Page 45 of Heal Me
A frown formed between his eyebrows. “Are you sure that you’re going to be fine with a long-distance relationship?”
“I wouldn’t say I was if I didn’t mean it.” His concern for her feelings was touching. “If anything it should give us time to see where this might lead.”
His expression relaxed into a smile. “Do you have an objection to me leaving a toothbrush here?”
Kate looped her arms around his neck. “Not at all. In fact, you could leave a shaving kit here if you wanted too.”
*****
Ric wasn’t the sort of man who left his stuff at a woman’s house. In fact, he rarely saw the same woman more than two or three times since he hadn’t wanted to get attached. It was also why he kept hooking up with the same type of women: career women who had no desire for a husband or family.
Satisfying his physical urges and leaving when the sex was over had been a way of life for years. While he was thrown a little off kilter by Kate’s offer, he was also pleased by it. He should be scared as hell over how fast things were moving between them, but he wasn’t.
Kate admitted he was the first man she’d had sex with since Phil and he hoped he wasn’t merely being used as a means to find her way back into the dating pool. Lizzie had been keen when they had first gotten together, then very quickly moved on. Mind you Lizzie was young, they both were.
If any other woman had suggested keeping possessions at her house, he’d have quickly said goodbye to her. However, Kate wasn’t any other woman. She was different. What he loved most of all was she was the complete opposite of Lizzie. Kate was warm, fun, caring—she put others before herself. Lizzie only thought of herself, he could see that clearly now. Kate was also the sexiest woman he’d ever come across. Little by little he was talking himself into taking a chance. A big chance! To open his stuttered heart once again. For one moment he hesitated answering. She was so beautiful, sitting their hope in her eyes. However, every rose has thorns. He knew things could look rosy on the outside but underneath a wasp nest sat ready to sting. He would have to trust that Kate wasn’t kidding herself, and that she had put her past behind her and was ready to move on.
“Dr. Donoghue, I would love to leave my shaving kit and toothbrush here,” he said in a formal tone.
Kate’s smile entranced him. “Fantastic. As much as I hate to say it, I need to hit the hay.”
“Me, too. I’ll go get my stuff,” Ric said.
“Where are your keys? It’ll be easier for me to get it, gimpy.”
He scowled at her as he fished his key ring out of his pants pocket. “You’re lucky you’re pretty. My duffel bag is on the front passenger seat.”
“Duffel bag, huh? You really are sure of yourself, aren’t you?” she asked with a teasing smile.
“Hopeful, not sure,” he responded.
“Yeah, yeah.” She made a dismissive gesture and left Ric smiling after her.
*****
When her alarm went off the next morning, Kate was startled to feel an arm draped over her midsection. She’d missed the intimacy of these waking moments. Looking to her left, Ric’s face came into focus. His jaw was slack in sleep and his rumpled hair stuck up in spots. Memories of waking up with Phil like this surfaced and she smiled..
It was one of the things she’d missed the most after Phil’s death. Having someone to cuddle and share the troubles and joys of the day with. He’d been such a sweet, boyishly handsome man, who’d even been pleasant upon waking. It had irritated the crap out of her that he was so happy in the morning, but he’d always helped her start the day in a good mood.
It took barely a second to realize the pain that usually came with remembering Phil wasn’t there. She loved the memories, pulled them close. They no longer strangled her in grief. She could enjoy them and look back with happiness that she’d gotten to share that wonderful man’s life even if only for a few years.
She hit the snooze button and relaxed again. Ric never moved and she studied him for a little longer. His rugged handsomeness enthralled her, but his kindness and sense of humor drew her to him even more. For a highflying executive he was down to earth. His small town persona came calling as soon as he shed his designer suits. Her alarm went off again and Ric stirred this time.
“You have the second most annoying alarm clock ring,” he mumbled, pulling her closer.
Kate giggled. “The second most? Who beat me out of first place?”
“Chase. He has a Sponge Bob ring on his for when he really needs to be up. Usually he has beach sounds on it that wake him up gradually.”
“Would you like me to put Sponge Bob on mine?”
Ric tickled her ribs and Kate struggled to get away from him. He relented after a few moments and pressed a hard kiss to her cheek. “Good morning, Doc.”
“Good morning,” she said a little out of breath. “I hope you don’t tickle me every morning.”
“No, but there’s something else I’d rather do with you every morning.”
The need to pee hit Kate and she pushed at his arm. “Ric, I have to go.”
