Page 16 of Andrew’s Outback Love

“What, work out here or specialize in eyes?”

“Both.”

I paused while our meals were placed on the table and waited for the waiter to walk away.

“Eye surgery because the structure, the diseases, the ability to give someone their sight back became a passion from my first days of study. It’s not a life-threatening area of medicine, but it is life altering. Out here because I want to help the children. Far too many have vision problems due to poor health. I want to make a difference. I want to give them a chance at a future, one in which they can see clearly.”

Linda nodded and forked up a piece of chicken along with a portion of salad and I carved a piece from my t-bone steak. It was cooked exactly as I liked it. I chewed and swallowed before speaking again.

“I can also give the older patients back the sight they thought they’d lost. It’s worthwhile. I feel like I’m making a real difference to lives out here. So, you know about me, why is a girl from Perth in outback NSW?”

“I’d wanted to work with the RFDS since I learnt about it in high school. When I finished Uni, I hopped a couple of planes, made my way to Broken Hill and requested a job. I said I’d volunteer as long as they paid my rent each week so I had somewhere to live. When they asked me about food, I said I’d raid their kitchen when I was hungry. I wanted the challenge outback emergencies presented. Like you, I wanted to make a difference. You know the rest of the story, so here I am.”

We stayed silent while we finished our meals and once we had, I returned to the bar for more drinks. I placed them on the table and held out my hand, a slow song was playing over the speakers and I wanted to know how it would feel to hold this woman in my arms.

“Dance?”

She placed her soft hand in mine and stood. “Love to. I promise to bandage your toes when we get back to the motel.”

I laughed and led her onto the dance floor. She stepped towards me and I gathered her into my arms. We swayed in time to the music and she rested her head against my chest. I felt every curve of her body, her breath feathered through the thin cotton of my shirt and every nerve in my body was on high alert. When she lifted her head and gazed up at me, I became captivated by her unusual grey eyes and the green flecks which sparkled under the lights. Her pink lips were slightly parted and I found myself leaning towards her.

Energy sizzled between us, this was such a bad idea. We were colleagues, had to work together, what the fuck was I doing? Yep, I did it anyway. I lowered my lips over hers. They felt as soft as they’d looked when I brushed over them. I drew back and searched her eyes for some indication that I was out of line, but all I saw mirrored back at me was passion. I drew her closer, angled my head and crashed my lips against hers. Our tongues searched out each other, twisted and tangled as they fought for the upper hand. It was passionate and heat shot through my body. My cock hardened and I knew in that moment, I wanted to explore a relationship with this woman but was it possible with me in Sydney and Linda in Dubbo, seeing each other only every other week? I wanted to try. I honestly believed we had some sort of connection and I couldn’t ignore it. When we drew apart, Linda ran a fingertip over her swollen lips and smiled. At that moment, I wanted to give her the world.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The evening had been a success and I held Linda’s hand as we strolled back along the quiet streets to the hotel. She was staying in the room down the hall from where mine was and I was relieved to find she was closer to me than she was to Cam. I didn’t really believe I had anything to be concerned about though. We stopped outside her door and I placed both hands at her slender waist. She gazed up at me with wide eyes.

“I’ve enjoyed tonight, thank you. Can I see you again?”

“You’ll see me every day at work.” She gave a nervous giggle.

“You know what I mean. I know we shouldn’t become involved because we’re work colleagues and I know it won’t be easy with you in Dubbo and me in Sydney, but I’d very much like to see where this goes.”

Linda sighed deeply. “I like you, Drew. You’re a gentleman, something which has been lacking in the other men I’ve dated....”

“But?”

“I’m not ready. I need some time to myself, it’s been hard these past months.”

I couldn’t hide the disappointment I felt and she placed a hand on my arm.

“I’m not saying, no. I’d love to have dinner with you when we’re here, maybe share a movie, but I’m not ready for anything deep and intense.”

“I can understand that. So, we’ll keep it casual. What about other people?”

She shook her head. “You can see whoever you want. As I said, I want to keep it light. For a long time, I’ve been told.....no, ordered to do as I’m told, when I was told. I want time to make my own decisions, to not have to answer to anyone.”

What the hell had the arsehole put her through? “I’m not going to pressure you. We’ll do as you say and keep it light until you’re ready to move on.”

“You might be sick of waiting by then.”

“Not likely. You set me on edge for some reason. As I said before, I think we have some sort of connection and I don’t think time will change that.”

“Thanks, Drew. I can’t promise you much, but I will promise you this – dinner is as far as I’ll go with anyone else.”

Hmmm, I wasn’t happy with that statement but I had no choice but to accept it. I had a feeling if I pushed, she’d run and I can’t say I’d blame her after what she’d obviously endured. I nodded my understanding and the smile she gave me lit up her face.

“I think it’s time you got some rest, you’ve had a long day.” I leaned forward to kiss her but before my lips sealed over hers, I pulled back. A flicker of disappointment flashed through her eyes. “Can I kiss you?”