Why? Taylor tried to peer past Nicole. You get him naked yet?
Goodbye. Nicole tried to push them out of the way of the door so she could close it.
But Taylor kept her nose in the way. Just one peek-
Goodbye, Nicole said firmly and put her hand on Taylors face to hold her out as she finally closed the door.
Her relief was short-lived.
Ty had turned his head toward her. His eyes were open. Clear.
Curious.
Hey. She came forward, wondering how much hed overheard. Hows the head? You doing okay?
You could have told them you had me nearly naked but dont know what to do with me.
Hed heard it all. Perfect. Oh, I know what to do with you, she assured him. I just She stopped the teasing words because his eyes had gone so hot it caused a mirroring flame inside her.
For just a moment she wondered what it would be like to let him kiss her again, this time allowing him to peel off her clothes and make love to her. Eager for exactly that, her body actually leaned toward him in a show of willingness, but she had to remember, he was destined to walk away.
At least she was smart enough to know that wouldnt work for her, walking away. I just
Come here, Nicole.
He was sprawled on the futon. A light blanket covered his long legs and lap, but had fallen away from the rest of him, leaving his chest and arms bare. Bare and roped with muscles.
And bruises. Are you feeling better, Ty?
Are you coming here?
She pressed back against the door. No, thats not such a good idea right now.
His eyes were still hot but he just lifted a shoulder, the fact he was too weary to move working in her favor. Ill take the laptop.
She held it to her chest. I dont think you should work.
I dont think you should worry about it.
If shed fallen on her head shed probably be feeling nasty, too, so she gave in. Sort of. Come get it, she said, holding it out.
Come and get it? he repeated incredulously.
Thats right.
Youre into S and M, right? He struggled to his feet, and the blanket fell away from him. His shorts were low on his hips, and for some reason, her gaze attached itself to that area of his body and couldnt be torn away.
Then she caught him trying to hide his grimace of pain, and she had to lock her hands on the computer in order not to rush over there and do something stupid, like touch him.
When I get over there, he warned her grimly, trying to straighten. Im going to-
Fine. Damn him, he looked so pale. Here. She moved toward him before he took a single step and gently pushed him back down, putting the computer on his lap. Work. I dont care.
Fine.
Fine. She turned away. Ill just What? Suzanne had just provided lunch. What else was there to do?
You could stare at him all day.
I dont suppose youd do me a favor, he said a little gruffly.
She turned back. I am not helping you take a shower.
He stared at her for a flash before letting out a laugh that ended in a quick grab to his ribs and a groan. Measurements, he grounded out. I need you to go downstairs and measure a few things for me so I can get something done while Im wasting your day. He hadnt bothered to cover himself back up. The sight of a nearly nude male body shouldnt have stirred her, not when she saw such things all the time.
But she had to admit, it wasnt every patient that had a body like his.
Can you do that? he asked.
I suppose. He shouldnt work, but who the hell was she to mother the stubborn man? They didnt have a relationship or a commitment. Hed never get serious enough to have a commitment. And it wasnt as if they cared about each other.
Okay, she cared. Knowing that, and because she needed to get away from the sight of him for a few minutes, she snatched the paper he offered her out of his hands and headed toward the door.
Youll need a measuring tape, he called out. And be careful when you-
I think I can manage a few measurements. Taylor would have a measuring tape. And Suzanne would have ice cream. Because damn if she didnt need something good and fattening to take her mind off the other craving she had.
For one Ty Patrick OGrady.
BECAUSE NICOLE was hoping Ty had gone back to sleep, and because she had to make sure she was entirely under control before she saw him again, she took her time about getting the measurements he needed.
And if she stopped at Suzannes apartment and mooched three brownies and a scoop of ice cream off her first, who was going to care?
Except her jeans.
When she finally walked back into her apartment, the living room was empty. So was the kitchen.
She found him on her bed. His laptop was open and hooked up to her phone line. He had his e-mail program open but his eyes were not.
Ty?
He didnt budge. He was sprawled on his back, his head turned slightly away, his chest rose and fell evenly with his deep breathing. Bruises bloomed on one side, and because he once again hadnt bothered with covers, she could quite clearly see his swollen ankle. He needed to ice that, and probably take more meds, she thought, moving closer. Shed just check his vitals first, and-
And the e-mail caught her eye.
Dear Ty,
Im not looking for comfort or a hand-out. And leaving it alone was never an option.
Were family, linked by blood. Can you really say youre not interested? You have such a full life that you dont need this, the only other living relative you have?
I have a lot to offer, and I want to meet you. I want to know you. I want to be family.
Im staying at the local youth hostel if you are interested.
Please, please be interested.
Margaret Mary.
Nicole stared at the letter, her heart in her throat at Margaret Marys raw need. And if shed felt it, what had Ty felt?
Did you see enough?
Nicole nearly leapt out of her skin. Looking groggy, sleepy, unrested and irritable, Ty struggled to get up.
No, she said, reaching for him. Just stay-
He slapped the computer closed. Yeah, Ill stay. Ill stay the hell out of your way. If youll stay out of mine.
9
NICOLE STARED at Ty as he got to his feet and very carefully straightened.
9
NICOLE STARED at Ty as he got to his feet and very carefully straightened.
Where did that come from? she asked.
Forget it. He looked around. Where are my clothes?
Right there, she said, pointing to the folded stack on her nightstand. But-
I have stuff I have to take care of. He grabbed his pants, then looked at them with a pained expression, as if he knew getting them on was going to hurt like hell. Jaw tight, he shook them out, then bent slightly at the waist. Sweat broke out on his brow and he wavered for a second.
Oh, Ty. Get back in bed.
Since I doubt thats an invitation, he said, his voice more than a little strained, Ill pass, thanks.
I dont get it. Your options were staying in the hospital for observation or coming home with me. You agreed, so whats changed?
I told you. I have things to do.
Like go to the youth hostel?
His head whipped toward her.
I, um She clasped her hands together and rocked back on her heels. I saw more of the e-mail than I meant to.
You see more of everything than youre meant to.
What does that mean?
Nothing. He waved away her efforts to help him, though he had to sit back down to work his pants up. By the time he stood again, his chest had a fine sheen of sweat on it and he was breathing like a mistreated racehorse. Getting his shirt on took another long, painful moment, during which time Nicole watch the tattooed design on his bicep bunch as he struggled. She bit her lip and clenched her fists to keep from helping.
And then he was heading toward the door.
Ty- When he looked at her impatiently, she sighed. You cant drive on those painkillers I gave you.
I didnt take the last two.
You didnt- She shook her head, understanding now why he was hurting so badly. You really are a fool.
No shit, doc. He had his computer tucked against his good side, and was half out the door, but he hesitated. Thanks.
For what? Pissing you off?
Now he sighed. For being there.
Okay.
Crystal-blue haunted eyes watched warily as she walked up to him. When she got close enough, he closed his eyes, sighed again, then looked at her as he reached out and stroked her jaw. I have to go, he whispered, running a finger up the hoops in her ear.
She barely resisted the urge to turn her face into his hand and kiss his palm. Tell me why.
Because Im not fit for company. He stepped back and dropped his hand.
Sometimes, Ty, you have to let people in.
Youre speaking from experience, of course.
She ignored the sarcasm. I let my family in. And Suzanne and Taylor. And you, she wanted say. Horrifying, how much she wanted to say it, how much she wanted him to want it as well.
Goodbye, Nicole.
Wait Youre not going to even write her back?
Do you really care?
You know I do.
Actually, I know no such thing.
How can you say that after last night?
Were different, youve said so enough times.
Maybe those differences are more surface than I thought, she admitted.
Meaning?
Meaningwere both loners. Were both workaholics. Maybe we connect on a more fundamental level than I imagined possible.
Youre a doctor. Your own words, remember? I was hurt and youre sworn to heal. You would have done the same for a puppy.
She swallowed hard at her own words thrown back in her face and looked right at him, the hardest thing shed ever done. I care about you.
Yeah, well, you shouldnt. Goodbye, Nicole.
And then he was gone, and she was staring at the closed door thinking that his goodbye had sounded a lot more final than just see-you-later.
It sounded likewell, goodbye.
And really, that was perfectly fine with her. More than fine.
Which didnt explain the tear on her cheek.
ONCE HE GOT home, Ty slept for two days straight. Then he lay around for a third and fourth in a funk that was very unlike him.
It was too quiet. That had to be why he thought of Nicole only every living second. To combat that, he cranked up the music. Watched TV. Worked.
But still, he thought of her. How could he not? She was smart and sexy and beautiful, and he wanted her. Yet hed wanted plenty of women before, so why he felt so down about how hed left her, he had no idea. They didnt have anything going, she didnt want to have anything going.
Neither did he. Yeah, he would have loved to sleep with her, hold her, sink into her body and lose himself, sating this inexplicable desire for her. But he hadnt, and it was over. Hed never been one to wonder about might-have-beens.