Surviving Doctor Vincent: The Good Doctor Trilogy Book 2 (8 page)

I sucked, then withdrew my finger and layered the hot liquid over the tight nub.

His ministrations grew to a rapid pace. “You’re my Goddess, Elaine. Like Pandora, only better. You’re mine. Hope fulfilled.”

His words brought to mind the statue in Lydia’s gallery. How the men knelt at Pandora’s feet with their hands between her thighs. I remembered how he told me he gave Pandora credit for finding the cure for my sister’s cancer.

I let go of my breasts and clenched my fists at my side as the sensations and emotions threatened to overcome me.

His adoration, his touch, and his love were evident in his caress. His fingers dove deeper, encouraging my release. “I’ve got you. Let go.”

He gripped my hip with his other hand, steadying me. With a final stroke of his thumb, my legs grew rigid, the muscles in my stomach tightened, and I gave in to the climax.

He slowed until I was no longer delirious with desire, and then grabbed my hand, urging me back into the water. He retrieved the soap and smoothed the slippery bar over my chest.

“You are so beautiful. I can’t believe you are real. Mine.”

Still trying to steady my breathing, I smiled. “I know exactly what you mean.”

He retrieved a washcloth from a stand beside the tub, wet and lathered it with soap.

He sighed. “You know I have to leave tomorrow for a few days. But don’t worry, I promise to call every night. I even got you a secure cell phone.”

I put my hand over my face. “God... I feel so needy.”

“No, you’re in love and need me to show you in a way familiar to you that I love you too. You won’t know how I feel if I don’t learn to show you. I’m sorry for ever making you doubt my devotion.”

I smiled, but it was disrupted by a yawn.

“Let’s get you cleaned up and go to bed. It’s been a long day.”

Reunion

T
he next morning the chirping birds served as my alarm clock. I rose up on one elbow and watched Xavier, who stood in a beam of sunlight, latching the buckle on his belt. “Good morning, beautiful.”

He walked to the bed, leaned in and placed a soft, quick kiss on my lips. “I should be back on Thursday.”

“Thursday? Any suggestions on how I should fill the time?”

“Have Sebastian take you on a hike. He’s had some serious survivalist training; he could teach you a few things that might come in handy some day.”

“Survivalist? Like a Y2K, underground-bunker-dwelling nutcase?”

He laughed. “No. Ask him about his time serving his government. I’m sure he’d be happy to tell you all about the French Military.”

“French Military? He’s a doctor.”

“Yes, a military trained doctor. He retired when Miriam fell ill.” He straightened his shirt and adjusted his tie.

“All of you are so full of secrets. What are you going to tell me next? That Marco was a rock star?”

He chuckled. “No, but he did want to be an underwear model.”

I sat up, wrapping the sheet around me. “He told me that.”

“He tells everyone.” He bent again, pressed his lips against my forehead. “Besides, they’re not secrets, they’re discoveries.” Another quick kiss. “I’m going to miss you, but it will be good for you and Sebastian to have some time alone.” He walked over, reached into his bag, pulled out a cell phone, and handed the device to me. “Here, use this one when you call me. My number is already in the contacts. The Society can’t trace a prepaid phone.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at him.

He leaned down, placed his palms on the bed on either side of me, and stared into my eyes. “I’m trying, but I’ll screw up again. I don’t know if I can change the essence of who I am, but know I never meant to hurt you. I hope you can love me in spite of my idiosyncrasies.”

“Well, knowing that you weren’t intentionally blowing me off helps.”

He pulled me to the edge of the bed and enveloped me in his arms. “So you’re aware, I received word this morning. Monica is my sister.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“Can I ask where you’re going?”

“I have some things at Western to clean up, and I have an appointment with a counselor at Ellington House.”

“A counselor?”

“Yes, a mentor for the Society.”

“Promise me you’ll be careful.”

He kissed my forehead. “For you, anything.”

* * *

X
avier talked me into getting more rest before he left. By the time I woke, the clock read eleven-fifty-two. Nearly noon, I showered and readied myself for the day.

As I descended the stairs, trepidation overcame me. Sebastian. I was comforted by Xavier’s absolute trust of the man, but knew little of him myself. His reaction to me the night before had been stronger than I’d expected, the lingering embrace...almost too familiar for our relationship. Even though we’d had sex, Sebastian had been distant, and of the three men, he’d participated in the least intimate activities during our week together. I suspected his limited engagement had to do with his marriage to Miriam, but with her death, where did that leave him?

I rounded the corner leading into the great room. There was a clear view into the kitchen where Sebastian stood shirtless, staring into the open refrigerator. He turned and grabbed his shirt from the counter and pulled the cotton over his head. “Elaine...sorry. Excuse me. I didn’t expect you so soon.” He fumbled over his words.

His effort to hide his skin was all kinds of silly. As if him without a shirt was something new. I had seen all of him. Tasted parts of him and communed with the most impressive part. “It’s after noon. I’m not exactly the early bird.”

He had shaved and looked better rested than the night before, but there was still sadness in his eyes. He smiled, showcasing his straight white teeth. “No, but the way Xavier talked before he left, he thought you might sleep most of the day.”

“I’m more resilient than the dear doctor gives me credit for.”

He handed me a bottle of water, and unscrewed the cap on his before swallowing a large gulp.

“He should never doubt you.”

After removing the top from my own, I took a sip, uncertain what to do next. Sebastian wasn’t here to entertain me. Perhaps if there was a computer, I could look for a new job, check out the news, or try my hand at researching the Society.

“Is there a computer here, where I can read the news...ah...or pass the time?”

He walked to stand beside me. “No. I’m afraid not. The only entertainment you have is me.” He grinned.

“What’s on the agenda then? Xavier said something about a hike and you being a survivalist.”

He laughed. “X talks too much. But sure, I’d be happy to be your tour guide. Let me grab some provisions to take with us.” He pointed to the open-toe sandals on my feet. “Go put on some more appropriate shoes and then we can head out. From the looks of it, the weather should cooperate.” He turned and left the room.

I walked to the large picturesque window, eyeing the breathtaking view. Staggered rows of deciduous trees changed to pines on the steep mountainsides that flanked the lake. I sighed, embracing the scene’s tranquility, allowing it to ease my nervousness, before turning to head upstairs in preparation for our hike.

Sebastian, with a backpack on his back and a jacket draped over his arm, returned to the living room the same moment I descended the stairs.

“Here, take this. The deeper parts of forest can get chilly. I don’t want you getting cold.”

I smiled at his thoughtfulness. “Thank you.” I threaded my arms through the sleeves of the jacket.

“Let’s go.”

An hour later, one thing was abundantly clear: I was seriously out of shape compared to Sebastian. He pointed out plants to avoid and ones that could provide nourishment in a pinch, steadied me by the elbow when the terrain turned rocky, but never mentioned the reason for his haggard appearance the night before.

Eventually, we rested on a stone outcropping that overlooked the lake.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yes... I found this place last week. The best view I’ve discovered since I’ve been here.”

“How long have you been here?”

He paused for a moment and sighed. “Ahhh... I arrived a few weeks after the funeral. When Xavier came back to the States, I flew with him.”

He sat the backpack on the ground, opened the zipper and reached in. He pulled out a granola bar and offered it to me.

I smiled. “No thanks. I’m good. So, you’ve been here alone for a while.”

He dropped the snack back into the bag and retrieved a water. He handed it to me and took a seat on the rock beside me. “Yeah, I guess it has been...what, a month? Maybe more. I stopped keeping track.”

“Have you had company at all to occupy you?”

He unscrewed the cap on the water and chuckled. “No. I came here to get away from people.” He stared straight ahead, with a distant look in his eye.

“I’m sorry. I could have stayed someplace else.” I lowered my head. Had Xavier forced me on him? A tense anxiety filled my chest.

He scooted over the rough edges of the rock and faced me. “No. Not you. I think here is the best place for you.”

“Perhaps, but the last thing I want to do is bother you.”

He grabbed my hand and raised it to his lips. “Impossible. Besides, I wanted to ask you a few questions.” He didn’t release my hand. “I was there when Miriam gave you the key, did she tell you anything else? Call you? Say anything that morning she visited you at Xavier’s?” He searched my eyes for answers I didn’t have.

“No. You witnessed the exchange in the hall at the event. When she came to Xavier’s it was simply to meet me and give me her permission to...” I cleared my throat. “To sleep with you.” The pain I saw in his eyes the night before returned. I made an attempt to comfort him. “From what little I knew, she seemed like a wonderful woman.”

“I thought so too, but there were things I didn’t know. Are you sure she didn’t say anything?” He squeezed my hand tighter.

I tightened mine around his in reassurance. “I’m certain. What’s wrong?”

“Her computer was filled with searches about you and your father.”

“My father? Me?”

“Probably curiosity, since he made headline news, but given the other secrets she kept from me, I wondered if there wasn’t something else to her exploration.” He let go of me and patted the top of my hand. He leaned on the rock as if he was going to stand.

I gently gripped his wrist and said, “Not yet.”

“Everything OK?” He looked around, assessing threat.

“Yes.” I smiled, dismissing his worry. “I want you to tell me how you’re feeling.”

He stared at me for a moment. “Did Xavier put you up to this?”

“No. You lost your wife. The question is perfectly valid.”

“Yes, and I came here to avoid talking about everything that happened. We have to get back. There isn’t much daylight left.”

I wanted to kick myself for pressing instead of waiting for him to come to me.

He said nothing but formalities on the trek back to the cabin.

Once we arrived, Sebastian disappeared into his room. I didn’t think I had pressed that hard, but I could take a hint.

I sat on the sofa, watching the raindrops slide down the windowpane. Thunder echoed over the mountaintops; the rumbles announcing the approaching storm. Xavier had called earlier to tell me about his day at Western Labs, my old employer. He complained about unnecessary meetings and the pressure for him to resume work. Tomorrow, he planned to meet with the Society counselor; the idea of him associating with them left a pit in my stomach.

After a few more hours of waiting for Sebastian to emerge from hiding, I indulged in several magazines that sat on a shelf in the living room—everything from wilderness gear, to boating, to the top fifteen picks for gun enthusiasts. I had never longed for an issue of Cosmo more and decided to turn in for the night.

The rhythmic patter of rain on the window soothed me to sleep.

Some time later, the sound of breaking glass woke me. Startled, I jumped up from the bed and yanked the robe from the chair beside me. Wrapping the soft fleece around me, I ran to the stairs and looked over the balcony. “Sebastian, is that you?”

No answer.

“Sebastian?”

Still nothing. A flash of lightning lit up the room, and I could see his silhouette outside. I walked to the door, but paused. He stood in the pouring rain, beyond the protection of the awning. His head tilted toward the sky, allowing droplets to pelt his face. I undid the belt on my robe, removed the fluffy garment, and hung it by the collar on the back of the leather chair. In only my cotton, white slip nightgown, I opened the door and walked toward him. When I was directly behind him, standing in the downpour, I grasped his hand.

A second later, I couldn’t breathe. He held me by the throat. I gasped for air. My feet dangled and the moment the realization of my identity hit him, his expression softened. In a fraction of a second he released me and I fell to the ground.
That was some military training
. He dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around me.

“I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” Water ran in streams over lashes of his wide apologetic eyes.

“No need. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that.” I stretched my neck, trying to ease the ache.

“What are you doing out here? You should be in bed.” He wiped the water from his eyes.

“I heard breaking glass, and then I saw you out here...”

“It was me, nothing to worry about. Let me get you inside.”

I protested through my shivering. “No.”

He grasped my shoulders. “Why not?”

“Tell me why you’re out here.” I already knew the answer. The Scotch on his breath told me he was trying to find a way to deal with his anguish.

“What do you want me to say? That I’m broken, confused, angry? Does that make you happy?” He gripped my arms tighter.

“If it’s true.” I touched his face, tracing his cheekbone with my thumb. “You’re not alone, Sebastian.”

“I was so happy you’d be here. I can keep you safe. But ever since you arrived, everything I locked away keeps trying to escape. That can’t happen. We can’t afford for me to feel this now.”