Page 37 of Doc's Decision

"Yeah, of course. I could use a smoke too." I stand up, grabbing her hand and leading her outside.

The cool night air hits us as we step outside, and I light up a cigarette, offering her one too.

She takes it with a grateful smile.

We stand there in silence for a moment, both lost in our own thoughts.

"So, Mandy... I need to ask you somethin’. You and Zoe… what’s up with that?" I ask, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

She hesitates, looking torn. "It's... complicated, Doc. I mean, I love her, but... I she’ll never love me the way I love her. She’s my best friend, but, I’m bisexual so I’m complicated.” Mandy laughs.

"Ouch. That sucks, Mandy. I'm sorry." I put my arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. "What’s that mean for you and me then? You just fool around with her for your content, or what?”

"Yeah, for content. It’s all it’ll ever be… and I’m finally okay with that. Someone special has come into my life.”

I bend to press a soft kiss to her forehead.

I take her hand, leading her down the short hallway to my room. "Come on, let's get you to bed. It's been a long day."

She hesitates in the doorway, glancing up at me uncertainly. "You sure you don't mind me staying? I can always run back home.”

"Not a chance in hell," I cut her off firmly. "I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t want you here with me. Unless you're not comfortable with that?"

"No, I am," she assures me quickly. "I just...didn't want to put you out or anything."

I shake my head, tugging her into the room and shutting the door behind us. "You could never. I like having you close."

Something shifts in her gaze, a flicker of heat beneath the vulnerability.

She steps closer to me, hands resting on my chest. "Yeah? How close are we talking?"

My hands find her hips, thumbs stroking over her hipbones through her clothes. "As close as you'll let me get, darlin'."

Mandy rises up on her toes, arms twining around my neck as she molds her soft curves against me. "I think I'd like to get very close indeed, Doc," she purrs, nuzzling her nose along my jawline. "If you're up for it."

I groan lowly, hands sliding down to palm her perfect ass. "Sweetheart, I've been up since the second I laid eyes on you.The question is, are you sure this is what you want right now? After the night you've had?"

She pulls back to look me dead in the eye, pupils blown wide with desire. "I'm sure. I want you, Doc. Want to feel something good."

That's all the encouragement I need.

I walk us backward until her legs hit the bed, bearing her down onto the mattress as I claim her mouth in a searing kiss.

Our tongues tangle together, a hot, desperate dance as we both try to make up for lost time.

Mandy moans into my mouth, hips arching against me, grinding against my hard length.

I'm on the verge of losing my mind when a soft whimper brings me to my senses.

Shit, I can't be this selfish.

We just had sex earlier tonight.

Disappointment flashes in her eyes, but she nods, understanding. "Oh, okay…yeah, um…”

"Don't do that. It’s not that I don’t want to," I assure her, running a soothing hand down her spine. "I just gotta savor you, darlin’."

Mandy smiles wistfully and nods, untangling herself from my arms. "Yeah, I got you.”