The Surgeon's Cinderella

More points.

They were just finishing their meal when the jazz band took the stage. After a couple of numbers Whitney shifted as if she couldn’t get comfortable. Tanner moved so she could lean against him. He liked having her close.

“The music is wonderful. Thanks for inviting me,” she said between songs.

“You’re welcome.”

She smelled of something fresh and natural. The temptation to kiss her neck was almost impossible to resist but he did.

For Tanner the concert was over too soon. He had to let go of Whitney.

He repacked the basket and she held it while he folded the blanket. When he was done he put it under one arm and took Whitney’s hand. They followed the rest of the crowd toward the parking lot.

“Do you want to drive home?” Tanner asked as he stored the basket and blanket in the trunk of the car.

“No, I think I’ll just enjoy the ride. You always seem to make it interesting.” She settled into the passenger seat and laid her head back on the rest. Closing her eyes, she hummed a piece the band had played.

It was a sound he could get used to hearing all the time. Forty-five minutes later he said, “Whitney, you’re home.”

She rolled her head and looked at him. “I’m sorry. I went to sleep on you.”

“No problem. I deal with people who are asleep all the time.”

It took her a minute but she burst out laughing. “You know, there was a time I thought you were so uptight that you had no idea what a joke was.”

“I could say the same about you.”

She sat up and gave him an indulgent look. “I’ve never been uptight in my life.”

“If you say so.”

Whitney laid her head back again. Speaking more to the night sky than him, she said, “You know, I had such a crush on you in college.”

“You did?” It couldn’t be anything like the one he had on her right now.

“I don’t think you ever noticed me. You never even spoke to me but, man, I was crazy about you.”

Tanner liked the softness of her voice in the night. “I’m flattered. I’m sorry that I didn’t notice.”

“Hey, don’t feel bad. I don’t think we would have liked each other then.”

“Why is that?” He turned in the seat to see her clearer in the dim light from her porch.

Whitney shrugged. “I just think we both needed to grow up. I sure did. A few more life experiences make us see things differently.”

“So what do you think of me now?” he asked quietly. His future depended on her answer.

“I...uh... I...like you. Far more than I would have in college. You’re a good guy.”

More points. This was going from a good night to a great one. Was now the time to ask? With his chest tight with building hope, he said, “I’ve been thinking about this matchmaking stuff. You know, we’re pretty good together. Great, in fact, I think. You’re a good match for me. I don’t want to look anymore. I’d like us to see where this will go.”

She didn’t say anything for so long Tanner was afraid he wasn’t going to want to hear what she had to say when she did speak.

“Tanner, would you like to come in?”

* * *

Whitney knew what she was agreeing to. But she also knew what it was like not to have Tanner in her life. Just a week of it had been enough for her. She loved him. Maybe she could show him how to love. She wasn’t going to let go of this opportunity. It might not come her way again.

Tanner was a good man. She’d seen that in his actions more than once. He had the ability to open his heart, she knew that with all of her own. She would find the key. There was no doubt that he was her perfect match as well.

They made it as far as her hallway where a small lamp burned before Tanner grabbed her. She let her purse fall as he nudged her back against the front door. “I’ve waited as long as I can.” His mouth took hers in a kiss that said he wanted her here and now. Flexing his hips, he asked, “See what you do to me?”

Whitney’s stomach fluttered in anticipation. She liked having that kind of power over him. She brought a leg up high along his as she kissed him deeply. This was where she belonged. The love would come.

Tanner stepped back and fumbled with the button of her slacks. When he couldn’t release it she brushed his hand away. “Let me.”

“I want you so badly I can’t think.” He nipped at her neck. Touching her everywhere.

This self-assured man was trembling with desire for her. It was a heady feeling. She flipped the button open and pushed her pants and panties to her feet, stepped out of them and kicked them away. Seconds later Tanner’s jeans and underwear joined hers on the throw rug on the floor.

His hands skimmed up her thighs to grip her hips and lift her. “Put your legs around me.”

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Whitney obeyed. His gaze held hers as he slowly lowered her until he filled her. Heat, raw and sharp, pooled at her center. Bracing her against the door, Tanner thrust and withdrew.

Whitney wiggled as the sensation rose, turning the heat into a burning flame. Her fingers bit into his shoulder muscles through the fabric of his shirt. She might die with pleasure. Tanner plunged again as his mouth plundered hers. The need grew, built on itself until she could stand it no longer. She threw her head back and screamed her ecstasy.

Tanner held her in place and drove into her until he groaned his own release against her neck.

He steadied her as her feet reached the floor then swept her into his arms. “Bedroom.”

“Upstairs, room on the right.”

* * *

The morning sun woke Whitney. She stretched. Her hand touched the space where Tanner had slept. She smiled. He would return. So this was how a woman well loved and in love felt.

Tanner did love her. He just didn’t recognize it for what it was. He would one day soon. He must. She would show him what giving love instead of demanding love was all about. With time he would come to recognize the difference between what his parents had had and what they had. She couldn’t believe any different.

At daylight he’d woken her and kissed her thoroughly. “I have an early case. I’ll see you this evening.”

Then he was gone. She was well aware that she had to share him with his job but she would have liked to wake up with him next to her. Maybe tomorrow. Those were the type of demands she couldn’t make. He would balk at them immediately. Too clingy.

Whitney went through the day with a smile on her face. She forced herself to review some client information but her thoughts kept returning to Tanner.

That evening she was in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. Hurrying down the hall, she opened the door. Tanner waited there with a smile on his face and a bag in his hand. He stepped inside and closed the door before swooping her up into his arms. His lips found hers for a hungry kiss.

When he pulled away he said, “I’ve been looking forward to that all day.”

“You get an A+ for greetings. You hungry?”

“Yeah. For you.” He took her hand and led her upstairs.

Sometime later they came down again and went to the kitchen for dinner. Whitney could get used to this. While she placed the food on the table Tanner poured their drinks.

“How’s Mr. Wilcox doing?” Whitney asked as they ate.

“I think I’ll be able to send him home in a few days.” Tanner cut his pork chop.

“That’s great. I’m so happy for him. Did you know that he asked me to find him a match?”

Tanner looked at her. “Really?”

“He did.”

“I hope he finds one as good as I have.” Tanner grinned at her.

She liked being his match.

After cleaning the kitchen, they spent the rest of the evenin

g watching TV, with Whitney curled up in Tanner’s arms.

“I missed you,” he said softy. “Please don’t push me away again.”

“And I missed you.” She gave him a kiss.

* * *

The rest of the week continued much as the way that evening had gone. Tanner had to work late a couple of nights but Whitney was waiting on him with a smile and a warm meal when he came home.

The first night he’d been late she’d been wearing a long comfortable gown. When they’d made it upstairs to her bedroom, Tanner had pulled it off over her head and dropped it in the trash can.

“No more granny gowns. I’m going to buy you something that flatters that sexy body of yours.”

Tanner’s attention always made her feel sexy and appealing. For once in her life she was going to buy some skimpy lingerie.