“Zeke? What are you doing here?”
The man had taken off his cowboy boots and his overnight bag was on the chair. Zeke whipped around in shock. His stare went directly to Jeremiah. She stepped out from behind him. Zeke’s eyes traveled to her and then back to Jeremiah. “Well, that didn’t take long.”
“Excuse me?”
“What the hell, dude?”
She and Jeremiah talked over each other. Zeke lifted his hand and shook his head. “Sorry, that was inappropriate. I’m sorry. It’s no excuse, but I’ve had a hell of a day, and now it looks like I’m facing a long drive home.”
A drip of melting ice cream fell onto her foot. She passed the ice cream bowl to Jeremiah and pointed to the kitchen. With another hostile look toward Zeke, he went into the kitchen. “How did you get in?”
“I have a key to the clinic. When you didn’t answer the door or your cell phone, I assumed you were with Allison or Gen and let myself in. I’m sorry if that was impulsive, but you’ve never had a problem with me staying over.”
“Until now.” Jeremiah stood in the kitchen doorway.
Zeke nodded. “Until now.”
“You’re not driving back tonight; it is too far.” She looked helplessly at Jeremiah. He narrowed his eyes at her as if trying to read her thoughts. She sighed, “You can sleep on the couch, Zeke. Remi, may I speak to you? In private?”
Jeremiah stalked across the living room as Zeke shook his head. “No, that’s all right. I’ll be fine.”
“Zeke, plant your butt on that couch, you aren’t driving south tonight. I will not let you fall asleep behind the wheel.” She grabbed Jeremiah’s hand and dragged him into the bedroom.
Jeremiah sat down on the bed and ran his hands through his hair. “This is awkward. I’m not going to lie. I don’t want him here. Alone. With you.”
Eden flopped down beside him and sighed, “He’s harmless.”
“Harmless, huh? I beg to differ. It appears he did one hell of a hack job on our plans for tonight.” Jeremiah lifted her and turned her to face him before pulling her onto his lap. She felt tiny in his arms but safe and cared for.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “But we can do it all over again tomorrow.” She leaned forward and kissed his lips softly, hopefully promising enough that the epic doctor-sized stop sign in the front room wouldn’t deter him from coming back tomorrow.
“Is that so?” He damn near purred the words.
She smiled and nodded once. “I promise.”
“Until tomorrow then.” His kiss was branding-iron hot and there was no doubt in her mind he was acting possessive. There was no need to worry. None. Zeke didn’t interest her, and she returned the passion he ignited.
When they broke, she stood up and started unbuttoning his shirt. He ran his finger from her collarbone between her breasts and let his hand drop. “I’m going to bring a shirt over for you. This look is sexy as hell.”
She shrugged out of his shirt. “Sexier than this?” She held his shirt out to him and watched as his eyes darkened. He blinked several times and took a step back while grabbing his shirt. “I’m going to kill Zeke.”
The agonized groan made her laugh. “No, you’re not. I’ll see you for coffee in the morning?” She went to her closet and pulled out her robe, wrapping herself up in it.
“I’ll be there. Sunrise.” He shrugged on his shirt and buttoned it up, shoving the tails in his jeans. She watched him put on his socks and boots and stand again. Picking up his briefs, she smiled when he rolled his eyes. “I’ll be back for them.” He dipped down and gave her a kiss. “Sunrise.”
She followed him out of the room and leaned on the wall as he passed through the living room, ignoring Zeke.
“I could have driven south.” Zeke held his head in his hands and didn’t look up at her.
She sat down on her small chair that was nestled in the corner of the conversation area. “No, you’re exhausted, the baggage under your eyes is impressive.”
“I need an office up here or maybe in Buffalo. The drive up plus a full day of driving all over the county and the drive back is a nineteen-hour day, minimum. I can do it two or three days in a row, after that, I’m toast.”
“So, what’s stopping you? You could petition the counties and the state for grant money. I think there is