Her hands slid from his neck, down his shoulders, to rest on his chest. His hold tightened, making her look at him. And what she saw made something inside of her shift. For the first time in her life she understood what it meant to want a man’s touch. She did. She wanted Fisher’s touch. But, more than that, she wanted Fisher.
And she had no idea what to do about it. She’d never been this excited and anxious before. She didn’t know how to act or what to say. What if she messed up? Did or said something wrong?
“I won’t hurt you.” His words rasped. “I will never hurt you.”
And just like that, her eyes were burning and her chest ached. Not from pain, but from happiness. “I know,” she whispered.
His fingers slipped through her hair. “I’m taking Shawn riding after work. Please come with us.”
She nodded.
“That’s not our date,” he said, rubbing his thumb along her jaw.
“It’s not?” she asked, surprisingly eager to get back to the kissing.
“Nope, it’s a beginning.” He pressed a kiss against her forehead. “I didn’t mean to keep you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I am sorry about the flowers.”
“Don’t be,” she answered. “I’ve never gotten flowers before.”
His eyes narrowed, the shake of his head sharp. “That’s a crime.”
She smiled, wishing they could stay like this—wrapped up, just the two of them. But there was a clock on the wall over his shoulder. And in about two minutes, thirty college students would be coming in to hang up their coats and change. “I need to get back to work.”
He nodded, but he didn’t move.
“I should go,” she tried again. But she wasn’t prepared for the flare of panic she felt when he let her go.
He caught her hand in his, leading her from the dressing room. “I’ll come get you around five thirty and we’ll go get Shawn, okay?” he asked, walking her back to the admissions desk.
She tried to pull her hand away, but he held tight. The more she pulled, the bigger she smiled. “Isn’t there some policy against dating coworkers?” she whispered.
He shook his head. “Nope. Only teachers dating students.”
He squeezed her hand and headed back down the surgical hallway, leaving her to face Tandy, Donna and Glenna. The three of them all stood at the counter, openly watching and enjoying Fisher’s little display of affection.
“Sorry about that,” Kylee said as she headed back to the files she’d been holding. She tried not to smile at the vase overflowing with flowers. But she couldn’t help it.
“No problem at all,” Donna answered. “We all need a break now and then.”
Kylee picked up the card and tucked it into her pocket.
“I’m guessing these are from my cousin?” Tandy asked, all smiles.
Kylee nodded, her cheeks going hot.
“Don’t tell the others but,” Tandy leaned closer, “Fisher was always my favorite cousin.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Dr. Fisher smile like that before,” Donna added. “And I’ve been working here long enough to know.”
“Enough with the lovefest,” Glenna spoke up. “I swear, it’s all flowers and smiles in the beginning. But it’s going to be one awkward work environment after the breakup.”
“Glenna,” Donna scolded.
“Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?” Tandy asked.
Glenna shook her head. “Oh, come on.” She shook her head. “I’m going to file these. It’s getting a little too cutesy in here for me.”
As Glenna disappeared around the corner, Donna said, “You better get used to that reaction, Kylee. I can tell you there are more than a few young ladies who were hoping to catch Fisher Boone’s eye.”