Page 33 of A Sight to Behold
“Well, a human will tell you a day or two after the surgery if their vision is better. A dog can’t tell you, so I had to wait.”
“How did you know for sure?”
“His paw had healed by then and he no longer stumbled. It wasn’t a matter of his leg after all, it was that he didn’t see well.”
Pippa pitied the dog. And she couldn’t help but draw comparisons to her own situation as “the clumsy goose.” “And did you pass?”
“First in the class with special honors. The report I wrote on the dog’s refractive index and my calculations were similar to how you’d approach a human with a slight anatomical anomaly.” Nick spoke proudly, but his face had reddened. A tall and dashing medical genius who was bashful around her, and shy about accolades; how absolutely delicious.
“What does that mean?”
“It happens quite often, actually, so it’s a bit of a misnomer. When a person’s curvature of the lens is outside the usual range, it’s considered a reason to calculate a way to compensate for it.”
“Does it make the surgery more difficult?”
“It’s the same procedure, except that the lens must be just right or else the surgery is in vain.”
“I see.” She didn’t really see because she had no idea how a lens could be right and what the connection was between the calculations and the piece of glass. Nor did it matter to her as long as she had his full attention. Speaking with him, even in the secluded back of the gardens, made Pippa happier than she’d ever been at the luxurious balls in the past years. Here, alone with Nick, Pippa felt special.
“I had a patient like that this week. I’m hoping all went well.”
“Has it been two days?” That’s what he’d said, two days were required to know whether or not the surgery had been successful.
“It has, but there’s been some swelling… I shouldn’t bore you with this.” Nick made motions as if he should leave but she took his hand.
“You’re not boring me at all, Dr. Folsham.”
“Nick. Please call meNick. I don’t want to be Dr. Folsham to you.”
“Whyever not?”
“Because I don’t want you as a patient, Pippa.” He did it again, combing his fingers through his hair. And this time, Pippa reach out to brush the strands back. His mien grew serious, but he didn’t withdraw.
“As what do you want me?” she asked, stopping to hear his answer.
His demeanor shifted, becoming grave as a look of intensity took over. For a moment, he truly saw her, his eyes delving into the depths of hers with a raw sincerity that took her breath away.Then he got the same expression he’d had at the eye exam and then in the orangery, his eyes black with an appetite Pippa hoped was for her.
A slow exhale escaped him, lightly moving his chest. His Adam’s apple bobbed subtly in his throat and a silent internal dialogue seemed to be taking place within him. Pippa decided to end it.
“I wish I had some pineapple but I’m afraid we ate my only one,” she confessed.
He swallowed again and came closer, leaning one hand against the wall. Chromius had gone off sniffing for something, probably a squirrel. The world, shouts, and traffic sounds of London fell away, replaced by the symphony of rustling leaves and distant birdsong that filled the air around them.
Pippa held his gaze and tried not to blink.
He murmured, “You don’t need fruit to get me to want to kiss you.”
“W-what do I need?” She blinked up at him as if he were the sun in the early morning, starting a new day.
He exhaled and hung his head, which brought his face even closer. Pippa could almost feel him now even though they didn’t touch. But every bit of her skin was attuned to him, and her heart thundered in her chest in hopeful anticipation of when his lips met hers.
“I’m nothing and you’re a lady,” he rasped. “I’m not supposed to—”
“Oh, but you are.” Pippa pushed her middle off the wall just enough to press the length of her body against his. It was new and strange and absolutely forbidden for a lady of her station to lunge herself at… at… a perfect specimen of manhood, a handsome, chiseled sculpture of a man with a good heart, outstanding dexterity, a respectable profession. Reason lost thedebate in her mind, and desire took over. She tilted her head back and offered her mouth.
If Pippa were more brazen or more experienced with men, like Bea, she’d press her lips against his. But she didn’t know how. It was done, Pippa knew, but even just speaking of it was fodder for scandal. In this moment, however, she didn’t care because she’d only be mocked—or mocked more than ever—by the Ton; being shunned for falling for a commoner wouldn’t be better.
But anything with Nick was better than anything the Ton could provide, greater even. Magnificent. Just like his lips on hers. Last time, the sweet nectar of the pineapple had given her a map to follow but now, it was just her heart and the need to taste him.
