“Good thing,” he mused, his expression deadpan. “Otherwise I’d have to kill you.”
“Kill me?” She tried to keep a solemn appearance, too, but her lips twitched. “Wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of today’s efforts?”
He shrugged, continuing feigned sincerity. “You’re right. Best save my honor and keep my secret, fair maiden.”
White knight? Slaying dragons? Fair maiden?
Oh, this was fun. She fought another smile, enjoying this unexpected attention, this unexpected side of him. Okay, so she enjoyed all sides of Levi, but still…
“Done,” she promised. She also liked the fact he’d not been as calm and collected as he’d appeared, that he’d felt some matching anxiety to what she’d experienced during her choking session. Somehow that made him seem more human, less Greek god fallen to earth to star in every woman’s fantasy.
Less like Simon, who never would have admitted to a flaw of any kind. He’d been perfect and had had no qualms telling her that over and over while reminding her how lucky she was to be in his life. Gag. She should have dumped his cheating butt months and months before things had ended.
So Levi’s admission softened her resolve, made her smile. And for a short while she wasn’t going to analyze every minute detail. She was just going to enjoy that she was with Levi.
He parked his SUV behind the medical complex where his office was located, right next to the hospital, and pulled the keys from the ignition.
“Need me to carry you?” His crooked grin dug a dimple into his left cheek. “Damsels in distress are my specialty.”
Yes, she almost rushed out just so she could feel his arms around her again. Oh, yes, yes, yes. But she didn’t. This damsel had taken advantage of him enough for one day. She had to bite back a happy sigh at his continued feeding of her castle-in-the-air fantasy.
“No, I don’t need you to carry me, not when God gave me two perfectly good legs. Thanks, though.” It struck her that she couldn’t recall if she’d thanked him for his Heimlich. “Thank you for coming to my rescue earlier, too.”
“You’re welcome.” He flashed his straight white teeth in another grin, ratcheting up her heart rate and causing a reflexive Kegel contraction between her thighs. “You’re too beautiful to meet such a tragic fate.”
All righty, then. She didn’t know how to respond to his flirting. But, really, he was probably just being nice, right? Just here because he was afraid he’d broken her ribs during his rescue efforts? He was an excellent doctor who went above and beyond for his patients. At the moment, she was his patient.
“I thought I was going to die,” she admitted, hoping her smile looked appreciative and not too much like please-take-me-into-your-arms-and-kiss-me. “You saved me.”
He cast her a mischievous look that both thrilled and reminded her he was way out of her league. It also reminded her that she really wanted to play in that bigboy league—with him.
“Yep,” he continued, “I saved you and now you owe me.”
“I guess I do.” Was she imagining the gleam in his eyes? The spark zapping back and forth between them? The electricity in the air?
“I can tell you’re excited about being indebted to me.” He laughed, climbing out of his truck.
Oh, she was excited all right. From her head to the tips of her toes.
“Who likes being indebted?” she quipped when her door swung open, eyeing him and wanting to lick him from his head to the tips of his toes.
“Good point,” he agreed, offering his hand to help her get out. “But I won’t ask for more than your complete and total devotion and servitude.”
Okay, so he was absolutely flirting back.
And she absolutely couldn’t breathe.
Help! Someone do the Heimlich again. Quick.
When she slid her hand into his, her breath gushed from her body in a rough swoosh. Oh, my. Now she needed mouth to mouth as well.
Seriously. She needed his mouth on hers.
She’d just been in his arms a few minutes ago when he’d carried her to his SUV, but already she’d forgotten what the warm contact of his skin against hers felt like, was shocked by the intensity.
Electrifying. All consuming.
The most wonderful feeling in the whole world.
Pathetic, Madison. Absolutely pathetic. Apparently you really suffered brain damage from lack of oxygen when you choked.
“You’re going to send a bill for this, right?” she asked, desperately trying to detract from his magnetic pull. Desperately trying to keep from launching herself at him in the hope he’d catch her and never let her fall. Of course he’d let her fall. Eventually he’d push her down and trample on her heart if given the chance. It’s what men did. It’s why she’d decided if she couldn’t beat them, to join them, so to speak.
“Nope.” He snorted, not letting her pull her hand free as he led her toward the back entrance to his office.
“I have health insurance.” I have quivers all over my body from your hand clasping mine.
“I wouldn’t feel right about charging you to examine whether or not I broke your ribs.”
Promise you won’t break my heart.
Now, where had that come from? Of course he wouldn’t break her heart. She wouldn’t let him anywhere near her heart. Yes, she was physically attracted to him, but that didn’t mean she’d let him or any other man near her heart ever again. But she could be like men, enjoy the physical side of life without letting her heart become involved. All fun, no pain.
“My ribs are fine. Just a little sore.” Very sore. “But even if you’d broken each and every one of them, I’m glad you saved me, Dr. Fielding.” She flashed him what she hoped was her most appreciative—and alluring—smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, and the name is Levi.” Another crooked thigh-melting grin. “I want you to call me Levi.”
Madison sat on the exam table, waiting for Levi to rejoin her and trying not to let her imagination run away from her. Just because she kept having lust-induced fantasies about Levi, it did not mean he wanted to push her back on the exam table and do a thorough hands-on investigation of all that ailed her.
Mainly him.
From the moment they’d stepped into his office he had been the consummate professional. He’d shot the X-ray films of her ribs, not balking when she’d insisted on keeping on her T-shirt. She’d taken off her bra to avoid the underwires and hooks from showing on the film, but no way had she been going to take off her shirt.
Levi might be a doctor, but if and when he ever saw her bare-breasted she didn’t want the blessed event
