“Not really.” She shifted toward him slightly.
He removed his hand from her shoulder, placing it on the back of the settee.
“Have you always been a thrill-seeker?”
“What do you mean?” He was truly puzzled by her question.
“You wanted to learn to skimboard, the fast sports car, moving so far away from home.” She waved a hand around. “Sitting out in the middle of a storm.”
“I just want to experience new things. I’ve never had the time or inclination to just watch a storm come in. I thought it would be fun.”
China looked at him closely for another few seconds. The desire to kiss her, take her, shot through him like the bolt of lightning flashing in the dark clouds just offshore. But he didn’t. If he acted on his desire he might want more. He’d already made up his mind that friendship was all he could handle. Plus, they’d had a great day and he wasn’t about to ruin it.
“Check out the lightning,” he said softly, knowing she couldn’t resist the suggestion.
As she became enthralled with the show before them, she shifted toward him and leaned back. Payton was tempted to gather her into his arms but he held fast. Watching the storm was building one in him.
When a fat drop of rain landed on China’s cheek she squealed. Payton laughed. A full-bodied sound that came from deep in his gut with an “everything right with the world” quality. He’d never laughed when he’d been with Janice.
“I’m not getting wet!” China moved to stand.
Payton pulled her back. “You can’t miss the best part. Stay here and I’ll be back in a sec.” He went into the house and retrieved a largest beach towel from the bath. Returning, he said, “Here, cover up with this.”
Taking the towel, China pulled it over her so that it covered her front like a blanket. Payton took his seat again. She lifted a corner of the towel, offering him a place under it. Payton couldn’t care less if he got wet, but he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to snuggle with China. Not for all the gold lost in a Spanish galleon during a Caribbean storm. When the towel didn’t quite cover one of his legs she moved in closer, giving him more of the material. The rain blew in earnest but they remained dry and warm.
China glanced at him during the angriest part of the storm. “You know, this is rather fun.”
“I thought you might like it.” He hugged her to him.
Soon the sky was cloudless again, and the only noise came from the water dropping off the eaves. A few silent moments went by before Payton whispered, “This is the best part. Take a deep breath through your nose.”
They did so in unison.
“So what do you smell?” he asked.
“Freshness, salt, the scent of the sea grass.”
“I smell life,” he said softly.
China removed the towel, turned enough that she could meet his gaze “Why, Dr. Jenkins, I do believe you’re a closet poet. Thanks for insisting I stay.”
“You’re welcome. Now I think it’s time you take me to my car.”
China blinked as if amazed by his remark. She sat up quickly. “Uh, yeah, it’s time for me to go. I mean us to go.” She headed along the porch toward the stairs. “I’ll just wait for you in the car.”
* * *
China sat staring out the windshield at the newel post of Payton’s staircase. What had she been thinking to become moony-eyed over Payton? She’d almost kissed him on the cheek despite her desire to find his lips. She wasn’t that forward. They’d shared a pleasant afternoon, and she’d almost ruined it by making a fool of herself. Heck, she wasn’t sure how it had happened but she was beginning to like the good doc.
They really had nothing in common. He lived in this big house. She lived in a tiny apartment she didn’t own. He had a car that people looked at when he passed. Hers blended in with all the others in the parking lot. He was all about skimboarding and sailing and she favored plants. They only shared medicine. And kisses. Those they unquestionably had in common.
Payton joined her minutes later. They spoke little during the short ride to her house.
As she pulled into the drive he said, “I appreciate your help today. The plants look great. Now all I have to do is not kill them.”
“Just water as the little tabs direct and you’ll be okay. I’m sorry I didn’t think about getting hooks so we could hang the baskets.”
“Not your fault. I didn’t think about them either. I’ll pick some up tomorrow after work. You want to come out and help me hang them?”
China shook her head. “Sorry, I have to take my mom to the doctor. Don’t forget that larger pot in your bedroom. It likes that particular type of light.”
She’d already spent too much time with him. He was addictive. The hour spent at his house had her rattled. She needed to think, put some space between them. Was he always as wonderful as he had been this afternoon, or would he turn into one of those men who had to have control when you got to really know them?
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled. “Look, now you’ve got me doing it.”
She laughed. “You’re becoming a true southerner.”
“I guess I am.” He touched her arm. “Thanks for your help today. I really enjoyed my afternoon.”
“You’re welcome.”
China turned off the engine and they both climbed out of the car.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there. Good evening, Payton.” China headed toward her apartment. She felt his gaze on her as she climbed the steps to her door. Would these conflicting feelings for Payton still be there in the morning? She was afraid they would be. She was already counting the hours until she saw him again.
* * *
At the clinic on Saturday morning, just before lunch Payton asked, “China, would you come in my office for a minute, please?”
What was going on? They had been cordial with each other since getting to work, but she’d seen to it that they were never alone. Not that she didn’t trust him, it was more like she couldn’t trust herself. She’d stayed up far too late into the night thinking about Payton, looking forward to coming to work so she could see him. She didn’t like it.
Payton headed toward his office, and she followed slowly. She entered to find him waiting beside his desk. He said, “If you don’t mind, would you close the door?”
She started to say that, yes, she minded, but Payton would never embarrass her or do anything she wasn’t in agreement with. “Okay.” She pushed the door until it made a soft click. “Is something wrong? Are you feeling sick again?”
“No, I’m fine.” There was a harsh edge to his tone.
She straightened. “All right, then. So what did you drag me in here for?”
“I asked you, I didn’t pull you in here by your hair.”
“Look—”
Payton put a hand out, palm up. “Let’s not fight. That’s not why I ask you in here.” He ran the hand through his short hair, mussing it.
China hadn’t seen him this unsure before, not even when he’d admitted he’d had cancer. What was going on?
“I think I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.”
She grinned. He’d been using more casual sayings over the last couple of days.
“I’m not sure I can handle the dinner tonight by myself. I’ve cooked for two but never six. I know this is a lot to ask, and I know how you feel about cooking, but I have no one else to turn to. Would you come early and help me?”
He’d said the words so fast that China had to think about what he’d asked. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the statement. Despite her better judgment and her vow to keep space between them, she didn’t have the heart to turn him down. “I’ll go home and change, and be there as soon as I can.”
His smile of relief
made her middle flutter.
“Thanks so much, China. I owe you big time. I’ve already done the shopping so you don’t have to worry about helping with that. Now we’d better get back to the patients.”
His abrupt end to their conversation somehow disappointed her. Had she expected him to express his undying gratitude by kissing her? That was more like wishful thinking.
* * *
Hours later China knocked on the kitchen door to Payton’s house. At the faint sound of “Come in,” she opened the door.
All she could see of Payton was his backside encased in navy knit running shorts. She had to admit he had a fine behind. Seconds later his head came out from inside the cabinet. Standing, he grinned at her and placed a large boiling pot on the counter. “Hey, there. I was hunting a pan.”
“Well, I hope so, otherwise putting you head inside a cabinet would be rather strange.”
“You wouldn’t be surprised, though, would you?”
“In order not to start an argument I’m going to take the high road and not answer that.”