Текст книги "Cruel and Beautiful"

Автор книги: A. M. Hargrove

Соавторы: Terri E. Laine
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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 28 страниц)

ON THURSDAY, IT’S BECOMING clearer that I may have to push my trip to see Drew back to Saturday. I know if I go on Friday, I won’t get any work done and I have two papers due on Monday. It kills me to do it, but I force myself to make the call.

Drew’s cheery voice answers, “You’re just the person I was hoping it would be.”

My spirits sink even further with his words. His smiling face pops into my head and the image makes my craving for his hands on my body all that much stronger. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but …”

“That damn but,” he says with a chuckle. “What’s up?”

“School. I’m underwater with my writing. I know if I come tomorrow I won’t get done what needs doing, and I have two long articles due on Monday. I’m going to have to push back coming until Saturday.”

“Hey, Cate, no worries on that. You have to do what’s important and school is important. Understand?”

“Yeah, but I want to see you, too.”

“And you will. Just a day later than previously planned. And don’t worry¸ I’ll make up for it,” he says. I can almost see him grinning.

“Oh yeah? Tell me.”

“Hmm. I don’t think so. Have I ever told you how much I adore your neck? That should be keep you guessing.” His deep chuckle sends shivers up and down my spine.

“You’re not playing fair.”

He laughs again. “I know but when did I say I played fair?”

I rifle through my thoughts for something to latch onto, but come up empty. “Did I ever tell you I fight back?”

“You did now.”

My mouth turns up at the corners.

“But Cate, I play hockey, remember? I know how to fight really dirty.”

Oh my god. The way he says, “Really dirty,” makes me want to jump his bones. Like right this second. How will I ever wait until Saturday?

“Um, Cate, are you still there?”

I swallow the huge heated lump of desire that’s knotted up my throat and croak out, “Uh, yeah. I’m here.”

“Good. Because I like the turn this conversation has taken. What I think I’d like to do is put you in my penalty box and perhaps punish you.”

“P-punish me? How?”

“Mmm, I’ll have to let you think about that for a while.”

Holy shit. What is he talking about here?

“So, Cate?”

His deep sexy voice has me all worked up. “Yeah, Drew.”

“What time do you think you can be here on Saturday?”

“Sin. I mean six.”

A salacious chuckle hits my ear. “Hmm. That’s the time my game starts.”

“I’m talking six in the morning.”

He roars with laughter. “Eager, are you?”

“I would probably call it something else, Drew.”

“Oh, and what would that be?”

“I’ll have to let you think about it for a while.”

His laughter rings out over the phone.

“Oh, and Drew, just so you know, Louise is all hot to see you, too.” In a breathy voice, I add, “Be ready for me at six on Saturday.” As I’m moving the phone away from my ear, I can hear him still laughing.

Friday is nothing but constant work. But the good part of it all is that I accomplish what I set out to do so I can go to Drew’s with a guilt-free conscience. I pack a bag at night so all I have to do in the morning is take a quick shower and go. I set my alarm for four forty-five, and fifteen minutes later, I’m on the interstate. An hour later, I pull into Drew’s parking lot. As if on cue, he stands in the doorway of his apartment, waiting.

Wearing faded jeans with the top button undone and nothing else except his mussed up hair, he looks good enough to eat.

“You didn’t even give me a chance to knock,” I say.

“I figured you’d be on time. You said six and it’s six.” His mouth curls into a sexy smile so I stand on my toes and kiss him. He palms my ass and lifts me so we’re the same height, and kisses me back. “Is this everything?” He’s referring to the small bag I’m carrying.

“All except for the couple of things I have hanging up, but I can grab those later.”

“Good,” he says as he kicks the door closed behind him. Then he starts peeling me out of my clothes. “These were in the way.”

“I noticed. But what about you?”

“Not a problem.” He unzips, tugs his jeans down, and is nice and naked underneath.

“I like,” I say as I run my hand over the ripples of his torso. But I don’t linger because there is something else that begs for my attention. “Mmm, I really like.”

“Not nearly as much as I do.” Abruptly, he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder as I squeal. “I’ve been waiting far too long for this, Catelyn.”

His bedroom is mere steps away. He tosses me on the bed and follows me down. Kneeling, then sitting back on his heels, he says, “I’m too impatient for much right now.” Ecstasy is soon mine because Drew is right. He’s impatient. His tactic is to make me come and he achieves that with a stellar performance.

Kissing Drew is a sexual experience in itself. I love the magic of his mouth and tongue. It’s like stepping into a fairy tale, one that’s all sparkly and filled with fantastical enchantments. My body becomes something completely different when he kisses me.

While inside me, he moves his hand between us; I know it won’t be long.

“Cate, I’m not going to last much longer.”

Thank god. “Neither am I.” I cry out his name. He pulls out and I wonder what’s happening until I see him come all over my belly. Only then do I realize he didn’t have a condom on. Shit.

It takes me a while to catch my breath, but when I do, I want to chastise him. He beats me to the punch. “I got so wrapped up in you, I forgot the condom. Thank god, I remembered to pull out.”

Rubbing my forehead, I say, “Uh, you know that’s not one hundred percent.”

“Cate, it’ll be fine. You won’t get pregnant. But I would like for you to go on some type of birth control. Are you willing?”

“Of course. I just haven’t had the time.”

“I understand,” he says. “If you’d like, I can call the residency clinic here today to see if they can fit you in.”

“Yeah?”

“Sure. They open at seven thirty.”

“On Saturdays?”

“Yeah. They have Saturday hours.”

“Okay.”

“Stay put. Let me get a cloth to clean you up.”

He hops out of bed and I get to admire the fine view as he walks. By the time he gets back, I’m half asleep. He cleans me up and I drift off, curled up beside him.

The next thing I know I’m waking up to the smell of bacon wafting in the room. Lifting my head, I find myself alone in the bed. After a speedy trip to the bathroom, I borrow one of Drew’s T-shirts and pad into the kitchen where the bacon aroma has my tummy rumbling for a taste.

“Good morning sleepy head,” I hear his voice coming from behind me. I turn to see him with a mug of coffee and his computer on his lap.

Yawning, I stop to stretch. “What time is it?”

He moves the computer, stands, and I’m in his arms as he answers, “Ten. I thought you might need the sleep.”

“Ten! I never sleep this late!”

“Must’ve been that amazing lover you encountered this morning.”

Just to keep that cocky attitude of his in check, I say, “Naw, I think it was all that damn studying I did this week.”

His hangdog expression has me giggling. I ruffle his hair, saying, “Of course it was that amazing lover I encountered.” Then I kiss him. “And where can I get some of that bacon? All that lovin’ has made me famished.”

“Right this way, pretty lady.” He takes my hand and guides me to a seat at the counter.

“Have you eaten?”

A guilty expression clouds his eyes. “Uh, yeah. I’ve been up since seven thirty. My hunger overruled my desire to wait. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m sorry I slept so late.”

He starts pulling things out of the cabinets. “Would you like some eggs?”

“You know, bacon and toast would be great. And some coffee, please.”

After passing me a mug of java, he pops some bread in the toaster. When it’s done he butters it and asks me if I want jelly on it. I decline. Then he hands me a plate with the toast and a pile of bacon on it. I sip my coffee and delight in my toast and bacon.

“I wish bacon was a healthy food option,” I say, biting into a piece of the stuff.

“That would be nice, right?”

“It’s the best.” I polish my plate clean and stick it in the dishwasher when I’m finished.

“Oh, you have an appointment today at one. Is that okay?”

My brow furrows because I’m lost. What kind of an appointment?

“Remember? Birth control?”

“Oh, damn. Face palm. I forgot. Yes, that’s great. Thanks for pulling the strings for me. Do you know who I’ll be seeing?”

“Not really. She’s a friend of a friend.”

“Nice. So, what’s our agenda today?”

“Other than your appointment and the game, we’re open. Anything you want to do?”

I waggle my brows and he chuckles.

“Yeah, why don’t we wait for round two until after your appointment? They’ll most likely do a gynecological exam on you.”

Oh. This is weird. It’s not something I would normally discuss with my date, or with a guy for that matter. My cheeks heat up.

“Cate, I know you feel awkward about this, but you don’t have to. It’s not something I … I guess what I’m trying to say is dealing with this type of thing isn’t uncomfortable for me so I don’t want you to be uneasy about it. I know I take this all for granted and it may be asking a bit too much of you.”

Damned right it is. This is freaking weird. Can I stick my head under the sofa right now?

“I can tell I’m making matters worse. I’ll just shut up.”

Good idea. “I think I’ll shower,” I say. So I can wash all remaining traces and evidence of you away now. Jeez. Why did I consent to this? What the hell was I thinking? Ok, Forbes, get it together. This is a hell of a lot better than a baby, right?

When I turn to walk to the bathroom, a pair of arms snatches me and I find I’m caught against what feels like a concrete wall. Drew’s head drops down next to my ear, and he murmurs, “Please don’t be shy about this. It’s all normal stuff. Your body is beautiful to me, all the tiny pieces of it.” Then he nuzzles me with his nose before releasing me. He’s right. This is silly. He’s seen all the tiny pieces of me, too. There isn’t any reason for me to be shy now.

Turning in his arms, I loop my hands behind his neck and smile. “It’s going to take some getting used to is all. I’ve never openly discussed this stuff.”

“I get it. Now go shower and we’ll figure out what to do today.”

While I shower, I decide I want to see Drew’s hospital. I’m interested in what he does every day. So he gives me a tour and then he takes me to the clinic early so he can show me around because he sees patients here, too. “You really like it here, at this hospital and all, don’t you?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s worked out great for me.”

“And you never considered going back to Charleston for school or residency?”

“You know, I did for a time. But then I had an awesome relationship with my professors in med school here and everything was sort of set up for me, so I thought why ruin a great thing?”

Mulling this over I have to ask him. “So how will this work for your fellowship? You say you want to do oncology, right?”

“Exactly. Maybe then I’ll go back to Charleston. They have a great oncology program and then it might be time to spread my wings. With oncology nowadays, all the major cancer centers are linked one way or another so it’s not like it used to be.”

“That makes it better for greater opportunity then.”

“Yes!” he answers.

By now, we’re getting close to my appointment time so I suggest we head to that department. When I’m finished, Drew is waiting for me.

“How’d it go?”

“Great. I have a prescription for the pill. The doctor said it was the best option for me. Can you drop me by a pharmacy where I can also get refills back at school?”

“Sure.”

He takes me to one of those chain pharmacies and as soon as we verify it won’t be a problem, I get my birth control.

We leave and on the way to the car, Drew pulls me into his side. “So, when can you start on these?”

“I’m supposed to wait until after my next period.”

“When’s that due?”

“This week.”

I am awarded with a beaming smile that makes me melt. Right then, my stomach growls.

“Hmm. Someone’s hungry.”

Damn stomach. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Let’s eat. I’ll need some food and we won’t eat dinner until after the game.”

He takes me to a cute little pub downtown. The hostess seats us and makes doe eyes at Drew the whole time. During lunch, Drew’s phone rings, and when he checks it, he doesn’t answer. But he also doesn’t say who it is. I wonder why. I want to ask him but I don’t want to be nosy, either. Then our waitress keeps stopping by and the only way she could be any more obvious about her attraction toward him would be if she actually drooled at our table. I want to say something clever, but I don’t want him to think I’m jealous. It’s times like these I wish Jenna were in my hip pocket.

He must finally notice that I’m sort of pouting because he asks, “Is all okay over there?”

“Fine.” My clipped tone indicates otherwise.

He sets his fork down and looks at me. “Did I do something, Cate? And don’t make me try to be one of those mind readers, please.”

Shit, he’s right. I can’t very well blame him for the way others treat him. Smiling, I say, “No, I’m fine. Truly.”

“You’re sure? Because a minute ago you looked like your beer had kerosene in it.”

“I’m sure.”

He lifts my hand and brushes his lips over my knuckles. It happens at exactly the time our mooning waitress shows up. She shoots me a dirty look and in turn, I fire off a smug one at her. Then I lay my hand over his and say loud enough so she can hear, “I think we should have dessert at home.”

“Is there anything else I can get you or will a check be all?” the waitress asks as she glares at me.

“Oh, I think we’re quite finished here,” I say sweetly. “Aren’t we, honey?”

“Yeah.” Drew puts some cash on the table and he stands.

“You aren’t going to wait for the check?”

“This is more than enough. Let’s go!”

Eyes as blue as the sky on a crisp fall day stare at me and he’s completely erased all of my insecurities about him with that single, encompassing look. A hand extends out to me and I take hold of it. It takes everything I have not to throw myself at him and kiss him.

We walk arm in arm to his car and by the time we get home, my hand is in his pants and we act like two teenagers making out in the car. “Cate, I ah,” and that’s all he says before he sinks his hands in my hair and kisses me. We both pant and claw at each other and I think it’s me who suggests going inside.

“Good idea.” He gets out and rushes to my door, where he helps me out as well. Then he all but drags me to the front door. I stop and think about a quote I read somewhere, sometime about it not being the journey but what you did along the way. And being with Drew reminds me of that. I want to remember every single second of the time we spend together because being with him is that fabulous. I want to inhale his touch, his embrace, his kiss, his beauty, every tiny thing about him. I want to engrave them into my brain so every minute detail is committed to memory, because one day, when I’m old and senile, I want to be able to rely on those memories and pull them forth and with a smile, be happy they were all mine.

His mouth is against mine when he asks, “Whatever put that satisfied look on your face?”

“Thinking about you.”

Without moving his mouth, he says, “Well, let me add to it then.”

“Be mine and Louise’s guest.”

He doesn’t refuse my offer.

A couple of hours later, we sit in the parking lot of the ice rink. He turns to me and smiles, but then his face becomes serious. “Jesus, Cate, don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’d give me the world with your body right here and now.”

I wasn’t aware I was staring at him like that. But it’s true. I would do exactly what he said, without compunction or hesitation, if I could. And I never imagined any guy would ever make me feel like this. Whatever we have going on between us is getting deeper. On the one hand I love it, but on the other, it scares me to death.

He must see that it frightens me because the next words out of his mouth soothe me. His voice is low when he breathes them. “Don’t. Don’t let it scare you away. You are the one person I want to explore. Let’s explore us, Cate. This is the real thing. I know it is.” His mouth crashes into mine, bruising it, and taking my breath away. He’s right. I can’t deny this—whatever it is between us and I can’t push him away, nor do I want to. This may be our one chance in a lifetime to find our own chunk of happiness.

“I won’t let it scare me, Drew.”

“Good. Now kiss me for good luck.”

When we enter the ice rink, I instantly spy Caroline. She’s sitting in the same area we sat last time. She sees me, too, and waves. Drew tells me he’ll catch me after the game.

“Cate, I’m so glad you’re here!” Caroline says, when I take the seat next to hers.

“So am I. Do you think they’ll win?”

“I hope so. Sam’s been talking about this game all week. I’ll be glad when it’s over.”

I can’t help but laugh. Then I look up and see HockeyHo entering. “Oh my.” We both giggle.

Caroline sucks in her breath and I raise my brows. “Would you look at that?”

I cough to cover my bark of laughter. “What the hell? It’s getting close to Thanksgiving. Does she not realize we don’t live in Florida?”

“Guess not,” Caroline sputters between giggles.

HockeyHo is wearing a bikini top festooned in feathers.

“Maybe she thought the shirt with Drew’s number on it wasn’t enough.” I’m just fascinated by her brazen behavior.

“Oh, dear. Check out her hat.”

She’s wearing one of those straw cowboy hats and on the front is pasted a sign that reads, “I’m in love with Drew McKnight.” Then on her ass she has written, “Drew’s #1 Fan.”

“Have you seen her ass?”

Caroline is doubled over. “She won’t give up. I give her credit for perseverance.”

“Yeah, or just pure stupidity.”

The guys take the ice and HockeyHo goes crazy. I can’t help but roll my eyes. Drew looks up at the stands and he appears to be quite mortified when he sees her. I give him a thumbs up. Sam punches him on the arm and the rest of the team starts giving him hell. Poor guy. I have to feel sorry for him. But dayam, that chick is a kook.

During the game, HockeyHo plasters herself and her double D’s that threaten to pop out of her bikini top against the glass and it looks like she’s dry humping it. Where do people like this come from? I’m at a loss.

Drew plays magnificently, and HockeyHo plays the part of the hooker cheerleader. Unfortunately, I’m so caught up in her, I miss one of Drew’s goals. Damn her! When the game finally ends, Caroline and I run down to where the team is and congratulate them. Drew leans over and kisses me. HockeyHo is not happy.

Caroline and I wait near the entrance to the locker room, but HockeyHo sidles up to us. I’m not sure if she thinks she actually has a chance with Drew or not. It’s embarrassing to watch her. The guys funnel out of the locker room at last and when Drew spots her, he is reluctant to move. I make it easy on him and run into his arms.

“Babe, that was awesome. Congrats on another win.” He lifts me up and kisses me, and not just a shorty either. When he releases me, I say in his ear, “Just keep talking to me all sexy-like, so she doesn’t get a chance to butt in.”

His hand is in my hair, but HockyHo, having no couth, butts in anyway.

“Hey Drew. How about let’s go out to celebrate?” HockeyHo is definitely slow on the uptake.

“Huh? No, I’m going home with my girlfriend and we’re going to have sex.” Then he whispers to me, “Sorry, but I think it’s gonna take everything I’ve got to get rid of her.”

“I don’t think a woman who dresses like that is ever going to take the hint.”

“You’re probably right.”

Then HockeyHo says, “Well, next time then,” and sashays out of there.

We all can only stand and stare at her. What else can we say?

Finally Sam asks if we’re headed to dinner and we all decide to grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant the team frequents. Some of them are already here when we arrive and Drew introduces me. It’s fun to watch the guys banter about the game. But I notice that Drew doesn’t hand it out as much as the others.

Caroline and I sit together and I ask about it. “Do they always act like this?”

“Oh, today isn’t as bad as usual. Most times they are like twelve-year-olds on the playground at school. It’s ridiculous. I give Sam a hard time about it. It’s nice to have another girl around, let me tell you.”

“It must be the testosterone thing.”

“Yeah, but consider yourself lucky. Drew is better than most of them. I think he’s much more modest. But the others—when they bring a date, oh god, it’s awful. You would think they were playing king of the mountain.”

We share a good laugh.

“It looks like you keep Sam in control, though.”

“Oh, you better believe it. If he starts acting like one of them, I have to jerk a knot in his drawers really fast. Once, I went out of town to visit my family in Michigan, and when I came back, he had reverted to being a Neanderthal. It was ridiculous. He was in the doghouse for a week. I do not put up with that crap at all.”

Drew pops over to us and asks, “What has you two laughing so hard?”

“You guys and the way you act,” I say.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“It only reminds me of Mikey Farrell in elementary school.” Then I explain that Mikey was the class clown who was constantly getting sent to the principal’s office.

The look on Drew’s face is priceless. Then it morphs into something completely different. His gaze becomes hot and smoky; he rips my chair away from the table, puts his hands on my sides, and lifts me out of my chair. “Does this remind you of Mikey Farrell?” And his lips crush mine in an intoxicating kiss. I’m so shocked by his actions, my mouth opens, and he takes advantage of the opportunity by sliding his tongue into the cavern of my mouth. In the background, the inevitable catcalls can be heard, but they barely register as I wind my arms around his neck.

“Get a room!”

“Take her home, bro!”

“Do her! Do her!”

He finally releases me and says, “We need to get out of here.”

My head spins from his kiss and I can only nod. I glance to the left of his shoulder to see Caroline giving me the thumbs up.

“My purse,” I say weakly.

“Got it,” is his response.

Giving Caroline a small wave goodbye, I let Drew lead me out of there. We’re half-naked by the time we get home and I’m glad we make it safely. That would be difficult to explain if we had gotten into a wreck. I need to ditch the underwear so these times in the car make it easier on us.