Head Over Wheels (Steamy New Adult Romance) (12 page)

"Don't we all," I flared. "I can't believe you're excusing her bad behavior."

"I'm not excusing anything. I'm just trying to explain ..."

Before he could say another word, I set him straight. "So listen. Let me know right now. Do you two have a thing going or what?" Struggling for composure, I felt my chin jut out. "Because I don't want to become involved if ..."

"I thought we already were." He stared deep into my eyes then pressed against me, nuzzling the base of my neck. His words were muffled. "I like you, Jewel, a lot. Let's forget the fight ... forget Vanessa ... and start again." He breathed into loose strands of my hair working their way across my cheek with the breeze. "I don't want you to be upset ... or let this ruin anything between us."

I inhaled deeply, trying to unclench my jaw. "What a mess this is turning into."

"Only if we let it." His lips found their way to my ear. "Can I call you during the week?"

I lay my palms on his chest, easing him forward, gazing into his eyes. He must have seen uncertainty on my face because he added, "I'll call this time. And we'll make plans for my next night off – a night we're both free. Are you good with that?"

Nose to nose, he had me pinned, his arms stretched out before him, palms flat against the wall. There I stood, locked between his forearms, and he was closing in. Those eyes ... dark as the night surrounding us ... penetrating ... searching.

“Can I kiss you?” he whispered.

"You already did in the club."

"Not the way I want to kiss you now."

The way he was looking at me, the sound of his voice, weakened everything inside me. “Suppose I said no?”

“Then I’d ask again, and again, until you finally said yes.”

My eyes searched his face, landing on his lips, which was a big mistake. At the same time I sighed, my lips parted involuntarily.

"Let me kiss you ..." Without waiting for an answer, he angled his head, lowered his face, and his mouth was on mine, sliding, tasting, nibbling the top, lingering on the bottom. I let my lips open wider, slipping my tongue over his. I smoothed my palms up his chest, gripped his sweater in my fists, then coiled my arms around his neck. His hands moved from the wall to my back and he spun me, reversing our positions, yanking me into him. He had some smooth moves. I spaced,  letting myself sink against him, feeling his passion which skyrocketed mine. When I moaned into his mouth, he seemed to snap out of it and held me at arm's length.

"This isn't right." He was breathless.

"Huh?" I had to shake some sense into my head which was still in the clouds.

He looked desperate, trying to gather his senses, then drew me in, lowered his chin so his head rested on mine. I couldn't see his eyes, but his voice held despair. "I can't be doing this." When his arms tightened around me, I felt him tense.

"Doing what?" Stunned, I didn't move. I couldn't move. I was locked in his embrace.

"Partying. Brawling like I'm back in high school." His lips worked against the side of my face, drifting into my hair. "Making out in alleys."

"You partied a lot? Kicked ass in high school?" I spoke against his chest, and felt the strong beat of his heart. "Made out in alleys?"

"Why do you find that surprising?"

"It's just that you ... you don't seem like ... I mean you're mature ... and you're almost a doctor. I never pictured you as ..."

"As a normal high school kid?"

"As reckless, I guess."

"We all go through stages ..." His arms loosened, and I drew back to stare at him, but when I saw the hardness in his eyes, I buried my face in his chest, trying to decipher the correlation between his words and the tormented look on his face.

Was I one of his stages? I lifted my eyes, my lashes brushing against the nap of his sweater. "Well excuse me if you're slumming it and I'm not high society like you and your stuck-up friend back there." As I wrenched from his arms, I noticed Vanessa in the process of flagging a cab, watching the entire scene unfold. My stomach twisted into knots.

I wasn't able to move far, because he caught me in his arms again, bringing my face back to his. "You know what I mean, Jewel. I'm supposed to be treating people in a hospital, not sending them to the E.R. I'm disappointed in myself."  He seemed to be riding his own wave. "I'm really into you ..." He pulled me against him, circling my cheek with his. "But I can't get in too deep right now, although it's tempting. I have three long years ahead of me, and I can't have my mind all over the place ... running wild." His lips trailed my cheek, drifted to my neck."I don't want to start something I might not be able to ..."

I rested a finger on his lips. "Listen. I recently got out of a relationship ... a disastrous one. I'm not ready for anything serious."
Liar.
  But I was becoming obsessed with him  ... what was I supposed to do? I took his face in my hands, then covered his mouth with mine.

My lips swelled beneath his, working as though we'd had months of practice, pursing, sliding. His tongue circled inside my mouth, reached for mine, lingered. Then he captured my top lip, moved to the plush bottom and sucked, gently then stronger, terrifying me with the degree of passion he possessed.

While I blocked out the world, losing myself in Indigo, the headlights of passing cars whitewashed the walls, tearing me from what was escalating into mind-blowing ecstasy from which I would never have escaped had we not been on a public street.

Still, I imagined our bodies sliding down the wall, his hands all over me, massaging my breasts, ripping off my panties, plunging his erection deep into the ache inside me. The sound of traffic, lights piercing the lids of my closed eyes, jolted me to my senses, rendering me exposed, uneasy; along with Vanessa, could the creep be lurking in the shadows? Driving by in a car? Would he follow me home for retribution? I shivered.

With a groan, Indigo's lips slid off mine. He ran his palms up and down my arms. His breath was hot against my throat. "What's wrong, baby? Are you cold?" His words were thick.

I was still warm from our experience inside the club, and outside with Indigo where he'd heated my body beyond my wildest dreams. I shook my head. My fingers took a sensual walk to his chest where my hands clutched the soft knit covering his pecs. I felt his heartbeat, then realized the wild pulse I felt was my own.

Emma and Bill had given us at least thirty minutes of privacy, but all too soon I heard Em's voice calling from a safe distance. "Jewel. It's after three. We've got to get going."

"Before sunrise." By then, Bill's chuckle was a distinguishable rumble.

"What a strange night, huh?" Indigo pulled back, emitting a breath that reached my face. He quickly drew another. I heard it catch in his throat. "Are you okay?" His deep voice held concern.

Still trembling, I balanced my words. "I ... I guess so," I whispered, practically collapsing against him, then came up for air. "Phew." Coming off my high, I fanned my face and lightened my tone. "I'm okay." I sucked in a breath and forcefully expelled it. "You?"

"I've been better," chuckling, he adjusted his stance, tugged at the legs of his jeans that hugged his thighs. "So ... if you're willing, we'll take it slow then ... so we don't kill each other." He leaned in for a last sweet kiss.

By then I'd recovered, and almost giggled at how he continued to shift from one leg to the other. "Slower ..." My lips crept over his, caressing, teasing, then tugged on his full bottom lip. "See you soon, doc."

I left him standing there and headed for Em. "Come on, girlfriend. Let's hit the trail."

Covering the distance in a few short strides, Indigo caught up to me. “You’re not walking.”

"We sure are. It's just a few blocks." I pointed to the gleaming Empire State Building, burrowed in the sky a few miles away, "in that direction."

"It's late and it's dark ..."

"You're exhausted. I'm not having you walk me home," I insisted.

He insisted right back. "Then we'll flag a cab." He faked a stern look, which didn't even come close to the earlier anger that had gripped his face, or the passion that lorded over all of his many expressions.

Attempting to appear intimidating, he looked so cute I had no choice but to cave. I let out an annoyed sigh. "Fine. Find a cab in New York City at this hour and I'll give you a ..."

No sooner had I spoken, a yellow pulled up to the curb, hailed by Bill's waving arm.

"Give it to me next time we're together." Indigo grinned, resting a forearm on the open cab door; he was pure sex and seduction. Holy shit. My panties were already soaked. What was he trying to do to me? "I'll call you," he whispered, then leaned in and planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Be careful what you request, Jim." I couldn't help myself by adding, "Jimmy ..."

His face went so soft, I thought he'd climb into the back seat beside me.

No such luck. He handed something to the driver, then the two guys tucked us in and off we drove.

"R
ight there," I reached over the seat, directing the cabbie to our stop. "The apartment with the scaffolding." My fingers waved a twenty.

"Your friend already paid," said the driver.

I was stunned. No one had ever hailed a cab for me, no less shelled out the fare. "Oh, well thanks for the ride," I said, dragging out a comatose Emma.

Our building was undergoing a facelift, but already had security doors, buzzers, and a large marble lobby. All we lacked was a doorman.

"I hope your aunt enjoys good health and a long life." I revealed the idle thought to Em.

"Don't worry. I'm in her will." Her reply was just as vague.

While we waited for the elevator, I pulled my cell from my small shoulder bag and texted Pete. If I ever needed him, it was now. Emma was in her own little world of Arkana, and had barely spoken the entire jostling ride home. I figured she was doing the same thing I was: reliving the night, thinking about those to come. Wondering ...

Me: Where are you?"

No response.

Me: U around?

Nothing hit my inbox.

* * *

I rolled out of bed around ten the next morning, opened the blinds and did my usual windowsill stretch as I peered through the sparkling glass. Traffic was light. The sky was dark. Clouds loomed and drizzle dotted roofs and hoods of curbside vehicles. Abandoning the gloomy scene, I checked my face in my dresser mirror, then found Emma in the kitchen.

"Ugh. Last night may have been emotionally uplifting, but it certainly didn't do much for my complexion," I complained.

"I'm already on my second dose of aspirin," she rolled her eyes, "but wow, was it worth it. I learned so much about Billy. Things I would never have imagined." She licked honey off her fingers, then stirred her tea. "How'd you two make out?"

"That's all we did." I giggled, then sighed. "He's so hot."

"Watch your step." She shot me
the eye
.

"Look who's giving advice ... slut."

"Look who's talking ... whore."

"Call truce before this goes on all morning."

"Truce." Emma buzzed around the kitchen as we insulted each other.

I noticed there were two place settings at the table, and watched Em press the toaster lever down."Nothing for me. My stomach isn't up to it."

"Really? I still have the appetite I worked up last night."

"Chocolate cream of wheat? Quick, get me a barf bag."

Emma giggled. "I'm starved, and it's delicious. Here, try some." She held out a spoonful of what looked like muddy goop.

"I'll pass. So what did you learn about Bill?"

"He'd noticed me at every practice and wanted to ask me out."

"Why didn't he?"

"He asked me not to discuss our personal matters. He's very private."

I snorted. "Yeah, right."

"He thought I was so hot he wouldn't be able to handle me."

"You were a vamp?" I burst out laughing.

"I didn't say it, Billy did."

I opened the freezer door. "Grab some ice for that flush."

Grinning, she covered her cheeks with her palms. "He's got that effect on me."

"I hear you, hellcat."

"You better not call me that in public." She shot me her most threatening look.

"Oh, I'm sure I will. Next time you're with Arkana."  Comparing our situations, I sobered. "At least you got more info that I did. Indigo's such a mystery. Those eyes ... those moods."

"Gotta give it time. You two just met. He was attentive though ... and now that you tell me you made out all night. You're doing something right for once." She giggled.

I threw a balled-up paper towel at her head. "What do you think about that fight, huh?"

"Although I don't advocate displays of violence, especially in public places, the thought of someone fighting for my honor is kind of ... erotic, I guess."

"Yeah. I thought it was pretty damn hot myself." I shuffled to the refrigerator, moved some produce around, and dragged a carton of orange juice up and over containers of Greek yogurt. "I wonder where he learned to fight like that?"

"He said his dad was a marine."

"Was. And is now a brain surgeon. Doubtful they rumble on the living room carpet." I thought of my siblings and how we used to drive my mother nuts by rolling around the floor, slamming into furniture, knocking over lamps. When we started knocking pictures off the wall, she'd throw us out in the yard.

We once shattered an irreplaceable antique vase: it was no TV for two weeks, and the collectible was replaced with a baseball bat. Granted, it was a Yankees mini, but that was the method of madness of my no-nonsense madre.

"Maybe he took boxing in high school, or college wrestling. Yeah, he has moves like a wrestler ... nah, a boxer."

"Karate." Emma curbed my rising curiosity.

"A guy like him, in hospital scrubs, would be a magnet for every female on the prowl. I don't lack confidence, but I'm gonna hit the brakes if you know what I mean."

"I didn't see him look at one other girl last night. He even blew Vanessa off." Emma buttered her toast and bit off a chunk.

The pooling butter on her ceramic plate, and thoughts of Vanessa, were a sickening blend. "Please. My stomach is already churning. So what do you think of her?"

"Derisive, but when you look like that, what male cares about personality? Which she obviously lacks."

"You forgot to add manners." I squelched the rise of adrenaline. "She's alright I guess, but don't you think her nose is kinda long and pinched, which would account for that nasal voice which would drive me cray cray if I had to listen to it for more than five minutes. And her eyes are extremely close together ..."

Emma laughed. "He's not into her. He's into you, so her voice and appearance are of no consequence."

"But with girls like Vanessa throwing themselves at him, how can a guy, especially a doctor who looks like Indigo, resist? I mean it's human nature, isn't it? Boys are boys and all that blah ja blah mumbo jumbo." A threatening realization then hit. "And Indigo's surrounded by nurses on a regular basis ... female patients ... receptionists ... a hospital is the perfect hunting ground ... breeding ground. Oh God," I groaned. Almost doubling over, I snapped open a bottle of antacid tablets. "Well, at least he seems to have standards." Hand on a hip, I struck an indifferent pose.

My cell chimed

Pete: What's up Kit Kat?

Me: Hey!

Pete: What's doin 2day?

Me: Recovering

Pete: That good?

Me: Worse  Where u been?

Pete: Casey's

Me: All night?

Pete: :-O

Me: Serious?

Pete: Meet up later? C 4 urself

Me: K. Will give honest opinion

Pete: Won't matter  Think I'm in love

Me: Uh oh  How bout I give Casey the PEW 1st?

Pete: 4 get it  Meeting's off

Me: I'll be nice  Where & when?

Pete: W 42nd Read Rm @ 2

Me: C U then

Pete: B nice and Bring M 2

Me: Laters babe

"Pete's in love, and we're invited to meet Casey."

Emma's eyes bulged. "No way!"

"They're pulling all-nighters, so I'm guessing it's serious, or our Pete's just a damn whore."

Emma's shoulders hunched with laughter. She dabbed her eyes with a napkin. "You really think it's love?"

"That's what the man texted." I plopped onto a chair. "Maybe I'll have some of that toast. And I guess I'll try some of your goop."

After breakfast, my lids spent fifteen minutes basking under cucumber slices, and following a steamy shower the puffy circles under my eyes deflated and vanished. I schlepped out of my room wearing my usual ballet flats, jeans and T-shirt, sat on the sofa to wait for Em, and checked my phone for messages I might have missed. There weren't any.

"I'm psyched to meet Casey. Pete's been scarce. I miss him. Maybe they'll start coming over together. We could use some new blood in this place," I yelled loud enough so my voice would carry through her closed door. "Are you ready yet? It's almost two."

"Not again." I chuckled when Em walked into the living room. "People aren't gonna be able to tell us apart."

"I'll change my shirt," she offered.

"Nah. Pink's your color. I'm sure my rear is recognizable."

"Yeah. Walk backward." Em laughed as we headed out the door, once again, almost identical twins.

"When are you seeing Bill again?" I asked as we hiked more blocks than I could count.

"He'll call during the week."

"Indigo too." I hoped, as we rounded a corner and the independent library was in sight. "I miss him, Em. He fucking better call." I could feel the blood pulse through my veins.

"Ditto on that one." Em's voice hit an unusual pitch.

"Too bad we're not meeting Pete and Casey at Fifth Avenue. I could get into some heavy-duty shopping, have an early dinner. I can see it now. Pete striking his Harley pose beside Fortitude." I laughed. "What do think Casey's like?"

"I guess we're about to find out."

"I'm seeing Casey standing beside Patience, because that's what anyone would need to handle Pete."

Emma giggled. "You're not kidding."

"Professional looking, stern face, maybe wire-rimmed glasses, and of course, a librarian must be carrying a book or two."

"You're stereotyping, Jewel."

"I know that, Em." I chuckled. "We're dealing with Peter, here. Casey's gotta be just the opposite of stuffy."

"Why are we going to the Reading Room? I thought Casey worked on Fifth?'

"Whatevs. Hey, there's Pete." Even from behind I could pick out that body and gorgeous head of hair.

"Yeah, and someone pretty striking beside him. Wow, Pete looks nervous."

"He should be. It's payback time for what he did to me and Indigo."

Em sucked in a breath. "You wouldn't."

"Watch me," I said as we honed in on them. "Pete," I sang out, offering my usual greeting: a punch in the arm followed by a bear hug. Then I stepped aside so Em could greet him.

Pete was handsome as ever, his grin toothy white. "Jewelia ... Emma ... this is Casey Brandon." His voice was out of character formal, as was the sweep of his arm. "Casey ... these are the two loons I told you about."

Casey smiled and extended a hand, but I put my arms around his neck and dropped a peck on his cheek. "I'm happy to meet you, Casey. Now we have a face to go along with the nothing Pete's told us about you."

Casey laughed. Pete shot me
the eye
. Ha. The shoe was on the other foot.

"Hi Casey." Emma, all smiles, gave him a squeeze, brushing his cheek with hers. "It's so nice to meet you."

"It's great meeting both of you." Hands stuffed in trouser pockets, shoulders arched, Casey continued to smile.

"So this is where you work?" Peering through the open door, I asked.

"No. I work uptown. I'm here for the book fair."

"Nice," Emma and I said in time.

"Enough small talk," Casey said and took us on a tour of the first floor of the Reading Room, an awesome center for kids. Heavy oak bookcases covered walls, three-quarters high. Rainbow murals and hanging art decorated every other inch of wall space. I felt like I'd stepped into a multicolor fantasy world.

"I've never been in here." I was in awe. "The paintings are sweet." I ran a hand over a nursery rhyme scene with spoon-headed characters."

"Why would you?" Emma said as she picked up books and flipped glossy pages.

"I see you're into the goose collection, Em. Nice choice."

"I love those little tables. Can we sit down?" Without hesitation, she was digging the place.

"I don't think I'd fit." I frowned. "Look at those statues ... oh, are those stuffed figures? This place is incredible. I wish I was a kid again."

"I'm sure they'll let you back in, Jewel," Pete smirked, "but standing room only ..." He motioned to the red and blue pint-sized easy chairs sprinkled around the enormous room.

"Ha ha, Pete. Let's dress you like a teddy bear and stick you over in that corner. Better yet – we'll plop you on that throne over there and you can be forest Santa – maybe read to the kids. Then again, you'd probably scare them with that big goofy head of yours."

"That's a nice idea, Peter," Casey appeared serious, "I'll have to keep it in mind for one of our holiday events. Forest Santa ... very creative, Jewel." He hooked my arm, explaining, "Today's a big day," then led us to a cramped corner. "Sales are important. All of the books on these tables have been donated by kind folks. Proceeds go to
St. Jude's."