’t judge you, and I hope that you won’t judge me either, but I know that’s a lot to ask.”
She searched his eyes, and he wondered what she was thinking. Would she be as honest with him as he planned to be with her? Would his propensity for semi-anonymous flings be the end of their relationship? More importantly, would he be able to handle her truth—whatever that might be?
“Are you sure you want to go there?” She nervously twisted a lock of her hair. “I mean, you might not like what you hear, and I know I’m not going to like what you tell me.”
“I think you just gave me indication enough of your answer, and you’re right. I might not like hearing it, but we can’t build a relationship on ignoring the past.”
She met his gaze. “So you want to do this? You want to date and see where we end up? Even though we both work at the hospital? Even though I’m a lab tech and you’re a doctor? That doesn’t bother you?”
“Allyson, do I act like the kind of guy who’s hung up on status?”
“No. But you have things you need to ask, and so do I.”
He smiled, because she was not a pushover, and he could see that her strength would push him in ways he wasn’t used to—and probably needed.
“Fair enough. I love that you are doing something that fulfills you. That’s all anyone can hope for in their lifetime. My mother was a seamstress, and my father worked in a factory, and I cannot remember them ever being unhappy. They had time for me and my brothers, and they had time for each other. The way I see it, if you decide to sell flowers on the street corner because that makes you happy, then that’s your prerogative. The same way that if I decide tomorrow, or in ten years, that I am sick of being a doctor and want to sell shoes for a living, I’d expect you to accept me in the same way you do now.”
She scooted closer to him and placed her hand on his arm on the back of the couch, and the combination of her sincere smile and that gentle touch solidified in Heath’s mind that he wanted to share these secrets, no matter how painful it might be.
“You sure you can handle this?” she asked.
“No, but I want to try. You?”
“Same. But you go first, because if I can’t handle what you tell me, then there’s no need to embarrass myself.” She drew in a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back. “Okay, go. But I have a feeling this isn’t going to be a quick sting like giving blood. So just say it quickly.” She clenched her jaw, and he had to touch it. He reached out and stroked her cheek.
“You sure?”
She nodded, and he had the urge to hold her close to keep her from walking away. Instead, he simply did as she asked and hoped for the best.
“The way we met. The no-personal-information, first-name-only sex. That’s pretty much the guy I’ve been for the last few years. No ties. Literally and figuratively.” He paused, letting the truth sink in. She pressed her lips together but didn’t say anything, so he continued speaking in a gentle tone, hating the acidic taste of the man he’d been. “I don’t go to conferences for that purpose, obviously, but if someone interests me…And around here? In the city? I don’t really date, and I never have flings. I have a few women I get together with on and off, but it’s a mutually agreed upon arrangement. We don’t date. We’re—”
“Friends with benefits?” She raised her brows.
He shook his head. “Not even that. We’re fuck buddies.”
She nodded and dropped her eyes, twisting another lock of hair.
“And if we continue to go out?” she asked tentatively.
“All that stops.” The words left his mouth with confidence, though they shocked him. He scrubbed his hand down his face and repeated them more for himself than for her. “All that stops.”
Ally was silent for what felt like several minutes, though it was probably only a few seconds. “Okay, well. Wait.” Her eyes bloomed wide. “You said literally about no ties. What does that mean?”
“It means that what we did I don’t usually do. I have, years ago, in college, with a girl I dated for two years, but not since.” His
chest constricted with the realization of what that meant. He must have seen something in Ally from the start that made him feel comfortable enough to go there with her. “Holy...I didn’t even realize that.”
“The girl who cheated?”
He nodded.
“Were you in love with her?” There was no hint of jealousy in her voice, but her eyes warmed with compassion.
He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I thought I was. But I don’t know.”
Her brows knitted together. “I’m sorry. That must have been a very painful experience.”
“It was, and it’s not one that I’ve shared with many people, which makes me wonder what exactly you’ve done to me, Allyson Jenner.”
To his surprise, she crawled over his lap and straddled him, pressing her hands to his shoulders and flashing a playful smile.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to keep you pinned here while I tell you about myself, because guys are weird when it comes to women.” She ran her finger along the collar of his T-shirt. “That whole double standard thing sort of freaks me out. So this way you have to at least hear me out before walking out of this apartment.”
“You do realize you’re totally turning me on right now, right?” He lifted his hips and caught her lower lip between his teeth before pressing a kiss to it.
“Yes, well, that’s the danger of pinning a man beneath you, I suppose.”
“Allyson, are you sure you’re okay with what I’ve told you?”
A serious expression slid over her face. “You’re not a teenager, Heath. If you weren’t sexually active, I’d think it was a little weird. If I were my sister, I might have ended things right away. Mandy’s great, but she doesn’t see sex the same way I do.”
“And how is that?” He fingered the ends of her hair.
“I’m not sure how to put it into words without it sounding bad, but it’s kind of a stress reliever or a rejuvenator. Gosh, that makes me sound slutty.” She started to slide off his lap. He settled his hands on her hips and held her in place.
“Stay. Talk to me.”
“I…I haven’t had many sexual partners, but I’ve had a handful.” She searched his eyes, and he knew she was looking for his response. He wasn’t ready to form one yet. He wanted to hear what else she had to say.
“And?” he urged.
“I haven’t dated anyone seriously since my last boyfriend cheated.” She narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at Heath. “Before I say any more…” She dropped her finger and softened her tone. “I’m realizing how stupid it is to think that a no-strings-attached guy might be faithful when other guys who asked for monogamy couldn’t.”
“You do realize that being faithful comes from within, right? I made a decision not to be in a monogamous relationship because I’d been hurt and didn’t want to experience that again, not because I cheated.”
“Me too.” She twisted her hair again. “Are we fooling ourselves?”
“That depends. Are you a cheater? Because I know I’m not.”
“No, I’m not a cheater!” She swatted his chest.
“Then we’re not fooling ourselves.”
“So, you can handle my promiscuous past?”
He saw the worry in her eyes. “Sweetheart, you weren’t exactly sleeping around with half the docs in the hospital.” He arched a brow and she smiled. “As long as from now on there’s only me, I think I can handle it.”
He lowered her to the couch and came down over her smiling face. “Besides, I really…” He kissed her lips. “Really.” He kissed her jaw. “Really like you.”
“I have one more question.”
“Mm-hmm?” He nibbled on her neck.
“Have you…? It’s hard to concentrate with you doing that.” She closed her eyes and rested her head back.
“Finish your thought,” he whispered against her ear, before taking her lobe into his mouth and making her brain fuzzy again.
“Safe sex.” She panted. “Have you always practiced safe sex?”
He drew back, knowing he was looking at her like she was ridiculous, but he couldn’t stop himself. “Yes. You?”
“Always.” She pulled him into a hard, fast kiss. “Now please show me how much you want this to work between us before it’s time to get ready for work again.”
Chapter Eight
“I CAN’T BELIEVE you are working on three hours of sleep,” Amanda said as they carried their lunch trays to a table in the crowded hospital cafeteria Tuesday afternoon. “And you still manage to look as pretty as Rachel Bilson. So not fair.” Amanda and Ally looked similar in body type and hair color, but Amanda wore her hair straight and shoulder length while Ally wore hers longer and let her natural waves tumble freely. The other big difference was that Amanda dressed in a preppy style while Ally tended to dress trendier, sexier.
Ally sank into a chair with a sigh. “Good sex is rejuvenating. How many times have I told you that? And Rachel Bilson? She looks twelve. Can’t I be a young Sandra Bullock? She looks smarter and has a real body.”
“Fine, Sandra it is.” Amanda speared her salad with her fork and pointed it like a loaded gun at Ally. “You’re sure about this guy, right? You think you can trust him?”
“You’re asking if I can trust a guy I made out with the first time I met him. I had to trust him then, or I would have been opening myself up to something really dangerous.”
“Well,” Amanda said as she chewed her lunch. “I would never do what you did. Just sayin’.”
“Whatever. No judging. Besides, we’ve both been on the other side of the hurt mobile. I think we’re actually well suited for each other.” Her mind traveled back to the evening before and the amazing connection they’d shared. The way their bodies had moved together, the way he’d felt inside her and how she’d hated to see him leave in the wee hours of the morning.
“Did I tell you he brought me orange roses?”
“Yes.” Amanda feigned a dreamy sigh. “The color of fiery passion.”
They both laughed.
“You’re the luckiest girl I know,” Amanda said.
“In this case, I think I’d agree.”
“Can you still go out with me Thursday night, or will you blow me off now that you have a boyfriend?”
Ally’s fork stopped midair. “Say that again.”
“Can you still—”
“No, the last part.”
Amanda scrunched her face. “Now that you have a boyfriend?”
“I like the sound of that. Do you know how long I’ve not wanted a boyfriend?” She felt herself smiling as she met her sister’s gaze.
“Since Chet, so that would be, what? Nine months?” Amanda shook her head.
“Exactly. Doesn’t that tell you something? Because it tells me something loud and clear. I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend. So this must be right. It feels right.”
“For your sake, I hope so, sis. Just be careful, you know?” Amanda looked around the cafeteria, then leaned across the table and whispered, “You work here. What if people find out?” She lifted her eyes over Ally’s shoulder, and as Ally felt a familiar, heavy hand grip her shoulder, Amanda’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped open.
Heath came around Ally’s side and smiled down at her. “Hi, Ally. I don’t want to interrupt, but I thought I’d say hi. I was doing rounds and needed a little pick-me-up.” He held up a coffee cup as his eyes flicked to Amanda. “Hi. I’m Heath.”
He held out a hand, and Amanda shook it, blinking off her stupor while Ally tried to calm her racing heart. Heath looked delicious in a pair of dark slacks and a light blue dress shirt with a striped silk tie. Oh, what she’d like to do with that tie. She felt her cheeks heat up and was thankful when Amanda’s introduction distracted her from her dirty thoughts.
“Hi. I’m Amanda, Ally’s sister.”
“I thought I noticed a resemblance. Hi, Amanda. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Heath touched Ally’s cheek, and she met his gaze. “Are you free after work? Th
ere’s someplace I’d like to show you.”
“Sure. I work until five.”
“I’m afraid I have to work later. Can I pick you up around seven?”
“That sounds perfect.” He squeezed her hand and said goodbye.
As he walked away, Ally released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
“Whoa, you are taken with him.” Amanda nudged Ally’s shoulder. “And now I see why. He’s really hot.”
“That he is.” Ally tried to act like her stomach wasn’t doing flips, when it was all she could do to remain seated and not run around like a lovesick woman with a silly grin on her face and say, He’s mine! That magnificent man is mine!
“Al, he looked at you like Dad looks at Mom.”
Their parents had been high school sweethearts, and to this day, they still looked at each other like they were the only ones in the room. To find that type of love was more than Ally could imagine. Now her sister’s comment had her reassessing the intensity that she saw in Heath’s eyes every time he looked at her. Could Amanda be right?
She chewed on that thought all afternoon. By the time Heath knocked on Ally’s door that evening, they’d already shared several screens’ worth of sexy texts, and she couldn’t wait to be in his arms again.
“Hi,” she said as she pulled the door open.
With one strong arm Heath swept her body to his and claimed her mouth in a hungry, demanding kiss.
“I missed you,” he said against her lips before kissing her again. The kiss was slow and so intense that she felt her insides shatter with desire.
She twined her arms around his neck and kissed him more urgently, moaning as he reciprocated and lifted her into his arms. Her legs circled his waist, and his hands slid beneath her skirt and immediately into her panties, furtively seeking her pleasure. She’d never wanted a man so completely, craved him so intensely that she would give herself up in the first few minutes of coming together—and with Heath, she couldn’t get enough of him, or give herself up fast enough.
“Oh, baby,” he said into her mouth. He drew back, and his eyes were dark with desire. “You’re so wet.”
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