Page 35 of What the Doctor Ordered
He said that I belonged to him now, but did he mean just until the six months were up? I blushed brightly as I recalled that I’d told him I had feelings for him. He hadn’t technically said that he reciprocated those feelings.
I stiffened when Simon started to stir, his hazel eyes fluttering open. He smiled when his eyes met mine.
“Good morning,” he rumbled.
My breath caught. His rough, morning voice was sexy as hell.
“Good morning,” I managed to respond. I could feel my cheeks heating up as I struggled with what to say next. “Last night…”
I was mortified when the rest of the words caught in my throat. What could I even say about last night? It hadn’t just been fun. It was probably the best night I had ever had. Could I say that, though, especially when I wasn’t sure where we stood in terms of our relationship?
Simon studied my expression, an expression toying at the corner of his mouth somewhere between a smirk and a smile. “I enjoyed last night as well,” he said.
I squeaked when he suddenly wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest, tucking my head beneath his chin. Warmth enveloped me and not just from being encased in Simon’s strong arms. There was a connection between us that hadn’t been there the day before, one that spoke of affection.
I settled in his embrace, snuggling against his bare chest, shutting my eyes as I listened to the musical sound of his heartbeat. Questions swirled in my mind and I tried to push them down. Even if Simon didn’t want me the same way I wanted him, I could still enjoy this time we had together.
Simon’s fingers spanned the side of my face. When he spoke, his voice was gentle and warm. “Let’s go on a date.”
CHAPTER 16
Simon
As soon as the words fell from my lips, I could feel Kiley stiffen in surprise.
“What?” she asked, dumbfounded.
I chuckled and pulled away slightly so that I could look down at her. She looked so cute cuddled up against me. I couldn’t bring myself to unwind my arms from around her just yet.
“A date,” I repeated calmly, grinning and tucking a loose strand of her fiery red hair behind her ear. “I still owe you a dinner date from back when you were sick.”
Kiley blinked a couple of times, clearly trying to remember a dinner date we were supposed to go on. When her eyes flashed with understanding, she rolled them. “That wasn’t going to be a date,” she pointed out. “That was for your work, remember? It was a company dinner.”
I frowned at her. “What it was for doesn’t change the fact that it was a dinner that I owe you,” I pointed out. “We were supposed to go and something came up that put a wrench in our plans. I will be taking you out. Tonight, if you happen to be free.”
Kiley’s mouth opened but no words came out for a moment. “I am free,” she breathed, but then shook her head hard as if to clear it. “But that doesn’t matter. You don’t owe me anything. That dinner was just part of our agreement. I’m sure there will be others that you would like me to attend with you.”
“Most likely,” I agree with a nod. Then I pinned her with a stern look. “You seem to be missing my point, however. I have decided that I will be taking you out on a date.”
Kiley just stared at me, looking even more confused. “But why?” she asked, seeming to be genuinely confused.
I took her chin in my hand, forcing her to look me right in the eye. “Because I want to,” I said. “There doesn’t need to be any other reason.”
I was about to dish out another spanking threat until Kiley smiled shyly and nodded. “Okay,” she said. “Thank you.”
Something bloomed in my chest, and I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’re welcome,” I said.
“How am I going to guess where you’re taking me if you won’t give me a single hint?”
That must have been the tenth time Kiley asked that question over the duration of the hour-long drive to our destination. Icould feel my amusement growing. Kiley had her arms crossed over her chest and her lower lip was poking out in a definite pout. She looked like a miffed child.
It was fun being with her without the pressure of our agreement. She was already starting to open up a lot more, becoming more playful and relaxed. I found that I liked this side of her very much.
“You don’t need any hints to guess,” I pointed out but then I patted her knee consolingly. “You can stop attempting to guess, though. We’re almost there.”
Kiley jumped a bit when I touched her, causing me to frown. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
Kiley bit her lip but averted her eyes, looking out the passenger window so I couldn’t see her expression. “Nothing!” she assured me quickly. “Sorry, I’m just a bit jumpy for some reason. I’m probably just over-caffeinated or something.”
