The Promise

  “One-twenty,” she said.

  “One hundred and twenty thousand? Dollars?”

  She nodded.

  He whistled. He ran a hand over his head and down his neck. “I guess I’m going to have to win you with charm.”

  She smiled at him. “You are very charming. And cute.”

  “Cute. You really know how to gut a guy.”

  She ran her hands over his shoulders and down his arms. “Just in case you were worried, you completely outgrew that nerd thing.”

  “I did?”

  “Oh, mama,” she said, kissing him once more. She finally broke away with a little laugh. “You’re cute in a very manly way.”

  He shook his head. “That wasn’t exactly a save. I’m going to go. Otherwise I’ll undress you and show you a few things. And my phone will ring. That’s how my day has been going.”

  “I’m sorry, Scott. About the news, about the dilemma.”

  He ignored that. “Dinner tomorrow night?”

  She nodded.

  “I’ll see you in the morning.” He gave her another kiss and left. He hoped they were the best cannoli she’d ever had.

  * * *

  There was a nice restaurant in Coos Bay that was extremely small and very quiet, just the perfect place for good food and talking. It was an American menu, everything from steak, chicken and fish to pasta. The drive was rather long just for dinner, but for a couple who liked to talk about things, it worked. Once they were settled at a corner table and each had a glass of wine, Scott started the conversation. “Tell me about the job offer. How did you handle it?”

  Peyton thought she was going to get that question before she even got in the car. In fact, she had wondered if he would ask her while they were both at the clinic, but he had restrained himself. She gave him a smile. “I did exactly as you suggested, which was what I was going to do, anyway. I emailed her and said it was a very tempting offer, and I’d like a little time to think it over. I heard from her immediately. It happens she has a family vacation scheduled as well as a conference in Europe, and to accommodate those trips, she’s pulling a very crazy schedule. She said if I wanted the job it was definitely mine, but asked one thing of me—if I’m considering turning it down, would I please visit her practice, meet the staff and let her show me around the hospitals where she has privileges before making a final decision. One of her hospitals, she boasts, has a pediatric coronary care unit. She’ll be back and available in Seattle in September. I told her I’d see her then.”

  “So you didn’t accept the offer?” Scott asked.

  “No. I think visiting her office is a good idea before making a final decision.”

  “So, you’re staying in Thunder Point your full three months?” he asked.

  “Unless you’d rather I just leave now.”

  “Not a chance. I have a proposition....”

  “Indecent?” she asked with one raised brow.

  “Incredibly decent,” he said. “We’ve got a month and change. Let’s have some fun.”

  “Sex?” she asked.

  “God, I hope so. But I was going to suggest a few other things. Let’s go into the mountains to see the sights, let’s check out the redwoods south of here and look at the beaches up and down the coast. Let’s learn to paddleboard. We should date and play and hang out. And there’s one thing I’d really love to cash in— You said if we were friends, you’d take me to the farm. We’re friends, right? Can the kids come? They’ve never seen a working farm, and they love animals. I’ve discovered I love Basque food as much as I love Basque women.”

  “We also have a clinic to run,” she reminded him.

  He smiled. “Yes, we do. And you have the baby coming.”

  She nodded. “Adele. The middle of September.”

  “There’s a lot to do in the next several weeks.”

  * * *

  On the drive home from dinner they talked about all the things they could do, and she realized what a brilliant strategist he was, distracting her from the negative side of this deadline on both her job decision and their relationship and focusing instead on the positive, the fun they could have for the next several weeks. It was like a free pass. She’d never known a man so well in such a short period of time. It felt as though she’d known him for years, not weeks. She didn’t have the slightest sensation of doubt until they stood together at her front door. That’s when she was suddenly hit with misgivings. Can I do this? Really?

  He pulled her into his arms, gently. He kissed her soundly. He was a great kisser—sensual, thorough, delicious and tempting. Against her slightly parted lips he said, “Let me come in, Peyton.”

  “Are you sure you want to?” she asked. “When all is said and done, this could turn out to be complicated for us. Please, be sure.”

  “I’m sure. I want to be alone with you. Unless you’re hiding a couple of little kids in there....”

  She shook her head. “We’d be very alone.”

  “I want that. I want you,” he said, running a hand along the hair on her shoulder, caressing it, stroking it. He lifted a sheath of her hair to his face and kissed it, breathed in the scent.

  She was waiting for one of the better-known, clever lines. Let’s not fight this any longer. I know you want this as much as I do. But instead he said, “I’ll never hurt you. I promise.” And she pulled on his hand, drawing him inside. Turning and leaning against the wall, she pulled him against her for more kissing. He threaded his fingers through hers, held her hands against the wall on either side of her and pressed himself against her. “Feeling you against me...it’s the best feeling I know,” he whispered. He began to unbutton her silk blouse, very slowly, stopping every few seconds to kiss her again. And then he pushed the blouse off her shoulders, and it slid to the floor. She wore only a silk camisole under it, and he drew in his breath at the sight. “Whoa,” he said softly. “Come with me. Let’s get rid of some clothes....”

  She just laughed and let him take her hand and lead her to the bedroom. It was such a small place, he didn’t need directions and he didn’t take very many steps. He got rid of his own shirt and shoes in a split second and advanced on her again, burying his lips in her neck, inhaling, licking, nuzzling. His hungry hands found the button on her slacks, and he slid them over her hips. She was wearing white silk panties that were loose and flared and matched the camisole. All silky, flowing fabric... He could make them disappear with hardly a touch, and she wished he would, but he just put a hand to his heart instead. He took slow, even breaths.

  “Come on, Scott,” she said, reaching for his belt. “Let’s level the playing field here.”

  “Right,” he said, helping her. “I like that idea so much.”

  He got rid of his pants, leaving him in boxers. She slid back on to the bed and waited for him to join her. He crawled on the bed and reclined next to her, taking her in his arms. “This is good,” he said, his hands running all over her silk underwear, pausing for a moment under the curves of her breasts. He slid one hand under the loose leg of the flared boy-cut panties, grazing her belly and sliding to the inside of her thigh. “This is a very fine fashion idea,” he muttered against her lips. His fingers roamed.

  “I had no idea,” she whispered. “I’ll have to get some more....”

  “I just want to touch every single part of you.”

  “All right,” she said. Then her hands began to move, and she slid them down inside his boxer briefs. “Maybe you should just take these off.”

  “Anything you want. And these should go, too,” he said, clutching a fistful of silk. “But, damn, don’t let them get too far away. Just looking at you in these is enough to bring me to my knees. You’re so beautiful.” Then, almost reluctantly, he lifted the camisole over her head and gently pulled down the briefs. He gazed down at her. “I take it back. There’s nothing more beautiful than you, just you.”

  His hands on her were so gentle, his caresses so slow and measured from her breasts to her knees. He k
issed each breast, the inside of her arms and her belly. His fingers slid lower, and he smiled, murmuring, “Oh, baby.”

  “Condom,” she whispered. “Top drawer.”

  “I’ve got it.” And he reached inside, finding a brand-new, unopened box. “Thank you for this,” he said. When he was ready, he didn’t enter her. Instead he kissed his way down her body, spread her legs and used a strong tongue on her.

  She grabbed his hair and arched against him, moaning in such beautiful pleasure she wasn’t sure how long she could wait for him. Then he lifted her legs behind the knees, put his hands under her bottom and entered her slowly. Filling her.

  “God,” she said. She looked at his face, and it had turned to stone. His eyes were shut, and he clenched his jaw, and she knew trying to wait was going to be a problem for him, as well. She put a hand on his cheek. “Look at me,” she whispered. “Just look at me.”

  He opened his eyes and slowly he smiled, but he didn’t move his hips. He threaded his hand down between their bodies, two fingers slipping down, rubbing her until she began to push back at him, panting wildly, and then he began to move. He thrust deeply, rhythmically, powerfully. He kept his eyes open, watching her face, his expression so intense. The second he felt her internal muscles clench around him, he moved a little harder, faster, deeper. Her orgasm held her a long time, and she gripped his shoulders fiercely, her nails digging in, riding it out. Just as the power of it was starting to ease, he thrust and held, and she could feel him pulsing into her. And it was magnificent. He was magnificent.

  A moment later he carefully lowered his lips to hers. He kissed her softly, then more deeply. She held him close, the small patch of hair on his chest brushing against her breasts, his pelvis flush against hers as he stayed inside her. She reached up and ran her fingers through the hair above his ear. “Scott....”

  He smiled. “Thank you.”

  She laughed softly. “The pleasure was all mine.”

  “Am I too heavy?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “Stay with me like this,” she said. “You feel good.”

  “Next time will be better,” he said. “Now that we know each other’s bodies a little bit.”

  “You’re kidding, right? Scott, my toes curled. My eyes watered. I haven’t felt this good in too long to even...” She put a finger on his lips. “It was wonderful for me. And I think it was good for you, if I’m any judge.”

  “Oh, baby.” He laughed. “Thanks for thinking of condoms. I wasn’t sure you’d have any....”

  “We probably don’t need them. I’m on the pill, but Ted was a cheater so.... We should talk about it, but for now...”

  “I have a couple in the pocket of my pants, but yours were closer. Were you expecting this to happen?”

  “Uh-huh. Since that kiss at your house while the kids slept on the couch.”

  “Only since then?” He laughed. “Honey, I’ve been having a party in my pants since the day I interviewed you.”

  “Even though you thought I was playing for the other team?”

  “Somehow, that made it worse...or better.”

  “Men...” she said, but she laughed.

  “I just had a few harmless fantasies, that’s all.”

  “I hope you’re over it.”

  His eyes were so dark and hot. “Honey, being with you tonight was a lot better than anything I could dream up.”

  She looped her arms around his neck. “For me, too, Scott.”

  * * *

  He held her for a long time, whispering to her. He wanted to be totally honest with her. “As much as I wanted to make love to you, I really didn’t think it was in the cards. First, I thought I wasn’t your type. Then, I thought your bad heartbreak would keep you from me until you could get past it, and since I only had you for a little while, I didn’t like my chances. And then I thought you would see what a flawed decision you made working in this little clinic, in this little town for that little paycheck, and you would leave.”

  “I told you I’d keep my word,” she said.

  He turned so he was spooning her from behind. “I admire that,” he said. “I admire it in anyone, but that was a hard promise for you to make, and you made it, anyway.”

  “I thought maybe this was a good place to take a break, to remember what my priorities really are. All the people I’ve met here seem to know something about that.”

  “Most of the people you’ve met have done exactly the same thing. Cooper came here because his good friend died suddenly, and he wanted to know what happened. Sarah came here to recover from a nasty divorce. Eric—who owns the service station—he came here because he needed a fresh start, and he has a daughter here. I’ll let Devon tell you her story herself, and it’s remarkable.”

  “And there’s you,” she said.

  “There’s me,” he said, pulling her a little closer. “I was looking for something, but I didn’t know what. There were the practical reasons. I always think about the kids and what would be good for them. But I wanted my work to be more than a job. I wanted to be a part of something. When you’re the only doctor in a small town, believe me, you’re in it and it’s in you.” He moved her hair out of the way and kissed her neck.

  “A lot of doctors follow the money,” she said.

  “Good for them,” he said. “A lot of doctors are only good at doctoring and get in financial trouble and file bankruptcy. If a big wind comes and blows away all our material wealth, I want to be worth something.”

  “Character,” she said.

  “Okay,” he said, kissing her neck again. “You’re intoxicating. You’re delicious. What if you’re addictive?”

  “No,” she said. “I’m not.”

  “You turn me on like crazy. And really, I can’t get enough. If you could read my mind, you’d hear the most embarrassing things....”

  “Tell me,” she begged.

  “I wanted to be here, like this, next to you, inside you, closer to you than possible, closer than this. Part of you, you part of me, driving each other to the most pleasure there is for a man and woman. I already want you again. And again. You’re electrifying. Hmm, I don’t think this is human, what you make me feel.”

  She wiggled her butt against him. “I can tell....”

  He slipped a hand over her hip, across her flat stomach and down. He separated her legs, lifting the top one, and deftly pressed against her soft center. “What do you think of this idea?”

  “I think... Ohhh... I think, yes....”

  He entered her from behind, slick and easy. With his lips on her neck and his hand making her so happy, he moved against her, within her. The angle seemed to stimulate her in a different place, and it was heavenly.

  “Good?” he asked.

  “Good,” she said.

  “I love it when you come,” he whispered. “It’s powerful.” And he stroked harder, pumped his hips, driving deeper. “You’re ready,” he whispered.

  “Oh, God,” she whispered back, pushing against him, loving his thrusts, loving his fingers. He rocked into her for a long time, murmuring to her that she was amazing, that he’d never have enough of her.

  And he brought her all the way, leaving her trembling with satisfaction.

  He wrapped his arms around her, holding her against him, neither of them speaking for a long time, just melting into each other.

  “I think this is my favorite part,” Peyton finally said, her voice soft. “Post-coital bliss, no rolling away for sleep.”

  “I can sleep like this. I could every night of my life,” he said.

  Another long moment of silence passed. “What’s going to happen to us, Scott?”

  He kissed her neck. “All the best things, I think.”

  Eleven

  August changed things all over Thunder Point, and most definitely in the clinic. Scott spent a little more time than usual in town, cutting back his on-call schedule somewhat because of the flood of school and sports physicals that were required. Peyton handl
ed as many of the physicals as she could manage because Scott had to keep his clinic hours in Bandon where they had a busier month than usual for the same reason.

  And yet, the month was more fun. It began with a big party on the beach as Cooper and Sarah prepared to send Landon off to the University of Oregon where the Ducks football training camp was starting. Of course, Peyton was invited. After a little more than a month as a resident of this little town, people treated her like an old friend. But she was a bit unnerved when Cooper dropped an arm around her shoulders and said, “So. You and Scott? That’s awesome. He’s a good guy.” And not long after that, Mac gave her a little shoulder-squeeze and said, “The doc’s a great guy, Peyton. You’re in good hands.”

  When Scott brought her a beer, she challenged him. “Have you been bragging around town that you finally got in my pants?”

  “Of course not,” he said, taken aback.

  “Then it must be the way you look at me! So, stop it!”

  He just grinned and said, “Maybe it’s the way you look at me, Peyton. Every time I get a free pass and show up at your house, you’re all over me like a starving animal.” He touched her nose with a finger. “I am not complaining about that, by the way. I’m just as hungry for you. Every minute.” And then he went off to bond with the men over beer, sports stories and off-color jokes.

  And Peyton thought, I probably do look at him that way. She found him wonderful in every way, and he was an adventure in bed. Not only was he handsome, when he touched her it made her wild for more, made her wanton and eager. He was lusty and powerful, yet he could also handle her as if she might be as fragile as a newborn. She wanted him all the time. She couldn’t remember ever wanting a man this way. She realized it had to be written all over her face.

  She also loved to watch him with people. He had a great sense of humor and had compassion for absolutely everyone he came into contact with in the clinic and around the town. He was the most skilled listener, whether it was a complaining old lady or feisty sixth grader. He somehow conveyed with his eyes and by his touch, You can always trust me. I’ll always tell you the truth.