Page 15 of Property of Doc

He smirks as he slowly strides toward me. “Yeah, I uh… I had Nerd do a little research and find me one, bought it, and now, me and a few of the brothers are fixing it up so you have it to use at the farmer’s market.”

I keep walking around it, seeing what they’ve removed, what they’ve repainted, and what’s still to be done, based on a huge piece of paper with a design sketched on it. There are measurements and notes, and I briefly gaze at them before I turn to Doc, a huge smile on my face.

“I can’t believe you did this for me!” I exclaim, practically jumping into his arms. “This is the nicest thing I think anyone has ever done for me.”

He leans down and kisses my nose. “Get used to it, sweetheart. I love being able to spoil you.”

I don’t think, I just act on how I’m feeling as I grab his face in my hands and lean in to kiss him. The brief touches he’s been giving me have had me on a low, slow boil for weeks now and with this, I guess the right temperature was finally hit. When he deepens the kiss, I realize that he meant what he’s been saying all along.

I’m his. And he’s mine.

Now, if I could just get us out of molasses territory, because my body is burning up with want and need.

CHAPTER

NINE

Doc

Having her in my arms is definitely a dream come true. I know she feels as though I’m moving too slow, but it’s not because I don’t want her. In the beginning, it was because she was actively detoxing and her well-being took precedence over any desire I had. Plus, I was running around like the proverbial chicken with my head cut off, so I didn’t have the physical energy left to devote to showing her what she means to me.

Now, however, is a different story. Many of the victims have gone to several in-patient facilities while a few who were utilizing the outpatient resources through the clinic have come back to that. In short, outside of checking on Pokey every time I’m in the clubhouse, and working at the clinic, I’m able to focus on my woman.

She’s put some of the weight she lost back on and has started working out in the gym at the clubhouse to regain the muscle she lost while being bound to a cot, starved and drugged. Plus, she is spending time outside, getting some natural Vitamin D, and herskin, which was sallow and unhealthy looking, now glows with health and resilience.

But when her lips touch mine? I realize that she’s giving me the green light, so I slant her head and deepen the kiss. As our tongues duel, I feel myself harden and realize that our first time is in danger of happening on the floor of this barn unless I can slow us down enough to go back to my room inside the clubhouse.

Pulling back slightly, I murmur, “Unless you want me to strip you bare and bend you over the sawhorse, we need to go back inside, sweetheart.”

“Don’t tease me with a good time,” she sasses, smiling at me. “But you’re right, I’m not really a fan of getting dirt and sawdust in sensitive places.”

Laughing, I help her settle back on her feet then grab her hand in mine. “Then let’s head back to the clubhouse, because I’m not fond of that either. Not to mention the fact that anyone could come in and that’s simply not allowed for them to see you like that.”

Her giggles float in the air as she says, “Alpha caveman.”

“All day, every day, especially where you’re concerned.”

One of the things I love about Gretchen is that she’s not a shy, wilting violet. Yes, she had a few bad weeks, and I know she’s working with Beth to overcome the guilt she carries and feels about being abducted and getting hooked on drugs again.However, she’s tackled each obstacle as it’s hit her, not shying away from the hard days.

When she flops onto the bed, bouncing slightly, I chuckle, then burst into laughter when she exclaims, “Take me, I’m yours!”

“You’re quoting movies to me right now?” I ask as I remove my boots and slide in so I’m on my side looking down at her.

“Eh, tomayto, tomato,” she teases. “I’m just ready to get to the good stuff is all.”

“And how do you know it’s gonna be good?” I question, my tone light and teasing.

“Have you seen yourself in scrubs, Doc?” she retorts.

I snort and counter, “Uh, yeah, wear them daily at the clinic.”

“Okay, well, you may not notice because you’re a guy, but there’s not much left to the imagination when you’re wearing them,” she says. “Trust me, I’ve got one helluva imagination.”

I shake my head because underneath her teasing, I can tell she’s a little bit nervous, but she doesn’t have to worry at all. The bottom line is she’s mine until one of us draws our last breath.

“Well, first things first, we’re both wearing too many clothes,” I murmur against her lips before I start kissing her again.

Before long, clothes are flying off the side of the bed until we’re both naked, our ragged breaths mingling. Her body, even with the scars on her leg that she broke so long ago, is stunning. She’s still a bit underweight, but she’s been using our gym and also spending a lot of time outside with the horses. Her curves are slowly coming back, as is her musculature. Top it off with theglowing tan she’s now sporting, and my fingers are curling in need, not knowing where to start.