Free Inamorata by Kate Sweeney Page A

Jerry Vale. He was my mother’s favorite.” She grinned when she heard Mick laugh.
    “So…”
    Isabella raised an eyebrow and waited. “So…?”
    “So, if I understand this word. If I loved you…”
    Isabella suddenly found it difficult to swallow. “ Sí ?”
    “Then you would be my inamorata . Right? I mean, just for the sake of understanding.”
    “Yes. I would.” Isabella put the pillow over her head, trying to ignore her racing heart. “For the sake of understanding.”
    “Okay. Just checking. Good night, Doctor Rivera.”
    There was silence for a moment. Isabella grinned. “We are back to Doctor and Señorita?”
    “Hell, no.”
    Isabella let out a genuine laugh. “Good. Can I tell you something?” she asked softly. She looked at the blanket between them and waited.
    “Of course you can,” Mick replied just as softly.
    “I enjoy the way you say my name.” Isabella could almost see the blue eyes smiling.
    “That’s good to know. Because I enjoy saying it.”
    “Mick…”
    “I enjoy that too.”
    Isabella smiled. “Thank you for building the clinic, and for the view in my office.”
    “You’re welcome. Hey, didn’t we do this before?”
    “It appears to be a habit between us?”
    “It does. Good night, Isabella.”
    Isabella closed her eyes. “Good night, Mick.”
    *******
    Somewhere in the night, Mick tried to roll over and was stunned to see Isabella lying next to her on the sleeping bag. Oh, Sweet Jesus, she thought. The doctor was lying on her side, cuddled close to Mick.
    The thunder boomed and in her sleep, Isabella jumped and moved closer to Mick, who nearly swallowed her tongue. What in the world is Isabella…she then remembered her fear of thunderstorms.
    In between the flashes of lightning, Mick caught a glimpse of her pretty face, now in a tight frown as her hand clutched Mick’s shirt. Another crack of thunder, which scared even Mick, Isabella woke and screamed softly.
    Instinctively, Mick wrapped her arm around her and pulled her close. “Sshh, Isabella. It’s only a storm,” she whispered and Isabella sighed in her sleep and quite naturally slipped her left arm around Mick’s waist.
    Oh, this feels too right, Mick thought. What was the word? Anaconda? No, that’s a snake. She smiled then. Inamorata, that was it. Mick would have drifted off to an erotic dream but she remembered Sean, and how he and Maria saw her kissing a man, passionately, Sean added.
    “Nuts,” she mumbled, but still held on to Isabella.

Chapter 10
     
    Isabella woke first, completely disoriented. She tried to stretch and realized she was trapped. Her eyes flew open and she found she was staring at a firm breast, partially hidden by a tank top.
    Madre de Dios ! She cried inwardly. I am such a fool.
    She looked up to see Mick in a deep sleep, her mouth slightly open. Isabella bit at her bottom lip as she tried to ease away. She rolled her eyes in embarrassment as she noticed her left leg was thrown over Mick’s thighs. Fighting the comfortable feeling, she desperately tried to extricate herself. Mick lay on her back; her left arm wrapped around Isabella, holding her in a close, protective embrace.
    How did this happen? Isabella’s mind frantically tried to remember. Then she thought of the thunderstorm and felt ridiculous. A grown woman afraid of a thunderstorm, she shook her head. Mick made a small noise in her sleep and Isabella prayed that she would not wake up. She also tried not to stare at Mick’s breasts that sensually rose with every deep breath Mick took. 
    Isabella had an idea. Trying to avoid the overwhelming pull to caress the heaving breast, she reached up and gently tickled Mick’s right ear. Mick twitched her head and snorted quietly. Isabella chuckled at the sight and repeated. As hoped, Mick swatted at the annoying mosquito, mumbled in her sleep and rolled over on her right side.
    Isabella jumped quickly as she tried to scoot off the bag, but realized her T-shirt was stuck on