Page 76 of Hot to Trot

Seconds ticked by.

Adam knew the logical thing was to stand up, organize the scene, clear a path for the doctor. But logical, practical actions had led to Scarlet nearly broken.

So he did the most illogical of things.

He kissed her.

SCARLET HAD BEEN THINKINGabout the least painful way to die when she felt someone move above her.

Adam.

His hands slid up her cheeks, smudging the stupid tears that had escaped, mixing them with something she must have fallen in, something with pickles in it. They threaded a bit painfully through her braided hair, tugging a bit at her temple. She opened her eyes as he lowered his head.

His lips met hers.

"Oh," she said against his lips, but she didn't stop him. It felt too good. He tasted like lemon pie and his lips were soft and sweet. He kissed her the way he'd looked at that stupid Sophie.

Tender. Romantic. With all the emotion she’d ever craved from him.

Scarlet felt his kiss all the way to her toes so she moved up to her elbows and kissed him back.

In the back of her mind, she knew they shouldn't be sprawled in the parlor of a senior citizens center kissing like love-starved fools, but that knowledge wasn't enough to stop her from drinking Adam in, reveling in his mouth on hers. She wasn't turned-on, though it could easily shift that way if she opened her mouth a bit.

No, this was something... wonderful.

Then it ended.

"Are you giving her mouth to mouth? Cause if so, you’re doing it wrong.” The man’s voice broke into Scarlet's subconscious and ripped her from the world she and Adam had created.

Adam jerked his head up. "Not necessarily.”

Heat suffused her cheeks. Was she blushing? She never blushed. She looked at the man who had interrupted their intimate moment. He wore khaki trousers and a golf shirt, but had a commanding sort of presence. Totally a doctor.

"She fainted," Adam said, rising and offering his hand to the man. "I think she's okay, but you might want to check her out."

“But not the way you were checking her out. I’d lose my license.” The man took Adam's spot on the edge of the settee. "Hi, Ms. Rose, I'm Dr. Patterson. Let's make sure you’re okay.”

Scarlet shook her head. "I'm fine."

The door to Tucker House flew open and Rayne skidded in, followed by her assistant, Meg, and Meg's boyfriend, Bubba Malone. "What the hell is going on?"

No one said anything.

Finally, John leaned forward. "Scarlet fainted and this guy gave her mouth to mouth."

"What?" Rayne looked at Scarlet then Adam. Then she looked at John, whose hands dangled off his knees.

The sight of the red mark on his cheek should have made Scarlet feel bad, but it didn't. He'd deserved it. Thirteen months of pain had driven her fist. Not in the least ladylike, but Scarlet had never been one for decorum.

Rayne turned on John. "Whoareyou? And why would Adam give mouth to mouth? Did she stop breathing?"

Dr. Patterson stopped his whispered counting. "Not the medical kind of mouth to mouth. The fun kind. Your sister passed out."

"I'm John Hammerstein." John stood and offered his hand. Rayne took it, but didn't look interested. She was more focused on Adam, who had the appearance of a kid caught raiding her cookie jar.

Everyone exchanged looks, before finally landing on the doctor, who was busy trying to get the timer on his diver's watch to work. Meg and Bubba shifted their feet and inched toward the door. Discomfort was the name of the game. Scarlet felt she'd fallen into a sitcom. All they needed was a hipster doofus to skid into the room and crash into the piano in order the break the tension.

Scarlet took in a deep breath.

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