by Rachel Burns
Mr. Romano turned to him, giving him his complete attention.
Mr. Schmidt came out of the kitchen to hear what happened too. “Is she in the hospital? Could an ambulance get through this water?”
“She passed out into a man’s arms who was visiting Mr. and Mrs. Adams. He’s a doctor.”
“You left her with a stranger?” Mr. Romano walked over to the elevator.
“Wait a minute.”Mr. Johnson stopped him. “He was very good to her, and I had a feeling that they felt a spark for each other.”
“You constantly think everyone is in love. This is potentially dangerous.” Mr. Romano wanted to go to Ms. Riley immediately, fearing that she was alone with a madman.
“I made him show me his identification. I’m going to check him out now.” Mr. Johnson sat down at the computer and typed in what he wanted. The other two men looked over his shoulder.
They made impressed noises when the information popped up on the screen. They read about him and clicked on pictures of him working with the poor in Africa.
“I want him for our Ms. Riley,” Mr. Schmidt stated.
“It’s always good to have a doctor living in the building. Naturally, they’ll live here after they marry,” Mr. Romano informed them.
“First we have to get them together. He asked for a broth for Ms. Riley, and he’ll need food to eat as well. She doesn’t have a thing in her refrigerator. He doesn’t have any personal items with him either.”
“I’ll take care of that. I can guess his size from the pictures.” Mr. Romano used to be the butler to the family that lived in this penthouse. He stayed with the family after the husband died and cared for the wife until she too passed on.
Then, he was unemployed and too old to find a new job. As the joke, the three men bought a lottery ticket, chipping in together.
They were overwhelmed when they won. All three of them had devoted their lives to this apartment building and its occupants. None had ever married. They decided to not only buy the penthouse but to also buy the whole building. Nobody knew the truth; which was that they’d continued to care for the people they considered to be their loved ones.
Mr. Johnson looked at his colleagues “This is the game plan: first, we have to get them to fall in love. That will be impossible if she goes back to work. We have to work quickly and discretely.”
The other two men nodded.
“Second, once they’re in love, we have to make sure that they’ll want to continue to live here. That means we have to talk up this building and it’s comforts.”
The others nodded again.
“Third, we have to call your friend at the police station, and run a background check on Dr. Kennedy. We can’t be blinded by his obvious achievements. We need to know if he was in Africa because he was hiding from something. It would also be good to know if he owns any property where they might want to move to. I also want to know if he has any job offers in a different city.”
Mr. Schmidt nodded. He had connections to the police department. When he started out as a cook, he couldn’t find a job, so he worked at a donut shop, one that the police liked to visit. He maintained those contacts. They came to him when they wanted a wedding cake or catering for the policemen’s ball. They’d be more than happy to help him.
“Fourth, the good doctor was here visiting the Adams. That may mean that he wants a little girl wife. Ms. Riley is Gina’s complete opposite.”
The other two men’s shoulders slumped simultaneously. They were giving up.
“I saw the way she looked at him, and the way he talked to her. There was a spark there. This could still work if we stoke the flames.”
Chapter 4
There was a light knock on the door. Sebastian grinned to himself, thinking Mr. Johnson was already back to check on him. That must mean that Robin was a very special person.
He’d been sitting on the sofa, contemplating fate and watching the news. He had such a good feeling about Robin. Had destiny placed him in the elevator in that exact moment when she stepped into it and into his arms?
“Good evening, Dr. Kennedy. I’m Mr. Romano, the house butler.”
“Good evening,” Sebastian replied. He’d never heard of a house butler before.
“I was informed that you’ve been stuck here by a lucky stroke of fate for our treasured Ms. Riley. I’ve put together a few things that I hope will make your stay here more comfortable.” He handed him a beautiful box filled with toiletries and a pair of pajamas.
“Thank you.” Sebastian felt a little bewildered. He had no idea that this building provided a service like this.
“If you need anything else, please call the number on the card Mr. Johnson gave you. Our staff is available twenty-four hours.”
Sebastian had to wonder how much the rent for a place like this cost. If a person had the means, this was the way to go.
“If that will be all, Doctor. I’d like to go and check on another occupant. Mrs. O’Brian is expecting her fourth child, and her children need to be bathed before they go to bed.”
“If she needs any medical help, let me know,” Sebastian offered, concerned.
“I’ll tell her. Her husband is gone away on business this weekend, and I think the storm is scaring her. Not that she’s afraid of the storm, but that the baby will come when her husband isn’t home, and she can’t get to the hospital.”
“I’ve delivered babies in worse conditions than a luxury apartment building. She shouldn’t worry if the pregnancy has been normal.”
“It’s been normal. I’ll pass on your words. Good evening, Doctor.” The man gave him a bow and took off.
Sebastian went to Robin and changed the towels. She didn’t notice that he was there. He didn’t mind. It gave him the chance to enjoy her shapely legs. Sebastian loved a sexy pair of legs. Robin’s were especially nice. He wondered what it would feel like to have them wrapped around him while he made love to her.
He covered her up and studied her face. She was an especially beautiful person, the kind that was delicate and needed special loving care. She’d spoken so sweetly with the doorman. It was clear that she’d be the perfect little girl for him.
Would she feel the same way about him as he did about her?
Robin woke up and looked around. She had tears in her eyes. She wasn’t sure why she was crying.
In her mind, she pieced together what had happened. If her memory served her correctly, there was a man in her apartment. “Hello?” she called out.
Nothing happened. The sound of the rain outside made her feel cold. She was shivering.
She kicked a little, trying to get the heavy towels away from her feet.
The light went on in her living room. Then the angel appeared.
She meant the doctor. He wasn’t an angel; he was the doctor that she’d run into, the one with the amazing chest. A woman could get lost in a chest like his. The doctor was wearing light blue pajama bottoms, and his amazing chest was bare.
“Hey, Robin. You slept a long time.”
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Dr. Kennedy.”
“Are you related to the one that was President?” She was too tired to make sense.
“No, we’re just normal people. Can I do anything for you?”
“Can you get rid of the towels? Someone wrapped heavy wet towels around my legs.” She kicked with her feet, trying to get rid of them.
“Lie still. I’ll remove them. After that, I’ll check you over. If you still have a fever, I’ll need to replace the towels.”
“What are they good for?”
“They sink your fever.” He opened his bag and got out his stethoscope. He listened to her lungs and heart.
“How sick am I?” she asked when she couldn’t be still any longer.
“You have a cold with a fever. This looks like a bad case of the flu.” He pushed the blankets down a little and lifted her pajama up, so he could listen to her tummy. “Luckily, it isn’t a stomach flu. Ev
erything was nice and quiet in your tummy.”
“Are you the kind of doctor that gives children lollipops,” she asked. Her fever was making her say things she normally only thought.
This was what he loved about little girl women. “If they’re good, I do.”
Robin nodded. She figured that he was a pediatrician from the way he talked to her. “Why are you still here.”
“We’re flooded in, but I have it on good information that not a drop of water can get into the building.”
“I remember when they installed that. People worried that the rent would go up, but it didn’t. It never does. This building is a gem.”
“I’m getting that feeling too. You had a couple visitors while you were sleeping. The cook made you a clear broth. Would you like me to heat some up for you?”
“Yes, please.”
“You still have a slight fever. After you eat, I’ll wrap up your legs again.”
“Why is everybody going to so much trouble for the flu?”
“I suppose because you passed out,” he answered her, evenly.
“Oh right, that. I’m sorry about this.”
“That’s okay, Robin. I’ll go get your soup.”
Robin watched him leave, better said she watched his backside. He had the firmest butt she’d ever seen. It had been forever since she’d been laid.
Typical, the first chance she got to be alone with an incredibly sexy man, and she was sick and disgusting.
She tugged a tissue out of the box on her nightstand and blew her nose.
Still, she was wet for him. Just thinking about him made her moist and ready for him. He was just one of those men who could be with whomever they wanted because they were so sensual. Every move he made had her attention.
She was positive that she didn’t have a chance with someone like him anyway. He was probably married to an attractive, charming, children’s author, and ex-supermodel anyway. The fever was making her feel hot and bothered. Her thoughts were just running away with her.
He returned and sat down beside her.
She had a direct view of his tanned and well-developed chest. She longed to trace her fingertips over the hard ridges and feel every muscle. “How does a doctor get so muscular?”
“As a doctor, I think health and fitness are very important. I can’t very well tell one of my patients that they need to lose weight if I’m not as fit as I can be.”
“Do I need to lose weight?” she asked, feeling a little self-conscious.
“No, I’d tell you to drink chocolate milk shakes, so you could gain some weight.” He leaned closer to her, holding a spoonful of broth close to her lips.
She opened her mouth, so he could feed her.
“Could I have strawberry instead?” she asked after she swallowed her spoonful of warm soup.
“Sure. I just thought that women prefer chocolate.”
“I like strawberry better. For starters it’s pink.”
“You like pink?” He gave her another spoonful, thinking that she sounded like a little girl. His heart felt full and light.
“Yes. I didn’t redecorate when I moved in here. I still haven’t gotten around to it. When I do, I’ll add pink.”
“What has been keeping you so busy?”
“Work.” She opened her mouth to accept the next spoonful.
Sebastian loved that she was letting him feed her. He felt comfortable with her.
“What do you do?” he asked.
“I’m a corporate law attorney.”
That stopped Sebastian dead in his tracks. That wasn’t the kind of job a little girl would do. Was she one of those ‘my job is more important than everything else’ kind of person.
“That sounds like you’re usually very busy.”
Robin nodded. “I want to make partner soon. If I do, I’ll be the youngest person to do so at my firm. It would be fantastic if a woman could hold that record. It would also mean less work. I’m looking forward to playing golf again.”
“You play golf?”
“Yes, my dad took me. He wanted a boy.” She looked a little sad.
Sebastian felt like a squeak toy whose air had been completely squished out. This wasn’t her fault, he told himself. He’d been the one who had seen things that hadn’t been there.
Sebastian lifted the spoon to her mouth again, thinking about what she said about her father wanting a boy. “Are you all right?”
“Sure.”
“Do you get along with your dad?”
“Not really. He’s one of those people who are never satisfied. When I do make partner, he’ll tell me about some kid in Japan who is twelve and already partner in a law firm. That’s how he is.” Robin turned away from him a little. It hurt her to think about her father. Worse yet, her mother refused to take sides, as she put it. By not taking a side, she let her father continue to pick on her. Nothing was ever good enough and nothing ever would be, no matter how hard she worked.
Sebastian wanted to hug her tightly and make her feel loved and safe. He stared at her, trying to decide what to do. His code of ethics was looming over him. He had feelings for her, and it might not be appropriate to hug her.
She shook her head and looked back at him.
The moment, and the chance to touch her, passed by without him seizing the opportunity. He gave her another spoonful of soup.
“Do you like your job?” he asked.
“No, but it pays well.”
“You don’t like your job?”
“Do you think the lady at the coffee shop likes her job? She has to work long hours while standing on her feet all day. I get to sit down, and I get paid a lot better for the long hours I work. That’s what every parent wants for their child. They want them to earn a lot of money at a job where they don’t have to work too hard physically.” Robin sounded exactly like her father.
“I’m afraid you’re right. That’s what most parents want for their children, but it doesn’t seem to be right. Parents used to want their children to be happy.”
“Are you happy with your job?” Robin asked him.
“I want to say yes, but I’ve been gone for a year. On Monday, I start in again.”
“Where did you go?”
“I went to Africa. I worked in several small villages.”
“What did you do there?” she asked.
“I helped build houses and schools. I took care of people who were sick and vaccinated healthy people, so they wouldn’t get sick.”
“You took care of their needs, and now you’re taking care of me. I think you’re an incurable doctor. You didn’t run away from your job, because you took that with you. So it must have been something else.” She snuggled down into her pillows and closed her eyes.
Sebastian watched her fall back to sleep. She was a power woman who just so happened to be out of power. He couldn’t force her to be the right woman for him for the simple reason that he wanted it to be so.
Was that the reason he’d left, because he was thirty-six, and he still hadn’t been in a serious relationship? Or was it because he was too picky, only wanting a little girl?
Chapter 5
Sebastian couldn’t go back to sleep. He was mad at himself for thinking that she’d be his little girl. The tendencies were there; the lollipop question, and the way she’d mistaken feed a cold and starve a fever, but her job, and the way she talked about making partner as the first woman in her company ever, scared him. A daddy relationship would never work with a driven woman like she was.
He got out of the bed and went to the window. The rain was still coming down hard. The street below looked like a river. Only the tops of cars were sticking out. He was glad that he hadn’t gotten a new car. He was also glad that his own apartment was on the fifth floor.
Sebastian realized that he was hungry. He went into her kitchen and looked around again. Just as he was opening the refrigerator door a loud crack of thunder sounded. The light in the refrigerator went out.
G
reat the power was out. That always meant chaos. He was surprised to hear what sounded like an engine starting, and the light came back on in the refrigerator.
“No way,” he grinned. He closed the door and went to the window. Outside, everything was dark. “I have to ask what kind of rent she pays and if an apartment is open here,” Sebastian said to himself, aloud.
“Doctor?”
“I’m here, Robin. Did the loud lightning wake you?” He went into her room and turned on the light.
Robin sat up and rubbed her eyes to get used to the light.
Sebastian felt a yearning in his soul. Why did he have such strong feelings for someone who could never be right for him?
“Yes, it was so loud.”
Sebastian sat down next to her on the bed. “The power just went out, honey. A backup generator started, but perhaps it would be best if I heated up some soup and tried to feed you again?” he asked her.
“If you say so,” she agreed with him.
Somehow her words hurt him. It was something a true little girl would say. “I’ll go get it while we still have power.”
While the bowl of soup was in the microwave, Sebastian stemmed his hands on the counter and tilted his head back. He prayed to God that he’d one day find what he was looking for.
When he found out that age play was a real thing, he felt that it would only be a matter of time before he found the right little girl.
He hadn’t.
That was why he went to Africa. He’d needed a break from searching. He looked every woman he met in the eyes and hoped that she was the one who would be right for him. Now, he was doing it again with Robin.
The microwave beeped, pulling him out of his self-pity. He moved her hot bowl to her plate and carried it to her.
He sat down next to her and smiled at her. She had huge green eyes. They were so big despite the fact that she was sick.
Her mouth opened to accept the next spoonful. There was something so innocent about the way she looked, something that made him want to protect her.