Chapter 5
Finn clapped Oliver on the shoulder when they left the collective at the end of the day. “Hey, buddy. How you doing?”
Dark clouds flashed through Oliver’s eyes. “Great. I gotta hot date tonight.”
“What happened to Anabelle? Last we talked, things were going well with her.”
Oliver swore. “She dumped me.”
Finn’s jaw literally dropped. “What?” For as long as he’d known Oliver, women had flocked to him and held on once they got him. “Why?”
“I…” He shook his head. “I don’t want…I can’t think about…” Moisture filled his eyes.
Holy hell. “Let’s go sit in my car and talk.”
“I can’t Finn. I can’t talk about her.” He shook off Finn’s hand and started away. Finn strode across the parking lot a little behind him. They’d parked side by side. “Let’s go have a drink.”
“I—”
Finn opened his car door. “Come on.” He practically forced Oliver into his front seat; Finn circled the hood and slid into the passenger side.
And waited.
Oliver blew out a heavy breath. “It’s because of what’s going on at the collective.”
“Damn. I never thought…Oliver, I’m sorry, but she has two babies, right? She’s got to protect herself.”
“That’s the problem. I understand she has to do that. And there’s no way to fight the fact.”
“Yeah, I get it now. Hell.”
“So,” he reached for the door handle. “I should get home.”
“Let me drive you.”
“I can’t. I need my car tonight.”
“I think you should cancel your date.”
“No way. I have to get out of this funk. You know the adage. The best way to get over a woman is to get another one under you.”
“I think that’s pretty crude.”
“It’s how I feel now.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m advising you not turn to someone else.”
“Why? There’s absolutely no solution to this problem. I agree with her. She has babies.” His eyes filled again. “Boy, I’m going to miss them, too.” His voice cracked on the last word.
“We’ll sit here ten minutes, then if you’re calm you can go.”
“All right.”
“For the record, I’m sorry buddy.”
“Yeah, me too.”
* * *
Anabelle opened the door to Jonathan Bancroft, a doctor at the other hospital in Rockford. She’d met him at a local conference. He was about 5’9, stocky, like a body builder. Just the opposite of Oliver. “Hello, Anabelle.”
“Hi, Jonathan.” She reached over and got her purse and shawl from the table. “I’m ready.”
He moved back and she stepped outside. The door closed behind her with a loud click. They walked quickly to a green jaguar. “This is nice,” she said, as he opened the passenger side for her.
“I like it. We make that kind of money. What do you drive?”
“A plain, ordinary SUV.”
“It’s time to level up, I’d say.”
Oh, for God’s sake. “Not for me. Thanks.”
They made small talk about their different hospitals and reached The Lakeside Grill up on a hill overlooking the city. “I’ve never been here.”
He shut off the engine. “I don’t go anywhere else. This is the best.”
She wondered briefly why he kept saying things like that. To impress her? Oliver drove a Prius. He liked all kinds of eateries.
Don’t think about him.
The interior was dimly lit and swank. The floor was marble and the chandeliers were made of crystal. When they were seated at their table, the linen napkins were heavy and soft.
He said, “I ordered champagne ahead of time.”
She wasn’t crazy about the bubbly. She preferred wine but didn’t make a fuss. When the bottle came, the cork popped loudly as if to say we ordered the best. Now, she was embarrassed by his ostentatious behavior.
She picked up the leather covered menu, hoping to speed things along. “Not yet,” he said, chiding her. “Let’s talk.”
“Okay. Do you like your job?”
“Yes. You?”
“Yes. Actually, I—”
“You know our facilities are better than yours.”
“The Downtown Hospital is newer than Memorial. Tell me about your equipment.”
“We just got this fancy new diagnostic…”
She pretended to listen. But her mind went to another man who made fascinating conversation about his job, books, movies and her and her babies.
“Anabelle, where’d you go?” His tone was demanding.
“I was listening. Look, I’m hungry and I’d like to order.”
“You don’t drink much?”
“I can’t. I have to take care of my twins.”
“You have twins? I didn’t know that.”
“They’re adopted. Do you have any kids?”
“No. And I don’t intend to.”
The waiter approached them. He was a young man with already graying hair and a beard. Without even looking up, Jonathan quipped, “We haven’t decided yet.”
She said. “We will. Come back in few minutes.”
“I can order for you.”
“No, I’d like to do it.”
Dear God in heaven. What did I get myself into?
The night couldn’t end fast enough.
* * *
Oliver stared over at the lovely—and sexy—woman sitting across from him. She was the exact opposite of Anabelle: a flight attendant, who dressed in a low-cut, dark red dress that looked like it had been painted on her. She had fiery red hair, moussed and wild. Just what he needed tonight.
“No, offense, Oliver. But you’re not very good company.”
“I’m sorry. Some things are going on at work and I’m distracted.” That was true. What was going on at work was the issue between him and Anabelle.
She sipped the martini that was practically all gin. “What do you do?”
“I’m a massage therapist.”
“Aw.” She winked at him. “So you’re good with your hands.”
“Yes, I am.” He faked a smile. “I know all about anatomy.”
“Very sexy.”
“What about you? You fly. Do you like it?”
“I’ve always loved travel. For the record, I won’t be tied down.”
Now that was perfect.
They ordered lobster and asparagus and talked about the restaurants in Rockford. She told him about the places she’d eaten in Europe and Asia. It was kind of interesting.
After he paid the bill, they headed out. His hand at her back, they crossed the room and passed by a table with two people seated at it.
God damn it. Anabelle, on a date with another man!
He stopped in front of them. “Anabelle?”
Her eyes widened like the moon. “Oliver?”
They stared at each other like long lost lovers. Jonathan stood. “I’m Dr. Joanathan Bancroft.”
“Um, I’m Oliver Ricardi.”
When he said no more, his date spoke up. “I’m Eve Keller.”
The jerk eyed her lasciviously. “Hello, there.”
Anabelle’s face reddened when he gestured to her. “This is Anabelle Baxter.”
Eve only had eyes for the doc.
Unable to watch her with another man, Oliver said, “Have a good night.”
“We will.” Jonathan’s tone was lascivious. He wanted to punch the guy.
Anabelle got out, “Nice meeting you.”
Oliver’s hands fisted as they walked to their cars so he stuffed them in his pockets. It was a starry night with a pitch-black sky. Very romantic. When they reached their vehicles, she said, “Want to follow me home?”
This was exactly what he needed.
Which was why he couldn’t believe he said, “No.”
She pouted, then got in her snazzy red car and tore off.
As he drove away, he cursed himself. Eve was offering no-strings sex, but he couldn’t do it.
He would, eventually, he vowed. Once he got Anabelle out of his system.
Restless now, he drove around for a while, speeding on deserted roads.
Up and down streets, on the expressway until he decided to head home.
His condo complex provided attached garages so he pulled into the driveway and pressed the door opener.
It was then he saw Anabelle standing under the light on the side of his garage.
He stopped the car, turned off the engine then bolted out of the car and stalked out and over to her.
* * *
Anabelle stared at him. He was dressed in a beautiful beige summer suit with a dark brown collared shirt. And there was a big scowl on his face.
“What are you doing here?” His words were clipped, his tone curt. She didn’t blame him. She felt like punching something.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“I-I gave in to my feelings and came here.”
He stepped back and raked a hand through his hair. “This isn’t fair, Anabelle. I understand why you made the decision you did. But I’m not made of stone.”
She reached up and looped her arms around his neck, moved closer. She inhaled his woodsy scent. “I’m glad. Me, neither.”
“What do you mean?”
Instead of answering, she plastered her body to his, stood on tiptoes and pressed her mouth against his.
He didn’t respond, so she teased open his lips, as if she knew what she was doing to him.
Still nothing…then a tidal wave of lust seemed to shoot through him.
He grabbed her around the waist and fisted his hand in her hair.
The kiss was explosive. They both moaned, clasped onto each other, moaned some more. Then he scooped her up into a carry and walked into the garage. “Open the door,” he murmured against her mouth.
Once inside, she nestled into his chest as he strode into the kitchen, then passed a big living space, then down a hallway. In his bedroom, he set her on the bed. Tipped her chin. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I’m sure.” She stood, kicked off her shoes and pushed her blue dress to the floor. She helped him take off his coat and unbuttoned his shirt. While he shrugged out of it, she unclasped her bra. If fell to the floor with his clothes in a romantic pile.
He fumbled with her panties. She fumbled with his belt. “Hurry.” His voice was gravelly. “I have to have you.”
Soon they were naked and she stretched out on the bed.
He covered her with his body, matching every curve and indentation to his muscular form.
The kiss got even wilder as he bit her lip, soothed it with his tongue.
He was better at this than she was. So she let herself go.
He moved lower, suckled her breast and she startled. “Hurt?” he asked.
“A little.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t get enough of you.”
“I feel the same way.”
He soothed her nipples with his tongue then kissed her skin down to her navel. She was disappointed when he worked his way back. She wanted him to go further but she couldn’t tell him.
Again, he threaded his hands through her hair, gentler this time. He stared down at her. She quivered with arousal. “Now,” she said. “Please.”
Rolling to his side, he took her with him. Scissored her legs then plunged into her.
Again she startled.
“Sweetheart?”
“No worries. It’s just been a while.” But she felt wonderful. Possessed. Loved.
“We should slow down.”
“No. I don’t want to.”
Oliver tried to be gentle. But he struggled with it. He slid out a bit, then pushed back into her.
“Harder.” The word was ragged.
Hell! This time, he plunged in. Twice more.
She spiraled up and her pleasure lasted for a long time. Then his started. Built up. His head burst with colors and sounds. The most acute orgasm he’d ever experienced exploded in his head.
Afterward, he buried his face in her neck. She smelled like lilacs and arousal. He was covered in sweat.
Her hand cupped his neck. They stayed that way for minutes.
Finally he drew back. Stared into her eyes, so filled with emotion, it rocked him. His hands on her shoulders, he said simply, “Why did you come here?”
“I was disgusted with myself that I was with another guy, I couldn’t stand it. He brought me home and I sent him away. He wasn’t happy.” Her face filled with sadness. “You were gone long enough to…”
“I dropped her off and left.”
“You didn’t sleep with her?”
“Of course not. I drove around a while before I came home. But Anabelle, nothing’s changed.”
“I understand why we can’t openly see each other.”
“What do mean, openly?”
“What if we kept it quiet, when we’re together. I won’t go near the collective.”
“You mean sneak around?”
Her brow furrowed. “I guess I do. Is it too much to ask of you?”
“No, no.” He kissed her briefly, wanting to be with her so much his heart ached with it. “I…do you think we can do that? Keep this quiet?”
“If we don’t go out in public, whatever happens at the collective won’t affect me. Even though I am worried about you being in danger, the girls and I wouldn’t be, if we…yeah, snuck around.”
He moved off of her. This didn’t feel right. He laid back and threw his arm over his eyes. What choice did he really have? They had to be furtive, or he wouldn’t get to have her in his life. He sighed heavily, then rolled toward her. “If it’s the only way.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize. I’d rather be in this position than how I felt earlier in the night.”
“Me, too.”
“Then let’s try it out. No one else has to know.”
“I have to tell my mother.”
“Why?”
“She’ll know something’s up and worry if I try to keep it from her. And she has the girls a lot. They need to know where I am.”
“Can I tell Finn? He’s already worried about me.”
“Then Mom and Finn, only.”
“And the twins.”
He grinned. “Yeah, and those little beauties.” He kissed her mouth. “Just like their mom.”
Finally, she smiled.
“You’re free tonight?”
“Yeah. I pick them up tomorrow morning.”
“You can stay? All night.”
“I guess I can.”
“That’s terrific. Because I didn’t get nearly enough of you.”