When Morning Comes (20 page)

She smiled into his horrified face. “I most definitely am. It will be fun.”

“Not if you break something,” he said.

“Then it's a good thing I have a doctor with me.” Tugging his hand, she moved closer. When they were within five feet, she released him, placed her handbag on a table, pulled off her shoes, and crawled though the opening flap of the clown's mouth. Inside, she beckoned him to follow. “Come on, Cade. It's more fun if someone is with you.”

He folded his arms. “No.”

She lowered her head briefly then lifted it. “Please. I really want to do this, and it's more fun with someone like I said.”

Unfolding his arms, he toed off his loafers, and he slowly and carefully crawled inside as if he were going to his doom.

“Now stand up and jump.” Sabrina demonstrated as she hopped around. “You're gonna land on your butt if you don't.”

Cade went down and stared up at her, his eyes promising retribution.

Sabrina smiled. “Told you. Let's see who can jump the farthest.”

“You really want that broken arm, don't you?”

“Come on, Cade, help me out with a little competition. The loser buys dinner. I won't tell anyone, including Kara, that you lost.”

Slowly he pushed to his feet. “We'll see who loses.”

She might have known he was competitive. “I'll let you warm up a bit.”

He was awkward at fist, as if testing his balance, then he became more self-assured.

“Here goes,” Sabrina said, then bounced a good six feet. “Beat that if you can.”

Wordlessly, Cade sprang up and came down inches ahead of her. She fell against him, taking both of them down with her on top. Laughing, Sabrina stared down at him, then she sobered. She felt the hard impression of his body, but most of all the heat of his searing gaze. Desire swirled through her. His mouth was so close, so tempting. She leaned toward him.

Taking her arms, he quickly came to his feet. “I believe you owe me dinner.”

She swallowed her disappointment and tried to control her longing. “I'll even spring for the movie tickets,” she said, glad her voice sounded almost normal as she moved to the exit to put on her shoes and grab her handbag. “We'll go watch Clarissa open her gifts and say good-bye.”

Cade slipped on his shoes. “I bet you also like birthday cake and tearing into presents.”

“You know it.” She slipped her arm through his and headed back into the house. She felt his reluctance and continued. Opening the back door she was greeted by the high-pitched sounds of children's laughter.

In the center of the den, Clarissa was surrounded by mounds of presents, torn wrapping paper, children, and adults. Several adults were taking pictures. Her beaming mother sat in a chair beside her. Her happy father, who had been on the floor handing Clarissa gifts, saw Cade and came to him.

“Dr. Mathis, thanks doesn't say enough. You gave me my family back.” Mr. Ward swallowed, scrubbed his hand over his face, and stuck out his hand. “Thank you.”

Cade was stunned by the effusive thanks and even more by the applause in the room, the tears in Mrs. Ward's eyes. He'd received accolades before from many prestigious organizations, but none affected him as much. Sabrina smiled proudly up at him. With her beside him he didn't feel like an outsider or alone. “You're welcome,” Cade said and shook the other man's hand.

“Don't forget you're invited to Clarissa's wedding,” Mr. Ward said to Sabrina. “You too, Dr. Mathis.”

“We'll be there,” Sabrina said as Clarissa's father went back to helping his daughter open gifts. His mother served them cake while they watched Clarissa work through her presents.

A short while later her father handed his daughter an envelope. “This is from Dr. Mathis.”

“Thank you, Dr. Mathis.” Clarissa tore open the envelope and frowned at the gift card. “How do I play with this?”

“I'll happily show you,” her mother said, and laughed as the adults joined in. Cade was surprised to feel a smile on his own face.

*   *   *

The birthday party hadn't been bad, Cade thought as he and Sabrina left thirty minutes later, perhaps because the Wards seemed so happy. In a small way he had helped that happen. It felt good. “You're paying for dinner.”

“Don't worry, I know it's not a pretend date like Kara's,” Sabrina said from beside him on the sidewalk.

“What's a pretend date?” Cade asked.

Sabrina tucked her head. “Inside joke between friends.”

Cade wasn't used to a shy Sabrina, then guessed she must have inadvertently mentioned something she was supposed to keep secret. He didn't want to put her on the spot.

“Ms. Simmons is a good social worker. I enjoy working with her,” Cade said, opening the door of his car.

“Unlike working with me?” He was glad to see the smile back on her face. “One day I hope you can say the same thing about me.”

“I already can,” he said without thinking. “You care. You're a little exuberant, but that can be a good thing.”

Pleasure spread across her beautiful face. “Thank you, Cade. That means a lot coming from you.”

He didn't like the way she was looking at him, or the way his body hardened with need. They were just friends, nothing more, although he had almost forgotten when she was on top of him in the bouncey house. He'd never known wanting could be so fierce.

Thankfully, she got inside the car. “Cade, why don't you come over to the neighborhood block party next Saturday?”

“They still have block parties?” he asked, getting in the car and pulling out.

“In my neighborhood they do.” Sabrina twisted in her seat toward him. “We're going to have food galore. This is my first, but I hear from Kara that it's fantastic. The city even blocks off the street. I'm cooking.”

He lifted a dark brow. “I'm not sure that's wise.”

She playfully swatted him on the arm and chuckled. “You might have a point,” she went on to say. “I seldom cook. I should buy stock in the restaurants near the house, I eat at them so much. Kara takes pity on me more often than not. How about you?”

“Me?”

His face had closed off. Sabrina forged ahead. “Do you cook?”

“No. Navarone Place has a chef. I simply order what I want,” he told her as he parked the car near the restaurant.

“That must be nice. You don't even have to stop or get in line.”

“I suppose,” he said, but he didn't sound convinced as he got out of the car.

“What movie do you want to see?” she asked, holding her breath, afraid he'd refuse.

“So long as it's not silly, I don't care.”

Sabrina wanted to do a happy dance. She hoped her facial expression didn't give her away. He still wanted to be with her. “I think that can be arranged.”

 

Thirteen

Late Saturday night Sabrina opened the front door of her house and went inside, silently inviting Cade to follow. After the briefest hesitation he did. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”

“There is something that needs to be repeated and made clear.”

“Yes?”

“I don't date people I work with.”

“So you said, but we've already figured that out.”

“We?” he asked sharply.

She wanted to kick herself.

“Sabrina, I'd like an answer.”

“You're not going to like it.”

“I already figured as much, but I still want an answer.”

She sighed loudly. “Actually it was my best friend.”

“Do I know this best friend?”

She could see him retreating and wanted to cry. “Kara Simmons.”

His eyes chilled. He actually took a step away from her. “You discussed me with someone who works at the hospital?”

She reached for him. “It wasn't like you think.”

“If you'd let go of my arm, I'd like to leave.”

“Don't you dare take that tone with me, Cade Mathis. We're friends.”

“My arm,” he repeated.

Her hand flexed, but she didn't dare release him. She didn't think she'd get by security at his place this time either. “All right, but you just remember you forced the issue. You don't remember our first meeting, do you? Of course not. You were getting off the elevator, Kara and I were getting on. I thought you were hot and I told her.”

He looked stunned.

She released his arm. She wanted to tuck her head, but didn't. “After you came here, I mentioned it to Kara. She thought that since you wanted a calm environment you didn't date staff members. Which I understand, because neither do I,” she said, thinking that added a nice and true touch.

Puzzlement pushed away the anger in his face. “You don't?”

“Nope.”

“But you've only been here six months,” he said, as if that explained everything.

She folded her arms and lifted a brow. “I was asked out three times the first week. Five times the next week. Shall I go on or don't you believe a man could want me?”

“I believe you,” he said, his gaze drifting to her mouth.

Heat pooled in the pit of her stomach. She wanted his mouth on hers again and she was going to get it. “Good. Block party starts at noon. Bring an appetite. Use the code ‘neighbor' to get your car past the barricades in case you have to leave.”

His hands slipped into his pockets. “I'll be busy all this week. I'm speaking at a symposium Tuesday evening. I'm giving a talk at the medical school on Wednesday. There's a charity function Friday night.”

“Then by Saturday you'll need to kick back and relax,” she told him. “The party will go on until nightfall from what I understand. Come when you can or just to pick up a plate.”

“I don't know.”

He was retreating again. Time to pull back and let him mull things over. Unlike her, Cade thought things through. He also wasn't the type of man to be pushed or rushed. She stepped around him and opened the door. “I understand. Good night and thanks again.”

Looking a bit unsure, he said, “Good night.”

Sabrina closed the door and smiled. If he didn't feel something for her, he wouldn't have felt the need to mention he didn't date coworkers. She just had to build on it. She had all weekend to plan.

*   *   *

Kara arrived at Tristan's house Monday night, ready to start framing and, despite her best efforts, longing for the sight of him. She'd missed him. Being cooped up in the house with her mother all weekend hadn't helped. Her one outlet was finishing the painting of him. It was the least she could do for his mother.

Kara might have ambivalent feelings about Tristan, but Sabrina knew exactly what she wanted. Dr. Mathis. That day at lunch Sabrina had confided that Dr. Mathis was being stubborn, but it wouldn't do him any good. He was going to be hers.

Getting out of her car with the small canvas, Kara wished she could be as confident about her future. When Sabrina asked Kara about her and Tristan, Kara hadn't been sure how to answer except to say that he gave her hope.

The door opened. Tristan pulled her into his arms and kissed her. When she came up for air, she held up the canvas. “For your mother.”

He took the picture and stared at it so long she became nervous.

“Vera will love it.”

“But you don't,” she said, unable to hide the hurt in her voice.

“It's impossible not to like it. You kept the teasing look in the eyes, but the stubborn chin is there as well.” He looked at her. “Once again, you've amazed me. Thank you. I'll go put this up for Vera.”

She stared after him, then continued to the room to work. She never knew what to expect from Tristan. Yes, she did, she decided as she pulled on her gloves—his easygoing manner, his faith in her, and kisses that left her wanting more. Not a bad combination. Not bad at all.

Hours later when she was ready to go home, he'd followed her as usual. The next night and the next were a repeat of the night before. With one major difference, the kisses were getting hotter, longer, more intense.

She was getting used to his touch and wanting more. Each night took Kara closer to finishing framing the pictures, and realizing her dream. Promising her mother a shopping trip to Dillard's at Uptown Village kept her reasonably mollified with quick meals and the house not being as spotless as Kara usually kept it.

Thursday night, she'd arrived to find the glass and matting for the pictures. She'd simply asked for the receipt. She was paying Tristan back every penny.

“Only if you kiss me,” he said, a teasing grin lifting the corners of his too tempting lips as he held the receipt over his head.

She wasn't so slow that she didn't recognize he was asking for more than a kiss, he was asking for her trust. He'd asked so little of her, and when he had, it had been for her benefit. She curved her arms around his neck and kissed him on the forehead.

“Pitiful.”

The next one was on his cheek.

“Better.”

She smiled up at him. With Tristan, she could relax, be herself. He pushed her, but he was always there for her, something few people had been in her life. For him she could let herself go and let her body press against him, the way she'd wanted for so long.

His heart leaped, her pulse thudded. She watched his beautiful eyes narrow, felt him go hard. Still he waited. He was also patient with her.

Her lips brushed once, twice against his, enjoying being held by him, enjoying the softness of his mouth, the muscled hardness and warmth of his body. She wanted more. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, seeking, finding the hot, intoxicating taste of him.

His arms closed tightly around her waist, dragging her closer. Between one breath and the next, he took charge, deepening the kiss, taking her higher. Pleasure rippled though her as his mouth plundered hers, leaving her weak and pliant and needy. Very needed.