From Doctor...to Daddy by Karen Rose Smith Page A

tease and retreat. She felt the shudder that ran through his body and knew they were both dabbling with desire that could explode and hurt them both. Still she couldn’t seem to get enough and neither could he. If his ribs were bothering him, desire must have overridden any discomfort he felt.
    The kiss might have urged them to his couch. They might have ended up in his bedroom. But she’d never know because there was a knock at his door.
    They both froze.
    Dillon pulled away from her just a few inches, called, “Just a minute,” and kept her in his embrace.
    She had to find her composure and quickly. This had been a test and she’d failed it miserably. If that knock hadn’t sounded on the door—
    She backed away from Dillon…a good foot away. With a deep breath, she let her gaze trail down his upper body again, and it settled on his bruises. She brushed them lightly with the back of her hand, and he winced, obviously in greater pain than he was willing to admit. “While you’re at the hospital tomorrow, please get this checked out.”
    She felt his hot gaze on her as she crossed to the table and picked up her purse. Then she went to the door and opened it, welcoming the waiter and Dillon’s supper…escaping back to a life that was safe.
    Â 
    The following evening, Dillon walked up to Erika’s house and pressed her doorbell. Today he had been suddenly aware of time ticking away. He was dissatisfied with allowing his career to become his life. Considering the past few years, he was downright fatigued by beating himself up about his failed marriage…about the god-complex he and other doctors had that they could cure a child in spite of the odds. He also realized he needed to remember Toby well —not sick—and the good times they’d experienced, rather than all the moments he’d missed.
    He’d spent the morning at the hospital, thinking about his future, discussing options with the Chief of Staffwho understood the needs of Thunder Canyon residents. By the time he’d returned to his office, Erika had gone for the afternoon, working to finalize events for Frontier Days. He’d missed her. He didn’t know what this feeling of connection to her was, but he needed to pursue it.
    So here he was, standing at her front door, rationalizing why he’d come, why he was carrying a present for her daughter.
    Before he’d left the resort, he’d been steeped in decisions about what came after September. Should he accept the offer to join the concierge practice in Texas? Should he stay near his family? Should he make a move and maybe find a new life in Montana? He was grateful he had choices, but the choice right now didn’t seem clear. This evening, getting away from the resort and his suite had just seemed like a good idea.
    The chime from Erika’s doorbell echoed inside. He felt a rush of adrenaline when she answered the door wearing a thigh-length red sweater and black leggings. Her mass of loose waves tumbled around her shoulders and all Dillon wanted to do was run his fingers through them.
    Her brown eyes were huge with questions. “This is a surprise.”
    Her gaze ran over his black sweater and khakis, and he liked the fact that she looked at him the way he looked at her. “I should have called.”
    â€œBut you didn’t.”
    She was the kind of woman who wouldn’t let him get away with anything. “If I had called, you could have easily given me an excuse not to see me. Are you busy?”
    As if on cue, Emilia’s voice came from inside. “Mommy, pway.”
    â€œI’m a mom,” she reminded him. “I’m always busy.But I’ve fed Emilia supper and this is our winding-down time. Come on in. How are your ribs?”
    â€œThey’re better. Nothing is broken.” He’d had them x-rayed while he was at the hospital.
    â€œDid you have supper?”
    â€œYes. Sue