All I Want For Christmas (14 page)

“That was intense, amazing,” he murmured, stroking her hip. “Did I take your mind off G. G.?”

That and all Tina's other worries. “You certainly did. You are a wonderful lover, Ryan Chase.” She pressed her lips to his chest, so he wouldn't see the love in her eyes. “Thank you.”

He kissed the top of her head. “It was my very great pleasure.”

Safe and secure in Ryan's arms, at least for what was left of the night, Tina slept.

When Tina awoke she was on her side, facing the wall. Ryan's arm was slung over her shoulder, and his body was molded to her backside, spoon-style. Sharing his bed was heaven. She snuggled closer. Feeling his arousal against her, she smiled to herself. Even asleep, he wanted her. Well, she shared his hunger. They'd made love twice already during their few hours together. Now she wanted him again.

As she turned toward him, both motel phones rang—the one in her room and the one on Ryan's bedside table.

G. G.
Tina forgot about making love. Suddenly anxious, she jerked away from Ryan and lunged for the phone.

“Nothing to worry about,” he said in a deep, scratchy morning voice. “Those are our wake-up calls.”

She lifted the receiver to find that he was right.

“If the hospital needed you, they'd call you on your cell,” he said. “I haven't heard it ring. But then…” He grinned, a sexy, intimate smile that wreaked havoc on her. “I was kinda distracted.”

He was sleep-tousled, with a crease on his cheek from the covers. Tina's heart filled with love. And gratitude.

Their brief night together had been beautiful. She hated for it to end, hated to leave the oasis of their bed. But it was morning now, and time to return to reality. They would never make love again. Ryan would never know that she loved him and he would never love her. At least he was honest about that.

She only hoped that he hadn't guessed her feelings. But she was good at hiding how she felt—didn't G. G. and the others believe she loved her work? She would hide this, too.

“Time to get up,” she said in a cheerful voice so false, it made her wince. Modestly, she wrapped the blanket around her and sat up.

“Hey.” Ryan sat up, too. He cupped her face and looked into her eyes. “Are you okay?”

She saw warmth and concern, but not what she really wanted—love.

“A little tired.” In an effort to lighten the mood, she elbowed him gently. “A certain big. guy kept me busy last night, when I probably should've been sleeping.”

Ryan's grin was full of male pride. “Guilty as charged.”

“I should shower,” she said, half hoping he would invite himself to join her.

“Me, too.”

He rolled out of bed and tossed her the towel she'd worn the night before, and she knew he wasn't going to. It really was over.

She wrapped herself in the terry cloth and stood up.

“I'll meet you in the lobby in ten minutes,” Ryan said, walking her to the door between their rooms.

Then she heard the lock click into place.

It's better this way,
Tina told herself. With G. G. and her new job to worry about, now was not the right time to fall in love.

S
TANDING BENEATH
the pounding hot water, Ryan imagined Tina with him. Washing each other, sharing hot kisses, making love under the spray.

His body sprang to life, and now he wanted her more than ever. He swore to himself, but he wasn't sorry about sharing his bed with her. What he regretted was the fact that they'd started something that could never go beyond one night.

The single saving grace was that Tina agreed. career-wise, she was fully committed and had no time for a relationship—was no different than it had been with the other women he'd gotten involved with and been hurt by.

Only this time he wasn't involved.

Uh-huh. He muttered a few more choice names at himself before stepping out of the shower.

His shorts were still damp, but they'd have to do. As soon as he shaved and dressed, he'd check in with Norma and say good-morning to Maggie. Then, he'd make that call to Jason. Later, after he stopped by the hospital and checked on G. G., he'd catch a ferry back to the island. He'd left his car in the parking lot at the ferry terminal, making it easy to get home, change and head for the bank.

Back on Halo Island, he meant to act as if last night had never happened. Not easy, but he'd handle it. And so would Tina.

“T
HE DOCTORS WANT
G. G. to stay in the hospital at least one more night,” Tina told Kate.

She was calling from the waiting room, while G. G. napped. At midmorning, the hospital was crowded with people and conversation buzzed around her. “If I'd waited one more day to bring her in, she'd have needed another surgery.” An alarming prospect, for sure. Tina was profoundly grateful to Dr. Dove. And the paramedics who'd delivered G. G. safely to the hospital, Dr. Lomax and the knowledgeable nursing staff.

“What a relief that she doesn't need another operation,” Kate said. “Have you lined up a nurse for when she comes home?”

“Yes, and I feel terrible about that.”

“Well, you just stop right now. With your new job starting Monday, it can't be helped.”

Which was true. Tina had promised Jim Sperling she'd be there, and G. G. insisted she follow through. Her stomach began to burn.

“I know,” she said, digging through her purse for the antacids. “But I can't help wishing I could stay until she's well again.”

On the other hand, with Ryan across the street, and both of them pretending nothing had happened last night…It was best if she left.

“So,” Kate said, the mild singsong tone alerting Tina that she was about to utter some interesting tidbit. “I hear Ryan Chase went with you and G. G. to Anacortes. I
am
your best friend. Exactly when were you planning on telling me?”

Either Dr. Dove had talked, or Norma Featherstone, or maybe one of the paramedics. Tina should've known her best friend would find out.

“Um, I wanted to,” she murmured into the cell, “only it's not exactly private around here.” Though she didn't know a soul in the room, and no one seemed to be paying the slightest bit of attention to her.

“You're forgiven, but only if you tell me
everything
.”

“Everything?” Tina wasn't sure about that. “Hang on a sec.” To be on the safe side, she moved into a small alcove by the elevator.

“Ryan was amazing,” she said quietly, as a middle-aged couple approached, one of them pushing the elevator button. “He was a huge help and a comfort to both G. G. and me.”

She remembered the terrifying wait in the Halo Island Clinic and thought about how she'd absorbed his strength while they waited for Dr. Dove to finish examining G. G. Without Ryan there, she'd have been a blubbering basket case. “So when he offered to ride with us in the ambulance boat…”

Kate made a sound of admiration. “That man has a heart of gold.”

A heart that was off-limits to Tina. “That he does,” she said with a sad smile. “He stayed until an hour ago, then left to catch the ferry back.” With a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek, the coolness and control more painful than comforting. Tina couldn't stifle a heartfelt sigh.

“That sigh sounded awfully dreary. Lovesick, even. Something must've happened between you two.”

Kate was entirely too perceptive. Since grade school they'd shared their deepest secrets—everything except Tina's recent ambivalence about her career. No one knew about that. But in matters of the heart, yes, and Tina knew she could trust Kate. Still, she hesitated.

“Listen, if you don't want to share, don't.”

Good friend that Kate was, she didn't sound at all offended. Which inclined Tina, all the more, to confide in her.

“Of course I want to, Kate.” Again, she lowered her voice. “Swear you'll keep this to yourself.”

“I solemnly swear,” Kate said. “If you could see me, you'd be watching me cross my heart right now.”

“Okay.” Tina blew out a breath. “I was so upset about G. G. last night,” she said, “that when Ryan and I checked into the motel near the hospital, they gave us connecting rooms…”

She told her friend what she wanted to know. That she hadn't wanted to sleep alone and that, for Maggie's sake, Ryan didn't want a relationship. She left out nothing, not even the part where she'd begged him to make love to her. “He's a thoughtful, fantastic lover, and I've fallen in love with him,” she finished.

“That's wonderful, Tina! It couldn't have happened to two finer people.”

Though Kate couldn't see her, she made a face. “Did you not hear what I said? Ryan can't get involved. He's afraid Maggie will end up getting hurt. And anyway, I'll be leaving soon.”

“Sounds to me as if he already
is
involved,” Kate said. “As for the long-distance thing, that's why God invented transportation.”

She made it all sound so easy. “Yes, but Ryan and I both agreed that last night was a one-time thing.”

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Tina turned her back on it, and tried to concentrate.

“Then you're both kidding yourselves,” Kate said. “If you don't get together again, I'll eat my apron.”

Tina snorted. “It's not that simple. If Ryan doesn't—”

“
There
she is,” exclaimed a familiar female voice.

“Hello, Tina.” This came from a crusty male voice she also recognized.

Tina pivoted to find Rose Thorne and Sidney Pletcher, both bearing gifts for G. G. They must have stepped off the elevator when her back was turned.

She waved, then signaled that she'd be a minute.

“Rose and Sidney are here, so I'd better go,” she told Kate. “I'll call you back later.”

“A
SHAME YOU MISSED
Ryan,” G. G. told her visitors.

As it had been last night, her hospital bed was slightly elevated at the head. Earlier, Tina had helped her fix her hair into the tidy bun she preferred. She remained pale, but was more animated than she'd been in weeks. A good sign, suggesting the new course of treatment was beginning to have an effect.

“The man has to work,” Sidney said. “You're lucky he stayed the night.”

“I am that,” G. G. said. She glanced at Tina. “
We
are.”

Little did G. G. know. How to respond? While Tina considered her options, G. G. continued chatting, leaving her off the hook.

“Can you believe that man?” She placed her free hand over her chest. “Once this danged hip heals, I'm going to cook him a feast. Christmas dinner, too, if he'll come. Didn't I tell you he's special, Tina?”

“You did.” Tina's cheeks warmed, and she knew she was blushing. Hoping no one noticed, she opened a tin of homemade gingersnaps Bob and Linda Sewell had sent with Rose, and offered one to G. G. She shook her head.

“He's an angel, for sure.” Rose helped herself. “If I were thirty-five years younger…”

Sidney narrowed his eyes. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“Don't worry, Sidney.” Rose chuckled. “I'm way too old for Ryan, so you're safe.” She bit into the cookie and licked her lips appreciatively. “These are delicious. I'll have to get Linda's recipe.”

“Alas, I'm too old, too.” G. G. cast a sly look at Tina. “You, on the other hand—you're the perfect age for Ryan.”

“G. G.!” Tina turned away from prying eyes to rearrange the flowers Sidney had brought. Had G. G. somehow guessed what had happened last night? Of course not, and thank heaven for that. Hands on her hips, she looked at the others and said, “Do you want me to focus on my career or not?”

“Well, of course that comes first,” G. G. said.

“No question about it,” Rose added.

Sidney nodded. “Like I always say, you'll be running that place in no time. Helping you with your education was the best investment I ever made.”

Tina knew he was praising her, but the words only tightened the noose of obligation she imagined around her neck. Above all else, she must succeed in her career.

“Still,” G. G. said, “you can't blame me for singing Ryan's praises.”

Tina wondered how much longer Sidney and Rose planned to stay, and how she could steer the conversation elsewhere between now and then.

“Ryan this. Ryan that.” Sidney scowled as he helped himself to two cookies. “This gushing drivel is making me sick. Could we talk about something else? Thanksgiving, for example. I ate so much, I about split my britches. Funny thing is, I'm hungry again.”

He chomped on a gingersnap enthusiastically, and Tina silently thanked him for changing the subject.

“You didn't eat
that
much.” Rose eyed him. “You're jealous, aren't you? Because you weren't here last night to help.”

“Would've been, if Tina had let me know. Instead, she called
Ryan
. Why didn't you call me, Tina?”

She saw that she'd hurt the older man's feelings. In truth, the only person who'd come to mind had been Ryan. Of course, he was the youngest and healthiest male on the block. But the deep-down truth was, she'd wanted Ryan beside her.