Flirting with the Society Doctor (15 page)

She winced, pulled her hand free from his and slid
her fingers beneath her thigh protectively. “This makes no sense, Vale. I was here every day, wanting us to go back to the way we were before we went to Cape May, and you shut me out. It was you who pushed me away. You can't go changing your mind.”

“Why not?” he asked, cupping her face. “Why can't I admit I made a miscalculation and pushed away the best thing that's ever happened to me?”

“Because…because…” Her eyes closed again. “You just can't.”

“People make mistakes, Faith. I thought if I stayed away you'd realize we were worth giving a chance. I thought you'd miss me and come to me. You didn't, and the longer you stayed away the more frustrated I got. I took that frustration out on you. Forgive me.”

Moisture welled in her eyes, but she held fast, shaking her head. “I can't.”

“Why not?”

“Because you'll hurt me again, and I don't think I could bear it when you did.”

“Give me a chance to prove I won't.”

She shook her head. “There's nothing you can do because I know you'll hurt me. You're you and I'm me and even under the best of circumstances couples don't last. We don't stand a chance.”

He sighed. “I never meant to hurt you. You must know that. You shut me out too, Faith. I was offering you something I'd never offered any woman, was wanting things with you I'd never wanted before. You weren't the only one hurting. You're not being rational.”

She crossed her arms across her chest, glared at him. “Nowhere is there a law written that says I have to be rational.”

“Fine, then be irrational and marry me.”

Faith's eyes bugged out of her head.

His probably did too.

Where had his proposal come from? He hadn't intended to ask Faith to marry him. He wanted her back in his life, but marriage? That was extreme.

But even as he thought it, if marrying Faith meant having her back in his life, proving to her he wanted her in his life long-term, he'd walk down the aisle. He enjoyed her company. She was smart, beautiful, and he craved her body.

“No.”

He gritted his teeth, staring at her in disbelief. “No?”

“No, I won't marry you. You know how I feel about marriage. Do I need to spell it out for you?”

“Apparently,” he said dryly.

“I don't need you or any man in my life.”

Enough was enough. He'd tired of the games, of the going back and forth. “We both know you're in love with me, Faith. Quit clinging to your hang-ups about marriage because of your father leaving, because of your mother's multiple weddings.”

Her eyes narrowed and her mouth dropped open in disbelief. “I've never told you that I loved you.”

“Haven't you?” He called her bluff.

“I'd definitely recall if I'd said ‘I love you' to any man. I haven't. Ever.”

He leaned in, placed his hands to either side of her on his desk, trapping her beneath his gaze. “You don't love me?”

Not meeting his eyes, she swallowed. “I—I…well…”

“Well, what?” He wasn't going to let her off the hook.
Not until she answered him. “It's a yes or no question. Either you do or you don't.”

She took a deep breath. “The point isn't whether or not I love you.”

“Then you do love me?” His pulse hammered at his throat, beating him into a dizzy head spin as he waited for her to answer. Why was hearing her say the words so important?

“Quit twisting my words.”

“Quit being stubborn, and admit you've missed me as much as I've missed you.”

“Fine, I've missed you, but that changes nothing.”

Vale smiled. Finally he was making progress, was stepping behind that wall. “And you've thought about me?”

“I've thought about you.” Her chin lifted. “Occasionally.”

“In the mornings?” he pressed. “In the evenings? In the shower?”

“Vale, this is crazy,” she scolded, frowning, twisting free of where he had her pinned on his desk. She walked across his office, standing beside the long mahogany work table they'd spent many a night sitting at with data files spread out around them. “I'm pleading the Fifth.”

“Those who plead the Fifth are always guilty, Faith.” He stood, moved to just behind her, tempted to touch, but waited for a sign she'd welcome him.

“That's not true,” she denied, her gaze narrowed.

“Sure it is.”

“Then answer me this—why do you want to marry me?”

“I'm not pleading the Fifth, if that's what you're expecting.”

“But you aren't answering, are you?” she challenged, looking so sure of herself Vale had to slide his hands into his pocket to keep from taking her into his arms and kissing her stubborn mouth.

“I want to marry you so I can hold you in my arms every single night.”

Her eyes widened.

“I want to marry you so I can wake up and see you first thing every single morning.”

Her lips parted.

“I want to marry you so I can push up your skirt and make love to you any time I want, starting right now on the table you're leaning against.”

“Oh.” She straightened from the table.

“I want to marry you so I can kiss away your tears and take you with me to family functions so you can protect me from my crazy family.”

Her fingers clenched and unclenched at her sides.

“But mostly, Faith, I want to marry you so I don't ever have to be without you again. I want you to be mine.”

F
AITH
stood stock still, uncertain what to say or do.

Vale wanted to marry her?

What rabbit hole had she fallen into and bumped her head? Then the obvious reason for his pursuit hit her.

Why hadn't she realized? She should have already told him, should have realized that was why he'd kept calling.

“I'm not pregnant if you're concerned that something resulted from our weekend.”

Surprise filled his eyes. “I didn't think you were, Faith, but we can rectify that if you'd like to be.”

This time Faith was the one filled with surprise. Was he kidding?

“Quit saying things like that!” Didn't he realize that his words were like a searing iron to her heart? Words that a deeply buried part of her wanted to believe yet couldn't.

“Why?”

“Because you don't mean them.”

His face clouded. “You don't think I'd strip you naked and make love to you right here, right now, on the table behind you in the hope of making you pregnant?”

Had someone drugged him? Or maybe he'd fallen
into a rabbit hole and hit his head. Because, one way or another, one of them was out of their head.

“I've repeatedly told you I'm sorry, Faith. Is it so impossible to forgive me? To trust me?”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“Because if I forgive you, if I trust you, then I have no reason to stay away from you.” Her eyes widened and her hand popped over her mouth simultaneously at her admission.

“Would that be so bad?” he asked gently, taking her fingers into his and pulling her hand away from her mouth.

She closed her eyes. “Yes.”

“Why?”

“Quit asking me why!”

“Then I'll ask you to love me, Faith, because I want your love every day for the rest of our lives.”

She blinked. “Since when?”

“Since you walked out on me and took my heart with you.”

Her face squished into contorted confusion. “What are you saying?”

He smiled down at her. “What I've been trying to say since you walked into this room.”

Faith's heart tapped a wild beat in her chest. Could it be true? Could he be telling her what she thought he was telling her? Could this really be happening? Did she want this to be happening?

And if it was, could she take a chance on Vale? Could she believe he could really love her? Could really want to spend his life with her and wouldn't leave her? Oh, God, what if he left?

But what if he didn't ever leave?

What if he really did love her and wanted to be with her for ever? Wouldn't that be worth any risk?

“Tell me,” she whispered, staring into his eyes and seeing everything she couldn't quite believe reflected in the way he was looking at her.

“I love you, Faith.” He cupped her face, brushing his thumb along her jaw line. “With all my heart and all my soul and all that I am, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life giving my love to you. Open up and let me.”

She hadn't dreamed it was possible. Hadn't even contemplated what he was saying as a realistic possibility.

But Vale didn't hide his emotions, didn't attempt to mask them. He let his feelings for her shine in his eyes and she basked in the glory, letting his love thaw the wall she'd protected her heart behind since the day her father had walked out, since the first time she'd watched her mother walk down the aisle.

“This is crazy,” Vale muttered, and took her in his arms before she could say anything. “If you won't let me tell you, if you won't believe my words, I'm going to show you.”

With an offer like that on the table, Faith held her tongue. But when his lips covered hers, she kissed him back with the desperation of a woman who'd thought she'd forever lost the man she loved. With the joy of a woman who'd found him again.

Loved. Oh, God. She loved Vale.

With all her heart and all her being. Which left her so vulnerable. But if he was just as vulnerable to her, if he was there to look out for her vulnerable heart and vice versa, everything would be okay, right?

Oh! She couldn't think about that right now. Not
when Vale's hands were everywhere. Cupping her face, tangled in her hair, beneath her blouse.

She didn't stop him when he made haste of ridding her of her clothes. Didn't stop him when he laid her back naked on the table while he shed his suit in record speed.

She certainly didn't stop him when he spread her legs and thrust inside her. She clung to his shoulders, clung to his body, loving him with all her heart and all her body.

Deeper and deeper he surged inside her, taking her back to that magical place she'd called Cape May but which had really been in his arms. Taking her back to explosive ecstasy.

Her thighs spasmed in sweet, hot throbs, pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat. With his heartbeat.

Their heartbeat.

“I love you,” she mouthed on the peak of her orgasm, feeling his body tighten against hers, feeling him lose his control and explode deep inside her.

Body slick with sweat, he rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes. “You'll marry me?”

She bit the inside of her lower lip. “Marriage scares me.”

“I won't settle for less, Faith. I want the world to know you're mine.”

“And that you're mine?”

“I am yours, Faith. Completely and irrevocably. I'll never leave you. Trust me.”

Heart slamming against her ribcage, she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close. “It's not as if I really have a choice, is it? Now that you've made up your mind you want to marry me, you won't stop till I say yes.”

“We Wakefields always get what we want.”

She smiled up at him, awe still filling her at the magic this man had brought into her life. “You do realize that if we marry, I'll be a Wakefield, too?”

He looked at her with pure unadulterated love reflecting in his eyes. “And what is it you want, Faith? Because I'll give you anything within my power.”

“You.”

“You have me. Always and for ever.”

 

They dressed slowly—so slowly they ended up undressed again rather than clothed.

This time Vale made love to her more slowly, gently, staring into her eyes with each thrust of his body into hers. Deeper and deeper until he was so tangled with her she didn't know where she ended and he began.

Her breaths came in ragged pants. Her heart beat thudded in arrhythmic bursts. Her soul merged with his.

When he came, she cried out his name, cradling him in her body, stunned by what they'd shared.

Stunned by how loved she felt.

Stunned by how much she trusted him.

Stunned by the fact they'd made love twice without protection.

“Vale?”

“Hmm?”

“I do love you and I will marry you, but I'm not ready for a baby.”

He rose up on his elbow, staring down at her. “No? I'm in no rush to start a family. The idea of having you to myself for a while appeals.” He waggled his brows knowingly. “But when you're ready to start trying for a
baby, I'll be an eager participant.” His lips quirked into a half-smile. “What are you ready for, Faith?”

“You did offer me my job back,” she reminded him, sitting up and reaching for her clothes.

He watched her replace her bra, fastening the hooks between her breasts. “I also offered to come to work for you.”

“I doubt starting a new business and getting married at the same time would be a wise decision.” She pulled her blouse over her head, straightening the material at her waist, and looked around the table for her panties. Looking way too sexy, he held up her panties like a prized trophy. Faith rolled her eyes and snatched her silky underwear from him. “I loved working here with you, our research and the progress we're making on Parkinson's.”

He sat up, pulled on his boxer briefs and slacks. Not bothering with his shirt, he leaned against the table. She tucked her blouse into her skirt. He stood silent a few minutes, then shifted his gaze to her.

“If starting your own clinic is what you want, we'll make it happen, do our research there.” He sucked in a deep breath, met her gaze. “I don't want us being together to stand in the way of your dreams. Not ever.”

Straightening from slipping her shoes back onto her feet so he wouldn't tower over her, she turned to him. Vale was a top-notch neurosurgeon, used to having his way, leading the pack. Was he seriously saying he'd help her build a neurology practice of her own?

“You'd really come work for me if I wanted my own clinic?”

He nodded. “In a heartbeat.”

She stared at him in wonder, seeing the sincerity shining in his eyes. “I believe you would.”

One corner of his mouth lifted and he gave a low laugh. “Haven't you figured out the truth yet, Faith? I'd move the world if that's what it took to make you happy, to make you mine for ever.”

“No moving the world necessary.” Pressing her palms to his bare chest, she smiled up at him, happier than she could recall ever being. “But I would like my dog back.”

He grinned. “About that…”

Faith narrowed her gaze, giving him a playful glare. “What have you done to my poor Yoda?”

He held up his arm, displaying the tiny teeth marks. “Your poor Yoda is anything but poor. We need to work on his people skills.”

Faith rubbed her finger over the red spots. “He was just trying to defend my honor.”

“We need to sit down and have a talk with him, let him know that in the future that's my job.”

“Where is Yoda?”

“At Sharon's.”

“Sharon's?” Faith shook her head in wry amusement. Her friend had sure played it cool that evening. Faith had never suspected a thing. “She was in on this? Agreed to watch Yoda?”

He shook his head. “Nope, but I shut the little Cujo into her bedroom along with water, food, and newspaper. I figure he should be okay there for a few hours until she comes home and finds him.”

Uh-oh. Faith grimaced. “You didn't happen to notice if her closet door was shut, did you?”

Looking confused, Vale shrugged. “I didn't notice. Why?”

Faith started laughing. “You are going to be in so
much trouble when she discovers Yoda. Sharon isn't Yoda's biggest fan.”

“See…” he grinned “…another example of needing to work on your dog's people skills.”

“Maybe it's just Wakefields he takes issue with.”

“That may present a problem in the near future, then.”

She smiled up at him, loving the way he looked at her, at the warmth in his eyes. “Why's that?”

He lifted her chin, kissed her. “Because just as soon as it can be arranged you're going to be my wife, making you a Wakefield, too.”