“The charm is so turn-of-the-century.”
“Want to explore?”
Everything around her looked so quaint and interesting. “Can we go in there?”
When she pointed to the Emporium, he ushered her in that direction, smiling as she oohed at vignettes in the windows depicting scenes from their movies and aahed at cute plush characters.
Slowly, they wound their way along the busy street, moving from store to store, tempted by bright lights, shiny toys, and the scent of fresh popcorn. They ducked into the cinema to watch Steamboat Willie, the first distributed debut of Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Ten minutes later, she emerged into the sunlight, all smiles. She stepped off the curb to dash through the crowd, lured by the scrumptious smells of sugar and vanilla. Suddenly, a protesting horn startled her. Dr. Beckman wrapped his arm around her middle and yanked her back against him—and out of the path of an oncoming trolley filled with parkgoers.
Heavenly pressed a hand to her chest and dragged in a calming breath.
“Careful,” he whispered against her ear, still holding her tightly.
She gave him a shaky nod…then realized her backside was plastered against his hard abs and muscled thighs.
Her heart began thumping in an all-out gallop that had little to do with fright. Heat rushed over her. Everything in her panties began to ache.
He often had that effect on her. And he was probably thinking she was an idiot for not watching where she was going.
“Sorry. I was looking around and…” she blurted. “Thank you.”
“It’s all right. I’ve got you.”
His low-voiced assurance made her shiver. Her nipples stiffened. Through her T-shirt, they pressed hard against his bare forearm. Was there any way he could fail to notice?
“I’m okay now.” She tried to wriggle free. Of course she’d rather stay in his arms, but he’d soon know she didn’t think of him as a mere friend if she did.
“You sure?”
Heavenly gave him a shaky nod.
“Is that a yes?”
How was it possible he sounded even closer? His voice lower? That he held her even tighter?
“Yes.”
But he still didn’t let go. She glanced over her shoulder at him. His dark eyes pierced her, hooded, narrowed, focused. And she felt his penis swell, thick and as hard as a lead pipe.
A silent gasp parted her lips. Their gazes fused. Then his hips seemed to press and roll against her backside. She hadn’t imagined that, right? Heavenly didn’t think so. And well…she could tell with Dr. Beckman that it wasn’t a small world, after all.
In that moment, he imprinted his body on hers. She answered in kind, turning wet, her breathing unsteady. Awareness flared in his eyes.
He knows I like him.
The urge to babble and cover her embarrassment was too much to resist. She pushed out of his arms. “Gosh, I’ve been here five minutes, and I almost got myself killed.”
Slowly, he stepped back. “I’ll try to keep you alive a bit longer. What would you like to do next?”
Heavenly couldn’t stop thinking about Dr. Beckman as a man. Her stirring desire messed with her ability to talk like a normal human. Had he been hard simply because he was male…or because he wanted her?
She must seem totally unsophisticated to him. She always did bumbling, inept things. And yet, she would have sworn he was looking at her like a grown-up, sexy woman.
A gaggle of children, their voices shrill with excitement, ended the moment. Heavenly watched as they flocked, parents in close pursuit, toward a living, breathing Cinderella, all dressed for the ball. Yes, she knew it wasn’t real, but she could barely muffle her thrilled gasp behind her hand. “Sorry. I don’t mean to get excited.”
“I like it when you do.” His tone was thick.
That delicious tingle of arousal slid through her again. Six little words—and yet Dr. Beckman’s suggestive voice turned her inside out.
“Be yourself,” he clarified. “Not who you have to be at the hospital. I’m going to enjoy experiencing today through your eyes since they’re less cynical than mine.”
“Okay.”
Pleasure and approval suffused his handsome face, along with something that seemed like more than friendship.
Was that wishful thinking? After all, look what had happened with Seth. One minute she’d thought they might get much closer. Then she’d opened her mouth…and ended up alone. Of course, that didn’t stop her from thinking about him. Nothing did. He was like a ghost, out of sight but always haunting her.
Pushing away the thought, she turned her focus back on Dr. Beckman, determined to enjoy today. “So how many times have you been here?”
“Maybe more than a few. I would have sworn I was too jaded to really enjoy it again, but I might change my mind.” He gave her a slow smile. “Tell me what you want to do.”
The castle was still ahead, begging exploration, but… “I’ve always wanted to ride a roller coaster. Can we?”
“You never have?”
“There weren’t many opportunities in Wisconsin. When I was eight, I went with a friend’s family to this place in Wisconsin Dells.” She grinned wryly. “But I was an inch too short to ride.”
“You’ll never lack inches when you’re with me.”
“Huh? Are you laughing at me?”
“I’m not.” He cleared his throat. “Um, you’re tall enough now.”
“I am, so no short jokes. I’m sensitive.”
He grinned. “I’ll bet you are.”
There was something behind that smirk she didn’t quite grasp, but it made her warm all over.
By the time they ambled to the top of Main Street, they reached a hub of sorts. Slowly, she turned in a circle, trying to decide which “land” to conquer first. But her stare was drawn again to that magical castle sharp against the bright blue sky. She remembered being fascinated by videos showing amazing pyrotechnics exploding behind it, in sync with the wistful strains of “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
She grabbed his arm. “Do they really have fireworks?”
“Every night, weather permitting.”
“Wow. I wish we could stay for them.”
“We can stay as
