Part 23 (2/2)
”She's lying,” Joey protested. ”She just doesn't trust me to tell her your decision about when I can go back to work.”
”It's not me!” Pia objected. ”It's Deo!”
”Yeah, and you always side with her!”
”Mmm hmm,” Nita said, half listening to the sibling banter as she released the Velcro straps on Joey's splint. The door opened behind her, and she glanced over her shoulder, expecting to see Sally. She hesitated for just a second, Joey's hand cradled in hers. Deo stepped a few feet into the room and slid both hands into the pockets of her work pants.
She appeared the slightest bit uneasy.
”Yo, Deo,” Joey said. ”Just in time!”
”Oh good, I was afraid I'd missed the party.” For all her bantering tone, Deo regarded Nita seriously. ”Randy said I could come back. Is that okay?”
”It's fi ne.” Nita s.h.i.+fted slightly so Deo was out of her fi eld of vision and refocused on Joey's hand. She couldn't quite concentrate when Deo was in sight. ”The incisions look excellent. We'll get your sutures out, but you're still not ready to go without the splint.”
Behind her, Deo groaned. ”So he still needs to sit around on his a.s.s doing paperwork?”
Nita smiled but didn't look at her. ”I'm afraid so.”
* 173 *
RADCLY fFE ”What a deal,” Deo muttered.
”Joey,” Nita said, ”do you want to lie down while I remove the sutures?”
”Nah, I'm fi ne.”
While Nita removed Joey's sutures, she discussed his therapy plan with Pia. The entire time she worked, she was aware of Deo peering over her shoulder. Every now and then, warm breath wafted across the side of her neck, and by the time she fi nished, her entire body tingled.
”There you go,” Nita said. ”Let me see you in a month, Joey. Keep up the program that Pia outlines for you, and I think we'll be able to get you into a smaller splint then. Pia, are you good with that timing?”
”So far. If anything changes, I'll let you know.” Pia slung her arm around Joey's shoulder and kissed his cheek. ”You were so brave.”
”Cut it out,” he complained, but he was grinning.
Pia laughed. ”Come on, I'll take you for ice cream.”
Deo snorted. ”Is he going to get a balloon, too?”
”When you stop at the desk to make your next appointment,” Nita said gravely, ”Randy will give you a lollipop.”
”Cool,” Joey said, jumping down from the table.
”Be sure to bring him back to work,” Deo grumbled to Pia. ”We've still got plenty of ordering for him to do.”
”Don't worry, boss,” Pia said, patting Deo's cheek. ”I'll deliver him in an hour or so.”
Nita straightened after fi nis.h.i.+ng her chart note and discovered that the room was empty except for Deo. The door to the hall was closed and they were alone. Deo watched her from a foot away, the expression in her dark eyes even more intense than usual. Refl exively, Nita took a step back and her hips b.u.mped into the examining table. ”I didn't expect you.”
”I know.” Deo stepped closer. ”How's your day going?”
”All right. Fine. Busy.”
”Mine too. Except I can't concentrate because I keep thinking about kissing you.”
Nita held the chart up between them, feeling the beginnings of panic. ”Don't touch me.”
”Why not?” Deo asked, her voice low and husky.
”Because I'm working and I can't do this here.”
”Do what?” Deo frowned.
* 174 *
Winds of Fortune ”We can't...” Nita glanced at the door. It wasn't locked. ”Anyone can come in. I can't.”
”Nita, it's okay.” Deo eased back. ”I just wanted to see you. I'm not going to try anything.”
”I'm sorry. I just...” Nita grasped Deo's hand. ”I'm glad to see you.”
”Remember what I told you this morning-what I think about every time I see you?”
Nita nodded. I have nothing against a quick, hard f.u.c.k. In fact, every time I see you that's what I want.
”Just because I want my hands on you doesn't mean I'm going to force you,” Deo said.
”You wouldn't be forcing me,” Nita whispered. Deo's hand was hot, so hot. She could feel Deo's fi ngers brus.h.i.+ng over her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, twisting her nipples, teasing between her thighs. She ached and her breath shuddered in her chest. She wouldn't say no. ”You wouldn't have to.”
”But it's not what you want, is it?”
”No. Not here.”
”I know.” Deo freed her fi ngers from Nita's grip. ”I'm sorry if I've upset you.”
”You haven't.” Nita smiled shakily. She couldn't pretend that Deo's interest, her attraction, didn't feel good. It did. It felt wonderful.
”I'm glad you came by. I'm glad you wanted to see me.”
Deo grinned. ”Good. So, I'll be back at seven. I'm taking you to dinner.”
”Are you?”
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