Convincing Lina: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove Romance Book 2) (8 page)

“Is there anyway you’ve changed your mind about me coming inside?” She raised her eyebrows, eyes stretched wide.
 

Raising both his hands, palms facing her. “I just want us to talk.” She sighed as if coming to a decision.
 

He pressed his luck, hoping favor rested on him tonight. “Invite me in.” He sent up a silent plea to fate.
 

“You have about as much chance of getting inside, as me frying my brain cells with a curling iron. I’m well acquainted with that type of interest. You coming inside is a bad idea.” He released a sigh.

“What’s stopping you?” A crease formed between her brows. She took a deep breath, then slowly released it as if reinforcing her force field. There was one more step before she would be on the other side of a closed door. He played his hand.
 

“You’ve spent the last four and a half hours in my company. You are safe with me and you know where I work. Let me, come in.” She laughed at his last comment.

“Why do I get the sense we are talking about more than you entering my house?”

“I am, but, we both know nothing will happen if there’s only one interested party. So, are you interested in getting to know me?” She narrowed her eyes with suspicion before taking a step back. That first kiss must have scrambled his brain. He was sending the wrong signal.
 

“Why did you ask me out tonight?” The wide stance, and arms crossed over her chest said she was ready for battle. It was a mistake to hint at more tonight.
 

“We have a connection. I enjoy talking with you. You’re no longer entangled with what’s his name.”

“Gideon we work together.” He could see where this train was leading.
 

 
“And technically, you are assigned to my clinic. I’m not your boss.” She placed both hands on her generous hips. He grinned at her. He would not make it easy for her to get rid of him.
 

“I never knew you were such a smooth talker. Seriously, we’ve seen each other every day for practically nine months and you’ve never shown any interest in me until today. And before you mention the kiss, that doesn’t count because it was for charity.”

“Wrong on both counts. You have never noticed my attentions until today and any kiss between us counts.” She was looking at him with a curious expression, then she frowned.

“You know that Jace will keep trying to get me transferred at best, fired at worse.” Something akin to pain crossed her face, then it vanished.
 

“I overheard something about that. I know things went wrong between the two of you. I did what I could to help you.” Her back went ramrod straight, then she took another step away from him. He didn’t like the way she looked at him.

“I don’t want your charity date, Gideon. I have never needed a man to take care of me, and I certainly will not start tonight.” Anger colored her words.

“I know you can handle yourself. You did a darn good job of handling my clinic, too.” The smile she gave him, had him hitting himself upside the head for waiting until tonight to comment on how efficient she ran the clinic.
 

“Thank you, Gideon. I really appreciate you telling me I made a difference.”

“You came to my rescue this morning.”

“The nurse rescuing the Marine? Sounds like we both felt charitable today.”

“When I look at you the last thing on my mind is charitable works.” He took a step closer to her.

“Since you broached the subject. What is swirling around in that big brain of yours, if you were to get into my house? How do you see this playing out?” She pointed to herself then aimed her index finger center mass at his chest. “What’s your angle?”

“I told you earlier today. I don’t have the tolerance for games.” His statement seemed to unruffle her feathers. Her posture relaxed again.

“I’m going in the house. Thank you Gideon, I had a perfect evening.”
 

“Perfect. That’s an interesting choice of words, how so?”
 

She groaned aloud. “When will I learn? I should have known better. Never say the word perfect in the presence of a mental health professional. Gideon, let’s end the night without a psychoanalysis.” There was a bit of hostility as she spoke his name.
 

“Lina.” He touched her left cheek. He made slow brush strokes across her right cheek with his thumb. “Tell me what made the evening perfect, because I want to know what pleases you.” He’d revealed too much, but the damage was done.
 

“I’m listening, Lina. Tell me what you want.”

He’s interested in my pleasure.
He wanted to know her. Her heart skipped two beats. She parted her lips taking a deep breath to regulate her pulse rate.

“I loved our ocean view seating. I prefer water, large or small over gardens and woods.” His touch was soothing, but this contact wasn’t like earlier before they left for Drury’s. This touch was sensual, the pressure was slightly deeper and the movement was slower. A lover’s caress.
 

“What else did you like?” The rich tone of voice penetrated her thoughts. His fingers were strong and sure.
 

“It’s nice to share a meal with someone who enjoys a variety of food. I like jazz and R&B, so sharing great food with live music filling the air is a heady combination for me.”

“And?” He prompted.

“And...I enjoyed your company.”

“So, having me near you helped to create your perfect evening?” He was stroking her lower lip now. Deliberate, but feather light. The pad of his thumb grazed the border of her lip en route to her cheek. Then he would repeat the trek.
 

“Yes, I suppose it did.” He lowered his eyes to her mouth. His attention was on her lips as she spoke. Lina felt the hunger in his eyes, a caress as tangible as the clothes she wore. She extended her tongue to wet her lip. Lost in his eyes, Lina didn’t realize she’d licked his thumb until her tongue slid off the tip. They both stilled. She cast her eyes up gaging his response. The surge of heat burning in his eyes, had her insides melting. She locked her knees together, afraid Cricket might force her to call out his name, but his arm slid around her waist pulling her closer.

“Ah, Gideon, I didn’t mean to do that.” This was embarrassing. Was there a rule of etiquette on how to apologize for licking a gorgeous man’s finger? A very tasty finger. Now she squirmed in his arms.
 

“Be still. Tell me what you didn’t mean to do.”

“You know. The accidental tongue to thumb thing.”

“That was an accident? I thought we were starting some male-female mating ritual. I stroke you, you sample me.” A devilish smile crossed his face. She was grateful for the reprieve his teasing provided.
 

“You’ve got jokes. I don’t go around licking men on my doorstep.”

“Like I said before, I’m not trying to analyze you. You could tell me what you like, but it’s better when you show me.”

“Hate to break it to you, but all the questions equal an analysis.” He grinned but she was in awe of the entire day. “You are not what I expected Gideon Rice.” He seemed more comfortable like this, than earlier in the evening. This seemed natural, more organic. She was privy to a side of him few people got to witness. This side of Gideon was congruent with what she gleaned from the evening together. Gideon and Dr. Rice were two halves of a different whole.

“And you are more than I hoped for.” She released a breath.

“I should probably go inside. Thank you again for a wonderful evening.” At his raised eyebrow she corrected her response.

“The evening was perfect.” She was learning.
 

“It was. When can I see you again?”
 

“Gideon, please don’t feel obligated to ask me out.”
 

“Why would you say something crazy like that? Not one thing I’ve done tonight communicated a hardship on my part. Accidental thumb licking or not, you like me well enough and I sure as heck like you.”

She double blinked at him. “I didn’t mean to upset you, country boy. Your country roots sure roar back to life when you get agitated.” Some unreadable expression crossed his face before she could register the meaning. He was clenching and unclenching his jaw. She had upset him. That wasn’t her intention.

“I’m just saying you don’t have to get involved in my drama.”
 

He ran his fingers through his thick, dark locks before speaking. “I’m not talking about drama. I’m talking about us spending time together.”
 

“Gideon, I’m on a thirty day man-fast.” She said it. Now he would turn around and leave. Temptation averted.

“What the heck is a man-fast?” He’d sealed her in. His large hands were planted on the beveled glass door, on either side of her torso.

“It’s a suspension of all romantic involvement with the male species.” The tic in his jaw was nothing compared to the sound of the grinding of his teeth.

“How long?” His question confused her. He should be walking away. Other men left her without the limitation of a fast.
 

“How long for what?”

“How many days until the fast ends?” His voice grated with a metal on metal quality.
 

“Thirty days minus…”

“Stop stalling, Lina.”

“Twenty-nine days and one hour.” Her voice was sure and steady.
 

“This thing started today.” Gideon voice climbed an octave. “Cancel it.”
 

“I had fun, but nothing can happen between us. This is the end, not a beginning.” She turned within his cocoon, inserting the key in the lock.

“Lina?” She turned, letting her eyes meet his and she wish she hadn’t. Firm lips pressed to her forehead and lingered. He pulled away first before it occurred to her to push him away.

“It can and it has. The story of us began the first time you let me taste those sweet lips.” She sucked in a breath and with it his scent, and just like that all the well-defined boundaries of her life blurred.

“Good night, sweetness.” This was the opposite of good.

She gave up the forehead on the first night. His lips had touched her body. Lina’s chin fell to her chest. Not her best idea to start a man-fast following a starvation diet. She could hear him whistling a country ditty as she collapsed against the closed door. He meandered away from her door like a man pleased with his progress.
He’s a good kisser.
Usher’s song would be at the top of her playlist by morning. His kiss had been sure, light at first touch, then a steady increase in pressure. His moist heat lingered on her skin, burning up her insides. Why didn’t she pull away? He had offered her a sample of premium white chocolate, but when she readied herself for a full portion, he had put it back in the wrapper and put it away. He would load it in a 2015 gun metal gray Cadillac sedan and drive it down the highway. He was worse than an insidious white collar criminal. Gideon Rice was a candy thief.

“It’s better this way.”

She couldn’t contain her smile. He’d given her an unexpected gift and she felt good. No, she had surpassed good and skyrocketed to great. The reserved psychiatrist had a Casanova effect on her common sense. She hadn’t lied about wanting to invite him inside for the night. Her skin still tingled from his touch. A touch that was firm, sure, and heated. There was nothing tentative about the man. And those gray eyes. They were intense and ever watchful. The kind of eyes a woman could get lost in for hours-the gray seemed to roll like storm clouds when he looked at her. She could see his desire lurking beneath his controlled exterior. Her three inch heels echoed on the tile entryway as she bounced on her toes. She could get used to utilizing her extensive footwear collection. She no longer had to consider height challenges on her dates. She halted. The realization that she had envisioned herself dating Gideon had her kicking off the conspiratorial heels, followed by the control top pantyhose. She picked up all three items, moving through the darkness toward the custom designed closet in the master suite.