by Lori Leger
Ten minutes later he drove up to Tiffany’s house. He entered, locking the door behind him while kicking off his shoes. He placed his bag on the floor by the door quietly made his way into Tiffany’s bedroom. She was snuggled under the covers in the cool room, illuminated only by a nightlight. Red crawled under the covers and tucked up behind her into the spoon position, his favorite new spot. He draped his arm over her waist and pulled her close to him. She grabbed hold of his hand and arm with her own and held him tightly.
After a few moments of silence had passed, she turned around to face him, reaching up to brush his hair back from his forehead.
“I don’t want to be alone anymore, Doc.”
“I know.”
“And I’m kind of depressed.”
“I am too…your beautiful club.”
He reached for her face, using his thumb to brush a tear from the corner of her eye. “I can rebuild. I just don’t like having enemies.”
“Do you think it was arson?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Isn’t there a chance it was faulty wiring or something?”
“The wiring in that building was top notch. I know because I went over every single inch of it myself when the electricians were done. The building inspector was very impressed with it.”
“Do you think it was Tanner?”
“I don’t know, it could have been Angelique or either of two men whom I’ve managed to piss off pretty good. It could have been an employee that I had to fire for stealing a couple of years ago. I’ve been getting some strange phone calls lately from some guy with a grudge. I have no idea who it is.” He sighed and rolled over onto his back, frustrated at the situation. “It could be the competition. Hell, I don’t know. It bugs the hell out of me that someone out there could hate me this much, you know?”
“Drake said if it turns out to be arson he’d like to help. He keeps a private investigator on retainer who’s very thorough and has connections in the Lafayette area. He could help you get to the bottom of this.”
“I’ve got my own P.I., but tell him thanks for the offer.”
She trailed a finger across his furrowed brow. “Red...”
“Hmmm?”
“You’re not alone anymore.”
His heart constricted at her confession, hoping that meant what he wanted it to mean. “How’s that?”
“You’ve got me.”
He turned to face her again, and reached for her hair, letting her curls form ringlets around his fingers. “Do I?”
“Did I not make myself clear before you left me earlier?”
He smiled in the quiet darkness of her bedroom. “Maybe you should refresh my mem...”
She interrupted his words with another kiss.
Red held onto her tightly as she pulled his head closer and deepened the kiss. He entangled his fingers in her hair, groaning at the soft silkiness of her curls.
“God, you feel so good to me,” he said, after they finally broke free from the kiss, his voice deep and raspy with emotion.
“You feel like home to me,” she groaned, curling her foot possessively around his calf.
“I’ve wanted to get my fingers all tangled up in this hair since the second I saw those curls,” he gasped.
Tiffany nipped at his ear lobe. “What stopped you?”
The sensation had him growling deep in his throat. “I didn’t want to take advantage, you had a bad night.”
“Your mother raised a gentleman,” she whispered in his ear.
“She tried...but when you showed up at the club with it all golden brown like it is now I just about lost it, I swear.”
She grinned and rubbed her nose to his. “If I’d have known that, I’d have done it months ago.”
Red kissed the tip of her nose. “It feels like I’ve been waiting for you my whole life, Doc.”
“I know exactly what you mean, Red, but it’s you who’s having the bad night this time. I’m wondering whether or not to take advantage of you.”
“You need to get up early,” he said, as he slipped his hands under her soft tee shirt to take hold of her waist. “I should let you get some sleep.”
“I’m good—five hour nap, remember?” She nuzzled his neck and placed soft kisses on the curve of his shoulder.
“When do you have to leave here?” He closed his eyes and reveled in the feel of her soft mouth on his skin.
“Around seven-thirty...you?” She caught her breath as his hands began to move softly on her upper waist.
“Around the same time, I guess.”
“Red.” She slipped her hands under his tee shirt and began to explore the sculpted planes of his chest and abs.
“Wha..at,” he asked, his breath catching at the contact of her cool hands on his hot skin.
“We’re wasting precious time with all of this small talk.” She curled her leg around his thick muscular thigh, dragging him closer.
“I know, but this is not what I had planned for us.”
“Best laid plans...” She lifted his shirt and kissed his chest. “Take this off, Red.”
He ripped off his shirt, amazed that his night had suddenly taken such a turn for the better. “Well, hell then, Doc. What are you waiting for? Take advantage of me.” He heard her sigh as her fingers examined the sculpted lines of his upper body.
“God, you are such a beautiful man,” she said, moving her hands gently over him.
He smiled in the dimly lit room as he began to push his hands higher, lifting her shirt, exulting when she sat up abruptly to pull it over her head. He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her on top of him.
The harsh and unwelcomed ringtone of his mobile phone had them both groaning in frustration. Red reached inside his pocket to retrieve his phone, no easy feat since his jeans had tightened considerably. He sent Tiffany a heated gaze, a silent promise of what he’d do as soon as he could get back to what they’d started.
“McAllister here.”…“What?” Red sat up abruptly. “Do they know who it is?”…“How the hell could that happen?”…“Aw hell, this is turning into a freaking nightmare,” he said with a heavy sigh. “I’m on my way. Thanks for calling, Mike.”
He disconnected. “I’ve got to go, Doc. That was a friend of mine at the police station. They found the body of a woman in the club.”
“Oh my God!”
He stood up as she reached over and put the lamp on. He found his tee shirt and watched her as she picked hers up off of the floor and faced away from him to put it on.
She turned toward him wearing the same grim expression that he was sure was on his own face. “Best laid plans,” he said regrettably.
She gave him a sad smile and walked into his embrace for a tight hug, before walking him to the door. Tiffany stilled his hand as he reached for the door knob. “Come back to me, Red.”
“I will,” he said, knowing there was nowhere he’d rather be than by her side.
She reached up and smoothed his hair back from his brow. “Do you need me to call anyone for you?”
“No, but thanks for asking.” He gave her a firm kiss on the lips. “I don’t feel so alone now.”
“That’s good, because I’ll be waiting for you when this is all over with. Call me when you can and leave me messages. I’ll check them in between surgeries and I’ll call you back when I can. And Red?”
“Yeah?”
“I want you here with me.”
“Are you sure? I don’t know what all of this is going to bring about.”
“I can handle anything as long as I know I have you.”
“Same here, Doc.” He gave her another kiss and left her.
<>
Tiffany crawled back into bed, amazed at how empty it felt without Red in it. It couldn’t be this easy to fall in love, could it? Maybe it is if it’s the right person. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that she was well on her way to loving him. He filled her thoughts daily and God only knew how she would be able to function in he
r normal life without thinking of him constantly. She’d never had this kind of reaction to a man before, not even in her younger, boy crazy, less experienced high school and early college days. Once she’d switched to pre-med, work or studying had taken up every spare moment of her time. She’d never had time for relationships, and until now, she’d never had anyone to compare with Tanner. Now that she did, she knew the only thing she’d ever felt for him was an acceptance of her parent’s choice for her.
Once again, she wondered how her parents could have been so inconsiderate of her own wishes. Well, to hell with them. She’d discovered her own options and made her own choices. She chose college, a career in medicine, and now she would choose Red, no matter what.
Her heart ached for him like her body ached for him. The look on his face when he’d heard the latest horrific news told her how devastated he was. If only she could have gone with him. She tried to relax, feeling for the first time ever, like her career was a lead weight around her neck. She loved performing surgeries, and knew that when she walked into that hospital tomorrow morning she’d be able to leave everything behind her and be at her best, but right now, all she wanted was to be with Red.
Imagining him making the hour or so drive to where his club used to be, alone and disheartened, had her brushing at tears. If she could just do something to make it easier for him maybe this gnawing ache inside her would disappear. She closed her eyes and tried to rest but finally realized that sleep would not be her companion tonight. She looked at the clock on her nightstand and discovered that Red had only been gone from her for ten minutes. This was only the beginning of a long, unbearable night.
<><><>
Red passed yet another glance at the clock on his truck and discovered he’d only been gone from Tiffany’s for five minutes. He wondered if time would always drag when he wasn’t with her. Suddenly the thought of rebuilding the club in Lafayette didn’t sound so appealing to him. Maybe he’d just keep the one in Lake Coburn so he wouldn’t have to be away from her as much. If it wasn’t for the death in his club, he may have found some humor in his change of attitude since falling in love with Tiffany.
He had a sudden epiphany as to why his parents hadn’t been as excited over his various business ventures as he thought they should be. Any time he’d tell them of his proposals or plans, they’d always come back with the standard “That’ll be nice,” but his mother would always give him her sad little look. The few times he’d asked her what was wrong, she’d only said, “I’m glad you’re doing what makes you happy now, Son, but I can’t help but want more than that for you.” Suddenly, he couldn’t wait another minute to tell her.
He’d been in contact with his folks several times since he’d heard about the club. It wasn’t quite midnight but somehow he knew his mom would be awake. He opened his phone and called her cell phone number, hoping she had it near her.
Vivienne picked up in the middle of the first ring. “Scott, are you alright?”
He smiled. “How do you do that, Mom?”
“Caller I.D.,” she said.
“No, I mean know that I would call. You must have had your phone in your hand.”
“I did, I admit. I know you’re upset. Your father and I are praying for you.”
“I know you are, and thank you. Listen, I called you for two reasons. The first is not good news—they found the body of a woman in the club, no ID on her yet. I have no clue what’s going on, and it’s really bothering me.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I’ll pray for her when I pray for you.”
“I didn’t want you and dad to have to hear about it on the news. But, there’s another reason I called. I wanted to let you know that I finally understand what you meant all those times you said you wanted more for me. I finally want more too.” He heard his mother’s quiet chuckle.
“Falling in love has a way of changing things, doesn’t it?”
“I guess it does.” He laughed nervously.
“Does she feel the same way?”
“She wants me with her, Mom. I don’t know what I did to get so damn lucky.”
“I’m ecstatic for you, Son. Tiffany is a beautiful girl.”
“Wait until you see her again. She’s got this head full of gorgeous golden brown curls. Her ex made her keep it straight and blonde, can you believe that? What a fool!”
“Tell her I’m proud of her when you talk to her again.”
“I will. I’m seriously thinking of not rebuilding the club in Lafayette.”
“Oh? Why not?”
“It would take too much time away from her.”
She laughed. “Love and babies, Scott…two things that always have a way of rearranging your priorities.”
Red’s phone beeped and he looked at the caller I.D. “Hey mom, that’s Doc calling me. I’ll call you and dad tomorrow morning, okay? I love you guys a lot.”
He hit the answer call button. “Doc? What’s wrong?”
“I’ve got a serious problem, Red.”
“What is it?” he asked, immediately searching for the nearest exit.
“My bed is entirely too big without you in it.”
He smiled, feeling the tension ease from his body. “Oh, I see.”
“It feels like you’ve been gone forever,” she groaned.
“I feel the same way. It’ll be a long day without you.”
“Nights won’t be any easier. Now that I know how I sleep with you in my bed, I don’t know if I can sleep without you.”
He laughed. “How is it that you can make me go from miserable to laughing in under a minute, Doc?”
“It’d be funnier if it wasn’t so close to the truth.”
His smile faded. “I know it is, and I feel the same way.”
“That, and remind me not to take any more five hour naps.”
Red sucked in air through his teeth. “That depends on you, and whether or not you plan on swilling Crown like a freaking Marine anytime soon.”
“Call me naïve, but I never imagined you’d have evil women scheming to get rid of your future prospects.”
“Fair enough, Doc, fair enough. Regardless, I hate that you can’t sleep but I sure love that you called me.”
“I got to thinking how you must be feeling on that long drive all by yourself and I couldn’t stand it. I needed you to know how I feel before you went to face all of that.”
“So…How do you feel?” His heart pumped wildly in his chest.
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Every night since Thanksgiving I’ve been thinking that when I wake up tomorrow morning, I’ll feel normal again, and you won’t mean that much to me. But every morning when I wake up you’re the first thought in my mind. Yours is the first face that I want to see...and…there’s one other thing.”
“What’s that?”
“I can’t stand being away from you,” she finished.
He was quiet on the other end of the phone. Finally he got the nerve to speak. “I’m considering not rebuilding the club in Lafayette.”
“But, I don’t understand, Red. Why wouldn’t you rebuild?”
“I can’t stand being away from you either, Tiffany.” He heard her quiet gasp and wished she were there in front of him.
“Next time I say I want to go with you, you won’t be able to stop me.”
“Next time I won’t try. If our situations were reversed and I was home, I wouldn’t be able to sleep either.”
“Which home? Your home or my home?” she asked.
“I don’t care, but my bed is bigger.”
She laughed. “What difference does it make when we’ll never use up all of that space anyway?”
“Not sleeping, but it may come in handy for other things.”
She sucked in her breath sharply. “Let’s not discuss other things unless you’re standing in front of me. I can’t take it.”
He chuckled lowly. “Okay then how about the fact that it’s a lot longer and my feet won’t hang off?”
“I’m a hair under six five. Too tall for you?”
“Nope, you’re just right. But, um…”
“What’s on your mind, Goldie Locks?”
“Oh, it’s just that I find myself wondering if the rest of you is built in proportion…”
“Really Doc? I’m shocked.” He smiled as she laughed openly.
“I guess we need to change the subject again,” she said.
Red laughed nervously. “I have a feeling no matter what we talk about we’ll end up right back where we started.”
“Or where we ended…I really regret that you had to leave when you did, Red.”
“No more than I do,” he groaned.
Tiffany emitted a half-sob. “This is awful isn’t it?”
“You’re not crying are you? I can’t take it when you cry.”
“I’m not crying, Red but I feel like I’m on the verge of hysteria. I just wish you were here. I have all of these feelings and you’re not here.”
“I know, Doc, but we’ll have time together, I promise. I bet you don’t know that I saw you cry the first day we met.”
“You did not.”
“After Jackson’s surgery, you went outside to call Tanner. You didn’t know it, but I was out there already.”
“I remember that. He was at a club when he was supposed to be home. A woman answered his phone.”
“I know, I could hear. Anyway, that’s when I discovered that you were with Tanner. I heard you sniff and I turned to watch you, I couldn’t help myself. Then you called him a cheating S.O.B. or something like that, shook it off like nothing had happened and walked back inside.”
“Well, considering our first meeting, that must have made your day.”
“Nothing about that pleased me. I wondered how someone as gorgeous and obviously successful as you could let someone like Tanner drag you down.”