Read Online Fixed up in February (Spring River Valley Book 2) by Clarice Wynter - Free Book Online Page B

“You’re moving a little better.”
    He ladled the aromatic soup into the bowls and brought them to the table. “Once I’m up and around the kinks shake out a little.” What had she said about adrenalin masking pain? He was so hyped right now, he probably wouldn’t have noticed if his leg was broken. He eased himself into a chair and stole a glance at her lips, which formed a perfect O as she blew on a spoonful of soup. The pain in his back seemed to melt away. He could watch her all day.
    “You’re staring.”
    But damn, she always noticed. “I was just thinking how this constitutes an exception to your rule about no exceptions to your rule about no house calls. I guess I’m a pretty lucky guy.”
    She shrugged. “It’s a community service. The scuttlebutt around the hospital is you were quite heroic yesterday. You pushed a couple of people out of the way of the car and no one was seriously hurt. I decided the hero of the day deserves a little bit of special treatment.”
    So she thought he was a hero. Yep, pain all gone. He could have leapt tall buildings in a single bound. “It was nothing.”
    “Quinn was pretty impressed. He was talking about recruiting you to the ambulance corp.”
    “Quinn—oh, the EMT. Was he there? I don’t think I saw him.” His elation dimmed by a degree. She seemed pretty tight with the ambulance guy.
    “No, he heard about it. In fact he was talking you up. He said maybe I should give you a second chance at a date.”
    “Oh.” So she told ambulance guy about the rest of their disaster? She watched him expectantly. Since she’d brought it up, was she expecting him to ask for another date after she’d shot him down time and time again?
    “I told him I’d think about it.”
    Max nodded and concentrated on his soup. Let her squirm a little. He didn’t need Quinn the EMT going to bat for him. “Good soup. Thanks.”
    “Sure.” She sipped and watched him, sipped and watched him. He played it cool. “Well, since you’re up and about and the prognosis is good, I guess I’ll be going.” Obviously too cool.
    “So soon?”
    “I’m done with my soup.” She picked up her bowl and carried it to the sink. Max watched the sway of her hips and decided he’d been enough of a jerk. Time to rein this back to where he wanted it to go. He rose and blocked her path as she turned away from the sink.
    “So you’ll consider that second date, huh?”
    “Yeah, maybe.” Those pretty eyes flashed. Her blue T-shirt gave them an aqua cast that intrigued him. He wanted to see the color up close, dive in and explore.
    He stepped closer. “When do you think we could attempt this date, if you’re considering it?”
    “Maybe when your back is in better shape.”
    “Are you suggesting the date might be physically demanding?”
    “Are you worried it might be?”
    “Not at all.” He was so close now, just inches away. His fingers found their way to her hip, and with the gentlest pressure, he eased her one more step closer. “Physically demanding is my specialty.” He completed his move with the finesse of James Bond, swooping in for a kiss the absolute second she opened her mouth to respond to him.
    The contact electrified him. She tasted warm and salty with a hint of berry flavor from her lipstick. Her tongue met his as though it had been expecting the visit, and somewhere from the back of her throat came a small moan of pleasure that arrowed right to his groin. The blood that had been rushing to the swollen spot in the middle of his back changed course immediately, and he snaked a hand around to the center of her back to pull her into him. The slight resistance she offered lasted only a second, then she was in his arms and he was flying high, no pain killers needed.
    The harsh, metallic chime of the doorbell cut through the moment, and she broke away from him like a teenager caught necking by her parents. “You have company,” she said, her voice whispery and breathless.
    “Let me