Page 51 of Heal Me
Ric laughed. “That’s right. I’m glad to be walking instead of hopping around. Emily wanted me to invite you to dinner at their house tonight. Is that okay? I don’t want you to feel pressured about it.”
Kate was happy that Emily and Tyler liked her. “That’s fine with me. They can tell me embarrassing stories from when you guys were kids.”
He rolled his eyes. “Crap. Maybe I’d better rethink this plan.”
“Oh, no. We’re going and that’s that, buddy.”
Ric groaned and kissed her again. “Okay. Might as well get it over with.”
“I have something for you,” Kate said.
“I have something for you, too,” Ric said, rubbing his hips against her.
Kate laughed when she felt his hard-on against her stomach. “Believe me, I want that, but you’ll have to wait until tonight.”
“But what am I supposed to do with it in the meantime?”
Kate said, “Well, cowboy, you might have to take things in hand for the moment.” The image of Ric performing self-gratification turned her on even more than she already was.
Ric smiled and moved away from her a little. “Nah. I can wait, but just be prepared for a long night.”
Kate grinned as she stepped over to her desk and took a small box from her desk drawer. “Here you go.”
Ric took it and gave her a quizzical look before opening it. He lifted out a house-key on an Earnhardt keychain.
“Now you have your own key to my house,” she said.
Ric stared at it for a moment and then at her. “Are you sure? This is a big step, Kate.”
Kate’s nerves jangled as she looked into his eyes. “I know, and I won’t pretend that I’m not scared somewhat, but it just feels right. Everything about you feels right. Does that make sense?”
“Yeah. It makes complete sense,” he said. “I feel the same way about you.”
Someone knocked on the door, making them jump. The interruption frustrated Kate, but she tamped down her irritation and opened the door.
Robert stood on the other side, clipboard in hand. He went to say something and then caught sight of Ric. “Oops. Sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad that you guys can formally meet now,” Kate said. “Robert Chambers, this is Ric Stanford.”
*****
As Ric held out a hand to Robert and smiled, he took the other man’s measure. Robert wasn’t quite as tall as Ric, but he was muscular and good-looking. He saw that Robert was sizing him up, too.
“Good to meet you, Ric,” Robert said, shaking his hand. “Sorry for being a smart ass a couple of weeks ago, but I just can’t help myself sometimes.”
Ric said, “No harm, no foul. Nice to meet you, too. I’m looking forward to getting to know Kate’s best buddy.”
Ric watched Robert closely for any trace of jealously, but he found none in Robert’s friendly expression.
“Same here,” Robert said.
Ric said, “Well, Doc, I’ll let you get back at it, but I’ll see you at Emily’s. Just come over whenever you’re done tonight.” He turned to Robert. “In fact, if you don’t have any plans, why don’t you come to dinner, too, Robert?”
“Oh, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t want to impose,” Robert said, shaking his head.
“You’re not. I’m inviting you,” Ric assured him. “I hope you guys like barbequed chicken.”
“Love it,” Kate said.
Robert gave Kate an uncertain look, obviously concerned that she’d be angry if he accepted Ric’s invitation.
“Robert, I insist that you come tonight,” he said. “Glad that’s settled.” He kissed Kate’s cheek. “See you guys tonight.”
He smiled to himself over their surprised expressions as he left Kate’s office. When he got into his rental car, he put the key that Kate had given him on his keyring. Happier than he’d ever been, he set out for home to see if there was anything he could do to help Emily with supper.
