I'll Be Seeing You (7 page)

I feel strange talking about this with her. We’ve never discussed this subject before, but in reality, I've never had cause to. I've never had anyone in my life that required me to be educated like this.

"I slept with Jessie," she blurts out of the blue.

"What!? Already? Shit, Laura," I say, knowing how shocked I sound.

"I couldn't help it. When he was standing at my door, he looked so good in those blue jeans, and they were so … tight. I couldn't stop staring, so when he asked me if I saw something I liked, I had to answer him truthfully, you know."

"Laura, you do this all the time,” I say, my hands flying into the air. “You sleep with these guys and then blame them when you get your feelings hurt." I don't know if I have it in me to pick up another pile of her pieces.

"I know — I know, but I think Jess might be different. He told me he really liked me," she says, sounding fresh out of high school.

"Yeah, Matthew said he liked you too. Maybe he will be different, but Laura, you might like the sex with him, but please, please, please, don't let him inside your heart too soon, okay? Please?" I beg. And, for God’s sakes, use a condom," I say, sounding more and more like her mom.

Laura’s quiet for a minute before she mumbles and promises that she’ll try not to get attached to Jessie too quickly.

"Laura?" A thought suddenly comes to mind.

"Yeah?"

"What about birth control?"

"Oh, my little girl is growing up," she giggles, feigning tears and sniffling while she reaches over to hug me. "What kind do you want?"

"What kind is there? Condoms are all I know about."

"You’re going to have sex with him, aren't you?" she asks in a very devious sounding way.

"Laura. I'm a twenty-four-year-old virgin. I've never had sex. I had my first real kiss only yesterday. I've got a beautiful man telling his sister that I'm his, so yes, I plan on having sex with him," I answer confidently.

“Whoa … whoa … whoa … wait just one minute. What do you mean he’s telling his sister that you are his?" she asks, making me back track my statement.

"Yesterday, Brian hugged me and then kissed me. You know how he is; he always kisses me when he sees me. Anyway, Matthew saw it, and I think he got a little jealous. Maddie called him on his rude behavior toward Brian, and I overheard Matthew telling her, 'She's mine, Maddie. I don't want your boyfriend kissing her.'

"Okay, yeah, it's time for birth control. You are in for the ride of your life, girlfriend. Just don't get hurt, okay? You come to me if you have any questions." She reaches over to hug me. "You have a boyfriend, sweetie."

"You don't know that." I really don't need her putting those thoughts in my head. I have wanted something like this for such a long time, and I don't want to develop false hope.

"Hey, Laura, put this rubber thingy away, and get me some bleach so I can wash my hands," I giggle. "I need to get back to work on my book. I'm meeting Matthew in the morning and need to get them done."

"We also need to get you waxed, so you’re pretty for him. He really is a keeper, Joy. He's so handsome," she reminds me as she pulls me toward the door.

"And you; take it slow with Jessie, all right? Just be careful with him. He has a history," I say, opening the door for her. "Love you."

"I love you, too. I'll call about the spa date and call your gyno in the morning.  You need birth control and quick.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I will, okay" I quickly shut the door before she says anything else and lean my back against it. Gathering my thoughts on what she said, I sigh at my naivety.

~.~

Spending the rest of the afternoon locked in my office, I read, analyze, and re-read my research. This can work. If I can get one person to agree to this procedure and prove it works, the funding will come. Having turned in my eighth round of lab work with the results due on Tuesday, this should surely give me the reassurance that nothing has changed in my theory. I’m glued to my slides when my cell rings, recognizing Jessie’s number, I pick up.

"Hey, Jess, what's up?"

"Not much, just got back from the gym and was wondering if you wanted to have dinner tonight?"

"Um, I’m ass deep in research right now, but I'll stop if you pick up some Thai and bring it over though," I say, bargaining and hoping he'll take the bait.

"Okay, that works too. There's something I want to talk to you about when I get there."

"If it's about Laura, I don't want to hear it, Jessie. I told you Joy and I are not getting involved," I remind him, looking through my microscope.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be over in an hour," he says before he hangs up, not allowing me time to tell him I'm not interested in Thai anymore.

Looking through my slides, I continue to take endless notes to add to my already endless file of handwritten notes. Nothing has changed. It never changes. My research is solid, and it's ready. I just need to find a volunteer, and I’m hoping I can get Sally Spencer to agree to be my first patient. I've already been given the go ahead to consult and perform my procedure on one subject, but finding someone to agree to a never-performed procedure is maddening. This part of my research is probably the most difficult, but I plan to put my skills of persuasion to use.

An hour and a half later, Jessie comes banging at the door, carting two large bags of Thai food into my kitchen. After dishing up our plates, we move to the breakfast nook, and he is staring down at his untouched food, fork in hand. I look at him and determine this can't be good.

"What's up, Jess?" I ask. He has a pitiful look on his face before he confesses the ultimate.

"I fucked Kathy this morning."

My fork falls to the floor, and I nearly cold-cock him on the side of his head.

"I know, I know," he says. "I screwed up. I was at the hardware store this morning, looking for a new ceiling fan for my bedroom, when she walked up to me to ask if I needed a 'woman's touch' in selecting my fan. It was one innuendo after another, and the next thing I know, we are out in the parking lot and in the back of her SUV," he says remorsefully, putting his forehead in the palms of his hands.

It’s too late as far as I'm concerned the damage is done.

"I told you, Jessie. It's your life. You do what you want. If you can't keep your dick in your pants, though, don’t contact Laura again, you got it? Leave her alone." Getting up to get a new fork out of the drawer, I throw the one I dropped into the sink.

"I know, but I do really like her. She's beautiful, smart and amazing in bed." I hold up my hand for him to stop.

"I'm done, Jess. Don't want to hear any more about it. Just leave her alone and don't call her again," I say digging into my Chicken Curry.

"Okay," he says. "I know you don't believe me, but Laura’s under my skin. There's something about her. I don't think I can quit her if I tried. I feel a pull toward her," he says, staring down into his Pad Thai.

~.~

The following morning, after finishing my rounds, I run across the street to watch her as she waits for me. She’s wearing her hair down today. As is typical, she’s reading. Again, she looks up when someone walks through the door and I like the fact that she’s waiting for me. I push the door open and stand there, waiting. She looks up and closes her book, smiling at me. I smile back at her as if she can see me. Walking directly to her table, I bend down and kiss her. Standing directly in front of her, she takes in a deep breath, closing her eyes as she exhales.

"You smell good, Doctor."

Gently running my hand over her hair, I feel its softness. "You look even more beautiful today, if that’s possible," I say quietly.

I gently tug on it to force her face up to me, and kiss her again. Not deep and passionate, but just enough to get me in trouble as my cock reacts to the feel of her warm lips under mine and the sweetness of her breath. When she moans into my mouth, I wrap my tongue around hers. After intense tongue play, I slow and pull back, just enough to allow her to catch her breath. She slightly parts her lips and I fit my mouth perfectly over hers again.

"Mmm, very nice," I say into her mouth. "I'll be right back. Do you need anything?" I ask before turning to get a coffee.

My body responds to her even more when I see her hardened nipples under her blue silk blouse.

"No, I'm good, thank you though," she replies, breathless, hiding her penchant for passionate kisses behind that sweet, innocent smile she’s giving me.

"Okay, I'll be right back," I promise, touching her arm before turning to get a cup of espresso. As I walk toward the counter, the door opens and I glance over to see a tall, dark and handsome man enter. He immediately locks his sight on Joy and heads her way. As soon as he bends down to whisper something to her, she quickly smiles up at him as he takes the seat opposite her.

My seat. Again!

The counter is not far from Joy's table, and I can hear them clearly.

"I thought I'd find you here," he says to her smiling face.

"It's good to see you again. You've been gone for a while. What are you doing here?" Joy asks in a surprised tone

"I was looking for you. They said that you come here a lot on your days off."

Who is this guy?

Once Myra gives me my change, I throw it in the tip jar and make my way back to Joy.

"Hey, why don’t we have lunch tomorrow?" he asks, before I reach them.

"It seems I've lost my seat again, Joy," I say before she can answer.

"Oh, um, Scott, this is Dr. Matthew Davis. Matthew, this is Scott Woods. We work together at Radiant." Joy awkwardly introduces us and I can see a nervous look on her face. I'm sure she fears the same reaction I had on Saturday toward Brian.

"Scott, nice to meet you. Not meaning to be rude, but you’re in my seat." I firmly shake his hand, probably adding more pressure than necessary.

"Nice to meet you too, Matthew ... um ... Dr. Davis." He returns my handshake with equal firmness while getting up from my chair.

"I see you're busy, Joy, I'll call you later about lunch, all right?" Scott says, affectionately placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Okay. I'll talk to you then," she replies, giving him a faint smile. I take notice how Conrad stays oblivious to Scott. That tells me this guy has been around before — enough to where he feels comfortable around him.

"So, lunch, eh?" I ask, stirring my coffee.

"Yes. He's been away for a few weeks at the New York office; I guess he’s just returned," she answers, fidgeting in her seat.

"So, he came looking for you?" She nods in answer to my question. I don't have much to say at this point. Nothing nice anyway, so I desperately try to keep my jealous-ass mouth shut by taking endless sips of coffee. Now I’m staring into an empty cup and loudly place my cup back in its saucer and sigh.

"I'm going to get another cup of coffee. I'll be back,” I say, trying not to sound affected that someone else is interested in her and is asking her out. I keep reminding myself that they’re co-workers and possible friends.

As I’m standing at the counter, waiting for my coffee, she comes to me and takes my hand as she wraps her other around my bicep. I look down at her, and she lays her face against my arm. Pulling my arm free from her hold, I wrap it around her shoulder, drawing her in close. Bending down, I place a kiss on the top of her head.

"Do you want anything?" I ask her quietly, holding her close to me.

"No," she says. "Just this."

That one simple action speaks volumes.

"Me, too," I reply. Bringing her face up to look at me, I gently kiss her. She wraps both arms around my waist while I still wait for my coffee.

"Hey, Joy?” I begin when we eventually return to our table. "I have something I want to ask you."

"Sure," she answers, sitting up straight in her chair as I lay my hand over hers.

"The Davis Institute is holding its Annual Christmas Ball on December fifteenth. Have you heard of it? It's a huge event.”

"Yes, I've heard of it," she states with a telltale blush. "I've always wanted to go."

"Well, then, here's your opportunity. Would you go with me? It's formal, but you probably already know that," I say through a chuckle.

"Yes, I’d love to go,” she says excitedly. “Everyone knows about the Davis Ball.”

"I think you’ll enjoy it."

I glance at my watch and sigh.  “All right, I need to get back to the clinic. Can I walk you home?" I ask, getting up from my seat.

"No, you go on. I'm going to stop at the market before I head home. Thanks for inviting me to the ball; I'm looking forward to it." She holds her hand out to me and I take it instantly. Her hands are so soft; I find myself stroking the back of them at every opportunity. They feel like soft velvet.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" I ask.

"Um, no, not tomorrow. I have to go to the office in the morning to attend a meeting. How about Wednesday?"

"Sure. I'll be here. Can I call you later?" I ask, disappointed that I won't see her tomorrow.

"I look forward to it." Her face glows with the beautiful smile she’s giving me, and I squeeze her hand, not wanting to let go.