Page 25 of Dr. Alaska
Lee’s heart scamperedwhile her brain reminded her to breathe. When was the last time someone had cared about her well-being? Hugged her? Touched her in a way that made her feel safe and supported? Oh sure, her mom and dad gave her hugs at the airport when she left for this assignment, but truth be told their arms were full of disappointment.
Mav pulling her into an embrace? Ever since she’d met him at the highway crash, a part of her wanted to know what it would feel like to press against that broad chest. Did his arms feel as strong as they appeared?
It’s too soon, a little voice in her head piped up.
Unprofessional, another internal voice said.
You misjudged a man before, she reminded herself.
One hug won’t hurt, she argued, craving the human touch and release of stress along with the man.
What did she know about him? Mav seemed like a normal guy who worked hard and wanted to help others. Nothing he’d done suggested he would play games or use her for some ulterior motive. Did he feel sorry for her, like,hey, here’s the new doctor all shaky after a sketchy clinical situation? Maybe he simply wanted to prop her up so she survived this locums assignment—in the interest of patient care.
She studied his earnest sky-blue gaze and didn’t read pity there. The firm press of his mouth into a determined line tempted her to ease forward, make a connection, allow herself to lean on someone for a moment.
That act took trust—not in Maverick but in herself.
“Apologies.” He grimaced. “Just letting you know I’m here, Lee. Nothing more than that.” Out of the corner of her vision, his hand on the couch opened as he stretched fingers toward her. Then he rolled the hand into a fist and dropped it on his thigh. “Sorry if my saying so wasn’t appropriate.” Disappointment dropped the tone of his voice, and he pushed to his feet with a creak of pleather and a stiffshushof his uniform fabric.
“No, I’m…” What was she? Lee was a Southern woman desperate to feel warmth in the Arctic. The chilliness had nothing to do with geography and everything to do with her past and her present colliding in front of her. “Yes. Sure.”
“Yes, what?”
She swallowed a hard lump. “I’d appreciate that hug. Professionally speaking.”
He held his arms a few inches away from his body, hands open. Other than that, he didn’t move.
Lee stood. Her line of sight fell right at the vee of his navy EMS button-down shirt. The muscles of his neck tensed and relaxed. He remained still.
She had to take the first step. Ask for what she needed. Take the support offered.
Trust that he wouldn’t hurt her.
Trust herself.
Lee stepped up, her feet fitting between his shoulder-width spaced ones.
Heat poured off of him. She inhaled his scent of cold, fresh air and a hint of spruce trees.
Mav didn’t move. One of his hands shook.
“It’s okay?” she breathed, not able to meet his gaze.
His chest rose and fell in front of her. “Very okay.”
Sliding her arms around his waist, she rested her cheek against his upper chest. With a deep hum, Mav closed a circle behind her, lightly pressing his palms against her stiff spine. The rapid thud of his heart under her ear rivaled her own heart rate.
After a full minute—or was it an hour?—the joints in her body loosened and she relaxed into him, breathing in his warm scent. Under her fingers, his hard back muscles bunched up tight—strength held in check, like an engine revved but remaining in neutral.
It had been far too long since she’d leaned on someone. Too long since she enjoyed simple human connection. Tears prickled her eyes, and she suppressed a sniffle.
“Lee.” His low voice transmitted from his sternum into her cheekbone.
Solid. Warm. His broad chest felt like a safe shelter in a blizzard. His arms telegraphed support. His lips…
His lips?
Another shift of his embrace and a dip of his head preceded a whispery brush of his mouth against her hairline. He did it again. Wonderful sparks of pleasure followed the path of his lips down to her temple.
