Dare to Stay (Dare Nation 4)

He gritted his teeth and continued to hit that spot, as her fingers found his shoulders and her nails dug deep. He forced his eyes open, watching her flushed cheeks and startled expression. Just as she loosened her hold, her climax obviously easing, he picked up his pace and chased his own orgasm that didn’t take long to hit.

He came, losing whatever had been left of him to the woman in his arms.

Chapter Ten

Willow bounced in the passenger seat of Braden’s car, vibrating with excitement at the prospect of seeing the health care clinic that meant so much to him. Their night and morning had been more perfect than she could have imagined, and she was so glad she’d let herself go and just enjoy. She’d forgotten how good they were together and had been doing her best not to let herself remember.

The truth was, they were even better now. Each of them was at a good point in their own career, they had so much in common, and he obviously cared for her. There had been no doubt in her mind he wasn’t just having sex, he was making love. She’d felt his feelings with every fiber of her being.

Now she just had to hope he meant what he said. That he was staying and couldn’t be lured away again. That he wouldn’t leave her behind for something bigger and better, making her feel like she still wasn’t enough.

She shook her head, clearing her thoughts, reminding herself of her promise to live in the here and now. She was giving him a real chance.

Relaxed, sunglasses on, he drove her through an obviously depressed part of town, taking her deeper into an area where people struggled, and it made her sad. She knew what it was like to be hungry, and though she’d helped Aurora, she couldn’t take in everyone who came into the clinic or who had problems.

“We’re here.” He’d pulled onto a non-paved parking lot and parked the car.

Subdued, she followed him inside.

The center was quiet, which he assured her was not usually the case. The beige walls were dingy and added to the depressing look of the place overall.

But Braden’s excitement as he showed her around and introduced her to the man who ran the center was contagious. The receptionist called in sick and their nurse had quit. Still, it was obvious there was so much good that could happen here if only they could get more funding. They spent an hour at the center, giving Braden a chance to fill out some paperwork and look up information on a few of his patients.

While they were there, a mother came in with her two children and a crying infant, and since Dr. Thompson was busy with one of his regulars, a diabetic older man, Braden stepped in.

Though Willow waited, sitting in a chair in a nearby office, the walls were thin, and she heard Braden’s deep voice talking to one of the little girls. The baby had stopped crying, and she thought she heard the mother say she’d nurse her so Braden could focus on her other child.

“Can I look at your throat?” he asked in a gentle voice she’d never heard from him before. Maybe the girl nodded because Braden’s next words were, “Open your mouth wide and say aaah.”

“Aaah.”

“Looks red with some white postules. Probably strep. I’m going to run a test, okay?”

A little while later, Braden had correctly diagnosed her, prescribed an antibiotic and Children’s Tylenol, did his best to assure the mom that the medicine was generic and wouldn’t be too expensive. She already had Tylenol at home. He gave the little girls lollipops and sent them on their way but not before telling them to come back if the infection didn’t clear up.

His kind demeanor brought a lump to her throat. This was the man she hadn’t wanted to dig deep enough to know because now she was falling hard despite her attempts to keep him at a distance. God, she hoped he didn’t disappoint her or it would destroy her.

Finally, he stepped into the room where she waited. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect to take care of anyone today.”

“It’s fine,” she said, rising from her seat. “I totally understand.” She smiled and he grinned back. “Ready to go?”

She nodded. They said goodbye to Dr. Thompson and headed back to the car. Once inside, she buckled up, and he turned on the engine, hooking up his cell.

She was about to ask him how she could help with the clinic when his phone rang.

He glanced down, his eyebrows raising at the number, and he accepted the call. “Adam Niles, I’ll be damned. It’s been awhile.”

Braden shot her an apologetic look but she waved off his worry. She didn’t mind if he took a call from someone he obviously was surprised to hear from.