Page 20 of Seductive Heat

"You don't have to answer that. I was out of line."

"No, you should know. It's a long story. The gist of it is that a patient died – Mrs. Corey – and a few doctors and nurses were sued by the patient's family. I was among that group. The suit was dropped after we presented our case, but I couldn't go back."

"Why? If you didn't make a mistake…"

"But what if I did? I think I've lost my mojo, and I'm terrified of returning."

"Oh, goddess."

I take her wine glass, put it on the table, and reach for her, gathering her in my arms. I hold her tight and feel her tremble.

"Do you like being a teacher?" I ask.

"I like it enough that I can do it for now, but I don't think I can do it for the rest of my life."

"Have you considered therapy?"

Her tremors increase, and I realize she's crying. I don't know how to guide her through this, but she's hurting, and I want to put a stop to that. After a few minutes she lifts her head and looks at me.

"I'm sorry for crying all over you."

"Let me get you some napkins."

"I think I need to wash my face. Where's the bathroom?"

I show her where it is and sit back down on the living room couch. Helene clearly wants to go back to nursing, but she won't do it until she's dealt with the trauma of the ordeal she went through.

When she returns from the bathroom, she's a bit more composed.

"I look a fright." She shakes her head.

"Never, my goddess. You always shine."

She sits beside me and I put my arm around her back, making sure she's as close to me as possible. Holding her like this is a bonus for me.

"I want to go back. Heck, they keep calling me to go back."

"You went through a traumatic experience, both with losing the patient and the aftermath. You need to deal with that first. Is it the money? I can help pay for the sessions."

"No, I've got some savings. I just…I'm having a hard time taking that first step."

"Have you gotten referrals?"

"Yes, I have a few names."

"Then tomorrow at lunch, we'll make an appointment together. I'll be right by your side while you do it."

"You'd do that for me?" She looks hopeful.

"I'll go to the ends of the earth for you, my goddess."

She turns to me and places her hands on my face. Her gentle touch drives me crazy, and the desire to kiss her overwhelms me. She has to make the move, though. I can't do it for her right now. She tilts her head up and gets so close to me that I can breathe in her scent: lavender and something musky but feminine.

"Kiss me, Theo."

I don't have to be told twice. I lower my head so my lips are a breadth away from hers. I hover there and let her take the lead. She gets my message and moves to join our lips together. Her lips are soft, and when she opens her mouth slightly, I get to tease her. She tastes like wine, and I can't stop devouring her mouth.

Somehow, she ends up in my lap, and my hands start caressing her arms and back. I want to touch her everywhere, explore her like she's uncharted land, and love her for all eternity. The initial soft kiss has now morphed into a bonfire that soon won't be able to be doused. The heat between us seems to waken something in my goddess because she starts pulling on my t-shirt so that I take it off.

---