The Choice Read online

  The doctor’s scowl deepened into something furious. Oops. He’d been clear about his opinion of the PI. Of course he wasn’t happy she hadn’t heeded his advice. Heavenly made a mental note not to mention Seth next time she saw Dr. Beckman.

  “Um…I-I should go,” Heavenly said, though she hated to leave him.

  “Wait. Listen to me, little girl. You—”

  A honking horn interrupted whatever he’d been about to say. When she glanced up, she spied a familiar rental car at the curb—and an even more familiar face peering out from the open window, golden hair glinting in the California sunshine.

  Seth.

  He waved. Her heart jumped. She sent him an excited smile in return.

  Dr. Beckman whirled to peer out the glass, then zipped back to her, looking irritated. “Did you know he was coming?”

  “No.” Gosh, there was her breathless, dreamy voice again. “It’s a complete surprise.” But a nice one, so she shouldn’t keep him waiting. “You’re on vacation next week, right? Going to see family for Christmas?”

  “Yeah.” He raked a hand through his hair before sidestepping to block her view of Seth. “I’ll be back on the thirty-first. You have plans for the holiday?”

  “Staying here. I took a waitressing job to make some extra money. I have a silly uniform and I’ll be serving a bunch of big ol’ kids with sticky fingers.” Not for anything would she embarrass herself and tell an esteemed professional like Dr. Beckman that she had stooped to working at a place like Bazookas. “Not fun, but it will pay a few bills.” When Seth honked again, she smiled at the doctor before daring to step up on her tiptoes and kiss his cheek. “Have a great holiday. I hope we can resume our lunches when you get back. Bye.”

  Before she could see whether her impulsive peck had annoyed him, she turned and pressed her hand to her suddenly tingling lips. Shoving aside the useless wish that he would have kissed her mouth, she ran out the hospital’s revolving door—and into Seth’s waiting arms.

  He’d exited the car and now leaned up against the driver’s side. When he pulled her close, Heavenly’s heart thudded all over again. “What brings you here?”

  “You.” He cupped her cheek, lifting her gaze to his. “Did you really think I wouldn’t want to see you again after Raine’s party?”

  She’d hoped but hadn’t dared to expect. Now she couldn’t hold back her smile. “I’m glad you’re here. Sorry about the other night, leaving so suddenly. I got a call from someone who fell and thought they were hurt. Turned out to be nothing.”

  “I’m glad everything’s all right. Someone close to you?”

  “Yeah. He’s a sweet old man, doesn’t really have anyone else to help him…”

  She hated to be less than honest, but what else could she say? Maybe Seth was interested in her. Or the idea of her. Sure, he flirted with her, but if he really knew how inexperienced she was, he’d laugh. Or feel sorry for her. She hadn’t forgotten the pity on his face the day he’d first asked her out. Telling him the whole sad story about her father and his disease would only make that worse. She’d rather not put him in the position of making him stammer pointless platitudes. They changed nothing.

  “Well, that just proves you’re the angel I’m always calling you.” He turned a heartthrob smile her way.

  Heavenly felt half a second from swooning. “You’re funny. And you’re sweet.”

  “Sweet? That’s something I haven’t been called in a long time.” He winked. “You need a ride home?”

  “No!” She bit out, then dialed back the panic. Since he always looked like he was determined to figure her out, Heavenly had to get it together or he would know something was off. “I need to hit the grocery store to grab a few things for dinner.”

  And she would…if she had the money. Looked like she and Dad would be eating ramen again tonight.

  “I saw one right around the corner. How about if I take you?”

  If he dropped her off, that would be great. It was a couple of blocks closer to the bus stop, which meant less time on her feet. “Sure.”

  Wrapping an arm around her waist, he led her to the passenger door and helped her inside with an exaggerated sweep of his hand. “Your chariot, my lady.”

  She giggled. Yes, she probably sounded silly, but he made her feel like a star-struck girl. “Thanks.”

  As Seth closed her door, she glanced through the windshield and inside the lobby. Dr. Beckman still stood, staring. He looked something. Sad? Troubled? Upset?

  No. He was mad.

  Deciding she probably shouldn’t invade his personal space or kiss him again, she sent him an apologetic smile.

  On his way around the vehicle, Seth raised a hand toward the doctor. He must have waved; she couldn’t see for sure. She only knew that when Seth stepped into the car, his grin was even wider.

  “Good day?” she asked as he started the engine.

  “It is now.” He dropped his hand to her knee. “I’ve been thinking about you.”

  Heavenly’s breath caught. She’d heard the cliché about butterflies in her stomach, but she seriously had them. He’d actually thought about her? And he was touching her, too. Her whole thigh sizzled as if he’d heated her up with his rough, hot hands. Breathing wasn’t easy, either.

  Oh, mercy…

  When they’d first met, she had thought Seth so blindingly gorgeous. But when he’d used that voice on her at Raine’s party? She’d melted. Now, she had no doubt what he was thinking when he ate her up with his gaze. There was no nighttime to shroud them, no champagne to sway her. Just the two of them in broad daylight, in public, sober as church mice.

  And she still couldn’t drag her stare from him.

  Her breath caught when his fingers tightened on her leg. “I’ve been thinking about you, too.”

  “Yeah? All good things, I hope.”

  “Yes.” Sexy things. Totally new and different things. Exciting things. “But I’m sure you hear that a lot.”

  “I’d rather hear it from you.” He squeezed her knee again, then put the car in drive and headed for the street. “What did you think of our conversation the other night? I was really honest with you.”

  She swallowed. “I…liked it. A lot.”

  “Any part in particular?”

  Heavenly turned to find his mouth curled up in a playful grin. His long fingers tightened on the steering wheel as he turned onto the road when the traffic parted. His shoulders and chest filled out his black T-shirt. She could see the ridges of his abs through the soft cotton and…yes, their conversation excited him, too, if the huge bulge in his well-worn jeans was any indication.

  Oh, gosh… She swallowed. “I liked all of it.”

  “That’s what I wanted to hear, angel.”

  “I’ve never met anyone who could make me feel what you did with a few words.”

  He braked at the stoplight and glanced at her, his smile a seduction. “I’d like to do more than talk to you, Heavenly. How would you feel about that?”

  His husky words hit her in the chest, then dropped between her legs, where they tightened and burned. “Happy. Um…excited.”

  “Yeah?” He pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store and dropped his hand to her leg again, higher on her thigh. “How excited? Enough to make you wet?”

  “Yes. Even enough to make me”—she bit her lip—“touch myself.”

  He braked in the middle of the row and crooked a finger under her chin, lifting it. His green eyes had gone dark. “Excellent. Do you have to study tonight?”

  Was he asking her if she was free? “No more school until January fourteenth.”

  “This day just keeps getting better.” He diverted his attention long enough to pull the car into an empty spot. “Then let’s get you into the store so you can grab your groceries. Unless you’d like to go out to dinner. I’d love to take you somewhere.”

  Heavenly wished she could say yes. But duty—and reality—called. “I’d love to go out, but I’ve got to, u
m…get some stuff done around the house and look in on the older man who fell. I’m also exhausted after a long week of work and finals. I’m not sure I’d be great company right now.”

  “How about a rain check?”

  She felt a goofy smile spread across her face. “That would be great.”

  “Tell me when you’re free, angel.”

  “I’m starting a new waitressing job tomorrow night. But I’d love to see you in the afternoon.”

  “Where are you working? I could hang out and keep you company.”

  Heavenly tried not to flinch. “No place you’d want to go. Loud, crazy restaurant with unruly brats. Besides, I’d die if you saw me in that ridiculous getup.”

  “I’m sure you’ll look adorable, but I won’t make your job harder. How about if I call you in the morning and we make plans?”

  “Perfect.” She had to be beaming—and she didn’t care. She was going on a second date with Seth Cooper, whose charm and swagger made her flutter and tingle. “Thanks for the ride here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  As she reached for the handle of the door, Seth wrapped his fingers around her arm. “How about some company while you shop?”

  Heavenly froze. What could she possibly buy without breaking the bank except a few more packages of ramen? Maybe eggs and some generic oatmeal. But that wouldn’t look like dinner to Seth.

  “You don’t have to. I’m sure you have better things to do with your time.”

  “I came to be with you. Why don’t you let me keep you company? Hell, I’ll even push the cart.”

  How could she say no to that? Impossible, so she’d just have to grab a few things, make excuses, and scurry home. “Sure. Thanks.”

  With numb fingers, she pushed her way out of the vehicle and stood. Instantly, her feet protested. At least her sandals were more comfortable than her work shoes. But it still seemed crazy that she was wearing flip-flops days before Christmas.

  Suddenly, Seth was beside her, locking the car with the fob in one hand and tangling their fingers together with the other. She looked down at their clasped hands, then up to his confident grin. For a moment, she could almost pretend she was like any woman spending time with a guy who liked her, free to see where the attraction led them…

  She really liked the feeling.

  Inside the store, Seth grabbed a cart. Grocery shopping with him felt weirdly domestic. She’d done this chore alone for so long, usually clutching the store’s flyer and a handful of coupons. In fact, she almost never came here because the prices were higher, so she didn’t know where anything was. Maybe if she kept him talking he wouldn’t realize she was lost.

  “So…when are you going back to New York for the holidays?”

  He shrugged. “I’m actually thinking about staying.”

  Could that possibly have anything to do with her?

  Don’t be ridiculous…

  “Well, you can’t beat the weather,” she remarked.

  He slid his arm around her, anchoring it on her hip. “I can’t beat the company, either.”

  Heavenly floated up the first aisle. “There you go, flirting again.”

  “With you? Always.”

  Their conversations were easy—unlike her intense exchanges with Dr. Beckman. And sometimes, she got the feeling the brilliant surgeon was saying one thing to her but meant something else entirely. He fascinated her…and she didn’t know what to do about the potent, one-sided attraction.

  “Have you talked to Raine since the party?” Heavenly asked.

  “I had breakfast with the three of them this morning. She’s doing great.”

  Heavenly was relieved but not surprised. After all, sassy Raine lived with two loving men. Come to think of it, a similar relationship might solve her own problems. Then she’d never have to choose between the two men who flipped all her switches. She could wake up beside them every morning with smiles and kisses, spoil them rotten all day, then crawl into bed with them each night and crook her finger when she wanted them to touch her…

  It was official; she’d lost her mind.

  “I’m glad to hear it. She’s so kind and strong and funny.” And secure—both in herself and her place in her men’s lives. Raine was someone Heavenly aspired to be like. “I think she’s great.”

  “It’s mutual. So, when you figured out they’re a threesome, how much did it shock you?”

  “A lot,” she admitted. “I’ve never seen anything like that. Have you?”

  He shrugged. “Ménage relationships? Sure.”

  “Oh. Of course. You’ve been a cop.”

  “Something like that.”

  Mischief danced in his vivid eyes. He wasn’t telling her something, but the secret obviously made him smile. Gosh, she’d love to know the thoughts running through his head now.

  “What does that mean?”

  Seth laughed. “We’ve been up and down half the aisles in this store. You still haven’t put anything in your cart, angel.”

  He was right. Goodness, she must look like a stumbling goofball. “Oops. I got distracted.”

  Her blushing admission only made him laugh more. “How about if I help you out?”

  Before she could answer, he tossed a bag of pasta in the cart, then a couple of jars of sauce. She gaped at the splurges she hadn’t been able to afford in years. But he was already tugging the cart around the corner, balancing it on two wheels, and heading for the produce.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Grabbing you some stuff for dinner.” He tossed a few peppers into the basket, followed by an onion, garlic, and some tomatoes. “Do you prefer parmesan, Romano, or a blend?”

  “Um…” She couldn’t afford any of it. “I don’t—”

  “Know? Care? How about I surprise you?” He pushed the cart to the specialty cheeses, picked up a few containers of grated stuff that nearly choked her with the price, then tossed them in the cart. “That’s the thing about growing up in New York. I know lots of Italians. They showed me the good stuff. You’ll love this.”

  She’d probably melt the instant it hit her taste buds. Cheese was a weakness. Hazard of growing up in Wisconsin. But those few sprinkles almost cost more than she spent on groceries in a week.

  How could she tell him she couldn’t buy any of this stuff without the evening becoming utterly mortifying?

  “And you’ll need some of this…” He zipped farther across the store, to the meat counter, bypassing anything on sale. He picked up a few packages, then discarded them until he found the biggest slab of beef in the case. “Perfect. You like meat, right? You’re not one of those vegan girls who will only eat something if it never had two eyes and a mother?”

  “No. I’m not. But I—”

  “Great. Know what to make with everything in the cart?”

  Heavenly had no clue. “I don’t.”

  “Garlic steak pasta is magic.” He grinned as he scanned the basket. “Do you need anything else while you’re here?”

  Staples she couldn’t afford for a month if she bought all this. “Um…I’ll never be able to eat this much food. And since I don’t know how to cook the dish you’re talking about, I think I should stick with the basics.”

  When she reached into the basket to pluck things out, he pulled her closer and pushed the cart to the front of the store. “Angel, since you won’t let me take you out, I want to cook for you. All you have to do is invite me over and show me to your kitchen. I’ll do everything else. And after dinner…we’ll see if you feel like acting on some of that conversation we had. What do you say?”

  Her first thought was a knee-jerk no. But she was really tempted to say yes. She didn’t want her time with Seth to end. Still, if she invited him over, she’d have to explain her situation, her father’s health, her complicated life—all the things she’d been avoiding.

  Would it matter to him? Maybe not. He seemed determined to get to know her. Or get her into bed. Maybe…she should let him. She was hopelessly attracted to him,
and sex would probably be the most amazing thing ever. And she wasn’t hanging on to her virginity for any particular reason. When it happened, she just wanted to be with someone who would treat her well and make her feel good. Seth would. Sure, some silly part of her wanted her first time to be special, but she wasn’t sixteen anymore, hoping to be plucked by the prom king on a bed of roses. She wanted it to mean something, but she wasn’t ready for happily ever after. Being happy for a moment would be okay…

  As he maneuvered the cart into a checkout lane, she stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear. “I don’t need a lot but…is this anything more than sex?”

  He reared back and stared, a furrow between his brows. “Oh, angel. I’m dying to make love to you, but I’m interested in more than your beautiful body. You have a beautiful heart, too. If I didn’t like spending time with you, I wouldn’t be trying this hard.”

  Right. Because he didn’t have to. That was enough for her. He only had to like her some. When they got back to her place, she’d figure out what to say to him…and how to explain him to her father.

  She was being impulsive. After all, she and Seth had only been on one date. They’d seen each other a handful of times. Trusting someone with all her baggage was a big step. A scary one. She’d never done it and she hoped he didn’t scurry off once he got an eyeful of her reality. But just once, she wanted to live in the moment. And the truth was, if she kept waiting to start her life, she’d never experience anything.

  Finally, the woman bagged the groceries. Seth paid, and it shocked her to think he hadn’t blinked at spending nearly fifty bucks for a single meal. But he grabbed the bags and dropped them into the cart, then put a hand at the small of her back and hustled her to the door.

  Before they went any further, though, she needed to make a couple of things clear. Heavenly pulled on his sleeve. “Wait.”

  “What’s wrong? Don’t change your mind now, angel…”

  “I’m not,” she murmured as people bustled in and out of the store around them. “I need to be honest with you about something. Well, two things. First, we may not be able to have sex tonight. You’ll see why when we get to my place. But I want you to know it’s not because I don’t want to. I really do.”