The Celebrity Doctor's Proposal (11 page)

She swallowed, trapped by his gaze. ‘I'm warming up fast.'

His blue eyes flickered to her mouth. ‘Need any help?'

‘I think I might,' she managed huskily before his mouth found hers and they both gave in to the greed that had been consuming them both for days.

‘Hell, Riggs.' His mouth devoured hers hungrily. ‘I love your body.'

‘Same here.' She felt their legs tangle, felt his arm haul her close and felt his other hand at her breast. ‘Oh, help, we shouldn't do this.'

‘Stop saying that.' He groaned the words into her neck. ‘We're doing it and that's final.'

‘No.' She tilted her head and gasped for air. ‘I mean, we shouldn't be doing this here, in public.'

‘It's not public.' His tongue tasted her skin. ‘This is a private deck. The only way anyone can see is if they're up here with us.'

Her whole body was on fire, her heart leaping in her chest.

‘We agreed it was a mistake…'

‘We never agree on anything.' His hand cupped her face and his mouth came down on hers again, stifling her cry.

He felt so good. Hard. Strong. Male.

And she wanted him.

She broke away, her breath coming in tiny pants, her fingers digging into his biceps. ‘We really ought to discuss this.' She was trying to concentrate but all she could think about was the play of muscle under her fingers and how much she wanted him. ‘We shouldn't do this on impulse.' She gasped as his mouth found her throat again. ‘We should talk.'

‘Talking isn't going to warm either of us up.'

Her eyes closed as she felt the erotic touch of his mouth on hers. She'd thought she'd been kissed before. Dozens of times. But maybe she was wrong because it had never felt like this. No one kissed like Sam McKenna.

She knew that what they were doing wasn't sensible, but it felt too right to even contemplate stopping.

His arm curved around her waist and he pulled her onto his lap. ‘Body heat is an important source of warmth in these circumstances, Riggs,' he murmured, his voice deep and unreasonably sexy. ‘Important to share what we have.'

Her whole body ached and throbbed and she twisted under the water, bringing herself into closer contact with him, hearing his groan, feeling his immediate response.

‘It's time you lost the swimming costume.' His hands skimmed her shoulders, sliding it down, and she gave a strangled moan as she felt his clever, seeking fingers graze her taut nipples.

‘McKenna.
Sam!
'

He tugged the costume lower still, his hands sliding over her belly and downwards till she shifted her hips against him, desperate to ease the blinding, greedy ache.

Bringing his mouth back to hers, he kissed her savagely, stoking the fire that flared between them.

It took all her will-power to stop it from going all the way. ‘Sam…' She groaned his name, her eyes closed. ‘We can't do this. Not here. We should stop now…'

She felt the rise and fall of his chest as he struggled to breathe normally. ‘You're probably right. Not here. Are you warmer now? Because that's all I was doing, of course, warming you up.'

She looked at him, her breathing unsteady. ‘Just a little warmer. Thanks.'

‘My pleasure.'

She was still on his lap, still aware of every masculine inch of him. ‘Well… I, er, that was…interesting.'

He ran a hand over his face and made a visible effort to pull himself together. ‘It certainly proved a point.'

She could still feel the brush of his hard thigh against hers and her brain was refusing to function. ‘What point?'

‘That it was nothing to do with the dark, the champagne and the atmosphere.'

She slid her arms back into her costume and moved off his lap. ‘We don't like each other, McKenna.'

His eyes followed her every movement. ‘We could work on that.'

‘We never agree on anything.'

‘I'm willing to say yes to you the minute you ask me the right question.'

She stood up, breathlessly aware of his gaze on her body. ‘We're going to take a step backwards, McKenna, and try and get a grip on ourselves. We need to stop putting ourselves in the position where this happens. I still think this isn't a good idea.'

It would complicate her life and she didn't need complications.

‘Excuse me asking this.' He spread his arms wide along the rim of the hot tub, the muscles in his shoulders bunching. ‘But exactly which bit doesn't work for you?'

‘The you and I bit.' She flicked her hair away from her face. ‘It's just not— Well, it isn't what we do.'

‘Why?'

She frowned, but met his gaze head on, never one to avoid an issue just because it was uncomfortable. ‘Well, for a start, because it would make things awkward between us.'

‘Awkward? What can be more awkward than walking round in a state of permanent arousal, which is what's happening to me at the moment?' The corner of his mouth shifted. ‘Riggs, I'm a grown man, not some emotionally stunted teenager. I can make love to you and still have a civilised working relationship, if that's what's bothering you.'

His words had a disturbing effect on her heart rate. ‘You're only here for the summer.'

‘So?' He shrugged. ‘We could have fun. Do you know your problem?'

‘I don't have a problem.'

‘You plan too much. You need to go with the flow. Live a little. Do something on impulse.'

Impulse.

Anna stared at him. The impulse to dive back into the hot tub with him was almost overwhelming.

She sucked in a breath and pulled herself together. ‘It's the ability to reason and think that distinguishes us from animals, McKenna,' she said primly, but there was a definite tremor in her voice and he gave a slow grin that churned up her insides more than ever.

‘That must be why you bring out the beast in me.'

‘I need to do this my way.'

‘Fine. You do whatever you need to do to bring your brain and body in line with mine.' His eyes glittered with serious intent. ‘But do it fast, Riggs, before we both burn up.'

 

Sam stood under a cold shower and wondered if anyone had ever conducted an experiment into the quantity of icy water required to kill a ravenous libido because his was decidedly out of control.

If Anna hadn't stopped him, he would have made love to her in the hot tub and he wouldn't have given a damn if the cameras had been running and the entire village had been watching.

He reached for the shampoo and wondered how long she was going to hold out.

Was she right?

Would it make things awkward between them?

He closed his eyes, let the water rinse the soap from his hair and then reached for a towel, a smile on his face as he contemplated the situation. Things had always been awkward between them. They'd never had a smooth, comfortable relationship. It had always been like walking over rocks in bare feet.

He dried himself, pulled on a pair of clean shorts and stared into the mirror.

Of course, part of him was telling him to run a mile. Anna would be no man's idea of a gentle, compliant partner. She'd be snapping and fighting all the way. He had no doubt that even during sex she'd have an opinion. And she'd probably waste no time in expressing it.

The prospect heated his blood to a dangerous level. The need he felt was so powerful, so all-consuming that he knew it was just a matter of time. It was when, not whether. And he sensed it was the same for her. He doubted that either of them would hold out for long.

‘Y
OU'RE
both famous.' Glenda made them both a cup of tea the following morning when they appeared for surgery. ‘Your rescue has been shown on every news bulletin since last night. Amazing.'

Anna took the tea with a smile of thanks, carefully avoiding Sam's eye. She'd seen the bulletin and winced at the footage of her and Sam. She'd never realised that her black costume was so revealing.

‘They'll incorporate a longer version when the programme goes out,' Sam told Glenda, handing her a pile of papers. ‘I ran these off the internet for you. Have a read and see what you think. How's your mother doing today?'

‘She's so much better.' Glenda settled herself behind her desk and flicked on the computer. ‘I've labelled everything in the sitting-room and put the phone next to her, and I followed your idea of sticking my picture next to the speed dial so that she can remember which button to press if she wants me.'

Anna lifted her head. ‘You're full of good ideas, Sam.'

‘I certainly am.' His eyes locked with hers. ‘You ought to try some of them some time.'

She swallowed. Why was it that she was suddenly so aware of every single inch of him? There'd been
a time, not that many days before, when all she'd wanted to do when she'd laid eyes on Sam had been to pick a fight. Now, suddenly, she just wanted to strip him naked.

Glenda reached for the keys. ‘I'll unlock that front door if you're ready.'

Sam's eyes didn't leave Anna's. ‘I'm ready. How about you?'

She knew what he was asking and suddenly she couldn't speak. Aware that Glenda was staring at her curiously, she licked her lips. ‘I think I'm probably ready, too.'

Sam's mouth moved into a smile of raw, masculine satisfaction. ‘Glad to hear it, Riggs.'

Glenda frowned at them. ‘Is something going on that I don't know about?'

‘Nothing.' Anna's voice sounded raspy and she cleared her throat and glanced at her watch. ‘We need to get going. We've got a busy day and the beach barbecue tonight.'

Glenda nodded, her eyes sparkling. ‘I'm certainly going. I've got a girl staying the night to keep an eye on Mum and I intend to enjoy myself.'

Anna grinned. ‘And who with, exactly? Would this be the same “friend” you saw the other night?'

Glenda's colour deepened. ‘It might be. I presume you're both going?'

Sam suppressed a yawn. ‘I'm supposed to be doing a piece to camera about holiday night-life. The perils of enjoying yourself. Too much alcohol and unprotected sex. That type of thing.'

Glenda giggled naughtily. ‘I know quite a few people in this village who could star in that.'

Anna gave a reluctant laugh. ‘You're both terrible. And, Sam, you should concentrate on the teenagers. You wouldn't believe how many I have in here after parties on the beach. For goodness' sake, talk about safe sex. It's definitely a subject to address in our new clinic.'

Glenda hurried off to open the doors and Sam turned to Anna.

‘And when I've finished my piece to camera,' he said softly, ‘you and I have some business to sort out, Riggs. And this time we're doing it my way.'

She stared at him, hypnotised by the look in his eyes. ‘Your way?'

‘Your way hasn't worked and I haven't had an undisturbed night's sleep for weeks.' His eyes dropped to her mouth. ‘And it's only fair to warn you that if you're planning to argue then you're going to lose.'

‘I wasn't planning to argue.'

‘No?' His mouth curved into a sexy smile. ‘Now, that is a first.'

 

Anna spent the entire day in a state of heightened awareness. She went through her surgeries and her calls with only half her mind in action, the other half thinking about Sam and the forthcoming evening.

Why shouldn't they further their relationship? she reasoned.

As he'd rightly pointed out, who were they going
to hurt? They were both consenting adults and neither of them was involved with anyone else. They found each other attractive. It was a relatively simple situation.

Except that it didn't feel simple.

It didn't feel simple at all.

Neither did dressing for the beach barbecue. The problem with being a GP in a small, tight-knit community, Anna reflected as she stared at the dress that she'd laid out on her bed, was that you were always in the spotlight and your behaviour had to be above reproach. She could never risk getting drunk in public or making an exhibition of herself.

Did the outfit she'd chosen classify as making an exhibition of herself?

She fingered the fabric gingerly. She'd bought the dress as a joke. To provoke Sam. But things had moved on and now she had a feeling that she'd be provoking a reaction entirely different from the one she'd originally anticipated.

A womanly smile spread across her face and she lifted the dress.

Impulse.

Wasn't that what Sam had said?

Well, this dress had definitely been an impulse buy, purchased after he'd made that comment about her not being sufficiently ‘girly'.

And she was going to wear it.

 

She was wearing hot pink.

Sam felt his tongue almost fall out of his mouth
as Anna walked out of the house onto the deck. Her silky dark hair was caught up on top of her head, her perfect mouth highly glossed. Her legs were long and lightly tanned and the heels she was wearing looked as though they should come with a health warning.

She paused and angled her head. ‘Say something, McKenna.'

He swallowed and dragged his eyes away from her legs. ‘You don't wear pink, Riggs.'

‘Tonight I'm wearing pink.'

He ran a hand over the back of his neck. ‘Is it hot tonight, or is it me?'

She gave a slow smile that made his hormones shriek in protest. ‘It's hot. That's why I chose to wear a cool dress.'

‘There is nothing cool about that dress, Riggs,' he said hoarsely, licking his lips and wondering how long he was expected to keep his hands to himself. ‘This beach barbecue. Is it something you particularly want to go to?'

He was willing her to say no, but she shot him an amused look, her brown eyes teasing. ‘It's
the
event of our pitiful social calendar, McKenna. I wouldn't miss it for the world. It's my only chance to go out.'

Which meant that she was going to make him wait.

His eyes were fastened on the dress. It looked simple enough. So why did it cling and hug and skim so cleverly? ‘I'm not sure you should be going out dressed like that.'

‘Well, I wouldn't normally.' She paused to fiddle with the tiny strap of the dress. ‘But someone told
me that I should be more impulsive so I thought I'd give it a go. And you have to record a piece to camera, if I recall, all about responsible partying and safe sex.'

Sam ran a hand over his face and tried to think about suitably sober situations. And freezing cold showers. Anything to try and subdue his reactions, which were rapidly spiralling out of control.

‘Polly is waiting on the beach for you.' She walked towards the steps, the smooth swing of her hips drawing his eye. ‘Let's move.'

Sam swallowed and hoped they were planning to film him from the waist up. Otherwise he was in trouble.

 

‘Cut.' Polly walked over to Sam, ignoring the crowd that was gathering around them. It was dark on the beach, a large bonfire was blazing and the barbecue was sending out the most tempting smells imaginable, and still people just wanted to watch the filming. ‘Are you all right? It's not like you to fluff it.'

Sam ran a hand through his hair, his eyes on Anna. ‘Must be the audience. I'm finding them distracting.'

Polly glanced at the crowd and then back at him, puzzled. ‘You're used to being stared at. Whenever we film in public, you're stared at. I don't see what's different tonight.'

‘Don't you?' Sam's voice was soft and Anna felt a shiver of awareness run through her and wondered why no one else could feel the tension between them.

From the moment they'd arrived on the beach
they'd been surrounded by people, Sam by the film crew and herself by local people keen to catch up and enjoy a chat. But even when they'd been separated by others, she'd sensed him watching her every move. Counting the minutes. They both knew exactly what was going to happen later and the anticipation was reaching screaming pitch.

She was starting to wonder how she was going to make it through the evening and, judging from the number of times Sam had already fluffed his piece to camera, his concentration wasn't up to much either.

Polly glanced at the cameraman. ‘We've probably got enough—it's an informal setting anyway, so he doesn't have to be word perfect. We just want to give the viewer the impression that they're at a beach party—a bit of scene setting. Have we covered everything?' She checked her notes. ‘Drinking, drugs, safe sex—looks about it.' She looked at the sound man. ‘Are you happy?'

‘Ecstatic,' he said dryly, ‘and longing for a drink.'

Polly grinned. ‘OK, then, folks, let's join the party.'

Sam undid his microphone and handed it back to the sound man, his eyes never leaving Anna.

She felt her heart kick against her chest as he approached. ‘Hi, there.' Her voice sounded croaky, totally unlike her own. ‘Are you done?'

His eyes roved over her face. ‘Riggs, I haven't even begun.'

Since when had it been so difficult to breathe?
Still, she couldn't resist teasing him. ‘You seemed to be having one or two problems remembering your lines, McKenna.'

‘My mind was elsewhere.'

Without touching, they feasted on each other, using only their eyes and the power of the mind.

Her whole body was on fire. ‘You're staring, McKenna.'

‘You chose to wear hot pink.'

It was foreplay, each of them knowing exactly how the encounter would end and, the anticipation heightened the excitement to almost intolerable levels.

‘We're supposed to mingle, McKenna.'

His eyes dropped to her mouth. ‘Really?'

‘It's part of the responsibility of being a local GP,' she said huskily, longing to lift herself on tiptoe so that he could kiss her the way only he knew how. ‘You have to chat to everyone.'

‘Problem is, Riggs…' his gaze didn't shift from her mouth ‘…there's only one person here that I'm interested in.'

Heat spread through her pelvis. ‘We shouldn't be seen together. It will fuel gossip.'

‘I don't give a damn what other people think.'

‘Easy for you to say. At the end of the summer you'll be gone and I'll be the one who's still here.'

Finally his eyes lifted back to hers. ‘All right. Let's mingle.' Without another word he turned away, leaving her feeling oddly deflated and not understanding the reason. She'd been the one who'd suggested that
they mingle. So why was she now disappointed that he was doing just that?

Because she wanted this whole evening to be over. She wanted this thing with Sam to start.

In the distance she saw Glenda arm in arm with one of the crew of the lifeboat and she wondered if this was the ‘friend' she'd been talking about. Probably. And she was very pleased for her.

Anna moved among the crowd, chatting, laughing and all the time watching Sam out of the corner of her eye. She watched the way women crowded round him, watched the way they flirted and the way he subtly withdrew from their attentions.

Anna tightened her hand on her glass and felt her heart pound.

She decided that there was nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of knowing that, for tonight at least, Sam McKenna was hers.

 

He came for her at midnight.

He strolled across the sand, his shirt open at the neck, his feet bare. He looked dangerously handsome and more temptation than a woman should have to resist.

And she had no intention of resisting him.

‘We can play this two ways, Riggs,' he said conversationally, coming to a halt just inches away from her. ‘We can leave right away and hope we make it back to the house, or I can just throw you down in the sand and have my wicked way with you here. Your choice.'

She caught the glitter in his blue eyes and her breath caught in her throat. ‘I've never been particularly into public displays,' she murmured softly and he inclined his head and removed the plastic cup from her hand.

‘In that case, we'd better go now. While we still can.' He tossed the cup into the nearest convenient bin and they strolled back along the beach towards the house.

Within minutes the music and laughter had faded into the darkness behind them and all they could hear was the hiss of the sea as it touched the sand.

They walked side by side, both barefoot, the atmosphere choked with the heavy throb of anticipation. Neither of them spoke.

When they finally reached the foot of the steps, Sam paused to let her go first.

She hesitated, suddenly filled with a nervousness that she couldn't explain. ‘Sam…'

His gaze locked on hers, his eyes burning. ‘I want you. Let's go to bed.'

For a moment she faltered.

Whatever they shared wouldn't last. She knew it couldn't last. They clashed too violently, they both wanted their own way too badly. They were both too strong to be a good match.

But for now…

She swallowed and then turned and sprinted up the stairs, the knowledge that he was right behind her sending her pulse skyward.

They let themselves into the house and locked the
door, and she was just going to suggest that they have a drink first when he took control.

His mouth was firm, possessive and she closed her eyes and gave a whimper of pleasure, acknowledging how much of the evening she'd spent longing for his kiss.