City Surgeon, Small Town Miracle

Closing her eyes, she waited. Sensations bombarded her, the musky scent of his aftershave, his breath feathering across her cheek.

And finally the delicious touch of his mouth on hers. Light and sweet and lingering with a hint of leashed passion. Her system quaked as she recognised a deep feminine desire to surrender.

He pulled back and she opened her eyes slowly.

‘Mmm…nice.’ His blue eyes were slumberous and inviting. ‘I have it on good authority that’s how I can let you know I like you.’

Laughter gurgled up her throat, catching her unawares, relieving the heavy sensual tension. ‘Allie’s been giving you dating advice again?’

‘She has.’ He grinned. ‘Miss ten-going-on-twenty.’

His hooded gaze slid down to her lips. ‘Though I think she’s onto something with this idea. I should tell you…I like yo.’ He waited a beat before adding, ‘A lot.’

She laughed again as he waggled his eyebrows at her. ‘I’ll consider myself duly warned.’

‘I was afraid you’d say that.’ He smiled wryly and held out his elbow. ‘Shall we go? Your chariot awaits, my lady.’

She braced her jelly-filled knees and took his arm, feeling the strength there, allowing herself to be swept along by his old-fashioned chivalry.

Terri followed the waiter through to their secluded table by the large window. Luke’s hand was spread over her spine, just below the small of her back. The contact felt intimate, made her acutely aware of her body, her movements. The sway of her hips, the tiny brush of her stocking-clad thighs against each other, the way her buttocks moved with each step she took in her high heels. Did he realise how astonishingly seductive it felt? She wanted to wiggle, just a little, to see if he would slide his hand even lower.

Heat raced across her skin, radiating out from his hand and spreading deep into her abdomen. She took a quick gulp of air and huffed it out. She didn’t have to worry about Luke behaving tonight-she was doing a fine job of seducing herself.

Regret and relief vied for the upper hand when the wicked, tempting hand was removed so Luke could pull out her chair.

‘Thank you,’ she murmured. She looked around as Luke took his seat. The restaurant was in an old converted warehouse adjacent to the wharf. The seafaring theme was tastefully done with gleaming brass fixtures and dark wood panels. Strategically placed fishing nets had been draped across the upper walls with glass floats dotted here and there.

Candles in thick glass bowls graced each table and cast a romantic light.

‘I’d heard this place had been done up,’ she said, meeting Luke’s gaze across the table. ‘I’ve been meaning to come here for a meal.’

‘I brought Sue-Ellen-’ He stopped, his mouth twisting in a grimace. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean…It’s not a good way to impress my date for the evening, is it?’

‘Don’t apologise. Why wouldn’t you mention her? She was a big part of your life. Yours and Allie’s. It’s good for Allie that you talk about her mother.’

‘Thank you.’ His voice was gravelly. ‘You’re a very special woman, Terri.’

She grinned, making light of the comment. ‘I’m glad you think so.’

The waiter returned with the menus and wine list.

‘Any preferences for wine?’ Luke asked.

‘White as we’re having seafood but other than that I’m leaving it entirely up to you.’ She looked over the delicious selection of dishes on her menu.

The waiter took their orders and returned a few minutes later with the bottle of wine. He filled their glasses and snuggled the bottle into the ice bucket. When the man had gone, Luke lifted his glass.

‘To us. To slow and sensible.’

To slow and not so sensible. Terri bit her tongue to prevent the amended toast from escaping. She quickly tapped her glass to Luke’s and concentrated on the wine. The cool rich liquid left a delicious lingering taste of oak. ‘Mmm, lovely. Good choice.’

She met his eyes across the table. ‘Allie’s spending tonight with Vivienne and Will?’

All night?

No, no, no. She wasn’t going to ask that. She didn’t need to know.

‘Reluctantly, yes.’ Luke gave her a wry smile. ‘She wanted to come with us to make sure we had fun. She’s worried about whether I’ll be able manage on my own.’

‘Ah, more dating advice?’

‘Yes. We…’ He cleared his throat and she wondered what he’d been going to say. After a moment, he continued, ‘I must remember to remind her about this in a few years when she starts dating.’

Terri chuckled. ‘She’ll be mortified.’

‘I’m counting on it.’ His quick laugh made her pulse skip.

He put down his glass and reached across the table to cover her hand with his. His voice was soft and husky as he asked, ‘So, how am I doing? Are you having fun?’

‘Oh, definitely.’ With an effort she managed to keep her tone light. ‘I promise to send you home with a glowing report card, lots of gold stars.’

His eyes sparkled with a dark, sensual invitation. ‘In that case, I promise to do my best to earn every single one.’

Her heart did a slow, painful somersault into her throat, completely blocking her ability to reply.

When his hand slid away from hers a moment later in a smooth caress, she nearly protested. It wasn’t until his gaze released hers that she realised the waiter was standing beside them, holding their meals.

She let out a slow breath and looked at her wineglass. Only one tiny sip and good sense had deserted her. She felt sinfully frivolous, intoxicated. Luke. She was tipsy with the heady influence of his company.

‘Thank you,’ she murmured to the waiter as she smoothed the napkin on her knee. She’d ordered pan-fried fillets and they looked delicious with their crispy, golden-brown coating and side order of thick roasted-potato wedges. A bowl of tossed salad sat in the middle of the table for them to share.

‘Everything all right?’

She looked up to see Luke watching her. Her world seemed to tilt even further off its axis.

‘Yes, perfect.’ She forced her mouth into what she hoped was a reassuring smile and picked up her knife and fork. ‘This looks wonderful.’

Now all she had to do was eat it. Laughing and flirting with Luke had wiped out her appetite for food completely.

‘Did I tell you Dad’s talking about retiring?’ he said.

Thank goodness. A safe topic. Something to take her fertile mind off her overwhelming sensual awareness of the man opposite her.

‘Is he?’ She cut off a small forkful of fish, relieved when it melted in her mouth and slid easily down her throat.

‘Mmm.’

‘I know your mum would like him to take things a bit easier but I got the impression that he was adamant that it wasn’t going to happen any time soon.’ A second mouthful. She was getting the hang of this.

‘He’s mentioned it twice now with no prompting so I think he’s seriously considering it.’

‘Viv would be pleased, even if he only scaled back his hours.’

‘Yes, she would.’ Luke rested his knife and fork on the edge of his plate and reached for his wineglass.

There was a small silence during which Terri managed another couple of mouthfuls.

‘Dad asked if I’d be interested in staying on in the director’s position.’

The potato seemed to congeal into an unswallowable lump in her throat.

Luke.

Staying here.

Not going home to England. She couldn’t make up her mind if it was excitement or dread fizzing along her