Page 58 of Doctor Neighbor

Her eyes meet mine, and in their depths, I see a vulnerability that wasn't there before. It's as if we've both shed our armor, allowing ourselves to be fully present in this moment.

I lower myself onto the bed beside her, propping myself on one elbow. My free hand starts a slow journey down the curve of her neck, over the swell of her breasts, and down to the gentle flare of her hips. Her skin is silky smooth, and I can't help but marvel at the beauty of her body.

Cole's hands find their way under my shirt, her fingers dancing across my back, pulling me closer. I oblige, covering her mouth with mine in a slow, deep kiss full of unspoken promises and silent yearnings.

We undress each other with a tenderness that borders on reverence. Each piece of clothing removed is a revelation, a discovery of something new and precious.

I kiss my way down her body, taking my time to explore every inch of her. I trace the outline of her navel with my tongue, eliciting a soft gasp from her lips. Her stomach quivers under my touch, and I feel a sense of pride, knowing I can affect her so profoundly.

As I settle between her thighs, I look up to see her watching me, her eyes dark with desire. I enter her slowly, savoring the warmth of her body enveloping me. We move together in a rhythm that's both familiar and new. Each thrust is a testament to the connection we share.

This isn't just sex; it's a communion of souls. With every touch, every kiss, every whispered endearment, we're weaving a tapestry of emotion and sensation that binds us together in ways I never thought possible.

Cole's breath hitches as she reaches her climax, her body arching off the bed. I follow her over the edge, my release crashing like a wave.

As our breathing slowly returns to normal, I roll onto my back, pulling Cole close. She rests her head on my chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns on my skin.

I'm struck by the realization that this—this tenderness, this connection—is what I've been searching for my entire life. And now that I've found it, I'm never letting go.

We lay there in silence, the only sound the steady beating of our hearts in sync. I press a kiss to the top of her head, knowing that no matter what the future holds, this moment—this perfect, beautiful moment—is ours forever.

I lay in bed with Cole, our limbs intertwined. Her head rests on my chest, her breath slowing, warm and steady, against my skin. Something feels different tonight.

Our previous encounters were passionate but primarily physical. Now, there's an intimacy that wasn't there before.

I run my fingers through her hair, marveling at its silky texture. "That was crazy today when Patty Harrison mentioned your name,” I say softly, breaking the comfortable silence. “At the moment, I was just thinking about how small the world is. I haven’t seen you for almost five years, and now it feels like I can't escape you."

"Easy. You're the one stalking me."

We fake wrestle a bit. She tickles me on my ribs, my weakness. I squirm and hold her hand, placing it back on my chest.

"Seriously, though. You could imagine my surprise when James mentioned your name, or maybe it was Patty. I had just left your bed a few hours before. Of course, I left that detail out."

She shifts slightly, propping herself on her hand to look at me. Her blue eyes are soft in the dim light of her bedroom. "James," she says, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's funny how life works sometimes."

I wait patiently as she gathers her thoughts. "I met him at the cafe, actually. He'd come in every morning for his coffee, always ordered the same thing—a large Americano with an extra shot."

Cole's fingers trace lazy patterns on the tattoo on my chest as she continues. "We started chatting, just small talk at first. But over time, we got to know each other better. He'd tell me about his daughters and his work. I'd share stories about Maddie and the cafe."

She pauses, her expression thoughtful. "One day, after I'd found this cool, old copper roaster on eBay, knowing that he did restoration work, I asked his opinion. Most of what he does is for the historic preservation of homes, but he got excited about it. Turns out he’s done a few roasters. He is the one that told me to buy it, and he would help bring it back to life."

"That is so neat. So what happened then?"

"I ordered it, and he took it to his house. It took him about three months, but he would come in almost daily and update me on the progress. Patty started tagging along, raving about it. The next thing I knew, the six of us regularly got together for dinner. His girls have hung out a few times for Maddie when I needed to do something."

"I love it. Amazing how things like that work out without even trying."

We lie in Cole’s bed, the room quiet except for the soft hum of the fan. Her fingers trace the lines of the tattoo on my left pectoral. The Celtic cross feels warm under her touch, with its clean lines and serif ends standing out against my skin. The tribal patterns in each quadrant create a sense of balance and power.

Her fingertip glides over the design, sending a shiver down my spine. “This is beautiful,” she murmurs, her voice soft and curious. “What’s the story behind it?”

I take a deep breath, feeling the familiar mix of pride and sorrow welling up inside me. “I got this after my father died. He had an abdominal aortic aneurysm, like I mentioned the other night when I was eighteen. It was sudden and... devastating. He was my hero.”

Her eyes meet mine, filled with empathy. I continue, “The Celtic cross symbolizes his heritage, strength, and the impact he had on my life. The tribal patterns represent different aspects of him—his protectiveness, his unwavering support, and his strength. After he passed, I was determined to become a surgeon. I didn’t want anyone else to go through what we did.”

She traces the lines once more, her touch gentle and soothing. “It’s a beautiful tribute,” she says softly. She leans down and kisses it softly.

I nod, feeling a slight weight lift. “This tattoo is a reminder of why I chose this path and the man who inspired me to keep going, even when it’s tough.”

---