Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Shelby
Blowing out a breath, I try to cool my face. Why is Leonard insisting I follow an order so hot? Get a grip, Shelby.
Is that what it’s like with my mystery man?
Does he take charge? Do I even wake up for him?
But the truth is, the answers don’t matter because when I wake up, the feelings left in my body are arousal and contentment.
Whatever happens in the time I lose each year is something that I very much want and crave.
Is that why I feel like I’m cheating?
Going out for dinner with Doc and Riley is the closest thing to a date that I’ve ever had. How can I date when I already have a man that I want, even if I don’t know who he is? But as Leo slides into the seat beside me, it doesn’t feel wrong. In fact, nothing has felt this right in a long time.
Lost in thought, I startle when a large hand squeezes my knee.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, I’m sorry. I was a million miles away.”
I expect him to pull away, but the longer his hand stays there, the damper my panties get.
“Why is Riley with you?”
I roll my eyes, earning a squeeze from his hand. A warning.
“Sorry,” I mutter, remembering his past reprimands. This man is all about manners. Disappointment fills me when his hand joins the other on the steering wheel. “Riley came over to my house a few hours ago. She was crying and scared.”
Doc looks at me for a second before turning back to the road. “Where was Sarah?” he asks, his tone brimming with disbelief.
“I don’t know.” I shrug. “Riley said someone came to the house, and she left.”
“She left my six-year-old home alone?”
His knuckles whiten as he tightens his grip on the wheel.
“She’s okay,” I whisper.
I don’t know what comes over me as I reach out and squeeze his thigh. I’ve lost my damn mind. I feel his body tense under his suit pants and quickly pull my hand away. At least Cromwell is a small town. It won’t take long to walk home when he kicks me out of his car.
But Dr. Moore doesn’t slam on the brakes and shove me out of the car.
Instead, his hand finds mine. His long fingers wrap around my hand before dragging them back to his lap.
The back of my hand rests against his thigh, and his thumb rubs back and forth as if to soothe me, but one look at his face makes it clear that he’s the one who needs calming.
Wiggling my fingers, I squirm in his grasp until he releases my hand enough that I can entwine my fingers with his. Pulling his hand over, I set it in my lap and encase his hand in both of mine.
“Riley is perfect.”
Leo nods.
“Say it.”
“Riley is okay.” He nods, his eyes flicking to his daughter through the rearview mirror.
“She said perfect, Daddy,” the little girl in the back corrects while looking out the window.
Leo’s whole body relaxes, all tension puffing out with his laugh. Pulling into the restaurant parking lot, Leonard looks back through the mirror.
“Riley is sassy.”
“Perfect.” She laughs, grinning at her dad.
Parking, he counters, “Riley is silly.”
“Perfect.” She shakes her head.
Turning off the ignition, Doc turns in his seat, facing her. “Riley is beautiful.”
“Dadddyyy,” she whines around a giggle.
“Riley is perfect,” he whispers. “Were you hurt while waiting for Miss Sarah?”
“No,” Riley whispers back, all traces of humor gone. “I was just scared, but then I thought of Shelby, so I went to her.”
“You did the right thing.” He smiles. “Don’t forget Princess Penny,” he reminds her, nodding to her doll lying on the back seat beside her.
“Wait for me,” he orders, finally letting go of my hand.
I miss him instantly.
Get a grip. I roll my eyes at myself.
The door beside me opens a few seconds later. Surprised and still a little in shock at my earlier bold actions, I remain seated as he reaches across me to release the seat belt. Curling my lips inward, I try not to react as his chest brushes mine, but there’s no hiding my flushed face.
God, I’m pathetic.
Taking his offered hand, I climb out, holding my breath when the front of my body touches his again when Leo fails to step back.
Closing the car door, he stares down at me with a heated gaze.
Swallowing, I bat away the fantasies that swarm me.
How can I be this hot and bothered over nothing?
Doc steps closer, and I step back until I have nowhere to go.
With my back against the side of the car, I quickly find myself boxed in.
Strong hands settle on the roof of his car on either side of me.
Would it be cheating if I kissed him? Of course not, I don’t even know who my mystery man is. So then why do I feel so crummy?
Why did I have to have a neighbor who looks this good?
“Roll your eyes again. I dare you.”
I gulp at his words, and a pulse beats heavy between my legs. I don’t think once a year is working for me.
Doc’s deep rumble brings me out of my thoughts. “Thank you for taking care of her.”
My gaze drops to his mouth. “I tried to call, but Kathy wouldn’t put me through. Said I couldn’t see you without an appointment, hence . . .” I shrug.
Leo frowns. “Kathy knows to always put you through. Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough. I’ll rectify it tomorrow.”
Confusion fills me at his words. Did he know something like this would happen?
“I’ll give you my cell number before you go home.”
Unable to say anything, I just nod. I watch as his lips spread into a smirk. Blinking, I raise my eyes to his and flush. He caught me staring.
“Thank you,” he says again.
Needing to defuse the tension, I shrug nonchalantly. “Don’t thank me yet. I may or may not have fed her cake for lunch.”
Leo raises a brow. Pushing off the car, he moves to the back door. “May or may not have? Something tells me you did.”
“She was crying, and I was eating cake when she knocked.”
Like the good dad he is, Leo gives me a disapproving look.
Drawing in a deep breath, I breathe for what feels like the first time since he climbed into the car.
“You had cake for lunch?” he asks his daughter, opening the door for her.
Climbing out of the car, Riley turns to me and then back to her father. A cheeky smile is the only answer he gets.