The Doctor She Always Dreamed Of by Wendy S. Marcus

“Of course.” After all, he was a nice guy. A horny, nice guy who hadn’t been with a woman in months and wouldn’t be getting any sex tonight, but a nice guy nonetheless.
    â€œI saw some bottles of water in there. Please grab one for me...instead of wine.”
    â€œSure thing.” He grabbed one for himself as well.
    They set up the blanket far from the fire so it’d be as dark as possible for optimal stargazing conditions. After drinking down some water, Derrick lied down on his back first, immediately spotting the Little Dipper. “First one to spot the Little Dipper gets to choose what we do next.”
    From where she sat beside him she turned to look down at him. In the dark, he couldn’t see her expression, but he had a pretty good idea the face she’d be making at him.
    â€œYou’re all about the competition, aren’t you?”
    â€œGrew up with two brothers, everything was a competition. Lay down.” He patted the blanket beside his hip.
    After drinking some water she did. “You’ve already spotted the Little Dipper, haven’t you?”
    He smiled, hadn’t taken her long to figure him out. Once again they were lying side by side, staring up at the sky.
    â€œLittle Dipper’s right there.” She pointed up, tracing it with her index finger.
    â€œThe North Star.” Derrick pointed skyward, same as Kira. “Big Dipper.” He studied the stars, looking for, “And there’s Scorpius.”
    â€œImpressive knowledge of astronomy,” Kira said.
    Derrick would never willingly admit how many nights he’d laid in this exact spot as a kid, alone with a flashlight and the astronomy book Mom had bought him for his eighth birthday, studying the stars.
    â€œWhat is Scorpius?” She slid closer. “I don’t know what I’m looking for.”
    He moved his right arm to make room for her. She settled in with her head resting on his shoulder, pressed in tight to his side.
    â€œRight there.” He turned a little, lowering his face close to hers so they could both look up his forearm to see where he was pointing. “You see the curve of its tail?” He traced it with his finger. “Then up and around.”
    â€œI do.” She sounded excited. He liked that.
    Derrick pointed out a few more stars and constellations. Kira watched with interest, or at least she pretended to be interested. He appreciated that. He loved stargazing and hadn’t had the chance to do it in years. After a while they both lay there quietly. Derrick looked over to see if Kira had fallen asleep.
    She turned toward him. “I know I said it before, but it’s so peaceful here so beautiful. Thank you for bringing me. It’s such a nice change from the city.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.” He hugged her close. “Thank you for not completely freaking out when you woke up this morning.” He dropped a gentle kiss on the top of her head. “And for not telling the sheriff I kidnapped you.” He’d damn near had a heart attack when he’d seen the sheriff at the door.
    She turned on her side, cuddling in close. “I’ve had a really nice time tonight.”
    So had he. “See. It’s the alcohol.”
    â€œNo it’s not.” She leaned in to kiss his cheek. “It’s you...Derrick Smith.”
    What?
    She climbed on top of him, straddling his hips, lowering her chest to his. “I’ve never picked up a stranger in a bar before.”
    Hell yeah! He was totally up for some role play. “I saw you sitting there,” he slid his arms around her, “and I knew I had to have you.”
    â€œWhat first attracted you?” She shimmied up a little to tongue his ear.
    God help him his body went hard. “Your laugh,” he told her honestly.
    She lifted her head and smiled down at him. “My laugh?”
    â€œYes.” He palmed her ass. “Your bold,