Seducing the Doctor (At First Sight #4) (10 page)

“What are you going to do?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Right now not a thing. I do have a plan for future actions.”

“You should go after her instead of sitting here.”

“She needs time and space.”

Allie chuckled. “So she’s the one. You know how the curse worked. Were you afraid to face her parents?”

“Why would I be?”

“Because of what you did years ago?” Allie started toward him.

Matt held up his hands. “Not the problem. Cassie learned something that rattled her.”

“What.”

“That she owns the Smiton house. I knew and didn’t tell her.”

Allie’s brow wrinkled. “Why is she angry about that?”

“She thinks the house is the only reason I wanted to see her.”

“Is it?”

He glared. “That isn’t your business.”

“She’s a friend though a new one. Are you sure avoiding her is the way to go?”

Anger bubbled toward the surface. “She told me to leave and I did.”

“I’ll talk to her.”

“Butt out.”

“Your loss. What happens when your waiting game ends?”

He leaned his elbows on the desk. “I’ll handle this.” He had no need of interfering relatives. Until he asked Cassie to marry him he had to play this close. Her answer would be important. Did she love him?

Allie laughed. “Love this. No more love them and leave them for you. Wait until I spread the news.”

Matt pushed his chair back. “Be warned. Do not meddle and don’t spread what you think you know.”

She reached for the door. “You don’t care for me.”

“This time I mean what I say. Butt out. Jumping in with one of your match-making schemed will make Cassie run. She might even decide to leave town for good.”

“Can I tell Greg?”

“No.”

“Go after her soon. I’m not sure how long I can keep quiet.”

He captured her gaze. “I’ll go when the time is right.”

After Allie left Matt returned to his desk. He picked up the phone. The talk with his sister had made him decide to take the big plunge. He would ask Cassie to marry him. If she refused life would continue the way it had before he had crashed into her life.

The jeweler answered. “Antoine’s.”

“Matt Blakefield here. About the emerald ring.”

“I hope you haven’t changed your mind. I’ve located four perfect sapphires.”

“I want to add to the order. A pair of wedding bands. Your design but with a sapphire and two emeralds for hers and the reverse for mine.”

“Congratulations.”

Not yet.
Matt swallowed. “Here’s my ring size. Call me when all three are done.”

“Will be about ten days.”

“I’ll wait.”

And he did.

Time dragged and tested his patience. Both Allie and Meg reported on Cassie. From all they said she seemed busy and content. They had had dinner with her but she had refused to talk about Matt.

He scowled and then laughed at himself. Had he expected her to go into a decline like the heroine in some Victorian novel?

Two weeks and two days passed before Antoine called to report the rings were done. Matt completed his plans. He would make an appointment to see her on Thursday afternoon for the last appointment of the day.

What if she said no? He negated that thought. He could persuade her.

On Wednesday evening he packed his saddlebags. He put the red bikini in a gold gift bag and added it to his things.

Thursday morning he rode his repaired bike to the office, cleared his desk and left instructions for his assistant about expected articles. By noon he left and rode across the bridge. Upon reaching the jewelers he paid and picked up the rings. From there he walked to Peek-A-Boo and bought silk ropes. This done he rode to Cassie’s office.

The receptionist handed him a stack of papers to fill out. “You look healthy.”

Matt leaned on the desk. “I’m not here because I’m ill. You might say I have a heart needing to be mended. I’m here to surprise Dr. Moore.”

She looked at the gold bag in his hand and grinned. “Wonderful. She’s been down lately since the incident… I’ll have the nurse take you to her office.” She scurried away.

Moments later a middle-aged woman in a white uniform beckoned. “Come with me.” She led him into an office. “Wait here. I’ll send her in.” She eyed him. “Have you known her for long?”

“Since high school and lost touch. Recently connected again.” He leaned against the wall.

“Are you playing a game?”

Matt shook his head. “We had a misunderstanding. There’s something I need to tell her.” He pulled the ring boxes from the gold bag and placed them on the desk.

Her eyes lit with laughter. “Three rings. I can’t wait to see Dr. Greece’s reaction.”

“Who?”

“Just my name for a man who broke their engagement to marry another woman.”

“You mean the fool,” Matt said.

Her laughter filled the room. “An apt description. Cassie is an excellent doctor and a wonderful woman. I’ll send her in.” She closed the door.

Matt felt the need to pace but there was no room. He read the diplomas on the wall and looked out the window into the parking lot. He returned to the door and fought the gnawing temptation to step into the hall and search every room for Cassie.

Finally the door opened and she stepped inside. Her eyes widened. “What are you doing here?”

For a moment all he could do was stare. His cock stirred. He lifted the gold bag. “I had to return these. You must have packed them by mistake. They don‘t fit me.”

She covered her mouth with a hand. “You didn’t have to. You could have given them to one of your sisters.”

“Not on a bet.” He reached for the first of the ring boxes. “I had to see you again. I love you.”

Her mouth gaped. “But I thought…”

“Erroneously. Let me finish. I’ve used these weeks to think about what I need in my life. All of the answers to the question led to you.”

Cassie sucked in a breath. “How can I believe you?”

He opened the box. “You blindsided me the way you did years ago.”

“What do you mean?”

“All those years I’ve been looking for you. Just like Mark looked for Christa and the way my sisters knew the first time they saw their men. It’s the Blakefield Curse. Remember the ring you liked, I bought it. Made a small change. The emerald is for you and the sapphires for me. Will you wear it?”

Tears glistened in her eyes. “Matt.”

“Don’t cry. Will you have me?”

“Yes, oh, yes.”

He slid the ring on her finger and opened the other box. “Hope you don’t mind I bought the wedding bands.”

“You’re going to wear one?”

“Yes.”

She stepped into his arms. Their mouths met in a kiss that felt like coming home. He pressed her against his throbbing cock. “How soon can we take care of this?”

The office door crashed against the wall.

* * *

“Cassie, we need to talk. Rhonda lied to me. There is no pregnancy. I’ll filing for divorce and we can be together.”

Tim’s voice startled her more than his words. “You have a nerve bursting into my office.”

Tim arched an eyebrow. “Are you with a patient? Interesting way to conduct an exam.”

“Not a patient.” Matt’s hand tightened on her shoulder. “An old friend.”

“And her fiancé,” Matt said.

“That was quick work.” Tim’s lip curled into a sneer.

“Get out,” Cassie said.

Matt stepped toward Tim. “For your information I’ve loved Cassie since we were in high school. Then her family moved away and we lost touch. I ran into her weeks ago and we connected.”

Tim glared. “So what you felt for me was a lie.”

Cassie sucked in a breath. “I cared for you and believed we could have a comfortable life. I never spoke of love even when I agreed to marry you.”

“I never pledged love either,” Tim said. “I figured we could help each other.” He turned to Matt. “You can have her. She’s bossy and frigid.” He turned away. “Have fun with your biker boy.”

Cassie caught Matt’s clenched fist. “Don’t,” she whispered.

Matt nodded. “The mane is Matthew Blakefield. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Good Magazine Group. I edit Good Livin’.”

“Good story.” Tim left and slammed the door.

Cassie turned to Matt. “Where were we?”

He stepped behind her. She felt his erection against her rear. “Talking about how soon we can take care of my urgent need.”

“I have one more patient to see and records to dictate. Will take me about an hour.” She unlocked a drawer and removed a key. “I’ll call the doorman to let you in.”

“I’ll be ready and waiting.” He kissed her lightly.

As he walked away Cassie made the call. She forced herself to focus on the patient and the dictation. After completing her notes she grabbed her bag. As she scooted down the hall Tim grabbed her arm.

“How much did he charge for playing your lover?” His usual smile morphed into a sneer. “No way a rich man poses as a biker.”

“Believe what you want.” She jerked free. “I accepted his ring today. You made your choice. Your lies hurt more than the broken engagement.”

She strode away. Behind her she heard his sputtered comments and ignored them. She drove home and with a great deal of reticence only went a few miles over the speed limit.

When she entered the building the guard grinned. “Your guest has arrived.”

“Good. You’ll be seeing him frequently.” She flashed the ring.

“Congratulations. He’s a mile or two above the jerk.”

She waved and rode the elevator to her floor. She turned the key and stepped into silence. “Matt, where are you?”

“Bedroom.”

“Couldn’t wait?”

“Been gathering my strength. Going to need stamina. How’s yours?”

“We’ll see.” She entered the bedroom and stopped short. A nude Matt lay on the bed trussed like a pagan sacrifice. Black silk ropes bound his arms and legs to the headboard and footboard. His erection tempted her to touch. “How did you manage this?”

“The legs were easy. The arms not so much. I made slip knots you might want to check.”

She shook her head. “Matthew Blakefield, I love you.” She removed her suit jacket and proceeded to slowly remove her clothes.

“Woman, come here.”

“Do you give up so soon?” She moved to the bed, leaned and kissed him. “Condom?”

“No need for that much caution. Marry me this week.”

“I need a bit more than a few days. We’ll set a date later.”

He tried to sit up and failed. “You’re right. Now’s not the time. There’s something else I’d rather experience. I’ve been waiting for almost three long weeks.”

She ran her hands over his chest and bent to tease his nipples with her teeth. His guttural growls made her grin. She flicked his neck with her tongue and delighted in the coaxing words and sounds pouring from him.

“Cassie, please. I want to be inside.”

“And I want you there.” She slid her hands over his belly. “I’d better see if you’re hard enough.”

“Any harder and I’d turn to stone.”

His expression made her laugh. She crawled on the bed and straddled his hips. Before she lowered herself she untied his arms. “You’ll need them for the ride.”

He caressed her breasts with one hand. The other massaged her clit. Cassie felt the burn of a climax building. She cried his name and collapsed on his chest.

Once she regained control of her breathing she untied his legs. He rolled her beneath him. “My turn.” He kissed her deeply. Then he moved. She pressed her heels against his buttocks. He thrust and retreated. She tightened her inner muscles. As he erupted so did she.

They clung together. He covered her face with kisses. “You’re mine now and forever.”

“As you are mine.”

“Marry me next week.”

“I would love to…” She put her fingers over her lips. “We can’t rush into a wedding. We’ll need to persuade my mother this is a good idea. Your mother hurt her years ago.” She told him the story her mother had told her.

Matt nodded. “I can see why. Now I know why my mother loved that house so much. I’ll go with you and talk to your mother.”

“I can’t get away until Thanksgiving. I said I would come to visit then.”

“We’ll go.” He touched his lips to hers.

“So when will we have our wedding. We could…”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to mess up your sister’s wedding plans. I don’t want to be part of a triple ceremony.”

He laughed. “Me either. So when.”

She traced his mouth with her fingers. “We need to have time to know each other. How about this spring in the garden of the Smiton house?”