Chapter 6

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Playing the gentleman all night was no easy task. Every time she came into the room to check on me and give me my meds, I had to fight my urge to pull her down across me and kiss her pretty mouth and strip her out of those tacky yoga pants which she made look sexy and the tank top that showed off her perky tits and hard nipples. It was all I could do to keep my eyes off them.

I’d been thinking about her all morning since I’d woken up before her and decided to slip downstairs and cook us some breakfast.

Her footsteps sounded on the stairs and I turned to see her approaching, still dressed in her night clothes, braless and all.

“You’re supposed to be in bed,” she scolded.

“I’m much better today. I think your diagnosis was a bit off. I might need a second opinion if I want to make practice later.”

“You’ll be wise to listen to me. I was top of my class.” She came to stand beside me and eyed the skillet. “Is that gravy?”

“Yeah, it’s and the biscuits are in the oven; homemade not from a can.” I held up my spatula to make my point.

“It smells good, but doesn’t look healthy.”

“Live a little, Doc. It’s comfort food; the only kind my mama taught me how to cook.” Her eyes lit with surprise.

“She taught you how to cook?” She lifted a brow and then leaned down to peek in the oven. “Those biscuits are in an iron skillet. I’ve never done mine that way.”

“I’ll tell you a little secret, that’s the only way to do it. Those are cathead biscuits.”

Her nose crinkled as she curled her lip. “Cathead?”

I couldn’t help but laugh and thought about fooling her a bit but decided against it. “They’re called that because of the shape, not the ingredients.”

She let out a sigh. “Hey, one can’t be too careful. May I have a cup of coffee?” She waited for my nod and then helped herself. She brought the cup to the island bar and climbed up on a barstool.

I waited until she was settled and sipping her coffee and then I turned off the fire and stepped toward her across the bar. “You should come out to see me at practice tonight.”

She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. Things have been crazy at the office and I’ll be lucky to get done in time.”

“I could use the support. I haven’t coached in ages.” I really just wanted an excuse to see her again. I couldn’t fake the extent of my headaches forever.

“I’ll try but no promises. If I show I show, deal?” She stuck out her hand and I took it. She was so warm and just the feel of her hand had me thinking of all the ways I wanted her to touch me with it.

The buzzer went off on the oven and I turned to check it out. “Do you want me to fix you a plate?” I looked up and she was beside me.

“I’ll do it, I don’t mind.” We both reached for the butter knife I’d placed on the counter, and our hands met. She looked up into my eyes and licked her lips, so I took the opportunity to lean in closer. Kiss me, kiss me. I willed her to do so. I was still determined not to do it. The first move was up to her. I had just about given up and had already started to pull away when she rose up on her tiptoes and kissed me.

She pulled away quickly, but I reached and held her neck, pulling her closer, back to my mouth. My lips were firm and moved with deliberate strokes against hers, pulling her bottom lip between them. She melted against me and I took her into my arms and pressed my hips into hers. My cock was hard and pressing against my pants and I ground against her showing her what I wanted. She pulled back and her face was flushed, her lips were swollen from the kiss.

“I want you, Doc.” Her eyes flashed with what I could only comprehend as fear. “Tell me you want it and it’s all yours.” I needed her to know it was all up to her.

“I.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what I want. I’ve never.” Her voice broke and then she went silent.

All of my assumptions about her virginity had mostly been a dig, but I was starting to think I’d been right all along. She was shaking like a leaf. I rubbed her arms, drawing her closer to comfort her and put her at ease. “Nora, have you ever been with a man?”

She looked down to her feet and then back up at me. “No. Never.” She swallowed and then stepped away.

Fuck. It all made sense now and it also made me want her even more. No wonder why she wasn’t like all the others. Most of the women I’d been with were all experienced, some having way more than they should, and though I knew she had to have some encounters with men and seen her fair share of the opposite sex, she seemed terribly nervous about us being close in an intimate way. Every time I touched her hand or waist, she’d tremble and though I’d thought it was an attraction, it might have been fear.

“I’m sorry. God, you must think I’m awful.” I wanted to let go and step away but I couldn’t, not until she pushed me away. But she stood still and the only movement was her breathing.

“No, don’t start treating me differently. God, I’m not a little girl. I’m a woman, I’ve had a little experience, but nothing that qualifies as losing my virginity, but I’m not some weird oddity.”

“I don’t think you’re weird. I think you’re amazing.” I meant it with the utmost sincerity and to show her I brought my lips down against hers.

She was stiff and stepped away. “What makes me amazing? A hymen?” Her tone was defensive and she turned her back on me.

I stepped up behind her. “That’s not what I meant. I just think it’s impressive that you’ve had such control over your life. You haven’t given in to temptations and let your desires rule you. Not many women or men for that matter can say the same thing.”

“It hasn’t always been my choice.” I couldn’t fathom anyone turning her away. She was the sexiest woman I’d ever met. “Try going through school with a lanky boyish figure.”

“I did.” I’d been awkward in my day.

“I just mean I wasn’t shaped like other girls. I was a waif and add in the awkward braces and thick glasses and I was a whole lot of ugly.”

“You couldn’t have ever been ugly and if you still think that then you’re crazy.”

“No, I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m not a goddess, but even I know I’ve grown into my own, however little there is of me.” She folded her arms across her chest and I tugged them down.

“You know the effect you have on me. You felt it last night and all I wanted was to invite you to my bed, but I knew after that kiss at the party you’d probably turn me down again.”

“I’m not sure I would have. But I’m also not sure where my head’s at. I’m scared what if I give in, will it change everything.” She raked her hand through her blond hair.

“It might make things change for the best.” My words raised her head and our eyes met.

She shook her head and turned to grab her coffee and pull it to her lips. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“Then take me up on my offer. Come to practice and we’ll grab a bite to eat after and see where it goes from there.” I turned and grabbed two plates from the cabinet and handed her one.

She took the plate and I stepped aside as she filled her plate. “No promises. I can’t give you promises right now.”