The Family Next Door

by Heather D'Agostino

  “When you don’t want someone to know about something, you shouldn’t tell anyone about it. That guarantees that it stays a secret,” she smiled seductively at him as she stepped behind his desk chair. As she leaned forward, so her mouth was right beside his ear, she placed her hands on his shoulders and whispered, “I’m really good at keeping secrets.”

  Patrick stiffened and sat up straighter while a sound that came out as a cough and choke filled the room “I think you should leave, and I need to get to work. Did you need something?”

  “I need a lot of things, but apparently I’m not going to get them right now,” she murmured as she squeezed his shoulders before releasing them and sauntering around to his door. “I’ll be in my office if you need anything,” Tinsley smiled wickedly over her shoulder before stepping out into the hallway and out of sight.

  Patrick groaned as he placed his elbows on his desk, and dropped his head in his hands. What had just happened, and what did it mean? He knew women found him attractive, but none had ever been so blatant about it before, at least not since he was a teenager. “I’ll deal with that next week,” he mumbled as he stood, grabbed a patient’s file, and stepped out of his office to head in the direction of an exam room. The day just kept getting more stressful by the minute. A weekend away with just him and Katie was exactly what he needed.

  ooooooooo

  Katie stared down at her phone and scowled again as she read Hannah’s text.

  BostonCutie: Sorry…can’t make it. Had an emergency come in. L

  She understood that things came up that couldn’t be foreseen, but she had never actually been on this end of it. She was constantly canceling on her friends when she was asked to stay late at the hospital. Now, as she sat on the couch of her living room sipping a glass of wine, she knew exactly how they felt…slighted.

  As the door opened, and a cold December breeze blew in, Patrick rubbed his hands together trying to warm them. He chuckled to himself as he took in his wife’s disgruntled form on the couch.

  “Bad day?” he smirked.

  Katie shook her head as she debated whether or not to push the issue of him hiding something, “No.”

  “Okay…so what’s wrong,” Patrick smiled at her, having a hard time hiding the humor he was finding in the situation. He knew she must be going crazy, and he had no idea how she was keeping it all hidden.

  “What’s going on?” she stood. “I know you’re hiding something from me. What is it?” she tapped her foot in an annoyed fashion.

  Patrick grinned, “You do, huh?”

  “Patrick McKinley,” she marched over and stabbed her finger into his chest, “you better tell me what you’re hiding, or I’m going to drag it out of you.”

  “And how do you plan to do that?” he challenged as he dropped his coat over a nearby chair.

  Katie wrapped her arms around his neck as she rose up on her toes. When she was eye level, she sobered her face and leaned in. She whispered, so her breath feathered across his lips, “Like this,” before pressing her lips to his.

  Patrick instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to his chest. As he tightened his grip, so their hips pressed together, she rolled hers and plunged her tongue into his mouth. Patrick moaned as his lips moved aggressively against hers. As the kiss deepened, he lowered his hands to her backside, and tried to lift her.

  Katie mumbled against his mouth, “Un uh,” and pulled away.

  Patrick stood there fully aroused, and baffled that she had backed up leaving him like that as Katie turned and began to walk back to the couch. She giggled as she scanned her eyes down him, taking a little extra time to observe the large bulge in his pants.

  Patrick grunted as he shifted and sighed, “You’re just going to leave me like this?”

  “Yep,” she smirked. “Now spill, and maybe I’ll help you finish.”

  “You are going to be the death of me,” he grumbled as he moved over to sit beside her on the couch. “We’re going away for the weekend,” he sighed. “It was supposed to be a surprise.”

  “Really?” Katie’s face lit up.

  “Yeah…we need to leave in an hour. Can you be packed by then?” he glanced over at her.

  Katie nodded enthusiastically, “Sure. What should I pack?”

  Patrick grinned, “What do you usually wear to bed?”

  “That would be nothing,” Katie wrinkled her brow in confusion.

  “Then that’s what you need to pack,” he snickered.

  “Patrick,” Katie gasped as she swatted his stomach.

  “I don’t plan on leaving the bed,” he leaned forward and placed a deep kiss to her lips, “And we’re going to be in the middle of nowhere,” he mumbled as he kissed her again. “No one will see us. We can walk around naked all day,” he wagged his brows as he watched pure lust rise in her eyes.

  “Sounds heavenly,” she sighed and then pushed herself to a standing position. “I still want to pack a few things.”

  “Wait,” he reached up and grabbed her forearm. “I told you the secret, aren’t you going to help me with this?” he nodded his head toward his crotch.

  Katie threw her head back and laughed, “Sorry cowboy,” she patted his shoulder, “I’ve gotta pack.”

  “Damn woman,” he grumbled. “I think you missed your calling.”

  “Oh yeah?” she laughed as she started heading up the stairs.

  “Yeah…you shoulda been an interrogation specialist,” he groaned as he flopped back on the couch and prayed his body would calm soon.

  “You’ll have your fun soon enough, Dr. McKinley,” she called as she disappeared up the stairs.

  Chapter 6

  As the car ambled along the mountain road, Katie stared out at the setting sun. A contented smile settled on her mouth as she watched the passing landscape. Snow was falling softly, creating a winter wonderland only seen on postcards. Every once in a while, Patrick would glance over at her and smiled. He was so happy that they were going to get some time away. He knew that he needed the escape from work, and he was hoping that Katie would be able to relax, as well.

  His thoughts turned to the clinic, and how Tinsley had gotten a little bolder than usual with her flirtations. It was almost as if she was giving him an invitation to go home with her. He sighed as he shifted in his seat, and propped his elbow on the car door. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what to do about the problem.

  “Are we almost there?” Katie grinned as she looked over at him. Her face fell when she saw the pensive look on his face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Huh?” he shook his head. “Nothing…and yeah, we’re almost there.”

  “You seem worried. Is it work? A patient?” she pushed.

  “Something like that,” he mumbled. “I don’t really want to talk about it, ok?”

  “Sure,” she reached across the car and squeezed his thigh. “I wasn’t really planning on doing much talking this weekend either.”

  Patrick smirked, “You weren’t, huh?”

  “Nope,” she mused, popping the P.

  As Patrick rounded the corner of the winding road, a beautiful chalet came into view. Its stark angles stood out among the soft curves of the surrounding snow banks. A single porch light illuminated the front steps, and a shovel was propped up against the front door.

  “We’re here,” he announced.

  Katie shoved her door open, and stood wide-eyed in the driveway. “Patrick, this isn’t a cabin,” she gasped. “It’s amazing. How did you find this?”

  Patrick grinned as he made his way around to the trunk to gather their bags, “It belongs to someone I work with.”

  “And they just let you use it this weekend?” she cocked her head to the side while taking in the massive structure.

  “Something like that,” he shrugged. “I promised I’d pick up his New Year’s Eve shift.”

  “Oh,” Katie’s face fell.

  “Hey…don’t sweat it. The clinic closes at ei
ght. I’ll still be home regular time,” he leaned in and kissed her cheek as he headed toward the front door with their bags.

  “But, we’ll miss your parent’s party?” Katie called from behind him as she followed him up the front steps.

  “Yeah…in case you don’t remember…I hated those growing up,” he chuckled.

  “Oh I remember…I remember sitting up in your room watching movies all night. I remember the pillow fights we’d have…” she trailed off as she stepped through the doorway and began scanning the room.

  “Yeah, I remember you lying on my bed, and wanting to kiss you so bad,” he snickered as he stepped past her and began climbing the stairs to the bedroom. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to put these in the master,” he called over his shoulder.

  “Okay,” Katie called as she closed the front door and began exploring the bottom level of the house.

  As she moved into the Great Room, she glanced up toward the ceiling. It was an open space, and you could see the stairwell as it wound around the room. A beautiful rock fireplace was on one wall with several large leather couches surrounding it. A fur rug was at the center of the seating area, and several blankets were placed over the backs of the furniture. When she moved into the kitchen, stainless steel appliances lined one wall and a beautiful oak island sat in the middle. A previously stocked wine fridge was placed under the island, and when she opened the full-sized refrigerator, she noticed that the owner had already gone to the store for them. Patrick was right, they wouldn’t have to leave the place all weekend.

  After leaving the kitchen, she noticed a set of glass doors off of the Great Room. When she stepped closer, she could make out a hot tub on the back deck. She gasped as she peered through the curtained doors. Sitting out there with a glass of wine surrounded by the snow in her husband’s arms would be like a fantasy coming true.

  “We can try it out tomorrow,” Patrick whispered from behind her as he kissed the side of her neck.

  Katie jumped slightly. She hadn’t heard him come up behind her. “Sound great,” she smiled as she turned to face him. “This place is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “You’re welcome,” he lifted his hand to her face, and brushed her hair off her cheek before leaning in to place a kiss to her lips. “Let’s go to bed,” he murmured.

  “Are you tired, Dr. McKinley?” she smiled coyly.

  “Nope,” he chuckled as he swatted her on the backside. “Just the opposite really.”

  ooooooooo

  The next morning when Katie began to stretch as she woke, she was met with cold sheets and an empty bed. Her eyes flew open as she glanced around the room. It took her a minute to remember where she was, but as she viewed the trail of clothes leading from the doorway to the bed, the night before began to come back to her.

  As she tugged the sheet higher, she rolled onto her side. Patrick’s wrinkled pillow was the only indication that he’d been there. The light to the master bath was still off, and his phone was missing off the nightstand. She rose to a sitting position as she clutched the sheet to her bare body, and scanned the room for something to put on. After the night they’d shared, she was baffled that he’d leave her like that.

  After pulling on one of her husband’s t-shirts, Katie crept toward the door and paused when she heard his voice. He sounded almost angry, and she wondered whom he was talking to. She slowly began heading down the stairs toward his voice when she heard him more clearly. “I’m spending the weekend with my wife,” he growled. “Please don’t call me unless it’s an emergency.” When Katie rounded the corner to the kitchen, he had his back to her. A frying pan was sizzling on the stove as bacon popped in it. Coffee was brewing on the counter, and the oven had something in it, too. She stood there just watching him as her brow furrowed in confusion. “Yes! I said my wife,” Patrick continued to bark into the phone in an angry whisper. “I don’t know why you called in the first place. Don’t call me again,” he disconnected the call, and shook his head as he tossed the phone on the counter.

  “Something wrong?” Katie asked tentatively.

  Patrick stiffened as she rounded the corner. When she moved closer, he grabbed his phone and stuffed it in his pocket. “No.”

  “Who was that?” she gazed up at his troubled face.

  “No one you need to worry about,” he sighed as he leaned down and pecked her on the nose.

  “You sure?” she pushed as she stepped back and moved around him to pour herself a cup of coffee.

  “I’m sure,” he nodded as he grabbed some plates from the cabinet. “Go sit,” he pointed to the table. “Breakfast is almost ready.”

  Katie smiled, “Good. I was lonely up there by myself. I wish you’d stayed in bed a little later.”

  “Me, too,” Patrick mumbled as he brought the plates filled with bacon and cinnamon rolls over to the table.

  “Why did you get up so early?” Katie reached for a piece of bacon.

  “What’s with the third degree today?” Patrick gave her an annoyed look.

  “Sorry,” she cringed slightly. “Just curious.”

  “Work called,” he huffed. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Is that who you were talking to?” she picked up a cinnamon roll and took a giant bite.

  “Yes,” he rolled his eyes. “Can we move on now?”

  “Sorry,” she dropped her chin to her chest. “I don’t want to fight this weekend.”

  “Who said we were?” Patrick furrowed his brow. “I just don’t want to talk about work.”

  “Fair enough,” Katie nodded as she sipped her coffee.

  The rest of breakfast was consumed in silence as the two had very different scenarios running through their heads. Katie wondering what had gotten Patrick so riled up that morning, and Patrick wondering why Tinsley would call him on his personal cell phone just to say hi, when she knew he was away for the weekend with his wife.

  ooooooooo

  “So…I’m going to go bring some firewood in so we can light this baby up tonight,” Patrick called from the bedroom as he rubbed the towel over his damp body.

  “Sounds good,” Katie giggled as she leaned out the bathroom door and stared at her husband’s bare backside. “It’s a shame though…” she trailed off.

  “What?” he turned as he tugged his boxers in place.

  “That you have to cover that up,” Katie nodded her head at him. “I thought we were spending the weekend naked?”

  “That can be arranged after I get the firewood,” he teased. “If I go out there like this,” he motioned to his bare chest, “I might freeze into a solid block of ice.”

  “We can’t have that, can we?” she purred as she sauntered up in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Definitely not,” he mumbled as he brushed his lips softly across hers. Before she could deepen the kiss, he lifted his head to break contact. “You are distracting me,” he teased.

  “Ummm hmmmm…and it’s working,” she teased. “Go get the firewood…although I don’t think we’re going to need it to stay warm.”

  “Grrrrr,” Patrick growled as he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, and headed down stairs.

  Katie giggled as he disappeared. Arousing him like this had been fun this weekend. She had sensed a renewed desire between the two of them, and whatever had caused it she hoped didn’t disappear anytime soon.

  After towel drying her hair, she quickly put on some warm clothes, and began to head for the bedroom door to go downstairs. As she passed the dresser by the door, the little white plastic packet mocked her. She sighed as she picked it up, punched out her daily dose of birth control, and swallowed it. She and Patrick were having such a great weekend, with more romance than they’d experienced in a long time; she had no intention of allowing anything regarding the ‘baby discussion’ to interrupt their weekend of bliss.

  ooooooooo

  “You’re gonna hurt your back trying to carry that mu
ch at one time,” Katie called as she rolled her eyes at him.

  Patrick had a large pile of wood stacked in his arms, and he was trying to maneuver himself up the front path to the door. Katie was standing on the front steps with the shovel in her hands, smirking at him. Patrick shook his head as he gazed at her. A sense of déjà vu settled over him as he watched her chip away at the ice with the shovel blade. She had turned away from him just like she had during their first meeting, and he couldn’t help but stare.

  “I’m fine,” he called as he started to move again, but soon lost his balance and slipped on the paved path.

  Katie heard the wood clatter to the ground, and turned just in time to see Patrick’s feet fly up in the air. Fear for his safety surged to the forefront before it was replaced with humor. Patrick shook his head as if he were trying to clear it as he looked up at her standing there, staring at him. He grinned as he sat up and shouted, “I’m usually better at that…I play hockey you know?”

  As recognition dawned on her, Katie burst into laughter and shouted back, “You know salt will help with that?”

  Patrick’s shoulders bounced as he laughed before he flopped backwards in the snow. It had been a long time since he felt this happy, and as the memories of their meeting came to the front of his mind, he felt truly blessed. This woman had no idea how much she meant to him.

  "Let me help you,” Katie called as she started down the steps in his direction.

  When she reached Patrick’s sprawled out form, she stretched her arm out to him. As he grasped it, he gave it a gentle tug and pulled her down on top of himself. She yelped as she was caught off guard, but soon began giggling as she wriggled away and reached for a handful of snow to throw at him.

  “Oh no, you don’t,” he tugged her arm so she’d fall back against him. “I’m the only one allowed to throw snow.”

  “I don’t think so,” she shook her head as she tried to hide her smile. “You’re not the only one that remembers that first winter that we met.”

  She scrambled away from him and started vigorously packing snowballs. As soon as she had a few formed, she began heaving them in Patrick’s direction. Patrick scrambled to get out of her line of fire as he began making his own arsenal.