Chapter 7
Throwing down my bag, I reached over the counter and grabbed the phone. Cammie was busy helping a patient book their next appointment.
“Hello,” I said as I surveyed the crowded waiting room.
“I need an appointment as soon as possible,” the lady yelled in the phone, panic evident in her voice. “There’s something wrong with my baby.”
“Is the baby able to breath?”
“Yes,” she cried. “She has a fever and is coughing, help me.”
“How high is the fever?”
“103.1.”
“Bring her in right away. I’ll see you immediately. Hurry.”
“Thank you,” she said before the line went dead.
“Girl, you know were booked. Whatcha doin’?” Cammie, the slightly round and always bubbly receptionist asked.
“It’s a mom, Cam. You know I can never say no when there’s a kid involved.”
“Oh lord, child. Are you going to have time to see her with all this?” She waved her hand toward the waiting room and grimaced.
“Yes, Cammie, I’ll make the time. Let me know as soon as she gets here. I’m going to put everything away and I’ll come grab a chart.”
“It’s a full house today. I brewed a fresh pot of coffee, from the looks of you, you’ll need it.” Cammie felt like a fill-in for my mom when they weren’t around.
“Glad to know I look like shit, Cam,” I said. “Thanks.”
“Not shit, just tired, Mia. I know you don’t sleep well, that’s why I always have a fresh pot on hand when you’re here. Now, get your butt to work, Mia.” She swatted my ass. “We have souls to heal.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I placed the free medication I was able to score courtesy of the pharmaceutical rep that visited the hospital this week before grabbing a chart off the counter and diving right in.
“Mr. Needlemyer,” I said from the doorway.
He looked up at me and a smile broke out across his face. “Ah, Dr. G,” he said as he pushed himself off the chair, struggling with the simple task. “Looking beautiful as always.”
“How are you feeling, Mr. N?” I asked as he approached.
“Like an old fart.” He snorted.
“I hope I look half as good as you when I’m your age.” I smiled at him, patting him on the shoulder.
“Eh, looks are deceiving. My insides are worn out, but if I were just a few years younger…,” he trailed off without finishing, giving me a wink.
I slapped his knee as he sat down on the exam table. “Mr. N., come on now.”
Since the first day I met him, he flirted with me… relentlessly.
“So tell me, how are you really feeling? Any problems like dizziness, fatigue, or any changes since last time I saw you?” I flipped through his chart, checking his vitals from his last visit.
“I feel about as good as I can for a man my age. Nothing new to report, Doc. Right as rain.”
I listened to his heart, checked his lungs, and felt his lymph glands before I wrote a refill for his blood pressure and cholesterol pills.
He sat on the exam table and watched me as he fidgeted with his hands.
“Something you want to ask me, Mr. N?”
“Well, um, kind of. I’ve been seeing this special lady. I wanted to talk to you about that little blue pill. Can I take it?”
“Do you need it? That’s the more important question.” I inched closer to him so we could talk a bit quieter. “Do you have a problem getting and maintaining an erection?”
His face turned pink as he looked away momentarily avoiding my gaze. “I don’t think so, but it’s been so long since I’ve been with a woman. My wife died over five years ago. I don’t know if the ol’ pipes still work,” he said, giving me a weak smile.
“Ever had any trouble in the past?”
“Never.” He shook his head, looking down.
“With your medical history I wouldn’t feel comfortable prescribing it. If you have trouble with your lady, call me and I’ll help you out.”
“Doc, be still my beating heart.”
“You know what I mean, Mr. Needlemyer.” I blushed.
Did men ever lose their dirty minds?
“I do. If I have any problems with,” he coughed, “I’ll call you.”
“Here’s your refills and I’ll see you next month, just make an appointment with Cammie on your way out.”
“Wishful thinking at my age.”
“You’ll be fine,” I said as I laid my hand on his. A knock on the door made him jump. “Yes?” I called out.
“The mother is here with her child,” Cammie yelled through the door.
“Coming,” I said. “Mr. Needlemyer, I need to go but remember to call me if you have any problems.” I closed the chart and stood.
“Go ahead, Doc. I’ll be fine.”
“Thanks, Mr. N.” I waved to him as I shut the door and headed to the waiting room.
I knew there was joy in motherhood, but I’ve always seen the other side where children are sick or injured and the panic in the mothers’ eyes. I wasn’t ready to become a mother, not yet. I had a career I had to focus on and a life to live before I invited a bundle of joy into my life.
After examining the baby and determining that she had a lung infection, I gave the mother antibiotics and directions to help her breathe easier. She left the clinic feeling relieved and looking calm.
The rest of the day was a blur – countless patients with various illnesses. At four o’clock the waiting room had finally emptied. I’d been so busy I didn’t spend much time thinking about Michael.
I had a couple hours to get ready for him to pick me up. It’d been a long time since I’d been on a real date.
I wondered sometimes why men didn’t ask me out or never called me for a second date. I think I’m a good catch. I have my shit together… maybe a little too together and independent for some guys.
“Where you rushing off to, Doc?” Cammie asked as I tried to sneak out the door.
“I just have some things to do,” I replied, stopping in the doorway.
I never was a good liar.
I could see the giant smile spread across her face. She slammed her hand on the desk and began to laugh. “You go, girl. I want all the details. Shoo now,” she said waving her hands at me.
I blew her a kiss, stepping out into the warm sunshine and felt a sense of renewed hope.
The clinic didn’t leave me zapped of energy and emotionally drained like the hospital.
I twirled the razor in my hand and debated with myself about shaving. If I shaved, I felt like I hoped the night would end with a roll in the hay. If I didn’t shave, it guaranteed that I wouldn’t commit a carnal sin.
Running my fingers over my shin, I could feel the prickle of hair. I sighed and caved, deciding to forgo the European look.
I carefully shaved, then rinsed out the heavy conditioner in my hair before climbing out of the shower. The mirror had fogged over and I opened the door to let in some of the cool air. I had one hour to blow dry, do my makeup, and get dressed.
I towel dried my hair a little first before walking into my closet to pick out something sexy as he’d requested. I found the perfect little black dress that had a very low cut back and stopped just below the knee. It showed just the right amount of cleavage, but it wasn’t trampy. It made people stop and stare.
I wanted his eyes on me tonight and no one else.
I did my best to do a smoky eye as they call it in all the fashion magazines. I dried my hair before finishing the rest of my makeup.
As the minutes ticked away my heart started to pound, I could feel my blood pressure rising. I felt flushed and clammy.
I blotted the thin layer of dampness from my skin just before six and pulled the dress over my head carefully before strapping on my favorite black heels with the red bottoms.
The day I was able to afford to buy myself a pair was the day I knew I could take care of myself – I’d arrived and stood on my own two feet.
I looked in the mirror one last time and turned around, making sure my underwear didn’t show and everything was in the right place.
“It’s just a date. I got this.” My pep talk helped a little until the doorbell rang. I never really felt nervous on a date before, but there was something different about him.
“Coming,” I yelled as I walked through the house, grabbing my purse and keys.
I opened it to the stunning man leaning against the doorframe with the sexiest grin on his face.
Whistling, his eyes raked over my body before landing on my face. “Fucking beautiful. Turn around,” he said, twirling his finger in the air. “Absolutely stunning.” He held his out.
“Thank you. You’re looking pretty damn good yourself.”
He did too. Wearing a sky blue dress shirt, tucked into his black pants, the sleeves were rolled halfway up his forearms. He looked like he just stepped out of GQ magazine.
His mouth enveloped mine as soon as I locked the door and faced him. Pulling my body against him, claiming my lips with as much fervor as he had the night before, he stole my breath. His hand on the small of my back felt like a hot iron against my skin, searing into me.
“Ready?” he asked as he released me.
“Yes,” I said, a little too breathy.
He helped me into his pickup truck before closing the door and jogging around to the driver side. The truck was modern and decked out. It wasn’t a redneck truck but a total boy toy, black and trimmed in chrome.
“Where are we headed?” I asked, pulling my dress down to my knees.
“Sunset Beach for dinner.” He adjusted and gripped the steering wheel tightly as he glanced at my legs.
“There isn’t a restaurant there.”
“I know.” Resting his arm behind my head, he backed out of the drive.
I uncrossed my legs and shifted in my seat and he glanced down before looking back toward the road.
“What did you do today?” he asked.
“Worked at the free clinic in town and you?”
“I worked out and went to the shop for a couple hours. Tell me about the clinic.”
I told him about the work we did and the residents in the county that lacked simple things like medicine and insurance. He listed intently and asked questions throughout our conversation.
“Kids too?” he asked with furrowed brows.
“They’re the saddest to see.” I frowned, looking out the window.
He rested his hand on my knee and squeezed, causing a wave of warmth to emanate through my body. “I never knew there was such a problem.”
“Homelessness and poverty is pervasive in this area, Michael. Underemployment is almost an epidemic.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?” His eyes were soft when he looked at me, waiting for the traffic light.
“Not unless you have a medical degree,” I laughed.
“Don’t have that, but there has to be another way I can help. My family does a lot of charity work. My parents are huge in helping people in the area.”
“Maybe. We do have a small fundraiser coming up. Last year we raised ten thousand dollars which helped us update some of the equipment in the clinic, but there’s so much more that’s needed.”
I didn’t really want to ask for his help, but if his family already helped organizations in the area, I couldn’t turn it down.
“I honestly have never heard of it. I’m sure my family would love to help.”
“It’s very kind of you, Michael.” I smiled at him, his kindness made me feel giddy.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for kids.”
“Do you have any of your own?” I didn’t want to pry, but I wanted to know his situation.
Did he have a crazy ass ex or a gaggle of kids running around all over town that I needed to be aware of before we went any further.
“No kids, you?”
“No, I barely have time to date with work, let alone have a child.”
“You shouldn’t work so much, Mia. Life’s too short not to enjoy it.”
Staring out the window I thought about his words. I did enjoy my life, didn’t I? “I do enjoy my life,” I said without conviction.
“Are you telling me or trying to convince yourself?” he asked as we pulled into the deserted parking lot.
“Where’s everyone? I’ve never seen the parking lot empty before.”
“It’s closed for a private event.”
Giving him a confused look, I asked, ‘Then why are we here?”
He turned off the engine and turned toward me. “I rented the beach for tonight. It’s all ours.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I said as he climbed out of the truck.
“Does this man know how to do anything small?” I mumbled as I reached down and removed my heals before he opened the door.
“Great idea,” he said as he looked at my feet. He kicked off his dress shoes and threw them on the driver’s side floor before helping me down.
A small white canopy sat in the distance, near the edge of the crashing waves. The sand felt hot on my soles, the sun still beating against the small glass crystals. It was like walking on warm pillows as it squished between my toes.
“Thank you,” I said as I stared at the waves crashing against the shore.
“For what?” he asked, sliding his hand into mine.
“The beach at sunset. It’s one of my favorite places and I rarely get to come here.” I squeezed his hand feeling completely at peace.
“It’s one of my favorites, too. Great for thinking and getting away from it all,” he said as we approached the canopy.
A small round table was in the middle, decorated with a white linen table clothes, fine white china, wine glasses, and candles. The floor was the warm sand and a chandelier hung from the beams. Soft music filled the air along with the warm breeze flowing off the ocean waves.
It may have been the single most romantic date I’d ever had.
“You did all this in a couple hours?” I asked in shock.
“I have mad skills and connections don’t hurt either.” He laughed.
“I may have under estimated you, Michael,” I said as I kissed his cheek and inhaled his musky scent mixed with the salty ocean air.
“Most people do,” he said as he pulled out my chair.
Leaning over, I brushed my fingers against his cheek. “You’re sweet,” I said wanting to kiss him.
Grabbing my hand, he planted a sensual kiss on the inside of my wrist, making my knees feel weak. If he kept this up my panties would be wetter than the sand after high tide.
“Thanks,” I said, sitting as I brushed the bottom of my dress against my legs.
Michael lifted my chair off the ground, tucking my legs under the table before taking a seat across from me.
A man dressed in a tuxedo poured champagne and smiled at us both.
Michael looked at me, raising his glass. “A toast,” he said, tilting his head.
I grabbed my glass, holding it up to his.
“To new beginnings,” he said as he clinked his glass against mine.
That was the second time he used that phrase. A warm gooey feeling oozed through my body as I sipped the champagne, letting the tiny bubbles pop on my tongue. We ran into each other less than forty-eight hours ago, but I felt comfortable with him – content.
I placed the glass on the table. “Tell me more about you,” I said, rubbing my fingertips across the crystal stem.
“What would you like to know?” he asked as he motioned to the gentleman.
“Are you a piercer or a fighter?”
Two dishes were placed in front of us. Each contained a mouth-watering steak with asparagus and a baked potato. The man grabbed my napkin off the table and placed it on my lap.
Looking at him I smiled. “Thank you, sir.”
“My pleasure,” he said before walking away and making himself busy.
“I’m part owner in the tattoo shop. I don’t have the artistic ability that the rest of my siblings have so I learned everything I could about piercing. I’ve been doing it for years. I couldn’t tattoo even if I wanted to. My hands get pretty messed up sometimes after a fight.”
“I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that you let someone hit you.”
“Only if they’re fast enough,” he said, as he laughed.
“Why?” I cut into my steak, averting his gaze.
“It’s a rush, Mia. I can’t explain it, but it’s the greatest high ever.”
“I still think it’s barbaric.”
“Street fighting is barbaric, not MMA matches. We both know what’s going to happen. It’s sport.”
“Softball is a sport and much safer,” I said placing the mouthwatering steak on my tongue.
He laughed and it was so genuine that it warmed my body from the inside out. “It’s a sport for girls. No offense to you.”
“None taken,” I said as I waved my fork in the air. “Sexist, but I wouldn’t expect anything less.” I laughed, covering my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Hey, now. My sister would kick my ass if she thought I was sexist.”
“Oh? Tell me about her. She sounds like my type of girl.” I giggled.
“Yeah, you and Izzy would get along very well. She’s the baby in the family, but we’re all scared of her. She’s an in your face kind of girl. She takes no shit, but I guess that happens when you grow up with four brothers.”
“She’s lucky. Sounds like a great way to grow up.”
“She’d see it differently.”
“Why?” I asked with a frown. “I’m an only child and I always wanted someone to play with as a kid.”
“She didn’t get many dates as a teenager.” He laughed. “We scared most of them away.”
“I could only imagine, but she was lucky to have brothers that cared.”
“You’ll have to tell her that.”
“So, there are three more of you walking around?”
“Yeah. We’re all very different. My brother, Thomas, is an undercover cop, Anthony likes to call himself a musician, and Joseph is just a tattooist.”
“Your poor mother.” I shook my head and sipped the champagne.
“She kept trying for a girl, which she got after four boys. Now she wants grandchildren.” He smirked at me.
“Oh.” My stomach flipped from the look on his face.
He’s so drop dead gorgeous, I’d almost be willing to drop my panties and start working on making her dream a reality.
“Enough about kids. Tell me about your family, Mia.” He wiped his mouth and set his napkin on the table.
“My parents are snowbirds and right now they’re back in Minnesota. It’s just me here, but I would never move back to the freezing cold.”
“Cold has some good points.” He rested his head on his hands and watched me as I cut the last piece of steak on my plate.
“Like what?”
“Laying by a fire and being snowed in together.”
“Those are the only positives. I think more of scraping my car windows, shoveling snow, frostbite, and other crappy things that go with Minnesota life.”
We stared at each other as I chewed the last morsel and finished off the champagne in the glass. The sun hovered over the ocean, the sky blazed with the most beautiful shades of red and orange.
He stood, holding out his hand. “Come on, Mia, let’s go watch the sunset.”
“I thought we were,” I said placing my hand in his, feeling the electricity that sizzled between us.
“I want to be a little more comfortable for the show. I have a blanket that’s calling our name.”
Walking hand in hand, we snuck glances at each other as we approached the blanket. Suddenly I felt shy and my stomach flipped as I sat down and he moved to sit behind me.
“Come here,” he said placing his legs on either side of me and grabbing my hips.
I closed my eyes, inhaling sharply from the feel of his fingers digging into my flesh. I shimmied my body backward until our upper bodies connected. The warmth that permeated off him felt hotter than the setting sun hanging just above the horizon.
“Lean back, Mia,” he whispered in my ear, sending a chill across my skin.
Placing my hands against his knees, I rested my head on his shoulder and stared at the sky. Peace overcame me as I sat straddled between his legs; our bodies connected, and watched the changing colors over the water. His fingers traced a path around my ear to my neck and brushed the hair off my shoulder.
“It’s so beautiful,” I said as tears formed in my eyes.
“Not as beautiful as you. Are you crying?” he asked with knitted brows.
“I don’t know,” I said, laughing and wiping at the corners.
“Do you want me to take you home?” His lips brushed against my temple as he watched me.
“No,” I said quickly.
“Then what’s wrong, Doc?” He wrapped his arm around my chest and gripped my shoulder.
“I’m going to sound crazy.”
Damn it. How could I explain the peace and happiness I felt without sounding like a total whack job?
“I rather know than sit here and wonder why I’ve made you cry,” he said, stroking my collarbone with his thumb.
I shook my head and sighed, relaxing against his body. “I’m stressed out after work and sometimes it takes me days to shake off what I’ve seen at the hospital. It’s been a long time since I felt truly at peace, but being here, in your arms and watching the sunset with the sound of the waves. I feel it – serenity that I haven’t been able to find in so long.”
“I can’t imagine the things you’ve seen.” He pulled my body closer, wrapping his arms around me, making me feel safe and secure enveloped by his warmth and muscle.
“You don’t want to, Michael. The people I’ve lost haunt me at night. I can’t remember the last time I slept without a nightmare or sleeping pills.” I placed my hand on his arm and squeezed. “So to have this brief moment where I’m reminded of the world’s beauty and feel like only the two of us exist brings tears to my eyes. You chased away the demons, if only for a little while.” I stared across the water watching the sky turn purple as the sun kissed the edge of the world.
“Stay in the here and now. Nothing else matters but the two of us, on this beach, in each other’s arms. I’m not going anywhere, are you?”
“We can’t stay like this forever,” I said turning my face toward him.
“I’ll stay as long as you need to help chase away your nightmares, Mia.” Grabbing my chin, he pulled my mouth to his.
Staring at each other, I searched his eyes. They were soft and kind and made my heart feel funny. Michael Gallo did not fit the mold of fighter bad boy; He was a romantic and made me feel like the only person that mattered in the world.
My body ignited as his lips pressed against mine. His hand glided across my shoulder until he rested his hand against my throat. My heart danced under his fingertips as he kissed me softly.
Our eyes remained open as I turned in his arms and straddled him. Our breathy moans and the lapping of the waves on shore were the only sounds, as his kiss became more demanding and I opened to him.
I never wanted to kiss someone as much as I wanted Michael to ravage my mouth and put his hands all over my body. The power of his grip on my back as I kissed him had me wanting more. Pushing him back against the blanket I sat up and stared down at him as his hands slid up my legs and caressed my hips.
As I leaned forward my hair sheltered us from the world as it cascaded around his head. “Make me forget, Michael,” I whispered.
His hand stilled, squeezing my thighs he leaned forward and nipped at my lips. I collapsed against his chest, my nipples hardening with the contact. His cock grew hard and I gasped in his mouth.
“Sorry, Doc. Some things I can’t control,” he mumbled against my lips.
His hands roamed my body as our lips and tongue stayed entwined. Fisting his hair in my hands I demanded to be kissed harder. My body ached for his touch. I wanted to be filled and feel alive as I grinded myself against him to relieve the throb I hadn’t felt in so long.
A small moan escaped his lips, as he grabbed my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh.
“Not here, Michael. Not like this,” I whispered, leaning over him.
“I wasn’t even thinking about it, Mia.” He looked in my eyes as he pulled my face closer to his. “You want to stay or do you want me to take you home?”
I wanted to stay on the beach in his arms all night, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready to give myself to him and I knew the longer I kissed him the more I’d want to.
“Take me home,” I whispered against his lips, still feeling his hardness against me. A lump formed in my throat as I questioned my decision.
Sitting up, he adjusted my body, breaking the contact that had almost driven us over the edge. “Just promise me that you’ll see me again.”
The lump that had formed in my throat disappeared and was replaced by warmth that flowed throughout my body. Leaning forward, I rested my forehead against his and listened to his breathing – rapid and jagged. “I’d love to, Michael. Thank you.”
“What are you thanking me for?” He asked as he backed away.
“For not pressuring me and still wanting to see me after I turned you down.”
“Mia,” he said as he grabbed my face, “If anything, it made me want to see you more. I didn’t think that was even possible. I like you a lot and we’ll do things at your pace and when you feel comfortable. I didn’t do all this just to get in your panties.”
“But you were hoping to,” I said as I smiled, my face growing flush.
“I won’t lie. I can’t wait to rip those off of you and feel your body against mine. It’s worth the wait, you’re worth the wait,” he said, holding my cheek in his hand.
I smiled, resting my hand against his chest. “Want me to take care of that with my needle?” I asked with a smirk and pointed to his crotch.
His grip on my arms grew tight. “Don’t ever and I mean ever talk about my cock and your needle again, Doc. It was funny at the bar, but right now, not as much.” He laughed, his body shaking under mine. “Come on, let’s go before you get any more crazy ideas.”
I kissed him tenderly, still laughing, as he picked me up and carried me from the beach. Michael wasn’t the cocky bastard I thought when I first met him, well not entirely.
I looked at him in a new light after our first date. There was more to the man and I wanted to know every inch of him.