Free Handle With Care by Patrice Wilton Page A

affair. We’re just friends.”
    “True.” She opened her mouth and then shut it again.
    “What is it? Just tell me, for God’s sake.”
    “Okay.” She was silent for a few seconds, and her cheeks grew pink. Finally, her eyes met his, and she spoke. “This may sound stupid to you, but I actually look forward to you coming into the ER. I don’t want to feel that way, but I do.”
    He closed his eyes as he tilted his head back. This was not what he wanted. The sudden rising of heat in his loins, the burning desire to hold Lauren, to take her, to have her. No. Not with this woman.
    His eyes opened slowly. He took a deep breath and released it. “What if I said I hope you’re on duty when I show up too?”
    Her gaze was direct, her expression serious. “Then I’d say we need to address this issue and deal with it.”
    He crossed his arms, squashing the hunger inside of him. It had been so long. Going on two years since he’d had a woman in his arms. “So, we have a little sexual attraction going on. Who’s it hurting? Neither one of us will act on it, so it’s no big deal.”
    “It makes me uncomfortable at work.” She sat up straighter in her seat. “I can’t be distracted.”
    “You won’t be.” He looked at her for a long time, just studying her. Finally, he grinned. “When was the last time you were kissed?” He knew it was a mistake to bring up the subject of kissing. Knew it the moment the words escaped his lips. But he wouldn’t take them back, even if he could. He wanted to hear her answer.
    She straightened even more, which was darn near impossible. “That’s none of your business.”
    “No. But I can see that you’re tense. You have all that sexual energy bottled up inside. I know because I’m in the same boat.” He shrugged. “Seems like we both have a problem.” It wasn’t him she wanted, he told himself. She simply needed a man. Probably hadn’t made love since her husband died.
    She tossed her head, and he watched with fascination as her soft, chestnut-colored hair moved across her cheek. “I’m not tense, and I don’t have sexual energy.” She wouldn’t look at him. “And if you do, why aren’t you dating any one of the nurses that have the hots for you?”
    “Not interested. I don’t have time to date, as you’ve already pointed out.” He hesitated, and then said, “You should go out with Kevin. He’s an okay guy, and definitely wants to get it on with you.”
    Her eyes narrowed and took on a hint of that ice. “Don’t insult me—or Kevin. If he were interested in me, he wouldn’t expect a quick fling. He knew my husband, and he knows how hard it was when I lost him.”
    “Well, someone else then.”
    This line of conversation was better. Safer. The last thing he wanted was to be the object of her desire. He hadn’t been with a woman since he’d lost his hand; and if he wanted sex, it wouldn’t be with her. It would be with … well, he didn’t know who it’d be with, but Lauren deserved someone a hell of a lot better than him.
    “Look, Josh really wants a father. And he and Brad are good buddies.” He rubbed his jaw. “But if you’re not interested in Kevin, there’s probably a zillion lucky guys who’d line up to date you.”
    “Spare me.” She rolled her eyes. “Not you, too.”
    “I’m just saying.”
    “Josh and I are a team. We don’t need anyone else.”
    “It was hard for my mom raising me by herself, and if the opportunity comes along, you shouldn’t close your mind to it. That’s all I’m going to say on the matter.”
    “It may have been hard on you and your Mom, but we’re doing fine.” There was heat in her voice when she added, “Perfectly fine. Why do people think we’re not?”
    He threw up his hands, knowing he’d pushed too far. “My mistake. Of course you’re fine. Josh is a great kid, you’re a great mother, and I have two exams next week.” He opened one of his textbooks.
    “Yes. Sorry.” She glanced at her