to the sink to wash his hands. “I’ve gotta hit the road. I’ll just have time to shower back at the apartment and make my shift at the hospital by two.”
She nodded. “Where’s Adèle?
“Went into her bedroom to get some paper dolls.”
“That’s what she does when she’s overtired. She arranges all her dolls into families all over her floor to play with.”
“Did I overtire her?” he asked with alarm. “I mean, she looked like she having fun, so, I—”
“No, no. She was having a ball.”
He dried his hands on a towel and leaned back against the counter, watching as she put some leftover gumbo and rice into several pots to warm up for lunch.
“Do you have time?” she asked, motioning toward the food.
“It looks good, but nope. No time.” He still watched her, though. “You had a busy morning.”
“I did, and actually it helped to have Adèle out of the way. So, thanks.”
He nodded.
“I had four clients come here, and six phone calls,” she told him. “That is a busy morning.” It was obvious to her, and to him, that she was making conversation to fill the silence. The big elephant in the room was what had happened between them last night.
“Come here, Louise,” he said, motioning with the fingertips of both hands for her to approach. He was still leaning back against the countertop.
“What? No.”
More beckoning with his fingertips. “Are you afraid?”
“Of course not. Why would I be afraid?”
He arched his brows.
“Okay, what?” she asked, moving over to him.
He put his arms around her and pulled her flush against his body, between his spread legs. “I’ve been waiting to do this all morning,” he murmured against her ear, then moved to her lips.
Then he kissed her.
And kissed her.
And kissed her.
Until her knees started to buckle and he lifted her up and, with a quick turn, had her sitting on the counter and him standing between her legs.
Oh, my!
He smiled.
“Are my eyes rolling back in my head?”
He laughed. “That good, huh?”
“You know it is, you rascal.” She pretended to slap his shoulder.
“It is for me, too, darlin’,” he said with a sudden serious expression on his face. “Can I can come back tonight?”
“Oh, Justin! We were lucky this time, but I can’t have people knowing you’re here all night.”
“How about if I promise to leave before morning?”
She hesitated, and he kissed her again, accompanied by a grinding of his erection against her lady parts. Her eyes were definitely rolling back in her head now. He left soon after that. She hadn’t told him that he could return. But she hadn’t said no, either.
Louise couldn’t explain her actions. It wasn’t like her to take such chances. Maybe she had more Cajun Sass in her than she’d imagined.
Chapter 7
Can’t help falling in love…
Louise had been seeing Justin for two weeks, and, despite her best intentions, she was definitely falling in love.
She loved how he looked…what woman wouldn’t? She loved the way he made love, as caring about her needs as his own. She loved how smart he was and dedicated to a noble profession, even if he did raise an eyebrow on occasion at some of her more far-fetched, but effective, herbal potions. She loved how sensitive he was in dealing with Adèle; he’d spent one whole afternoon with her, teaching her how to catch crawfish with a leafy branch while Louise was busy preserving two dozen jars of fig jam to be sold at the general store.
Yes, he was arrogant and aggressive. When he wanted something, he went after it, whether it be a medical career or a woman. She couldn’t exactly criticize him for that.
And, yes, it was crazy to fall for a guy who wouldn’t be around for much longer. Deep down, she was hoping he might choose to come back here to practice. A far-off dream. Maybe she should call on St. Jude for a little help, but he had been oddly silent of late.
She hadn’t said those three magic words to Justin, not out loud, and might not ever do so, because she had no idea if Justin reciprocated her feelings. And the clock was ticking down on the time left before he had to return north.
Oh, he cared about her. She was sure of that. Why else would he show up almost every night and leave before dawn? For the sex, of course. But he came during the day, as well, when he was able. Every spare minute he got, he spent with her, even when