Page 62 of Already Home

She’d been concerned about telling him she’d offered todouble-date with Jenna, but Cliff had been all for it, more than willing to helpher friend.

This was their sixth date. They’d gone to a concert, had spenta Sunday afternoon bike riding, been to the movies and he’d cooked dinner forher at his place. At the end of each date, the kissing had gone on a littlelonger, with more intensity. She knew what he wanted, and after tonight, she wasdetermined he would get it.

She still had trouble losing herself in their kisses, but hewas such a good guy and she really liked him. If they waited for her to bepanting with desire, it could be well into the next century.

“Poor guy,” Cliff said with a chuckle. “Going around with aname like Ellington.”

“I know,” she said, gazing up at him. “It’s like wearing a‘kick me’ sign.”

“You’d never do that to a kid, would you?” he asked.

“I’m the one who grew up named after a flower. I’m very big onregular names.”

“Good.” He kissed her again.

This time she felt a tiny tingle deep in her belly and hung onto it with both hands.

“What is a naturopath?” Cliff asked.

“I think it’s about alternative medicine,” Violet said. “I’venever gone to one. They use herbs and organic cures. Supplements, that kind ofthing. Ellington also does acupuncture and massage.”

Serenity had raved about him, claiming his acupuncture wasamazing.

“Is he a real doctor?”

“I don’t think he went to medical school, but I know there’ssome study involved.”

They knocked on the door and Jenna let them inside. Violet wascurious about Ellington. “Not bad,” she whispered to Cliff, taking in the goodlooks. Ellington obviously believed in working out.

“Welcome,” Jenna said with a smile. “I’ve made margaritas.They’re good but I’m a little nervous about dinner.”

“It will be terrific,” Violet said, sniffing the deliciousscent drifting in from the kitchen.

Violet introduced Jenna, who, in turn, introduced Ellington. Asthey all sat down in the living room, Violet smiled at Cliff, only to find himstudying Ellington.

“Violet tells me you’re a doctor,” he said, taking themargarita Jenna offered.

“Naturopath,” Ellington said easily. “It’s a form ofalternative medicine. I’m interested in a holistic approach when treating mypatients.”

“What does that mean?” Cliff asked, sounding slightlychallenging. “You couldn’t get into medical school?” He added a chuckle at theend of his question.

Violet stiffened.

“I did go to medical school.” Ellington paused. “Harvard. Themore I learned about traditional medicine, the more it didn’t work for me. WhenI graduated, I went to China and studied there for a few years.”

Violet blinked. Ellington must be older than she’d firstthought. She would have pegged him as early thirties, but now as she lookedcloser, she saw he had a few lines, a touch of gray in his hair. Maybe earlyforties then. Eligible, intelligent and the man knew how to give a massage. Go,Jenna.

“China,” Cliff said. “Not on my list of places to visit. Iprefer Europe.”

Ellington nodded. “What do you do, Cliff?”

“I work in finance. I help companies raise money throughissuing stock. It’s technical.”

“I’m sure it is.”

Violet wondered if it was just her, or if a not-so-subtletension filled the room. It was as if the two men were in competition. No, thatwasn’t right. It was as if Cliff had something to prove.

“You drink?” Cliff asked, motioning to Ellington’s glass. “Isthat allowed?”

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