Desired (Two Marks 2)

“I haven’t seen you in the diner before,” he murmured.

He was only holding my finger and we stood in the middle of the diner’s kitchen, but nothing had ever felt so intimate. It was like only the two of us existed and we were long lost lovers. I didn’t look away to see if Bessie remained.

“I-I just started. A few weeks ago. I’m a terrible waitress. Clumsy.” I couldn’t take my eyes off him. This might have been the definition of mesmerized.

“You’re perfect,” he corrected, and my mouth fell open. “I’d like to get some antiseptic on this cut. Let me take you to my clinic. It’s just around the corner.”

“Oh, I couldn’t…” I finally managed to tear my gaze from him to glance at Bessie, who still hovered nearby, her hands on her hips, taking in this crazy scene.

Bessie didn’t look at me. She was staring at Cord, with what seemed to be surprise. Then a slow smile spread across her face. “Cord?”

“Yes,” he replied, not looking away from me. The one word was deep and final.

“Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit,” she replied, then laughed.

I frowned at her, because it seemed they’d just had a full conversation, and I had no clue what I’d missed.

“Go on with him, Rachel,” Bessie told me, watching Cord with avid interest. “I can’t have you bleeding all over the diner. Your shift’s almost over, anyway.”

“Oh, um, are you sure?” I asked. I had hurt myself on the job. I wasn’t going to sue her or anything after my clumsiness, but it happened. I didn’t want to do anything—else—to jeopardize my job, so if she wanted me to have the cut tended to…

“I’m sure, let our doctor bandage you up,” she replied, nodding her head. “He looks like he won’t rest until you do.”

Cord was already guiding me past the swinging doors and into the main dining area. “She’s right. I’ll always take care of you.”

Oh.

“Hang on, let me grab my purse,” I said, grateful for the few brain cells that seemed to still be working.

Cord seemed reluctant to release my hand, but he did, and I grabbed my hot pink Kate Spade purse from beneath the counter.

We walked out of the diner together as I held the napkin around my finger. He took my other hand in his. It seemed like he didn’t want to stop touching me. I didn’t mind.

“You’re new in town?” Cord turned down the sidewalk of the idyllic Main Street. “I’d have seen you before otherwise.”

I thought of my trip to get here. How this place was so different from home.

No, this was my home now. At least for the short term, while I figured my life out. I hadn’t heard from my parents yet, but I’d ditched my cell, so I was sure they’d blown it up trying.

“Yes.” No way was I telling him anything else. Like how I’d run from the horrific surprise engagement party, gotten in my car, and driven until the cash I had in my purse ran out and I stopped in West Springs.

We made a left and a half block down, Cord stopped in front of a storefront and unlocked a door that read McCaffrey Family Practice.

“I really don’t think I need medical attention,” I protested weakly, still embarrassed over my klutziness. “It’s just a scratch, and I’m sure the bleeding has already stopped.”

“I will make sure.” While his words were softly spoken, I could tell I wasn’t going to be able to change his mind.

Cord tipped his head toward an examination room, and I followed. His office was geared toward kids, with a low shelf filled with books and toys.

I should have second thoughts about being alone in an office after hours with a stranger, but nothing about Cord felt off.

In fact, everything about him felt right. Besides, Bessie vouched for him.

The exam room was also kid-friendly, with large, framed posters of letters shaped out of animal bodies.

“Oh, I’m not in a hurry, I just hate to inconvenience you.”

Cord’s friendly dimples winked. “It’s no trouble at all.” He shocked me by placing his hands on my waist and lifting me up onto the table. The paper crinkled under my butt when I landed, and I blinked in surprise. Holy… wow. He was strong. I caught a whiff of his masculine scent—like pine and soap. The strangest need to lick him to see if he tasted as good as he smelled came over me.

Which wasn’t like me at all.

Wow.

I’d thought I had no sex drive at all, and now I wanted to lick someone.

Maybe that was because of my pseudo-arranged marriage to Chester. He was handsome, but I hadn’t been attracted to him.

This guy, Cord? My body was screaming take me!

He swiped antiseptic over my finger and examined the cut. “It’s not deep, and it looks clean. I’ll just put some antibiotic ointment on it and bandage it up.”