Chapter 5: Evan

Once I got lined out on the highway, it was smooth sailing, and we were well on our way. I’d picked Harbor up from her apartment and was surprised to find her wearing a short black skirt and purple silk blouse. Unsteady on her feet, she’d walked around the car and gotten in, and for the last ten minutes she’d been shifting in her seat and tugging at the hem of the skirt.

It was a battle to keep my eyes on the road with her thighs and modest tugging attracting my attention. Her thighs were the silkiest peaches and cream, and I wondered if they tasted as sweet. My cock punched at my zipper as she crossed her legs and tugged the hem down once again.

I placed my hand on hers and gave it a pat. “You’re fine. There’s no need to be so fidgety.” I gave a soft chuckle trying to put her at ease, but as soon as I’d made contact, she’d tensed. I’d have to get her to lighten up if I wanted myself between those thighs.

She pulled her hand away and raked it through her hair causing it to fall out of place. “I’m not fidgety, it’s just this skirt is too short. I don’t know what I was thinking wearing it.” She kept her eyes averted to the window beside her.

“You look stunning in it.” I couldn’t believe she owned something so nice considering what I’d seen her in the other day, but then she clarified.

“I had to borrow it. I really don’t own many skirts or dresses for that matter.” She turned her head to the side and gave a shrug.

“Well, you should. You certainly have the legs for it.”

She lifted her ass and straightened the skirt beneath her, this time angling away from me. I switched lanes and focused on the road for half a second and then reached over and tucked a stray hair from her face to get her attention.

“Do you always touch all over people?” Her face screwed up, and she rolled her eyes away shaking her head.

“I’m comfortable with people. If you want to be in my field, you really should learn to be too.”

“Believe me. I know my way around a body.” She held her hand up and snapped the words at me.

I chuckled. “I’m sure you do, and I’ll keep that in mind.” I flashed a wink as she turned to me and huffed.

“That came out wrong.” She folded her arms across her front and then gave the skirt another quick tug.

“I’m sure it did.” I had a feeling this cold act was what most people got from her when they tried to get too close and considering her age I had my suspicions about how much experience she had, or perhaps didn’t have.

Her head shot around, and I glanced over to see her eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, you’re just a little ray of sunshine. I’m sure I’ve got you all wrong.” This time she tugged at her blouse.

“It’s burning up in this car.” She leaned forward to study the controls, but couldn’t find the air.

I reached over and turned it on with one quick movement. “Here, that should do it. I would put the top down, but you might not want your hair a mess.”

“No thanks. I feel quite the mess already.” She tugged at the damned skirt again, and I let out a long breath.

“It’s not going to get any longer, you know. Why do you care if I see a little bit more thigh? Consider it a payment for the free ride.” I knew the words would keep her rattled and I enjoyed the game I was playing.

My grin widened as she gave me another hard glare. “If I had known I was going to be treated like a prostitute I would have stayed home.”

“Or maybe you wouldn’t have dressed like one? Not that I’m complaining.” I laughed out loud at her shocked expression. “Damn, girl do you even loosen up? You’ve got to toughen up a bit.”

“I’m not used to people to being so rude.”

“You’ve clearly not seen many patients or visited the geriatrics ward. Some of those little old men are going to have fun with you.” The nurses had always claimed the little old men were the worst flirts.

“I’ve seen plenty.” She lifted her chin as it daring me to challenge her confidence.

“Have you? You have a thing for older men?”

“See, there you go again with your dirty mind.” She rolled her eyes. “I bet your bedside manner is a sight to see.”

“I’ve never had any complaints. And none from my patients either.” I reached over and tugged down her hem, and she pushed my hand away.

“You’re not getting to me if that’s what you’re trying to do. I mean, you’re a good-looking man, and all and I can see why you’d normally get away such things, but I’m not one of your little cheap toys you can use for the weekend. I’ve come for one reason, and that’s to get my tuition paid.” She met me with a challenging glare.

“When I come, it’s usually for pleasure, but maybe that’s your problem. When was the last time you did?” Her face went blank and pale as her eyes widened. “If you want to accuse me of being dirty minded, I figure I should at least play the part, especially since you don’t seem to have a sense of humor.”

“I might laugh if you’d say something funny, but your idea of humor is dismal and might I add, quite predictable.”

“Oh? All that shock on your face says otherwise, Harbor.” I have a feeling I’ve already gotten under that skin of yours.” Her face flashed another look of guilt as if she had a secret she wouldn’t dare admit.

“You think every woman wants you, I bet. With your looks, you probably think you can have any woman you want too.” She lifted a shoulder and looked at the road ahead.

“That’s the second time you’ve said I’m attractive. Careful or you’re going to make me blush.”

“Please, like you don’t know it. Congratulations, your reputation for the hospital’s most arrogant doctor is still well intact.”

I switched lanes and put my foot down, causing her to push back against the seat. “Now you’re just being mean.” I chuckled. If she thought all that scolding was going to turn me off, she was mistaken. I knew my reputation, and call me arrogant, but I didn’t care what anyone thought.

“Like you don’t know how handsome you are.” She shook her head and reached down to her bag in the floorboard.

“Of course I do. But you can keep reminding me since you’re an expert on beauty.” Her gorgeous eyes widened, and her face was red with blush behind her big glasses.

She tucked her chin and straightened her hair. “Not all of us are so fortunate.” Her comment was so short that I realized I’d hit a nerve and hurt her feelings.

My shoulders slumped, and I reached across to touch her cheek. “Hey, I was only kidding around and when I said that about your beauty, it was sincere. You’re a gorgeous young lady. I’m just trying to get you to loosen up and have some fun.”

She huffed. “You think I’m gorgeous? Yeah, right, even I know I’m awkward. What I’m not is easy.”

“Well, I happen to trust my opinions, and I feel I should warn you as well; I love a challenge.” That seemed to relax her for some reason, and I couldn’t help but wonder why. Maybe she wanted to be pursued and hoped playing hard to get would win me over. “And as for this damned skirt,” I reached down and rubbed my hand across her knee and up, pushing her skirt until I could see at least two more inches of thigh. “You may as well give up. It’s not going to cooperate.”

She looked down at my hand and squirmed in her seat, but she didn’t push it away, so I left it in place all the way to the hotel room where I had much more in mind for the two of us.

By the time we parked our conversation had changed tones, and she seemed much more at ease.

“This place is amazing.” She craned her neck and looked around taking in the view. I’d chosen this hotel for its luxury suites, and I hoped she liked her room just as much.

“I’m glad you like it.” I pulled to a stop, and after turning my baby over to the valet, I walked around to join her. She kept her fingers laced, and I could have sworn I spotted her wringing them.

I met her eyes, and she released a long breath like just being inside the place made her nervous. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, it’s just so amazing I’m a bit overwhelmed. I had no idea the university would spring for this nice a place.” She looked at the high ceilings and as we were led to the elevator. “Are our rooms close?” Her question caused the attendant to glance at her and grin which caused her to give me a curious shrug as we exited the elevator and walked down the hall.

“I’ve arranged for us to be neighbors. I hope you don’t mind.” The door to her room opened, and she sounded an audible gasp and missed half of what I’d said.

“It’s gorgeous.” I quickly sent the attendant away while she was busy opening doors and cabinets. She spun around. “There’s a whole other room in here.” She disappeared into my room, and I followed her in flipping on the lights.

“This is my room. As I was saying, I took the liberty of assuring we were neighbors. What better way to keep my eye on you?”

She turned one knee in against the other and gave me a sideward glare. “Joining rooms? It’s not like I’m going to trip over the expensive rug and bruise a chin. I don’t need a babysitter.”

I stepped closer, keeping myself between her and her room. “Is it such a bad thing that I want you close?” Her chest rose and fell a bit more rapidly, but she didn’t change her expression.

“I should really get a move on. I’ve got to have the procedure today. I should get out of this damned skirt.” She walked around me and headed for the door.

“Harbor?” She stopped on the other side of her door and turned to peek as she pulled it to. “Let me know if you need any help with that.”

Though she tucked her chin, I still caught a glimpse at her smile turning up the corners of her lips.