Breaking the Rules Read online

  She sighed and looked into his eyes. “It has been a great day.”

  “You need to just stop thinking about all the reasons why we shouldn’t be together and look at the one reason why we should.” He held her chin up. “Us.”

  His reasoning hit her deep in her chest. It was the truth. The day they’d spent together — as Hope and Colin — represented what they could be and how it should be. She placed her hand over his. “You’re right.”

  “Damn right, I’m right.” He lightly brushed his lips on hers. When she leaned forward into him, he said, “See? We both want this.” Looking in her eyes, he added, “Let’s just be Hope and Colin.”

  Parting her lips, she raised herself to meet his kiss. His mouth caressed hers and he gathered her in his arms at the same time. She held on to the front of his shirt, trying to pull him closer, which was impossible because they were as close as they could get with clothes on. His hands explored the hollow of her back and he felt so damn good.

  They ended the kiss at the same time. She blushed and looked at him. “You’re very convincing, but — ”

  “Man, I really liked the beginning of that sentence, before the but.” He tightened his hold on her own butt.

  She giggled. “How about we be friends with benefits? For now.”

  “We’ve only made out. What kind of benefits are you talking about?”

  She looked down. “I mean, I really like kissing you. And — ”

  He held up her chin. “Don’t. I really want to see where this is heading. If that’s how you want it, then I’ll have to compromise.” He kissed her quickly and looked to the side as another couple walked up to the railing.

  “Let’s just take it how it is. Friends who kiss every so often.” That made sense, right? She really liked kissing him.

  “And then we’ll see where that takes us.”

  She nodded. “Right. And no one else has to know.”

  He frowned. “Okay … I guess. So, secret friends?”

  “We’re friends, but the secret is the benefits.” She cringed inwardly. It sounded all fine and dandy in her head, but once she said it out loud, it sounded insensitive. Plus, it reminded her too much of her past — of Vincent. She pulled her ear as a heaviness invaded her body.

  He let go of her and put his hands in his pockets. “I’m not that bad of a guy, you know.”

  “I know that, Colin. It’s just — ”

  He sighed and took her hand. “Come on. I’ve got to get back and pick up Jason from his friend’s house.” He curled his fingers around hers and held on tight.

  They walked quietly back to their cars. Once Hope sat in the driver’s seat of her little VW Jetta, Colin bent down and kissed her long and hard. It was a kiss to remind her of their day and their deal — friends with major benefits — benefits she didn’t want to live without.

  He smiled at her once he released her. “I don’t want this day to end. Can I call you later tonight?”

  She smiled, with a sated peacefulness. “Of course.”

  “Have a safe ride home, Soxy.” He shut the door for her and waved her off.

  She took a deep breath as she started her car. Today was too good of a day. Colin was one fine specimen and she should enjoy the attention that he offered. She really wanted to, but something ate her up on the inside. All this secret business — her ridiculous idea — was not going to work. She’d been there, done that and it was not a happy ending. And she really wanted a happy ending with Colin. How could they get there? She had no clue. She only knew she had to take one step at a time.

  Chapter 10

  Colin stood in his office, reviewing a patient’s file when his assistant appeared in the doorway. “Doc, I thought you’d want to know Ms. Hope Robinson is here.”

  He looked up, smiling. She came to see him? Maybe she was busy and not ignoring his calls. It’d been five days since their fun at the boardwalk. He thought they had an understanding they’d try out this “friends with benefits” thing. Now she was here to make it up to him. “Where is she?”

  “Room three, possible fracture.”

  He rolled his head back. Shit. “Okay. I’ll be right there.”

  So she wasn’t here to see him. Even if she was injured, he was glad she was in his office. Now he could get to the bottom of her avoidance.

  He walked to the exam room and pulled her file out of the slot. It wasn’t every day a man reviewed his love interest’s body information spread out in front of him. Colin entered the exam room, closed the door and crossed his arms. “Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

  She sat on the edge of the patient chair, crutches resting against the wall. “Where’s Dr. Patel?”

  He straightened his tie and walked to her side. “You trying to avoid me?”

  “Not exactly, but … well … I’m a little embarrassed.” Even though her cheeks flushed, she held her chin up high.

  “Don’t be. Dr. Patel had an emergency at the hospital so you’re stuck with me. Get up on the bed so I can take a look at you.”

  Hope’s eyes bugged and she laughed. “My, doctor, you’re full of innuendos.”

  He laughed with her. “If you only knew.” He helped her ease into a lying position on the exam table. “What happened?”

  “I fell last night on a walk around the neighborhood. Darn crack in the sidewalk.” She let out a small laugh, but winced when Colin touched her ankle. “Ow.”

  “Cracks will do that to you. They sneak up all the time. It’s just this foot?”

  “Yeah. I didn’t think it was anything, but I woke up today and it really hurt, so I came in during my lunch break.”

  “I’m glad.” He raised an eyebrow. “Guess what time it is?”

  “X-ray time?”

  “Yep.” He bent over to get her crutches and his Yankees cap stuck out of his pocket.

  “You really don’t go anywhere without that cap, do you?”

  “Brings me luck.” He pushed it deeper into his pocket and smiled at her inquiring eyes.

  “Any proof of that?”

  “Sure. I got to see you today.” When she smiled back, he said, “Come on, our assistant will take you to the x-ray room.”

  After twenty minutes, Colin stood next to Hope in Room Three again. “The good news or the bad news first?”

  “Why do doctors always say that?”

  “It’s kind of like the glass half empty or full scenario.”

  She bit her lip. “Then the good news.”

  “No broken bones or fractures.”

  Hope’s bright smile lit up her eyes. “That is good news.”

  “The bad news is you have a bad sprain. You need to rest that ankle at least a full day. Do you need to get back to work?”

  “Do birds fly?”

  “Well, at least stay behind that big desk of yours for the rest of the day and stick your foot up on another chair. Have you heard of the RICE treatment?” When she shook her head, he continued. “Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. The first twenty-four hours are critical and since several hours have already passed, you need to take it easy.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  He retrieved a bandage from a drawer and walked back to the exam table. “You need rest to avoid more complications. Ice for twenty minutes every three hours. Use an Ace bandage to compress it. I’m sure you already know this, Ms. Frequent Flyer. Here, let me wrap it.”

  She cringed a little as he put his hand on her ankle. After wrapping, he moved a strand of hair away from her chin. “Lastly, you need to elevate your foot higher than your heart.”

  She waved him off and sat up. “That all sounds great, but I really need to get back to school. I have a meeting with student government and another administrative meeting at four.”

  He
looked at her and crossed his arms. “Take care of yourself first, Hope. If you don’t, you can make it worse. When you get home, stay in bed for the rest of the night.”

  She scooted to the edge of the table, not looking at him directly.

  Before she could get them, he handed her the crutches. When she tried to take them, he held on tight. “Rest. Doctor’s orders.”

  “Okay.” She huffed and grabbed the crutches successfully this time.

  “I’m glad you have these. You don’t need any weight on that foot. No more injuries.” He grabbed her shoulders and stared at her face.

  She stared back and it was silent for a long time.

  He lifted his chin. “Why haven’t you answered my calls?”

  She got off the table and maneuvered toward the door. “It’s not a good idea to talk here. We’re at your clinic and I need to get back.”

  “You need to start acknowledging me … us … that we have something going.”

  “I’ve got to go.” She avoided eye contact. “Thanks, Doctor.”

  Why did she avoid him after their day together last weekend? He thought they were moving in the right direction. He stared after her as she opened the door. “I’ll talk to you later. Take care, Ms. Robinson.”

  • • •

  It was six thirty and Hope finally sat on her couch and fired up her ereader. She made it home around five after her horrible day at work. Despite Colin’s warnings, she couldn’t leave early, so she had all her meetings in her office with her damn foot up in a chair. It worked enough to take care of business, but she couldn’t deny that her foot ached.

  Her heart ached, too, when she saw Colin’s expression as she left his office. Why she felt guilty, she didn’t know. She was right in not discussing it in his office. But she did feel bad for not answering his calls.

  Skimming back up to the top of the page, she tried to continue reading.

  And what did he mean that she couldn’t ignore this thing between them? Of course she could. Sure, what she felt was hot, but she had her job and he had his and they had to stay away from each other. That fact was still as real to her after she drove home from the beach as it was from the beginning.

  Sighing, she skimmed back up the page. Stop thinking and read, Hope.

  A knock at her door interrupted her reading this time. Who the heck was that? Hope pushed herself into a standing position, which was difficult with one foot out of order. “Just a minute.”

  She limped to the door and opened it. Her heart rate elevated at the sight of Colin leaning in the doorway.

  He stood up straight and crossed his arms. “You’re supposed to be on bed rest for the night.”

  “Kind of hard when someone rings the doorbell,” she said. Colin had changed from his business attire and now wore jeans and a Dr. Who t-shirt. Sexy as hell. “What are you doing here?”

  He held up a big bag from Whole Foods. “I bring provisions.”

  “Me, woman. You, man.” She squinted her eyes. “I can take care of myself, Colin.”

  “I have no doubt, but can’t a friend help? Now let me in.”

  She held the door wider, letting Colin walk past, her eyes lingering on his backside a little too long, and shut the door.

  Colin’s eyes lit with humor. He dropped the bags and picked Hope up, cradling her in his arms. The crutches made a loud bang on the floor, and she squealed. “What are you doing?”

  Carrying her to the couch, he said, “You really need to get off that foot.”

  “You like to play the caveman role, don’t you?”

  “Foot. Elevated.” He packed two pillows up on the side of the sofa and laid her legs on them. Then he strode to the front door, picked up the food bags and brought them to the coffee table in front of her.

  Even though she wouldn’t want him to know, she thought this was very sweet.

  Guilt washed over her for ignoring his calls. He had called her once and sent a few text messages throughout the week. The first time, she had been busy, but she purposefully decided not to call him back. After their romp on the boardwalk, she felt electrified. However, once she got home and let their secret friends talk sink in, she knew it was the worse idea she ever had. Especially after her hidden relationship with Vincent last year. That turned into a nightmare. So, when Colin called the second time, she turned her phone off and kept herself busy on the school newsletter that was due at the end of the week.

  The text message was hard to ignore. Can’t get you out of my head. She couldn’t get him out of her head, either, and that was why she had to ignore him. But, she should have known ignoring him would make things worse. He would find any way to talk to her, including a house call. She drew up on her elbows and watched him.

  He pulled out two soup bowls and two salad platters. He even remembered the utensils — plastic fork, knife and soupspoon — and a napkin at the side.

  She giggled. “You really do know me, don’t you?”

  “I still have lots to learn. Hopefully you’ll give me the chance.” Colin strode to the kitchen. She heard him opening and closing cabinets and finally heard glasses clinking together. He sat on the floor next to her feet and poured water from a tall Evian bottle into the glasses. Placing his arm across the edge of the couch bottom, he turned sideways and looked at her. “So, why have you ignored me?”

  She averted his gaze and reached for her glass of water. “I’ve been busy.”

  He grabbed her knee and rubbed it with his thumb. “I’m busy, too, but I found the time to call.”

  She darted a glance at him. His serious face radiated honesty, his green eyes glaring up at her, green as the ocean water. Wow, she could get sucked in. “I owe you an apology. The thing is I just don’t know how to handle these feelings.” The touch of his fingers on her knee gave her goose bumps. She reached for his hand. “I’ve had some bad luck in the past. Once I got home, the secret thing didn’t feel right.”

  He shrugged. “So, no secret. Better for me, too.” He handed her the salad plate and a fork, then smirked. “Now, eat. Or do you want me to feed you?”

  “I can handle it,” she laughed and rolled her eyes. “Thanks for understanding.” He was too good to be true and she didn’t deserve him. She knew she was being elusive, one minute saying one thing and the other minute the opposite. If he only knew that was how she felt on the inside. Whenever she was near him, electricity sang through her body, like a bolt of lightning. But she also knew it wasn’t appropriate. She was Jason’s principal, for Christ’s sake. “So, where’s Jason?”

  Between a mouthful of salad he said, “Study group.” He swallowed. “Science test tomorrow.” He looked at his watch. “I have an hour before I pick him up at the library.”

  “What a good kid.” She took a bite of a cucumber slice.

  He held his fork midair, halfway to his plate. “Ever think that has something to do with his dad?”

  She put her fork down. “All the time.”

  “Good.” He smiled. “I have another surprise,” he said as he reached into a second bag and pulled out two DVDs. “I got the latest action movie. We can start it together, but I have to get Jas in an hour.” He laid it on the table. “And I brought the Grey’s Anatomy latest season, for when I’m gone, so you can still think about me.”

  “Would friends do that?”

  “Hell, yeah.”

  “You’re a man of many talents.”

  “You don’t even know half of it.” He wagged his eyebrows. He crawled to the TV, put movie number one into the DVD player, and then sat next to the couch on the floor again.

  His strong arms reached across the couch next to her. She wanted to touch those biceps to see if they were as firm as they looked. His long fingers were clean and beautiful. She never noticed Colin’s hands before. Of course, she saw his hand
s in his doctor’s office when he examined her foot, but now that she paid close attention to them, she thought they were fine, strong hands. Shaking her head, she wondered what was wrong with her. A man’s hands were turning her on now.

  She moved her gaze to his face. Dark circles rested under his eyes, as if he had a long day or even a longer week. “How was work?” she asked, really wanting to know.

  “Crazy. Rajan, Dr. Patel, was in the hospital all afternoon. That means all patients went to me and our PA. When he got back, I took off,” he looked at his watch, “forty-five minutes ago.”

  “You told me I had to take care of myself. How about you taking care of yourself?”

  “I do just fine.” He brought his arm down and sat up straighter.

  “Yeah, on call all the time and any free time you have you’re with Jason or taking care of patients at their homes.”

  “I want to be here.” Colin grabbed her plate out of her hand and put it on the table. He sat on the edge of the couch and took her face in his hands.

  Hope sighed. Looking into those sea green eyes, any worries could melt away. It was simple, really. But her practical mind always got in the way and told her better. He’s your student’s father. She bit her lip and whispered, “Not a good idea, McSteamy.”

  He flinched. “Mc what?”

  She opened her mouth in a wide O and shook her head. “Pretend I didn’t say that.”

  He laughed softly and then his eyes smoldered. “Stop talking and kiss me.”

  To hell with it. He was too hot not to touch, with tight jeans that made his butt look like a playground and green eyes calling to her as if he were the medication she needed. Plus he made her insides steam up — and it was cold. A cold, lonely life.

  She reached up, put her arms around his neck and pulled him in closer. “I like these house calls, doctor.”

  “Glad to hear that.” His last words were smothered on her lips. The touch was a delicious sensation, so she returned his kiss with a reckless abandon. Deepening the kiss, their tongues explored each other. She heard his breathing quicken and her own must have matched. He leaned in closer but didn’t smash her bad foot, and his hardness pressed into her leg. A moan escaped her throat and he pulled her up so his hands could caress the back of her neck.