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“A squeamish doctor. I didn’t think there was such a thing.”
“I can stitch someone up if I have to. My stitches are not that bad. The paper I’m doing is on asthma though. That is more my cup of tea, and I love being able to help people control it so they can make more of their lives.”
“Well, if you need a cheer squad to yell and applaud you at the end of your talk, I’ll be there.”
“That is very kind of you. Doctors can be a bit stiff and fussy sometimes. I could just see the shock if you came out dancing, especially in tight shorts.”
The steak was cooked and we headed back inside. Bluey came over to the table and sat, expecting some steak. He was giving me the big soppy eyes, but he was on a light diet so that was not happening.
“You’ll get over it, boy. Plus, I don’t want to clean up if you’re sick, or the other end.”
Bluey moved to the other side of the table to see if he would have better luck with Autumn. When it didn’t work, he skulked back to his beanbag.
“I know you will be busy most of the week, Autumn, but like I promised, I want to take you to see more of the local attractions.”
“As long as we don’t get lost again. I mean, it had some good moments, but nearly getting killed by a falling branch was not on my list of things to do in Australia.”
“There was a silver lining as you got to spend a whole night with me.”
“I did and the first of many I hope.”
That was just what I wanted to hear.
We finished eating, and I would have headed straight to bed and ripped off her clothes. It was early, but Autumn wanted to watch a show she had been downloading. It was funny, but I sensed she was delaying things. Had I said something to make her change her mind? I didn’t think so. Maybe it was hearing from her friends. The two of us had been living in a bubble since I’d gotten back from Melbourne.
The show finished, and I let Bluey out to relieve himself. “I promise if he makes a mess, I’ll come around with the pooper scooper in the morning.”
When I had settled Bluey down for the night, I wandered to the bedroom and found Autumn perched on the edge of the bed. I sat beside her and took her hand. “What’s going on here? You seemed keen before. You know we don’t have to do anything.”
Autumn turned to me and gave me a peck on the lips. Did I take that to mean things were okay?
“I got a little panicky today. For so long back home, I did nothing but go to work and come home. Then I made the decision to come here, which was huge, and within weeks I have decided to have a friends-with-benefits relationship with someone I have only just met.”
“Well, when you put it that way, I can understand you feeling nervous. Tell me what I can do to help.” She wasn’t telling me to go home so that was good. If she was hurting or uncertain, I wanted to be there for her.
“I’m not going back to locking myself away from everyone again. I want to have sex with you tonight. If it’s mind-blowing that would be even better.” She smirked and self-consciously went pink.
“I think I can accommodate, but I want to ask something. Why did you lock yourself away? If you don’t want to answer then tell me to get lost.” If we were going to be getting jiggy on a regular basis, stuff would come out. I did not want her to feel uncomfortable.
She took a deep breath. “No, I am okay. I want to tell you. It may seem hard to believe now but I was a social butterfly before I got married. I went out to parties when I wasn’t studying. Grant and I got into some crazy scrapes. Then I met Jonathan, and I thought the world was amazing.” She was wringing her hands, and I took them into mine. “I didn’t notice a change after we were married, I guess because I was either busy at the hospital or at home writing papers. Doctors work hard, especially in the early years. We drifted apart. When the marriage ended, I believed I had caused it in some way.”
“That is bullshit. He just didn’t realize what he had. I would’ve been knocking off early to get home to you.” I meant it.
“That is so lovely of you to say that. After we broke up, it took a bit of time, but I got back out there and was starting to dip my toe in the dating waters again.” She bit her bottom lip.
I could sense this was the real issue that was affecting her. I hoped I could be enough for her.
“I was leaving work one night, and someone drove into my car.” She gripped my hand tighter. “The driver of the car worked at the hospital too. I lost my foot, as you know. It seems so strange now, but back then he became a friend and helped me through it. The trouble was that when I started to feel better, he got strange. I guessed it was because I didn’t need him as much. It got so bad that I took out a restraining order against him.” Tears started to fall down her cheeks.
It looked to me as if a floodgate had been opened. I put my arm around her. This amazing woman deserved so much, and I planned on making our time together special. “I’m here and you are safe now. Do you believe me?”
Autumn nodded as she wiped the tears away and blew her nose loudly. Even with a blotchy face she was still cute.
“I’m sorry for blurting all this out at you. I don’t think you signed up for this.”
“I’m honored you told me, Autumn. Now stop worrying as I plan on undressing you and adoring your body.” I knelt in front of her, took her good foot in my hand, and removed her shoe. I then took off the shoe on her prosthesis.
Hell, I hoped I was not going to upset her. Was I pushing this too far? I reached up to her waist and undid the button and zip on her jeans and pulled out her T-shirt. Leaning forward, I traced kisses around her waist. Her hands went to my head, delicately touching my scalp in a way that sent shivers through me. This night would end well or I was going to lose a tenant, a friend, and prospective lover.
