Doctor's Delight Page 16

  Once at home, she couldn’t help but try on the dress once more, feeling almost like a fairy-tale princess.

  Frizz and Sugar were more interested in the bag and only spared her a brief glance as she twirled in front of the mirror, looking over her shoulder to get the effect.

  “You have no idea, you two,” she informed the cats. “You only have one coat and don’t have to worry about the fit.”

  Frizz went back into the bag and lay down, leaving his ample bottom sticking out. Sugar swatted him and his tail lashed around. Sugar pounced on it and a wild game of tag involving the bag and Cherry’s blankets ensued.

  Leaving them to play happily, Cherry searched her shoe box and found a gold pair of strappy sandals she’d worn to a wedding. Holding them up, she frowned. Gold with the black and lilac? Mmmm…maybe not. Another search produced a pair of medium-heeled black pumps with a lacy appearance, and she slipped them on. The hem of the dress was now about three centimetres off the floor. Perfect. She had a little black lacy-style clutch purse that would be ideal.

  Taking the dress off carefully, she slid a clear plastic bag over it and hung it up in the wardrobe. Yes, for once she was actually looking forward to getting dressed up and going out. At least she wouldn’t embarrass Rick.

  Humming to herself, she left the bedroom and went to make some salad for lunch.

  ~*~

  Leaning back against the kitchen bench, Rick blew on the hot surface of his cup of coffee and watched his sister moodily eat a bowl of cereal.

  Donna was glancing at her mobile phone where it sat in the middle of the table.

  “Maybe David’s golfing,” he suggested.

  She glared at him. “Why should I care?”

  “Because you want him to phone you. Like always.”

  “And just what do you mean by that smart crack?”

  “You do this every time, Don. You get into a snit about something that David says, and you come to either my place or Mum’s to sulk until he rings and apologizes, or he comes looking for you.”

  “If you don’t want me here…”

  Refusing to rise to the bait, Rick raised one brow.

  “I can always go to Mum’s.” She scowled at his grin. “You’re as big a jerk as David.”

  “High praise from a lady who has been married for ten years to the same jerk.”

  Donna flipped him the middle finger and he laughed.

  The doorbell rang and he straightened, placing the coffee cup on the bench.

  “Is that your new girlfriend?” Donna queried.

  “It is. Be nice to her.”

  “When am I not?” She leered. “Lover boy.”

  “Cherry is more than just my girlfriend, Donna. I mean it. Be nice to her.”

  “You’re engaged? Boy, is Mum going to be pissed at you for not telling her. She—”

  “No, I’m not engaged.” The doorbell rang again and he pointed at her. “And we’ll talk about this later, not now. Cherry gets a bit freaked. So keep your mouth closed and be nice.”

  “Kinda hard to keep my mouth closed and be nice!” His irrepressible sister yelled out after him as he strode down the hallway.

  Opening the door, he grinned down at Cherry. “Hello, love.” Sweeping her into his arms, he yanked her close and kissed her long and deep.

  Oh yeah, he could kiss her all day long. She tasted like Cherry, all fresh and sweet. She smelled like Cherry, all fresh and sweet. She felt like Cherry, soft and curvy. Her arms crept around his neck and she kissed him back, and he delighted in her response. Oh yeah, he could hold her and kiss her and make love to her all day long.

  Damn shame his sister had decided to sulk at his house this weekend instead of their parent’s. He’d have to think of something, anything. He wanted to be alone with Cherry. Alone and naked. Hoo boy, the image that thought brought to mind.

  Lifting his head, he gazed down into Cherry’s smiling face. Those adorable apple cheeks were pink, and those big blue eyes were sparkling. “Glad you got the weekend off, love.”

  “I usually get two off a month.” She shrugged, and his libido perked up as those big breasts pushed against his chest with her movement. “And you got the weekend off, too.”

  “I share the on-call.”

  “Really? I wouldn’t have guessed.” Her eyes twinkled.

  “Cheeky chit.” He swatted her generous bottom then decided it wasn’t enough and grabbed a handful. “Mmmm, better.”

  “Going to introduce me to your guest?” Donna said from behind him. “Or are you just going to keep her on the veranda and grope her in full view of the neighbours?”

  Blushing, Cherry shoved against Rick’s chest. “You’ve got visitors! Let go.”

  He sighed. Slipping his arm around her waist, he turned to face his sister. “Cherry, this inconsiderate brat is my sister, Donna. Inconsiderate brat, this is Cherry.”

  Donna stepped forward and held out her hand, her gaze sweeping across Cherry. “Hi.”

  “Hello.” Cherry shook her hand. “It’s good to meet you.”

  “Mmmm. Polite, too. How did Rick manage to catch you?”

  “I...um…I was lucky, I guess,” Cherry stammered uncertainly.

  “I was the lucky one,” he immediately corrected her. “Cherry is a nurse at the hospital.”

  “She knows you’re a doctor? Hells bells, Cherry, what on earth possessed you to date a doctor?” Grabbing Cherry’s arm, Donna drew her away from Rick and towards the kitchen. “You of all people know how demanding doctors can be.”

  Uncertain, Cherry glanced at Rick over her shoulder.

  Grinning, he shrugged, closed the door, and followed them down the passage. In the kitchen he watched as Donna deposited Cherry in a chair and crossed to the ‘fridge. Glancing in, she began, “Do you want a cold drink? We have – oh. Now I understand the load of Diet Coke on the bottom shelf.”

  Puzzled, Cherry looked at him. “But you don’t drink it.”

  “You like it,” he replied simply.

  “You didn’t have to buy some especially for me,” she protested, but he could see the little light in her eyes, the pleasure in her tone.

  As usual, her pleasure touched him. Crossing to her chair, he leaned down and kissed her upturned mouth. “When you’re happy, I’m happy.”

  She didn’t pull away but smiled up at him. It was the first time she’d simply accepted what he’d done, and he felt that victory clear down to his toes. He’d have pushed his luck further –such as making love to her in board daylight – but his damned sister was present in the kitchen, so he could only give Cherry another kiss and straighten up to lay his hands on her shoulders, kneading gently and enjoying her closeness. Her scent wafted up to him and he inhaled.

  “So.” Donna placed an open can of Diet Coke in front of Cherry and studied her shrewdly. “You’re a nurse.”

  Cherry’s attention returned to Donna and Rick could feel the slight tension in her body at the knowledge that someone else had seen them kissing. He really was going to have to work on making her less self-conscious. But it was cute, especially in this day and age.

  “Yes,” Cherry replied. “You?”

  “I’m married.” Donna pulled a face. “Maybe divorced in the near future.”

  “Oh. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude on something private.”

  “Ignore her,” Rick said. “She’s not getting divorced.”

  “You think?” Donna retorted.

  “David wouldn’t let you go, and you know it.”

  “If that was the case, why hasn’t he rung yet? Take a tip from me, Cherry. Men are after only one thing, and once they get it, they expect you to come at a snap of their fingers, they—”

  Rick jokingly laid his hands over Cherry’s ears. “I don’t think my girlfriend needs to hear your advice, Don.”

  He felt Cherry stiffen slightly and glanced down, half expecting her to pull away. Instead, she relaxed back against him and when she glanced up, he saw the warmth
in her eyes. That warmth filled him, especially when it meant she was finally accepting it, their closeness, their being a couple in front of others. But he was wise enough not to push it too far.

  Rick smiled and rubbed her cheeks briefly with his thumbs before transferring his hands back to her shoulders and his attention to his sister. “You’re just miffed because David hasn’t come tearing after you like he normally does.”

  Donna scowled. “He’s an arse. Like all men.”

  “Like all men what?” a new voice queried.

  “Hey, Tim.” Donna smiled, her eyes sparkling as Tim walked in, hooked a chair out with his foot, and sprawled into it. “Just ripping holes in the male of the species, who, I might add, deserve it.”

  “Cripes, Donna in man-ripping mode. I am so surprised. David must be in the shit again.” Tim’s gaze went to Cherry. “You must be Cherry.”

  “Hello,” she replied.

  Rick squeezed her shoulders lightly. “This is Tim. I told you about him.”

  “Oh, nothing but good things, I hope,” Tim said. “Not that there’s anything but good things to say about me.”

  “I came all the way here to worship at your altar.” Donna saluted him with her cereal spoon.

  “But you brought no gifts.” Tim winked at Cherry. “Cheap worship, Don.”

  “You are cheap.”

  “That hurts.”

  “Cheaply, I might add.”

  “So, David get fed up with the nail raking you’re often giving him and finally kicked you out?”

  “You freakin’ wish. You just want me for yourself.”

  “Not when you don’t bring gifts.”

  Cherry laughed.

  Tim looked at the empty space on the table in front of him. “I thought a woman’s place was to get a man a drink. You’re failing, Don.”

  She flipped him the middle finger.

  “Eloquent as usual.” Tim got up and went to the ‘fridge, coming back up with a tin of Diet Coke in his hand. “What the hell?”

  Donna smirked at Rick.

  He arched one brow lazily. “I know how to keep my woman happy.”

  Tim looked from the Diet Coke to Cherry and back again, then shrugged. “Okay.” He stuck the can back in the ‘fridge and did a quick search, coming up this time with a carton of iced chocolate. “Yum.”

  “Also to keep my woman happy,” Rick informed him.

  Tim looked at Cherry and waggled the carton questioningly.

  “Help yourself.” The embarrassment was clear in her voice.

  Ah yes, his little love hadn’t expected him to do anything for her. Boy, did she have a lot of surprises in store for her in the future, and he was going to enjoy springing them on her.

  Sliding onto the chair beside her, Rick caught her hand under the table and rested their combined clasp on his thigh. Her fingers tugged momentarily, but then relaxed in his hold.

  Another victory.

  Tim poured a glass full of iced chocolate and would have left the carton on the bench except that Donna berated him rudely for it. Laughing, he stuck it back in the ‘fridge and returned to the table with his full glass and Rick’s half cold cup of coffee, which he placed before Rick.

  Sprawling once more in the chair, he looked at Donna. “So, going to tell us what you did to poor David?”

  “Poor David?” She bristled immediately.

  Rick placed his mouth close to Cherry’s ear. “Don’t fret. These two have been fighting since primary school. Just sit back and enjoy it.”

  Turning her head to answer, she found herself so close to Rick’s face that her luscious lips were only inches from his.

  Rick was fully prepared to swoop in for a quick kiss, but she blushed and turned away before he could do so. Bugger. With an inward sigh, he rested his arm along the back of Cherry’s chair and leaned towards her comfortably, switching his attention to Donna and Tim. As usual, Donna was giving Tim an earful of sardonic remarks about the male of the species, while Tim was doing his very best to confirm her low opinion. In-between, Tim would throw remarks to Cherry or Rick, as did Donna, but neither really waited for an answer before lighting into each other again.

  More than used to their squabbling, Rick idly twirled a lock of Cherry’s brown hair around his finger. “Got plans for the day?”

  “Not really. I came this morning because you asked me to.”

  “It’s a standing invitation, love. My home is your home, anytime, anywhere, and for whatever reason.”

  “Oh. Thanks.”

  “You sound delighted.”

  “No, I sincerely meant thank you. You just surprised me.” Those apple cheeks were pink again.

  God, he loved how she blushed so easily. It made him feel protective. And hot. Definitely hot. Her sweet shyness and uncertainty just brought out the predator in him. Oh yeah, hot and predatory. He could eat her right up.

  Cherry stared at him, her cheeks going even redder. “Rick.” His name was whispered.

  “Yeah?”

  “Stop looking at me like that.”

  “Like what? Like I could eat you right up? Funny, I was just thinking that.”

  There was an answering spark in her eyes – thank you, God! – but then she bit her lip and glanced across the table to where Tim was mercilessly baiting Donna, while she threatened to de-man him. “Not now.”

  “Later?” When she didn’t answer, he placed his mouth against her ear and breathed both seductively and teasingly, “Later, Cherry?”

  “You’re like a kid with candy.”

  “I like to suck my candy.”

  Cherry nearly tipped the tin of Diet Coke she was holding in her other hand.

  Rick chuckled. When there was no reply or response from her, he sobered, kicking himself mentally for maybe pushing her too far in company. He was about to apologize when she turned her head, her gaze meeting his.

  Holy cow, her gaze was bright and held heat, even if she was trying to hide it. At least, he thought she was trying to hide it, but then she beckoned him closer and when he quite willingly laid his cheek against her softer one so that she could whisper in his ear, he half expected to be chastised.

  “I like to suck my candy, too.” Her breath was warm in his ear.

  Well hell, that just about paralysed him. ick blinked.

  Cherry slowly retreated, but she turned her head at the last second so that those luscious lips brushed moistly against his cheek, then shockingly, heatedly, there was a brief, so very, agonizingly, brief suck on the corner of his mouth, then she pulled away and turned back to the table, leaving him staring at her in astonishment.

  She liked to suck her candy, too. Did she truly mean…but then, she’d never had oral sex.Had she? Had she meant oral sex? Heat broiled low in his groin. Jesus. Oral sex with Cherry was something he planned, but he hadn’t been sure how she’d accept it, not with her weight issues, but it sure as hell had seemed like… Oh boy.

  For the first time since he’d met her, Rick didn’t know what to say. He knew what he wanted to do, all right, and that was to lay her across the table and bury his head between her voluptuous thighs, but hell, not with his sister and his friend there. He had to get rid of them. Now. Somehow.

  He didn’t know how, not without mortifying Cherry. Shit.

  His attention was partially diverted by Donna’s mobile phone ringing, but only partially, because his head was still swimming with images of Cherry and oral sex, and the tingling sensation of that little suck on the corner of his mouth.

  Picking up the phone, Donna studied the number. “Mum.” Flicking it open, she put it to her ear. “Hi, Mum. Have you heard from that arse, David? He’s such a jerk.”

  Tim grinned and drained the ice chocolate from his glass. His gaze lit on Cherry and a thoughtful expression crossed his face. His gaze slid to Rick, and Rick’s face obviously wasn’t as bland as he’d hoped, because Tim’s grin widened knowingly and he winked.

  Cherry’s fingers flexed in his hand and he gave
them a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

  Donna’s gasp caught his attention. “He’s hurt? David’s hurt? Is he all right? Is he—?” She bit her lip, her eyes wide. “He did what? Oh no!”

  Concerned, Rick straightened.

  “I’m coming home right now. You tell David to stay right there. Of course I know he can’t move, I just – I’m coming home now.” Snapping the phone shut, Donna sprang to her feet.

  “What’s wrong?” Rick stood quickly. “What happened?”

  “David sprained his ankle while painting the trimming on the verandah.” Donna’s eyes filled with tears and she sniffed. “I nagged him about painting it, that’s what we fought about, he said he didn’t have time and I said ‘What? For the last six weekends?’ So when I left, Mum said he felt bad and decided to paint it as a surprise. He fell off the ladder and sprained his ankle.”

  Tim guffawed.

  She rounded on him furiously. “You ignoramus! David’s hurt!”

  “Only his ankle. He’ll be fine.”

  “Says you. I’m going home to look after the poor dear.” She hurried from the room. “I feel so bad.”

  “How many times have I heard that?” He stood up and stretched. “Think I’ll head for home myself, Rick. Thanks for the iced chocolate, Cherry.”

  “Uh – you’re welcome.” Cherry was standing uncertainly by the chair.

  “Don’t see me out, I can do it myself.” Tim winked at Rick. “Have a good, or should that be great – day.”

  Rick grinned. Oh hell yeah, he intended to take full advantage of this windfall.

  No sooner had Tim left than Cherry started to move around the table. “I better go, too.”

  “What? No.” Rick stepped in front of her. “You don’t need to go.”

  “But your sister—”

  “Donna is fine. Trust me, love, my sister and her husband have these falling-outs often, and she always turns up at either my place or my parent’s until David comes looking for her, which isn’t usually very long. They kiss and make-up, though he’s really outdone himself this time.” He couldn’t stop his lips twitching in amusement. “You’ll get used to it.”

  “But—”

  “No buts. Donna won’t take long to go, and this is the first time in nearly a week that we’ve had time together.”