“What’s wrong?” He was really worried now, and he was pretty certain this wasn’t a side that Sarah showed to anyone often. He pushed her gently back against the truck and crowded her, putting a palm on each side of her on the truck. She wasn’t getting away until she was smiling again.
“You make me feel alive, too,” she told him solemnly, as though it were a horrible, life-changing event. “I don’t know to handle it. I don’t know how to do . . . this.” She motioned at herself and then at him.
Dante grinned down at her. “Sweetheart, I know how to do it. I’ll be happy to teach you.”
She frowned at him. “That’s not what I mean. I know the anatomy part.” She paused for a moment before confiding in a whisper, “I’m scared. I’ve never felt this way before, and my body doesn’t react like this. I think, I reason, and when I’m with you, I just feel instead of trying to make sense of what’s happening between us. My body is in control instead of my brain. That’s never happened before, Dante.”
Dante wondered if she had ever said those words in her entire life. Again, he was overcome with the desire to protect her when she was vulnerable. “Don’t be afraid.” He gathered her into his arms and held her, his heart racing as he tried to wrap her up inside him so she’d never feel afraid again. “Have dinner with me. We can go to Tony’s Fish House. Jared said the food is good.”
Sarah sniffled as she leaned back and looked up at him. “It’s touristy and expensive. I’ve never eaten there.”
“I think I can afford it. Go with me. We have to eat, right? I hate eating alone.”
She eyed him warily, and Dante held his breath until she murmured, “I’m your doctor. I can’t be seen out with you in public.”
“You’re not my doctor anymore,” he told her irritably. “What I told Randi is true. I requested a change to Dr. Samuels. So no more bullshit. You’ll see the request for my medical records on your fax in the morning.” He knew if he didn’t change doctors, she’d keep her distance. At least if he switched physicians, she wouldn’t be able to use the excuse that she was his doctor. He was damn glad he’d done the switch now, after seeing how eaten up she was by guilt. The idea that she’d taken advantage of him was ridiculous, but she still had a deep sense of ethics. “So no more doctor-patient relationship.”
“You really switched?” she asked him, looking astonished.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I knew if I didn’t, you’d keep treating me like a patient,” he replied gruffly. “And that’s the last damn thing I want from you.”
“I’ll think about it,” she answered carefully. “Call me.”
He would. Tomorrow. Or maybe later tonight. He’d wear her down until she gave in to him. He wanted to explore what was happening between them. And he’d make sure she caved in.
He let her go, waiting for her to walk to her car. She didn’t. She started toward Main Street. “Where the hell did you park?”
“I didn’t drive. I walked. I like to walk.”
Dante calculated the distance to her house and some of the secluded areas she’d have to pass through to get there. “Get in the truck, woman.” He broke out in a cold sweat just thinking about her walking home in the dark. “It’s not safe for a woman to be walking home alone.”
Sarah stopped and turned around. “This is Amesport, not Los Angeles or Chicago.”
“I don’t give a shit. There are too many places where something could happen. You have tourists in this town. Not everyone is a local.” And even if they were all locals, there were crazy people everywhere. “Get in the truck.”
Her brows drew together in irritation, leaving a tiny crinkle between her eyes. “I’ve been walking it for a year. I do need exercise.”
“There are far more pleasurable ways to exercise,” he told her ominously, unlocking and opening the passenger door of the truck. “In,” he demanded. He’d be damned if he was going to let her walk one more step into the darkness.
She came toward him slowly, stopping in front of him. “Is that your police officer voice? It’s pretty bossy.”
“Sweetheart, you have no idea what an asshole I can be. Be happy you’re not a criminal,” he told her dangerously.
“It kind of makes me want to run out and commit a crime. That whole dictator thing is pretty hot,” she mentioned matter-of-factly. “Not that I’d always obey your commands, but the whole caveman persona has its merits, sexually.” She paused before adding, “I think I might like it.”
Holy hell! She’s going to make me crazy! I’d like to go caveman all over her ass right now.