Read Babies in the Bargain for Free Online Page B

raised his hands, palms out. “A good working camaraderie. Maybe an honest friendship between two doctors? We can help each other. What do you say?”
    She arched an eyebrow. “I get along well with my colleagues. Even if I don’t get as close to them as you do.”
    “Touché,” he said, accepting her sarcasm. “So, you won’t continue your disappearing act when we’re outside the OR?”
    She tilted her head, sighed, and immediately smiled to hide her embarrassment. Good colleagues working together in the delivery room was all she’d been able to handle so far. But now, she’d make an effort to socialize. She’d already stopped avoiding him since the accident. “I’ll be around.”
    His eyebrows gathered in a scowl, he walked her to the door and paused. “Your sympathy has helped so much.”
    Her hand on the knob, she faced him and nodded.
    “Thank you, Holly.” Marc gently rubbed his fingers along her jaw. “I appreciate all you’re doing.”
    She instinctively pressed her cheek against the long fingers and then jerked away as her face heated, her throat warmed, her pulse raced.
    All he needed was a hug from a caring friend. She heaved a deep breath, inhaled his healthy masculine scent and a hint of lemon fragrance, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “You’re welcome, Marc. Holler if you need me.”
    Marc narrowed his eyes, her last words churning in his guts. “Ah, I need you, all right.” He brought her hard against him.
    She threw her head back, eyes wide and turquoise. A bewildered expression spread over her face, but her limpid gaze reflected the same desire that simmered through his blood.
    The wrong time, the wrong place, the wrong reason.
    His brain screamed no . His body tensed, throbbing against her softness. “Damn it, woman. I need you so much.” He lowered his head and met her parted lips.
    “Oh, Marc,” she murmured, their hearts drumming together as she laced her fingers behind his neck.
    He crushed his mouth to hers. Hunger and despair mingled in his demanding kiss. She responded with the same passion he’d tasted seven years ago. The same fervor he’d eagerly wished to recapture in the last few weeks.
    She pulled back to drag in air. His lips abandoned hers and trailed along her jaw, while his fingers played with a lock of her hair. She didn’t move out of his embrace but met his gaze with a question in her eyes.
    He groaned, squeezing her against him. She was his anchor to sanity. Blocking the memory of last night, the agonizing hurt, he let his lust submerge his pain. Without hesitation, without taking the time to tease or taste, he devoured her lips like a starving man.
    She moaned, an erotic whimper that snapped him back to the gloomy present.
    He looked at her, sucked in a heavy breath and released her. How had he been able to stay away from her for so long? He’d had no choice. His family had needed him.
    “You can’t believe how I’ve missed you all these years.”
    “No, Marc. You didn’t miss me. And this was a mistake.” She slid back behind her icy mask of the last five weeks and snatched the door open.
    He pursed his lips, grasping the unspoken feelings. She resented him for letting their long distance relationship dwindle and die a slow death. Maybe he should mention he had overwhelming responsibilities. “Holly, I want to tell you—”
    “Don’t, please.” Her chin raised, she waggled her hand. “I’ve tried to comfort you, but that’s all there is between us.”
    “Of course. I appreciate your effort.” He let her pass in front of him and leaned against the doorframe, watching her walk briskly away. Now wasn’t the right time for explanations.
    Would there ever be a right time for him and Holly?
    * * *
    Friends with Marc? Holly clucked her tongue as she pressed several times on the elevator call button.
    What a joke. Only two minutes into this newly found friendship and she’d kissed him as if her life depended on it. Hating and loving