***
"Hey. What's the big deal with standing me up?" Bethany walked into the kitchen where Matt and I stood. Damon was on the back patio with Karen and Kent, working on getting the grill started.
"I'm sorry." I lifted my hands and walked toward her, pulling her into a quick, friendly hug. "Heather Turner claimed rape on me and I'm back where I started two years ago. I've been warned not even to be seen with anyone at UT. Adult, child, bookshelf."
Matthew laughed. "I'd pay to see you with a bookshelf."
"Heathen." I glanced over my shoulder and gave him a look as someone knocked on the front door. "I got it."
"Expecting someone?" Bethany called after me.
"Yeah. Dana." I walked to the door, forcing myself not to jog. I was terrified of losing her again, but I had to explain myself. She needed to know what the hell was going on.
I opened the door and lost my breath. She stood there, looking like a sex kitten in a pretty blue dress, her legs going on for what seemed like forever. The dainty sandals she wore were all wrong for winter, but looked so good on her. My body roared to life.
"Um, hi?" She moved toward me, wrapping her arms around my waist and lifting to her toes. "You're my boyfriend right? A one, Dr. Kendal Tarrington? Best looking thing this side of the Mississippi?"
I didn't say anything, but instead ran my fingers through her hair and leaned over to consume her sweet mouth. A soft moan left her and I was lost. It was a damn good thing for her that everyone else was in the house behind us. Otherwise I would have carried her down the hall and eaten her for dinner.
"Wow." She pulled back and reached up to touch the side of my face. "You okay?"
"Oh yeah. Much better now." I leaned down and kissed her a few more times. "Fuck, you turn me on."
"Well, keep it in your pants." She smiled. "Let's go hang out with your friends and I'll fake a stomach ache in a little while so we can leave."
"I like the sound of that." I cupped my hand over hers and pulled it from my face, kissing her fingers a few times. "You doing okay?"
"Just cold." She gave me a look, and I realized that I was blocking the way into the house.
"Sorry, baby." I moved back and watched her walk past me. It took me a few minute to adjust my erection, but she stole the attention from everyone in the kitchen anyway. How could she not? She was magnificent, caring, gorgeous, smart. I was in trouble. I'd be on my damn knees before her with a ring before too long if I wasn't careful.
Slow your roll. You gotta get through this shit with Heather. It isn't just your job. It's your life.
One more fuck up, and I was sure to dive into a pit I couldn't get out of on my own. To the University, Dana would be a massive fuck up. Dating another student?
Sadness swam through my center as I watched her own the room. Matt laughed and glanced over at me, shaking his head.
"How the hell did you score this beautiful girl?"
"No clue. I'd say that I was lucky-"
Damon walked in. "But we all know that's a damn lie."
We laughed and Damon motioned for me to join him outside. I shook Kent's hand and gave Karen a quick hug before walking into the chilly night with him.
"She's gotta know what's going on." He opened the top to the grill. "Just tell her."
"I can't." I ran my hand over my chest and turned toward the house. "I want her so fucking bad right now. Something about having her wrapped around me gives me a moment to believe everything is going to be okay."
"Then go take her. We’ve got thirty minutes. Stop being a puss and get in there."
"You just dragged me out here, fucker." I glanced back and smiled.
"I'm going to get you out of this. I promise. Go spend time with your girl seeing that you can't really do it anywhere else."
"Thirty minutes?" I walked toward the house as my cock stood at attention. "That's not nearly long enough."
"I'm calling bullshit," Damon called after me, but I ignored him. The insane life he and I had lived in college left us brothers by choice for the rest of our lives. There's nothing I wouldn't do for him, and I knew the feeling was mutual.
If he said he could get me out of my hell. He could.
The sound of Dana laughing stole my heart. I paused by the entrance to the kitchen and let my eyes move down the back of her. She was telling a story about some crazy old woman at the hospital and Bethany, Kent, Karen and Matt were gathered around her, laughing. They moved away as Karen started giving out orders, and I had my chance.
I moved up behind Dana, wrapped my arms around her and leaned down, brushing my lips up the side of her neck.
"Meet me in the bathroom, third door on the right. Now." I licked her ear. "I need you so fucking bad."
She shivered in my arms, but when I turned to leave, I had no doubt that she would follow. I could see the love entangled lust in her eyes when I first opened the front door.
I couldn't mess this up. I just couldn't.