Amorous (The Lincoln Series Book 1) (9 page)

The real problem was how was he supposed to explain to her what had just happened when he couldn’t even explain it to himself. He’d always been able to keep his cool before with a woman, but Marie had the power to unleash an animal he never knew existed. What he did know right now was he had to make sure she wasn’t going to run from him the first chance she got. He pushed off the counter he was leaning on and headed back into the den.

“Marie, I have to go.” He scrubbed his hands over his face.

She stood up and began to straighten her clothing. “I understand. I’m…I’m sorry. I’m really not like this. I mean I don’t expect anything from you. I mean I didn’t do this to make you feel obligated in any way.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I didn’t do this on purpose, Dr. Jackson. I hope—”

“Christ, Marie, I think you can call me Warren after I stick my tongue in your mouth and shove my hand down your pants!” He paced to the other side of the room.

She whispered, “I’m not a whore…I was just trying to explain that.”

He turned to face her and saw a single tear break free. He rushed toward her and reached up, he stopped an instant before grabbing her arms.

“Marie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” He paused a few seconds not knowing how to continue and dropped his hands to his sides. “I know I screwed up here and I’m sorry…I don’t have the time to try and explain. I have to get to the hospital but I don’t want to leave you like this.”

He reached up again and this time he put his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. He breathed in her scent and kissed the top of her head.

He whispered into her hair. “Please stay. I don’t know what just happened, all I know is I lost control. This was my fault, not yours. I’m sorry…I’ll understand if you want to go, but I’d really like you to stay.”

He took a half step back from her and looked down into her eyes. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He gently raised her chin with his fingertips.

“I don’t know if I can do this.”

“Please? I won’t ask anything of you you’re not ready for. I swear. No pressure. I just want to talk.”

“I’m really not that kind of girl, Dr. Ja—Warren. I wasn’t looking for a one night stand. I don’t know if I can stay around knowing that—”

“Is that what you think this is? A one night stand?” He reached up and wrapped his hands around the nape of her neck. He tipped her head back gently and looked into her eyes. “Marie, this isn’t a one night stand for me. I don’t know exactly what it is but it’s…Shit. Just please stay. If you still want to go home when I get back I’ll take you home. I swear. Just for now say you’ll stay. Give me a chance to try and explain.”

He held his breath waiting for her answer. He didn’t know what he was going to say to her when he got back, all he knew was it was imperative that she be here when he did.

“Please, Marie, don’t let the night end like this. I need to make this right. Let me try.”

He knew the moment she had made her decision. He could see it in her face.

“Okay…I’ll stay.”

Warren smiled, leaned down and kissed her gently.

****

Before Warren was down the driveway Marie was already having second thoughts about waiting around. He had said this wasn’t a one night stand for him but she knew it wasn’t a date either. He had been flirting with her all week but the moment Dr. Carrington or anyone else came into the office he was cool and business-like. Then the day he had come to her at the coffee shop and asked her out, he recanted his offer before she could respond. She wasn’t getting a clear message from him and she couldn’t help but think he didn’t want her for anything more than just sex.

They hadn’t planned to meet at Parillo’s this evening, it had just happened. Or had it? She didn’t know he was going to be there, but maybe he knew she was. After all, Janet had invited him to join them. Had Warren and Janet set this up? She replayed the scene at Parillo’s in her mind. They both seemed determined to achieve the same goal. Get her and Warren alone.

She would love nothing more than to be with Warren, to hold his heart, amongst other parts of his anatomy, but only if he felt the same way about her. Marie wanted more than just a physical relationship with him.

Janet had told her he was interested, but what if his interest was purely physical and she was just an itch he needed to scratch? She didn’t think her heart could survive that. Her feelings for Jake were mostly physical and he had managed to hurt her. But with Warren her heart was getting involved which gave him the power to destroy her.

Fear began to creep in but then she remembered their kiss at Parillo’s and everything else that happened right here in his den. She ran her hand along the cushions of the couch. The fabric was soft and cool. She picked up the throw pillow and held it to her cheek. She could smell a hint of his cologne. The scent took her back to the moment he had moved over her, keeping her safe from the world, loving her. In that instant Warren had managed to take complete control of her; body, mind and soul. In that instant, she had felt loved.

But was it really love or just lust? Her body tingled as she remembered his mouth on hers, the heat that had ignited her senses. She had never felt safer than when he had held her in that moment. Did he feel the same deep, soul binding connection or was he just playing a role to get what he wanted?

“I need to figure out what’s going on before I make another mistake I’ll regret.” She grabbed her cell phone and called Janet.

“Marie? What the hell are you doing calling me? Aren’t you a little too busy?”

“I need to talk to you, Jan. Something happened and I don’t know what to do.”

“What do you mean something happened? Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m okay. I just made a fool of myself again.” Marie was struggling to hold back her tears. How could he not think she was a tramp, even if he did plan this evening? He was moving so fast and she hadn’t tried to stop him, not even a little.

“I doubt that, but give me about 20 minutes and I’ll be right over so you can tell me what happened. I’ll bring the Margarita’s.”

“I’m not at home, Jan, I’m at Warren’s place. We were…uh…busy then he got a call from the ER and had to go. He asked me to stay here until he got home. But I don’t know if I can do that. You have to tell me what to do, Jan. I’ve never had a one night stand before…unless you count Jake.”

She plopped down on the big overstuffed couch and hugged the throw pillow to her chest. The scene of her and Warren played in her head and she squeezed her legs together in an attempt to ease the aching need for his touch.

“What do you mean a one night stand? Did he actually say that to you? And, no, Jake doesn’t count. Ever!”

“No. He said it wasn’t for him, but what else could it be? This wasn’t a date and we hardly know each other. It’s not like he’s in love with me or anything. And I’m pretty sure I’m not his type.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m not a gorgeous blonde like you. What’s been going on between us at work is just playful flirting. And when he asked me out, he did a complete one-eighty and withdrew his offer before I could even respond.”

“Marie, honey slow down. First of all, you have to stop this ‘I’m not pretty enough’ bullshit. Second, I’ve known Warren for a long time and he’s never been a one night stand kind of guy. So, obviously you are his type.”

“But—”

“Marie… Just listen to me. We’ve been friends long enough I think you know I would never push you into something that I thought would hurt you. Right?”
Janet didn’t wait for a response.
“Right. I was right about Jake and I’m right about Warren. Now, here’s how it is. All you’ve been talking about all week is Warren and how just the sight of him makes your insides melt because you can’t do anything around him except conjure up erotic scenes starring the two of you. And, all Warren has been talking about all week is you. Trust me on this one, Marie. As far as I know he’s never put that much thought into a woman before, even his relationships that lasted a while. So, the way I see it is the two of you are hot for each other but you just haven’t been able to find time to be alone. Well, this is your chance. Don’t blow it.”

“But what if all he wants is sex? You know I can’t think when I’m near him. It just feels so right when he touches me my brain stops working and I lose control of myself.”

“That’s how you’re supposed to feel.”

“But how do I know if he cares about me? I think I’m making the same mistake with him that I did with Jake.”

Marie curled up in the fetal position and hugged the pillow tighter to her chest.

“You’re not making a mistake because Warren is nothing like Jake. You’re thinking too much, Marie. It feels right because it is right. Trust me.”
She took a deep breath and continued.
“I know you’re falling for him but I don’t think you’re alone. I haven’t seen him in a few years, Marie, but seriously. I have never known him to be this smitten with anyone, ever.”

“Really?”

“Really. And, if it doesn’t work out at least you had some fun while it lasted. There’s nothing wrong with having that kind of fun. You’re two consenting adults who happen to find each other irresistible.”

Marie let out a heavy sigh. “Okay, you’re right, you’re right. But Jan, you know I’ve never done
this before. I have no clue what to do or what to say. What if I screw it up?”

Janet laughed.
“Marie. Stop thinking and just be yourself. And as far as doin’ the nasty, just follow his lead.”

“But what if I don’t…you know…do it right?”

“Unless you physically hurt him somehow, you can’t really screw it up. Men aren’t generally that picky. Besides, he’s a great guy, Marie. He’s not going to hurt you…If he does, he knows I’ll cut his balls off and serve them to him for breakfast. So just relax and have a good time. Okay?”

Suddenly the thought of not getting another chance with Warren was more frightening than ending up with a broken heart in the end.

“Okay. I just hope he’s not gone too long. I don’t want to lose my nerve.”

“That’s my girl. Just watch some TV and get your mind off it for a while. You can call me tomorrow and give me all the juicy details. That is if you’re out of bed sometime tomorrow.”
Janet giggled.

“Ha, ha, very funny. I’ll call you in the morning from home.” Marie wasn’t sure when she was going to get home but she knew she would get there eventually. After all, she would have to sleep at some point.

“We’ll see. Night, night, sleep tight.”

“Hey, Jan?” Marie paused, she really wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer to her next question. “Did you guys set this up? I mean, did you and Warren plan all this?”

“All I planned was getting the two of you together so you could have a couple drinks and get to know each other better. Warren knew nothing about it. He didn’t even know you were going to be there. I didn’t want either of you ditching me and ruining my match making efforts.”

“What about the thing with Jake?”

“The thing with Jake was definitely not planned. Those two have never gotten along, that was just Jake being an asshole.”

“So, did Warren kiss me because he wanted to or because he was trying to get Jake to leave me alone?”

“I’m pretty sure he wanted to. That looked like one hell of a kiss.”

“Damn, he can kiss. He could have ripped my clothes off and screwed me on the table and I wouldn’t have been able to stop him.”

Janet laughed.
“You two can generate sparks that’s for sure. But seriously that kiss looked like Warren was staking his claim to let Jake and everyone else know you were no longer available. All I had to do was make sure you two left before you burned the whole place to the ground.”

Marie smiled. “Thanks, Jan. I just needed to know I’m not being played for a fool.”

“Marie! I’d never do that to you and you know it, damn it! Stop being so insecure. You’re beautiful and sexy and he very obviously wants you. Okay?”

“Jan, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I know you’d never try to hurt me. I just don’t know if I can trust
him
not to hurt me. It’s only been a week but my heart is aching for him to care about me.”

Marie was tired of being so unsure of herself when it came to intimate relationships. She wanted so much to be as carefree as Janet but she just didn’t know how to let go of her fear.

“I’d bet my life he cares about you, but getting hurt is all part of the game, Marie. Life happens and sometimes things don’t go like you thought they would, or should. But I can tell you the pain is worth it. The game can be so much damned fun.”
She exhaled a contented sigh.

“Thanks, Jan.” She hugged the pillow tighter.

“Now, don’t forget to call me. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the details. Have fun.”

“I will. Night, Jan.”

Marie hung up the phone and rolled to her back. She held the pillow to her face and inhaled his scent. Janet was right. When Warren got home she would just relax and enjoy being with him. Until then she needed to think of something other than Dr. Yummy and his magical touch. She found the TV remote and started searching for something distracting to watch.