Their kiss deepened, licking deep slowly, and when they finally broke apart both of them were breathing faster.
“Beautiful,” Shane murmured. “So beautiful.” And kissed her again.
A little deeper.
A little hotter.
Pressing close against her, feeling all those lush curves lean into him, against him, the rise and fall of her breasts against his chest.
Cupping her cheeks in his hands, he angled her head slightly, finding the perfect fit of their mouths, fingers sliding through her hair to tug the elastic free, allowing all that soft, wavy hair to flow between his fingers and over his hands as he kissed deeper, gliding effortlessly into the honeyed depths of her mouth.
She moaned softly, the very sound shivering deliciously through him as he took her flavour into him - all sweetness.
Emma all over, sweet inside and out.
He could only imagine what she’d be like in his bed, beneath him, all those lush curves displayed to his hands and mouth, his taste, his eyes. Her body accepting his.
The ache in his loins intensified, and it was with effort he broke the seal of their mouths, drawing back to gulp in air and get his wildly heated imagination under control.
“Cripes, Em,” he muttered, dropping back against the swing chair, drawing her with him so that she rested against his side.
It felt so natural having her there, his arm around her shoulders, her warmth merging with his body heat.
Now if he could just get his shaft under control and not tent his pants, he’d be right. The last thing he wanted was Emma thinking he was ready to jump into her bed. Well, he wanted to, but it was more important that she know he wanted more than just her body. He respected her. Wanted this to be more than just a brief fling.
He just hoped she wanted the same thing.
Certainly not going to ask her right now, not when he’d just won her over into agreeing to them spending time together as more than just friends.
Emma was quiet but before he could ask if she was all right or try to broach a subject, a tap tap scrape sounded on the window next to the swing chair and he glanced around to see a long, lanky ginger cat staring out at them, her paws on the glass as she slowly slid down it then gave it a vigorous tap tap again.
“She wants to come out.” Sitting up, Emma pulled away from him. “She likes being out here in the evenings.”
Amused by the cat’s antics and beseeching eyes - who knew a cat could look so pleading? - Shane reached out and tapped his fingertip on the glass. “Is she always going to interrupt our little tête-à-têtes?”
“She likes to be a part of everything.” Crossing to the screen, Emma opened it and called out, “Come here, baby.”
CK was off the window sill like a shot, seconds later running through the door to stop, sniff at Emma’s legs, then saunter across the veranda to stop at Shane’s feet and gaze adoringly up at him.
“Okay,” he said, “I admit it. She’s cute.”
Emma watched as CK snuffled along Shane’s pants leg then jumped onto his lap, her bottom plopping down as she looked around her with immense satisfaction. With a yawn that smelt fishy, she proceeded to happily knead his lap, her eyes half closed.
Shane looked ruefully from her to Emma. “I was half hoping I’d have a different bottom sitting on my lap.”
Emma laughed. “Trust me, hers is a lot lighter.”
“Don’t care.” He stroked her and CK preened in pleasure. “But if I can’t have the first choice, I’ll settle for second choice.”
Emma gasped, one hand going up to press against her bosom. “How can you say such a thing?”
“Hey, I wasn’t insulting you.”
“Shane, CK is Queen of Everything. She comes first in everything. She is not second choice.”
Shane looked from CK now bumping her head against his hand to where Emma stood with one hand pressed against her bosom. “I’m sorry. How thoughtless of me. It’s just the vision I had of a bottom on my lap wasn’t a furry one.”
“We’re a package deal, remember?” Her expression was serious but laughter laced her tone.
“Okay. I can deal with this.” Shane met CK’s adoring gaze. “You are such a cutesy-wootsy baby. I love Emmie’s cutesy-wootsy baby.”
Emma burst out laughing.
CK just kept purring.
Shane narrowed his eyes at Emma. “You ever tell anyone that I just spoke to your cat like that and you are in trouble. So much trouble.”
She just grinned wider. “On that note…” She picked up the two empty mugs and waggled them. “Want a refill?”
“Please.”
As the door swung shut behind her, her footsteps muffled against the hall runner as she walked down the hallway to the kitchen, Shane looked down at CK. She was purring so loudly now that it practically vibrated in the air. With languid ease she plopped down onto Shane’s lap, nearly falling off and being rescued by Shane’s quick hand behind her backside pushing her back up again. As though it had never happened, CK nestled down, paws tucked under her chest, eyes half closed as she assumed the Sphinx pose, so content and happy.
Grinning, Shane stroked her head and back, rubbing her ears. There was something about this cat. He liked cats, liked dogs. Liked all animals. But this cat was different, he was growing really fond of her.
Yeah, CK was one of a kind.
Just like her mum, CA. His little Cute As.
The woman Shane was now fairly determined to make his wife.
“But baby-steps first, CK,” Shane whispered. “Baby steps.”
Relaxing back, the swing swaying slightly, Shane gazed out at the quiet night. Some might call him stupid for falling so fast, tell him he was imagining it, but he knew his heart.
He’d fallen hard and fast for Emma Jones.
And bugger what everyone might say.
~*~
Emma stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I can’t believe I did it.”
Sitting on the vanity, CK looked up at her.
“I can’t believe I agreed to go out with Shane.”
CK blinked.
“I know you have no qualms. You threw yourself at him, you little hussy.”
CK didn’t twitch an ear.
“One bit of chicken and you’re anyone’s.” Emma tsked while rubbing behind the ginger cat’s silky ears.
CK purred.
“But me, well…” She sighed. “I just hope I haven’t made a mistake.” At CK’s sudden pricking of ears, she added, “Okay, I admit I find Shane hugely attractive. My heart does this stupid little skip and jump when he appears. Having a relationship isn’t necessarily stupid, but I still have reservations about him being my boss and what if this all comes crashing down? Awkward is what it will be.”
Standing, CK sniffed the edge of the mirror.
“I know. I got all caught up last night in his caring nature with Justine and her husband, his compassion, and then his company. He’s fun, he’s thoughtful, he’s…” Emma rubbed her brow. “He’s everything I’ve always found attractive, and I don’t mean just his face. Or his body. Which, I might add, is rather hot.”
CK reached up to tap at the handle of the toothbrush sticking out of the holder suctioned to the bottom of the mirror.
“Don’t even think it.” Scooping her up, Emma buried her face in the soft fur. “Ah well, CK, it’s done now, isn’t it? I’ve agreed to go out with him. It’d be even more awkward if I backed out now.” She lifted her head to eye the top part of her face showing above CK’s body. “Guess I’ll just ride this out and see what happens. I’ve already strapped myself into the seat.”
Easier said than done, however, because she had a little guilt plaguing her.
Guilt that surged higher when she saw Doc walking into the back of the clinic as she pulled the car into the staff parking behind it.
“’Morning, Em.” Doc waved to her before disappearing into the clinic.
She sat in the car chewing her bottom lip. Ma
ybe she should say something to him. Not the whole “guess what? I’m dating your son” thing, because that just sounded so…wrong. He’d find out soon. No, what she wanted to know was…
Getting out of the car, she glanced around as she locked the door. Shane’s push bike wasn’t chained to the veranda post so he hadn’t yet arrived. That gave her a few minutes to talk to Doc.
Dropping her bag quickly into the staff cupboard in the kitchen, she continued down the hallway to his office.
He was sitting at the computer tapping his pen against his chin in a pose very similar to his son’s. Emma wondered if she was looking at an older version of Shane. Or maybe Shane was a younger version of Doc. They shared similar features and build, but Shane also had some of his mum’s features.
A combination of two nice people.
Catching sight of her, Doc smiled. “Hey.”
“Hey, Doc.” Emma hesitated. “Can I…um…”
He waited patiently, that fatherly smile on his face. The same smile he’d greeted her with every day since she’d arrived. In fact, the same smile he’d greeted her with in their Skype interview. The same smile that had never changed even when she’d told him everything.
She hoped it wouldn’t change when he found out she was dating his son.
She pushed that thought away. “Doc, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
After a quick glance down the hallway to ensure no one was within hearing, she stepped further into the room. “Shane is in partnership with you.”
“Yep.”
“Does he…you know…know about me?” At Doc’s perplexed expression, she quickly added, “About my circumstances.”
“Your circumstances.” For a few seconds his expression remained perplexed, but then his brow cleared. “Oh, your circumstances.”
Emma’s cheeks reddened. Even though they’d been through this, it never failed to make her cringe inwardly.
“Em.” Standing, Doc walked over to rest one hand on her shoulder. “He only knows what is in your resume.”
That surprised her. “You didn’t put it in my file?”
“Why would I?”
“Well…”
“I trust my instincts. I trust you. I see no need to put anything in your file that doesn’t pertain to this practice.” He gave her shoulder a fatherly pat before resuming his seat. “Anything else?”
“No.” She changed her mind as another thought hit her. “Yes.”
Doc’s eyebrows rose questioningly.
“This is rude of me, but…” She mentally braced herself. “Will you tell him?”
“Do you want me to?”
“No. Yes. No.” Her cheeks got hotter. “If you think you should.”
Leaning back in the chair, Doc studied her. “Has something happened?”
Oh geez.
“Has he asked you about something?” Concerned, Doc frowned. “Is someone bothering you, Em? Someone from your past?”
“What? Oh, no. No, of course not,” she hurriedly reassured him. “I just thought maybe you’d feel like you had to tell him and…stuff.”
“Stuff,” he echoed.
Emma cringed. Talk about making a hash of it. How neurotic must she sound?
Leaning forward in the chair, Doc rested his forearms on his thighs. “Are you worried how he’ll react if he finds out?”
“Well…”
“Do you think he’ll have you tossed out on your ear?”
“I don’t know.” She wished she hadn’t broached the bloody subject now, but she’d wanted to know. Now look, she’d almost dug a hole for herself.
As if he could see every thought in her head, Doc shook his head and tutted. “Child, stop second-guessing yourself. You did nothing wrong. Nothing is in your file. Shane won’t know unless you tell him or he asks me outright, and I’ll only tell him if he asks because he’s my partner in this practice. But if he doesn’t ask, I see no need to say anything. Also, my dear, if he ever found out the last place you’d find yourself is unemployed or homeless. We Armands don’t operate like that.” He paused, gave a chuckle. “Operate. Get it? And we’re doctors.” He guffawed.
Emma didn’t know whether to laugh or roll her eyes. It was just like Doc to find something funny right in the middle of a serious subject.
“Sorry.” He gave another snort of amusement before returning to the subject at hand. “Okay. Now stop fretting. Tell Shane if you wish when you’re ready.”
Not knowing what else to do or say, she nodded. “Thanks, Doc.”
He swung back to the computer. “I promise I’ll give you fair warning if Shane ever has to find out from me for whatever reason.”
That made her heart sink.
Doc cut his eyes to her. “And do not worry about it. We Armands make up our own minds and trust our instincts. And our instincts told us you were just the woman we wanted for the job.”
“We?”
“Of course. Avery was part of the decision.”
“Of course,” Emma echoed, then, in a rush, “Mrs A knows about me, then?”
“She knows what was alleged. Thinks it’s all crap, just like me. If we had our way, we’d-” Doc’s words trailed off as Harriet’s voice called out, “Shane! About time you turned up for work!”
“I’m early as usual,” he called back from the other end of the hallway. “Geez, Harry!”
“Don’t call me Harry, you young whippersnapper.”
“Whippersnapper? Did you just say whippersnapper?”
“I’m old enough to be your mother.”
“What is a whippersnapper anyway? Is it, like, a whipper that snaps or something?”
“If you weren’t my boss, I’d tell you what it means in my translation.”
“Ahhh.” Shane sighed with blissful, exaggerated satisfaction. “It’s good to be boss.”
Harriet snorted.
“Time for work.” Doc looked at her hands. “Did you bring Anzac biccies?”
“Anzac biccies?”
“Em.” His expression sagged into disappointment. “Shane said you baked Anzac biccies. He tasted them. Said they were awesome. You didn’t bring me any?”
“Sorry. I promise I’ll bring some in tomorrow.”
“If Shane doesn’t eat them first.” Doc winked suddenly. “You’ll just have to bake me more if so.”
She smiled as the tension ease from her a little. “Thanks, Doc.”
“No, thank you for bringing them for me.”
“I meant for…you know.”
“Oh.” He winked again, tapped the side of his nose. “You’re…you know…welcome.”
He really was incorrigible.
With a laugh Emma left, just in time to see Shane entering the bathroom with his backpack in one hand to change into his work clothes as he’d done every day since he’d arrived.
Her heart picked up pace when he saw her and grinned.
“’Morning, Em,” he called cheerfully.
“’Morning, Shane,” she returned.
“Full day ahead.” He bobbed his eyebrows hopefully. “Bring any Anzac biccies with you?”
“Your Dad just asked the same thing.”
His face dropped into a familiar disappointed expression. Familiar because it echoed Doc’s. “That’s a no, isn’t it?”
“That’s a no.”
“Bugger.” Then he grinned. “I’ll be over tonight for them.” With that, he winked again and disappeared into the bathroom.
Leaving Emma feeling a little hot, because she was certain his wink was a little more wicked than it should have been. It also left her feeling both good and a little breathless.
Entering the treatment room, her gaze landed on the Star Chart on the wall directly opposite. “What the…?” Moving closer, she looked it.
Shane had happily written his name beneath Doc’s and a row of gold stars went right across the page to the end.
“Hey!” Doc barked out behind her.
She jumped and wh
irled around, for one wild second thinking he’d thought through everything and was now annoyed at her query.
Instead, Doc was scowling at the Star Chart. “That boy! Who does he think he is?” Crossing to the desk, he pulled out the box of gold stars and proceeded to add them to the ones he already had, going right across the chart. He even overlapped several, ensuring he had way more stars than his son.
When the line was overly full, he stood back and studied it before giving a satisfied nod. “That’s better.” Tossing the box of stars to Emma, he turned on his heel and sailed out the door chortling. “Boy thinks he can top me? He’s got another think coming!”
Standing there with the box of stars in her hands, Emma could only shake her head in amusement. Regarding the chart, she decided she had to do something or there would soon be no room for the well-behaved kids.
Minutes later music thrummed out into the hallway, followed by Doc shouting an impossible suggestion to Shane as to what he thought of his music.
“Well, play me what you’ve got,” Shane called across the hallway.
“I will! Get some of this good stuff into you.”
Emma expected to hear one of Doc’s country songs rip through the air. Instead, a rounding rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” sounded.
“What the…?” Doc said.
He must have tried something else because next thing Incy Wincy Spider happily burbled out.
“Shane Armand!” Doc yelled. “You’ve sabotaged my music!”
Shane guffawed.
“You put nursery rhythms on my play list!”
Shane just guffawed louder.
Emma was trying not to laugh too loud when Harriet’s head popped around the door.
“I tell you,” Harriet said, “this is like working with two kids first thing in the morning.”
“Tell me about it.” Emma pointed to the Star Chart.
Harriet looked at it and shook her head. “Big kids.”
“I’m telling your mother, boy!” Doc threatened.
“Oh yeah, run and tell my Mummy! So not cool, Dad.”
Emma grinned. “Big kids.”
Harriet laughed. “If the patients had any idea what went on here after hours, they’d run a mile.”
“Or want to join in.”
Secrets (Hope Bay) Page 19