City Surgeon, Small Town Miracle

CHAPTER SEVEN

LUKE pushed open his car door and stood listening to the high pitched howl of hard-working motorcycle engines.

He was escaping. Just for the day.

At his mother’s behest, he’d left Allie with her for a girls’ day out. Shopping. His daughter was really excited about it. He smiled wryly, hard pressed to think of anything he’d like to do less.

He was also escaping from the lure of Terri. She had the day off but he had no good excuse to invade his colleague’s off-duty hours. Other than the fact that he wanted to.

With Allie gone for the day, he couldn’t casually suggest a walk on the beach…via Terri’s cottage on the off chance that she was around. Having her so close, at the bottom of the garden, was a refined form of torture.

He sighed. Rather than hang around home testing his self-discipline, he was going to face a personal demon. He’d loved hanging out at the racetrack with his cousin Kevin, and Terri’s brother Ryan. He hadn’t been back since Kevin’s accident.

Hadn’t been on a bike either. But that was something to tackle another day…perhaps. For now, being here was an accomplishment.

He’d talk to Mick Butler while he was here, too. An informal follow-up after the diabetic episode. He smiled wryly. Maybe he would earn himself some Brownie points with Terri.

He walked through the tunnel under the track to the pit area and watched the speeding bikes for a few moments. Just an initial tightening in his chest, he noted dispassionately. Nothing unmanageable.

He took a deep breath and looked at the people standing trackside. His lips curved when he spotted a familiar profile. Terri’s uncle.

‘G’day, Mick!’

The man turned. ‘Luke Daniels!’

Their palms smacked together as they used the handshake to draw into a quick, hard embrace of uncomplicated masculine friendship.

Mick stood back, his wide smile and dark eyes familiar and uncannily like Terri’s. ‘About time you showed your face around here!’

‘Yeah, I know.’ Luke shrugged. ‘Time gets away. You know how it is.’

‘I know.’ Mick patted his arm, the gesture awkward but the emotion behind it genuine. ‘I was sorry to hear about Sue-Ellen. She was a bonzer girl.’

Luke nodded. ‘Yes, she was. Thanks. I got your card.’

‘How’s that gorgeous daughter of yours?’

‘Giving me grey hairs.’ Luke smiled.

‘It gets worse.’ Mick chuckled. ‘I remember when my girls-’

He was interrupted by loud whoops and clapping from the men nearest them. Mick’s head whipped back to the course.

‘She’s just taken Russ,’ called one of the appreciative audience. ‘Boy, he’s going to be dirty about that.’

‘She?’ A corkscrew of unease twisted through Luke’s gut. No, it couldn’t be…could it?

‘Terri.’ Mick craned his neck, following the action. ‘She’s on the yellow Honda.’

Luke’s heart leapt into his throat. His eyes followed the motorcycle as it tipped into another sweeping bend in a blur of red leather and yellow bike.

‘That’s Terri?’

Terri! Oh, God.

Desire and fear congealed into a solid lump of cold ice in his gut.

Leaning, leaning…Surely the bike must slide from under her. That long crouching form would be thrown, fragile bones crushed, gentle curves mutilated.

How dared she risk her precious life like this?

The woman. Was going. To drive him. Insane.

‘Yeah, good, isn’t she? Could’ve gone pro if she hadn’t been so set on medicine.’ Obviously unconcerned, Terri’s uncle turned away as one of the other riders came in.

Good?

Good!

Luke wanted to demand that she be called off the track, stat. He folded his arms, feeling the tightness pinch around his eyes and mouth. Acid churned in his stomach. He’d been watching the speeding riders with reasonable detachment, congratulating himself for managing that degree of calm. The accident which had killed his cousin had been years ago. Past time for him to let go his visceral antipathy to motorcycles.

But now…

Now he knew it was Terri on the track, he felt sick.

And angry.

Angrier by the minute.

Two circuits later, she slowed and pulled into the pit area. Oblivious to his glowering presence, she stopped to chat briefly to a couple of the mechanics further along the lane. Her long legs braced on either side of the machine. With a quick nod, she rode forward slowly. The machine’s throaty growl sounded a protest at the restrained speed as she turned into the empty garage.

Luke stalked across the tarmac, driven by the desire to give her a verbal blast. He turned into the wide door. Terri stood beside the bike, stripping off her gloves.

The skin-tight red leather suit moulded to her lithe body.

His gaze was drawn irresistibly down over each feminine curve.

Breast, waist, hip, thigh.

At the knee, the bright supple covering disappeared into long black boots.

Luke swallowed, his steps slowing as an unexpected shudder shook him.

His eyes made the return trip.

She was gorgeous, sensual.

Dangerous to his sanity.

As he watched, she unclipped her helmet and shook out waves of long dark hair.

Perfection.

And she would risk it all for a thrill, a momentary pleasure.

His daughter had made a confidante of this reckless creature. Allie wouldn’t be able to cope with another flood of grief in her young life. Terri needed to consider that when she indulged her whim for danger.

Bubbling anger dimmed a tiny internal alarm that sounded in his brain. Walk away. Don’t do this, don’t do this. Walk away, now.

His entire system twitched with the need for an argument, even relished the prospect in a perverse way.

His feet moved purposefully until he was only a few feet from her. She turned. The radiant smile on her lips tilted higher. He could see the high of exhilaration was still pumping through her system.

‘Hi, Luke.’ Her buoyant greeting was the last straw.

‘I suppose you’re proud of that display out there,’ he said softly.

She tipped her head slightly to one side. ‘The riding?’

‘Yes, the riding,’ he grated.

‘Oh, yes. I suppose I am a bit. Did you see?’ She still hadn’t realised his dangerous state of mind. Enthusiasm shone through her voice. She stuffed her gloves into the hollow of the helmet and then stood with it dangling from one hand.

‘I saw,’ he said grimly. ‘What sort of example do you think you’re setting?’

‘Example? Well…a good one, I hope. I was in absolute control of the bike at all times,’ she said, her voice confused.

‘All it takes is a loss of concentration for a split second.’ He ground his teeth together. The muscle tension in his jaw was painful. ‘People rely on you. Patients up at the hospital. My family. My daughter.’

And me. What about me? How am I going to feel if your broken body ends up in Accident and Emergency? He managed to clamp his mouth shut before the telling words escaped.

‘You have a responsibility to this community.’ He sounded foolish but, even realising that, he was powerless to stop himself.

‘Luke, I-’

‘What if something happened to you?’

She gave him a long, searching look. Her expression melted into a look of profound compassion. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. This is about Kevin, isn’t it? How insensitive of me. I know it was hard for you, the way he died, but you can’t hold onto that grief, Luke. For your sake and for Allie’s, it’s time to let it go.’

He swore a brief, earthy oath. ‘You think this is about Kevin?’

‘Well, yes.’ Her beautiful face was uncertain and he could see her trying to read his mood. ‘Isn’t it?’

‘No. God damn it. This is about you, Terri.’

She took a step back, retreating from the fierceness he knew he was radiating.

‘I-I think you need to calm down and then maybe we can talk about this. Perhaps later.’ She pivoted and started to walk past him. ‘For now, I-’

Without thinking, he reached out, snagging her elbow. The force of her momentum spun her around and landed her hard on his chest, one hand braced at his waist. His fingers flexed around her upper arms where he’d reached out to steady her. Her well-worn leathers felt warm and soft, oddly intimate against his palms.

He gulped in a lungful of air, starting the move to set her back on her feet.

Then she lifted her head. Her lips trembled only inches from his and all his good intentions evaporated.

‘Terri.’ His voice, so ragged, sounded shockingly needy, desperate.

‘Luke.’ His name was little more than a whisper.

Dark, nearly black eyes held his for a long moment before slipping, heavy-lidded, to his mouth. Instead of freeing her, he pulled her closer, tilted his head, slanted his lips over the fullness of hers.

No awkwardness, no hesitation. The delight of unexpected familiarity mingled with the wonder and excitement of discovery. She made a small humming sound, almost a moan.

The hand at his waist relaxed, then tightened again before creeping around his back as she pressed into him. The pressure of each fingertip burned through the thin fabric of his shirt. He revelled in the touch, wanted more, wanted it on his skin.

All his anger with her carelessness, his fear for her safety, everything, drained away. Her lips parted in a sweet moist caress, so soft and mobile. Delicious.

A thrill streaked through him, blotting out coherent thought, reducing his world to the sensation of her body pressed to his. She made him want to give more-take more-than was sensible.

A single resonating crunch ripped through the moment. Terri’s head jerked back, her torso arching away from his. She stared up at him, eyes wide and stunned. As he watched, the dazed expression cleared from her eyes. Her hands, which had been clasped across his back, now flattened on his chest as she shoved herself away from him.

He swallowed. His system was revved, heart pumping, muscles ready to take on dragons.

The only thing he wasn’t ready for was Terri. She looked utterly shattered. Her breasts rose and fell shakily with each shallow, rapid breath.

The helmet, the source of the noise, rocked back and forth on the floor beside them.

Terri started to raise her hand to her face and he saw the tremor in her fingers. As though she suddenly realised what she was doing, her fingers closed in a fist that was pulled sharply back to her side.

‘What did you do that for?’

‘I’m sorry.’ His voice was hoarse, the words meaningless. He wasn’t sorry. Not at all. Given the option this moment, he’d take up where they’d left off.

‘You’re s-sorry?’ Her voice rose and she looked momentarily as shocked as he was by the note of hysteria. She glowered at him. Then her face slowly crumpled.

‘Oh, God. What have you done? I was okay when I though it was just m…’ she trailed off, her expression appalled.

‘Just you?’ His heart bumped. She felt the same way he did.

She stiffened, pulling herself together before his eyes. ‘Just…This thing…Us…We can’t…’ She touched her forehead with her fingers, rubbing hard at the skin. ‘Oh, what am I saying? There is no us. We’re colleagues. Nothing more. Do you hear me?’ She looked up at him then, the expression in her eyes desperate, daring him to disagree.

She was wrong. Though he couldn’t point that out. Not right now.

Not when he could see how devastated she was.

Not when his own system was shaking and shuddering in the aftermath of the kiss.

He didn’t understand what was behind her reaction but he needed to find a way to soothe her. He lifted a hand to reach out, make a tiny physical connection…

She nearly leapt away from him.

‘Terri-’

‘I have to go.’

He watched her long legs powering her away from him, agitation clear in every rapid step.

She didn’t want anything more than a professional relationship, that much was clear. But it didn’t alter the fact that she’d kissed him back.

Wildly.

Wantonly.

He felt like a teenager, giddy and stupid after the voluptuousness of his first kiss.

And it was a first…his first passionate kiss since his wife had died. He scrubbed his hands down his face. Why had he done it? He hadn’t felt as though he had a choice-once she had been in his arms, blind instinct had taken over. For both of them.

He didn’t want to think about replacing his wife. He wasn’t ready.

Was he?

He could almost feel his reality shifting around him. He swallowed. Maybe he was ready.

Kissing Terri didn’t feel like the betrayal he’d have predicted if there’d been time to consider before acting.

Quite simply, the kiss was the most important thing to have happened to him, as a man, for two and a half years.

It’d been electrifying. Physical, demanding, consuming.

Utterly sublime.

Twelve years ago her kiss had been sweetly innocent with a hint of the spice to come. Now her flavour was piquant, rich and complex.

Terri tasted right.

He wanted to kiss her again, explore the spark between them. To rejoice in being alive and savour the stirring of his masculinity.

But they had some issues to sort out first.

Luke huffed out the breath. He was sorry he’d upset her. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her. He needed to talk with her, find out what the problem was, help her deal with it.

He made up his mind. She had until tomorrow to calm down. Then he was going to apologise for ambushing her and get to the bottom of her reaction.

He walked out slowly to find Mick.

The next day, Luke spotted Terri at the bench in the emergency department kitchenette. He ran his eyes hungrily down then back up the green scrubs that draped her slender body. He smiled wryly. She had no business looking so damned desirable in the baggy work gear. Her hair was caught in a loose bun at the nape of her neck and he itched to tug out the tortoiseshell comb holding it in place, sink his fingers through the long silky strands.

He took a deep breath and dredged up some self-control. He was here to apologise, smooth over any awkwardness. Not create new problems. He needed to talk to her, pave the way for them to discuss what had happened at the racetrack.

Arranging his face in what he hoped was an affable, non-threatening expression, he went into the room. Her head was bent, the nape of her neck looked so vulnerable he wanted to reach out, to comfort. She seemed to be staring into the drink she was preparing. She held an empty teaspoon over the rim of her mug as though she was trying to decide what to do with it.

‘Terri?’

She started violently, jerking the handle of the mug in her hand. Dark liquid slopped over the bench. She muttered something under her breath, put the teaspoon down and reached for the dishcloth.

‘Luke.’ A quick flush of red ran under her pale skin.

He stopped beside her. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said gently. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you.’

‘Did you want something?’ Her voice was even as she mopped up the spill. The pattern on the bench would be scoured off if she was any more thorough.

He stifled a sigh. ‘I wanted to see you-’

‘Well, here I am.’ She still hadn’t looked at him.

‘I wanted to see how you were.’

‘I’m fine.’

‘Terri…’ Voices in the doorway made him glance round. At least one of the people obviously intended to come into the room and Luke didn’t want to be interrupted or risk the discussion being overheard. ‘We need to talk. Somewhere private.’

‘Talk? As hospital director to doctor on duty or something else?’ She rinsed the cloth under the tap and hung it over the tap.

Refusal was plain in her stiff spine and he was tempted to lie. ‘Something else. Personal.’

‘In that case no, I can’t spare you any time just now.’ She topped up her mug from the urn, then flicked him a brief glance. ‘If you’ll excuse me…’

He held his hand out in a motion of appeal and she froze. Then took a small step back and looked at him fully. Her eyes were puffy and tired and all the colour had drained out of her cheeks. She looked fragile, as though she hadn’t slept well.

He nearly groaned with the need to put his arms around her. ‘Terri-’

‘I need to go. Please.’ The words were calm. Yet he had the distinct impression she was holding herself together by willpower alone. Guilt stabbed at him.

‘Of course.’ He curled his fingers into his palm and dropped his hand. She waited until he stepped aside before she moved past him.

His gaze followed the graceful sway of her hips until she turned into one of the offices. She must intend to catch up with some paperwork.

He ran a hand through his hair and smiled philosophically.

Terri wasn’t going to make it easy for him.

Sue-Ellen would have. His wife had smoothed his life for him wherever she could. He’d appreciated it. Their love had been a quiet, comfortable emotion. Not a grand passion.

Nothing like the volatile mixture of emotions he was starting to feel for Terri.

He sighed. She was complex. Combustion to Sue-Ellen’s serenity.

Terri tested the limits of his self-control-which, to his chagrin, were diminishing with each passing day.

What the hell was he going to do about her?

He had to think of something or they were both going to be wrecks by the end of their time together. Though he realised he didn’t like thinking of that in terms of a finite period.