Page 21 of My Reluctant Valentine

His grin was positively sinful. “That’s to be expected after last night.”

I flushed, pressing against his warm, solid chest. “Maybe we should spend the day in bed, continue my… lessons?”

His deep chuckle sent shivers down my spine. “Tempting, baby, but you’re too sore.”

I pouted, and he captured my chin, tilting my face up to his. “Careful with that look,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over my lower lip. “Unless you want me to bend you over the couch and remind you exactly why you’re sore.”

A thrill shot through me, but before I could challenge him, he kissed me—slow and deep, making promises with his lips. When he finally pulled away, I was breathless.

“Eat,” he ordered, pulling out the chair for me. “You’ll need your strength.”

“For what?” I asked eagerly. He’d already shown me that satisfaction didn’t require full-on sex.

“For your first driving lesson.”

I froze mid-bite. “What?”

He placed a glass of orange juice by my plate. “Baby steps. Just around the empty lot behind the building. I’ll be right there.”

Memories of screeching tires and crunching metal made my stomach tighten. My hands clenched around my fork.

Cole’s voice softened. “Tell me about it.”

I stared at my plate, pushing around the pancakes he’d ordered, not wanting to ruin this perfect memory. But I also knew it was time. Time to take back control of that part of my life. “It was just after midnight. The end of a very long shift. It was snowy. I knew the roads were bad. I saw this deer… just standing in the road. I couldn’t hit it.”

Cole knelt down beside me. “So you swerved.”

“Into a guardrail.” My voice shook. “Totaled my car. Broke my hip. Had to delay finishing my residency for a year while I recovered.”

“But you saved the deer.”

I looked down, surprised to find no judgment in his eyes. “Everyone said I was stupid. That I should have just hit it.”

“Hey.” He stood up, taking a seat and tugging me onto his lap. “You saw something vulnerable and tried to protect it. Nothing stupid about that.”

“Even if it cost me a year of my career?”

“Even then.” His kiss was gentle. “That compassion is what makes you a great doctor.”

I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent. “The deer lived. Pranced away like nothing happened while I was trapped in my car.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest. “Ungrateful bastard.”

“Right?” I smiled against his skin.

We sat there, in silence, for a few moments until he slid his hands under my borrowed shirt. The warmth of his palms sent a ripple of need through me. “I promise it will be okay. You need to learn to drive again, Ella.”

I nodded, throat tight. “I know. I know the statistics, the probability factors—”

“Hush, baby.” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Don’t beat yourself up over it. But maybe it’s time to face it? Not for me, not for your career. For you.”

“Is that what you did?” I knew from just the small amount Jake had shared with me about his experiences, that military men came back different. I knew Cole had been through the same.

“I’m scared,” I admitted. It was the first time I’d said it out loud. The first time I’d allowed myself to be this exposed. But with him, it didn’t feel like a weakness—it felt like freedom. I marveled at how safe he made me feel. How protected, yet somehow braver than I’d been in years.

“I know.” He kissed me. Soft and sweet, patient and knowing. “And I’ll be right there. But you’re stronger than you think, little doctor.”

Looking into his eyes—all protective strength and unwavering faith—I found myself nodding. I placed my hands on his chest, the feel of his heart beating beneath my palms, feeling so right. “Okay,” I agreed. Then, before my nerves could get the best of me, I smirked. “But… would you be willing to provide instruction on oral manipulation techniques of the glans and shaft for maximizing pleasure response?”

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