~ Cain ~

He shut the fridge. The beer was his first, but after his morning he figured it wouldn’t be his last. Having the house to himself was a rare treat. Cain left the kitchen crossed the living room and headed to the back of the house. Before he stepped out on the terrace he heard her. Soft curses and groans carried in the wind. He peeked out. She was there in the yard. Grass up to her knees, she seemed to be breaking off overgrown branches and tangled with weeds. But why?

Cain watched.

He sipped his beer and watched.

He was safe standing under the threshold to his outdoor terrace; even if she looked up she wouldn’t see him. So he took his time and watched her. She was dressed for a day of weeding. In a pair of jean shorts and white cotton tank-top, her thick hair was in a braid down the back. He could see everything. From the tiny beads of sweat on her brow and arms making her skin glisten in the sun to the firm toned muscles in her long legs as she reached, stooped, and dragged out dead or broken tree limbs.

What the hell was she doing? It made no sense. He chuckled to himself. “Hello there Mrs. Peterson, can I help you Mrs. Peterson, or should I just stand guard and watch?”

He shook his head. A man could have his fantasies. The lady probably wouldn’t give him the time of day. What was he thinking? She’s married. So is he. His smile soon faded as he recalled her body, what treasures her up-tight husband had under lock and key. If he didn’t put an end to it he’d never be able to look her in the eye again, let alone work next to Keith Peterson without revealing his secret desires. He very well couldn’t go out there and apologize. What if she had already told her husband? Shit! Then it came to him, the perfect idea.

~ Simone ~

“Shit!” she exhaled. Taking time to catch her breath again, she rested her hands to her hips.

“What the hell am I doing?”

It was a good idea at first. All the Home and Garden magazines she collected should have made this a breeze. Break a few branches, clear out some weeds, and haul them all to the trash. She’d suddenly have a cleared spot for a garden. A perfect cure for restless energy and those naughty wild thoughts she couldn’t suppress. It was a bust. Twenty minutes into it she was sweating under her arms and between her thighs. There a barrage of swarming tiny bugs uncovered from a tree stump or weed patch that went on attack, biting her everywhere. “To hell with this,” she mumbled, turning.

There was a blast. A loud horn blared out from all around. She whirled in shock. “What the hell was that?” she gasped, putting a hand to her throat. Then came the hard notes of Yankee Doodle Dandee. Her head shot to the left. It was Cain? He stood in the middle of the yard facing her playing his tuba. Simone eyes stretched in disbelief. “Are you crazy!” she yelled back.
He rocked side to side with the tuba blaring like a siren. She covered her mouth to hide her laughter. Then he switched it up, and started on Michael Jackson. Simone nearly bent over laughing. He marched around the back yard playing and sounding really awful. Simone shielded her eyes from the sun shaking her head in disbelief.

She could tell he was winded soon by the way the notes fell flat, despite his efforts. He gave her a final blow, then moon-walked to a finale.

Simone jumped up and down clapping, grinning.

Cain bowed and bowed again.

Walking through the branches and dead weeds, ignoring the blistering sun bearing down on her she went to the fence. Cain lowered his tuba to the grass and approached. Simone laughed, she couldn’t help it. He was huffing and puffing out of breath. “What was that?”

“My apology.”

“You are unbelievable.” She shook her head, smiling. “I thought you were kidding. My God. The neighbors are going to call the police.”

“Wouldn’t be surprised if your husband isn’t calling right now.”

“Keith is gone. Back to the club.”

“Funny, Maryanne is at the club too.” He winked.

There was a long pause. She stuck her hands into her back pockets, continuing to stare into those eyes that she couldn’t stop thinking of. “What are you apologizing for, Cain?” she asked.
He stepped closer to the fence. He smiled again, and everything inside of her melted a degree.

“Last night, you know what…” Simone kept her eyes on his. Those erotic images of them facing each other popped up again to the front of her mind. Up close again she found his eyes deep ocean blue and as mysterious as the crooked smile he wore. “I apologize for…” his eyes dropped and she sucked in a deep breath holding it until they lifted from her chest to meet her stare once more “…for the intrusion.”

“It’s okay,” she quickly said. Too quick. Of course it wasn’t okay. It was wrong. Dead wrong. He arched a brow and she tried to steady her voice. “I guess I should close the blinds.”

“Don’t.” he said holding her stare. “I mean, you don’t have to, I’ll keep my eyes to my property line from now on.”

A ball of heat lodged in her gut, her knees went weak, because of those damn eyes of his. She gripped the fence just to keep standing. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he watched her.
Oh, God, did he know how much she liked it when he watched her?

“Simone?” he spoke in a thick husky voice, “Are you okay?”

Her mind shut down. “Huh?”

“I said, I’ll keep my eyes over on my property line.”

The man saw her naked. She allowed it. That broke all kinds of rules for a married woman. Right? “Yeah, well…like I said, um, things happen so…”

“So what’s with the yard work?” he asked leaning on the fence. Changing the subject so abruptly made her ears pop. The pressure that had built up in her chest lessened. Suddenly she could breathe easily again. She looked back at the mess behind her and shrugged. “I want a garden.”

“Really? Over there…in this heat?”

“Bad spot?”

“Step back.”

She did as he asked, confused at first. Then she watched as he climbed the fence like a jock and dropped over on the other side missing his footing and landing on his hands and knees.

“Cain! Are you okay?” she asked reaching to help him. He took her hand pulling her to him to rise. She didn’t shy away from his touch initially, or the manly scent of beer and aftershave as she helped him stand. But she stepped aside as soon as he was upright. Too much of him that way was bad for her sanity.

“Wow,” she chuckled as he dusted off his hands. “How nature-man of you.”

“Yeah, well it looked like a good idea at first.” He put his hand to his back and bent backward in a stretch. “But I’m not twenty anymore.”

She nodded grinning. She was constantly grinning, a change for her, she hadn’t smiled in quite some time before meeting him. His gaze went over her yard then returned to her. He towered over her blocking the sun; she swore the man’s eyes were as clear as liquid. She couldn’t break away from them. Not that she wanted too.

“What type of garden?”

“Huh?”

“Garden, you said you wanted to start one?”

“Oh, yeah, um…vegetable.” She lied. She just wanted to have plants growing. She didn’t know a damn thing about growing vegetables.

“Cool, so you want to grow warm weather crops, like: tomatoes, peppers, corn, okra, egg plant? Those are perfect for the summer.” He walked through her yard. Simone followed him intrigued her calves itched from the scraping of the tall blades of grass they waded through. She reached down and smacked her thigh to a bug bite, drawing his eyes and attention back to her. She blushed. “Mosquitoes.”

He smiled.

“What about winter crops? I’d like to know my choices.”

“Not winter crops. You don’t grow vegetables here in the winter. But cool weather crops that can tolerate lower temperatures are um…let’s see…”

Fascinated, she held on to every word.

“….broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage. And tender weather crops…”

“Tender what?” she asked touching his arm to stop him. He looked down at her touch and she removed her hand.

“Tender weather crops are the same as cool weather crops but you need to do some serious nurturing and protecting of them. Things like onions, lettuce, garlic, spinach…”

“How do you know all these things? Aren’t you some kind of Ivy League Sales guy?” she chuckled. But he didn’t. She noticed how his jaw tensed at her joke. Immediately she wished she had shut her damn mouth. “I didn’t mean…”

“It’s okay. You’re right. My mother was a gardener when we were kids. She loved to garden, before, before she couldn’t anymore.”

“I’m sorry. Is she still alive?”

“She is.” He perked up and then cast his eyes down to her. “Now, do you want my help clearing away the perfect spot for this garden?”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that, I could get someone out here to do it.”

“Where’s the pride in that? Besides, I owe it to you, for the accidental peeping the other night.”
Simone crossed her arms. “How long were you watching me?”

“Not long enough,” he countered.

“That’s the last flirt. Promise.”

She half laughed, wagging her pointer finger at him.

“Can I get one more…just one more…” he turned and faced her. Her cheeks burned in yes, anticipation—every pulse point hammered with it. She felt her heart surge at the plea in his eyes. She focused on his gaze and told him yes with her eyes.

“It’ll be my last…scout’s honor.” He put his hand over his heart and his other hand up.

“Okay, one more flirt. Your very last flirt.”

The soft blue of his irises darkened like sapphire and he leaned in, his cheek barely touching her cheek, his lips so very close to her ear. He whispered: “You, Simone, are one of, if not, the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Simone pressed her lips together. She soon gave a shy smile. “Thank you, Cain.”

“Now you ready to work?” he turned away.

“Tell me what to do first.” She said excited. She hadn’t been excited about anything since she closed her business. He nodded, reaching behind his neck and pulling his shirt over his head to reveal a white tee. She looked at his brick layered chest and muscled arms. On his left was a tattoo of a Shamrock. Simone couldn’t help but stare. Keith had a brand on his shoulder from his fraternity; she always found it sexy for some strange reason. Suddenly she knew why. She liked the idea of him being a man, not some cardboard cut-out of one. Cain was a man. She could tell.

“C’mon…let me show you how it’s done.” He said tucking one end of his shirt in his back pocket. She nodded, following.

~ Kim ~

“Omigod!” Jessica gushed. At five foot-two and nearly two hundred pounds she had a waddle to her shuffle as she hurried to the nurses’ station. Kim looked up from her typing. She had just returned from the pharmacist refilling her prescription, not easily done with the chaos of the hospital that morning. Things were just settling down and here comes trouble. The last thing she needed was Jessica coming over distracting everyone from paperwork.

“You are not going to believe what I just saw.” She kept looking back over her shoulder. Kim frowned now fully invested in the news. The other nurses checked as well for doctors or worse Murphy in the hall.

“What, what did you see?” Amy asked.

“Spit it out, girl,” said Gwen.

“Dr. Hottie put the smack down on Dr. Pervert, that’s what.”

The nurses exploded in laughter, along with the chubby anesthesiologist. They laughed it up for a good minute before either of them could speak. “How, where?” Amy gasped through fits of laughter, clutching her chest.

“She’s lying!” Gwen chuckled.

“It’s true, it just happened a few minutes ago. Right after they finished with the Anderson woman in surgery. I walked back in to get the equipment and Dr. Hottie had him up against the wall. He was choking him.”

“Are you for real?” Amy asked.

“I swear to God. It happened. He didn’t stop right away either. He dropped him though…after a couple of minutes. Then he leaned down and said something. I swear, Dr. Creepy looked like he was going to pee himself.”

“That’s enough.” Kim said standing. Gwen and Amy both game simultaneous eye rolls. “Don’t you two have paper work to finish from this morning? Rounds to make?”

They nodded and left out from behind the cubicle. Jessica shrugged. “Sorry Kim, but it’s about time someone put the jerk in his place. All of us are sick of him.”

“Don’t come over here gossiping Jessica, I mean it.”

Jessica rolled her eyes stumped off in a huff. Kim stood there with her hands to her hips. She saw them just minutes ago. Why would Mathew strike…

She didn’t finish the thought. If Patel told him about the Vicodin she was finished. “Shit!”
She hurried out into the hall. She was in such a hurry she didn’t bother to knock once she reached his closed door. She threw it open without reason.

Mathew eyes lifted from the documents before him. “Yes?”

Kim came inside and closed the door. “Can we talk?”

He didn’t answer. She wouldn’t have waited for him to either way. “I saw Jessica, she said you were in a fight.”

“It wasn’t a fight, Patel and I had a disagreement. We settled it.”

“What about?” she asked, taking a timid step towards him. She twisted her wedding ring nervously. She needed her job, if Mathew knew about her stealing the Vicodin it was all over. He was too much of a stand-up kind of guy to let it go, especially with the Darcy incident hanging over both their heads.

“Has he been harassing you Kim?”

“Me?”

“You.”

“No. Who told you that?”

“I got eyes and ears. I don’t like the man. What I don’t like even more is him using his position here to harass nurses. If he has said or done something, you would report it…wouldn’t you?”

“Is that what it was about? Did you hit a man because he…harassed me?”

“Like I said I don’t like the man.”

“I don’t need you defending my honor Mathew. I don’t need what that implies. This is my job. We’re colleagues. I-I-I can take care of myself.”

Mathew sat back. His grey eyes held her in place absorbing every detail. She feared the invasion, the critical way he stared. Giving a nervous chuckle she managed a smile. “I appreciate it if you were, you know defending me, but please, I just don’t want any trouble. Besides I barely know Dr. Patel so…”

“Has he harassed or threatened you, Kim? If he has I can get his ass thrown out of here and there won’t be any trouble.”

“No! I told you he wasn’t. Just let it go.” She stepped forward. “He flirts but I’m a big girl. Besides he’s not the only doctor here guilty of flirting.”

Mathew shook his head. She knew that was a low blow. But she needed him to back off. If Patel turned her in her life would be over.

“Fine. I was out of line for flirting with you and defending your honor. Anything else, I’m kind of busy.”

Kim eyes lowered. “I didn’t mean it like that. I wasn’t trying to insult you.”

“No you were trying to remind me that you don’t need my help. I get it.”

“Mathew…” she bit down on her bottom lip. “Thank you for offering but I told you, I have a lot going on, I just don’t want the trouble.”

He rose from his desk. Her eyes flipped up. She stared at him as he approached her. “All I’m offering is friendship, Kim. Is that something you can’t handle? A friend?”

“Of course not.”

“Then let your guard down with me some. I’m not blind. Dr. Patel is an arrogant bastard that has harassed most nurses here. I can help you.”

She shook her head sadly, he just didn’t understand. She could never tell him how bad things were. Never. As if he read her mind he nodded that he’d back off the topic. “Forget Patel. I have a better idea. When is your next day off?”

“Why?”

“Answer the question,” he smirked.

“Wednesday, since I came in today. But I was going to work so…”

“What a coincidence I’m off on Wednesday too.”

“You are?”

“I am. I had a little talk with Denny before I put him down in your bed.”

“You did?”

He moved in closer. She had to look up to hold his stare. He didn’t touch her but he was closer than she and he had ever been. “He told me that the one thing his mommy needed was a break, a good time. When I asked him what his mommy would like. He said boat!”

Kim smiled, a tear dropped to her cheekbone, Mathew captured it on the pad of his finger and rubbed it away between his finger and thumb. “Denny likes boats,” she said softly.

“Another coincidence, because I happen to have one.” He touched her face this time and she relaxed. “So what say you, mommy. Can you, Denny and Danny and I go for a ride on my boat?”

“I…”

“We promise to be on our best behavior.”

She smiled. “I’ve never taken them out on the water. They don’t know how to swim.”

“Another coincidence, I’m a certified lifeguard from my other life.”

She felt the warmth of his palm pressed into the side of her face. She was so tired. So tired and so scared. Her life was spiraling out of control and he was the only person at the moment that could keep her from slipping under. “He does like boats.”

“There you have it!”

Kim nodded. “Okay, we can go.”

“Thanks,” he said lowering his hand.

“For what?”

“Letting me be a friend. It works both ways, you know. I need one too.” He said.

There was two knocks and the door opened.

“Oh good, I have you both together.” Murphy said, eyeing them both. Kim stepped back and put on a straight face. “You were looking for me?” she asked.

“Mr. Darcy has cleared you both. He doesn’t want to pursue an investigation over the mishap. I’ll need you to sign off on the paperwork. Kim, I expect you will deal with Lacy, she can return to work now.”

“Yes, I’m grateful, she will be too. It was a terrible mishap.” She looked to Mathew, he nodded that he had her back. She saw it in his eyes. She could trust him.

“Very well,” Murphy said, and then walked out. Kim sighed. Mathew touched her arm. “I’m serious Kim, if Patel bothers you or anything happens, come to me. Trust me, okay?”

“Thanks, thanks for everything.”

She stepped to him and gave him a hug. She could tell it shocked him, felt him stiffen all over when her arms closed around him. But he soon returned the hug. She needed a hug today. She needed someone to make her feel safe. She closed her eyes to the sound of his heartbeat, to the feel of his arms around her. He was right. She could so desperately use a friend.

“Um, thanks.” She said stepping out of the embrace. Too embarrassed to look him in the eye she hurried out—mindful to keep her head down and the smile off her face. Did he really take that psycho to task for her? She looked back once to his closed door and smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. Now she was going on a boat ride with him. Part of her couldn’t wait.

~ Cain ~

“Hey, can we take a break, like…like seriously, geez!” she panted, hands to knees. He chuckled. A soft, light laugh- not one he was used to giving. He flexed his back causing his shoulders to broaden and her eyes to narrow. He noticed how her eyes kept going to his sweaty chest. She always looked away when caught.

“You’re doing great. Almost done.”

“But it’s hot as the dickens out here.”

“That’s why we need to get this soil moist, before you take on planting this week.” He walked away to the garden hose. She told him that she had hitched it up yesterday to spray down the outer walkway to the terrace. He dragged the green coiled hose with the nozzle in one hand. He released the spray and she jumped back. He caught how her breasts heaved and fell when she tried to get out of his aim.

“Why do you have to do that again?”

“To cool it off…for planting.”

“Right, it’s so hot out here I sure could use it.”

He couldn’t resist. He adjusted the nozzle to a fine spray and grinned. “You do look a little hot and bothered, let me help you out.”

“Don’t—” she gasped as the fine mist enveloped her. She screamed. “Turn it off!” she said charging toward him instead of running away. Her reaction threw him. She was on him in a flash. “Turn it off!” she squealed fighting with him for control, sending the stream heavenward, causing it to rain all over them. The soil beneath them dampened, turning into muddy clunks. The smell of wet earth rose around them as her breasts rubbed up against his chest her arms stretched upward trying to regain control. She was stronger than he thought. “Simone wait!”

“No! Turn it off!” she yelled but wouldn’t let go, her tank soaking and her pebbled hard nipples brushing his chest. He couldn’t help but react to the feel. He lost control and so did she the hose slipped to the ground whipping around like a crazed snake, spraying them with water.

“Get it! Get it! Get it!!” she yelled laughing, trying to catch it as he did. Finally he got a hold of it and turned it off. “Now look what you’ve done!” she said her braid loose her face wet and her clothes. Oh yes he was indeed looking. They froze for a moment. Then laughter bubbled up bright and sunny as the day between them.

“What’s the problem Mrs. Peterson, afraid of getting wet?” he panted, staring directly at her chest. She made to playfully hit him but lost her footing in the now slick grass. He caught her arm but they both went down. She landed on top of him with a gasp. Her silky legs rubbed against him and he shifted to take advantage.

Something about this woman called to him. Her vitality, her innocence, it was more than physical. He couldn’t name it. Everywhere her body touched him he came alive. He knew she felt his erection when she tensed and went very still. That knowledge and the taut, unspoken silence hummed in his ears and beat through his blood. She stared down at him, her smile blending into the pretty of her features. Diamond drops clung to her lashes, her pouty lips soon became a tense line.

“Ah, I need to get up” she said shyly.

He didn’t realize he was holding her to him, pressing her against him. It just felt so natural to have her on top of him that way.

“I apologize.”

Reluctantly, he disentangled his body from hers. She pushed up to her hands causing a breast, the point of a nipple to brush his mouth. He nearly opened it and drew it in. Fuck she was making him crazy!

She reached down offering him a hand. He rose, covered in wet earth. Together they tried to repair the damage, but there wasn’t enough brushing between them to clean them off.

“Want something to drink? C’mon, I made ice tea earlier. You can have some.” She said.

“I can go back home and get a beer.” He said wiping at his brow. He was trying hard to not notice her wet tank and the transparency that gave a reminder of the large nipples he saw from his bathroom window.

“Don’t be silly. My tea is better than a Budweiser.” She crossed her arms to keep him from staring at her chest.

“Heineken, not a Bud man,” he corrected.

“Whatever, come on.” She walked off. Cain wiped his hands on his jeans. Watching the move of her hips as she walked, noticing everything from the swell of her perfectly shaped ass in her shorts to the single stream of sweat or water running down the back of her thighs. Her skin dark and rich he wagered a taste of her sweat would be an even better substitute for the tea.

“You really are good at this,” she said, once they went inside. “Give me a sec.” She hurried to the laundry room, off the kitchen. He took the time to look around her home. The Peterson house had at least five bedrooms and three baths, a full basement; the lower level was the same layout as his. But it was decorated so warmly, so humbly, and smelled homey too. “Yeah well, like I said, my mom had a green thumb.”

She reemerged wearing a large t-shirt, effectively covering up. Her hair was still wet and loose, with twigs and grass in it. He thought about telling her but, it was too cute. “I’m going to the store tomorrow, to get the tomatoes and stuff. Can you make me a list of what I need?” she asked. He watched her movements. How she washed her hands in the sink, the way the water rolled over her fingers clearing them from dirt, to the sudsy lather that followed before she rinsed.

He watched her open and then close the refrigerator door. He watched her turn quickly making her breasts bounce underneath her shirt. He noticed every detail from the way the hairs along her temples lay down in wet swirls how tiny beads of moisture rested on her brow. He noticed how her eyes stretched whenever a new idea popped in her head. Everything about her was sensual, even her voice.

“So yeah can you give it to me?”

She had no idea how much he wanted to give it to her.

“Sure, I’ll write it down and email it to you. Got an email address?”

She stopped. “Yeah it’s easy. SimoneluvsKeith@yahoo.com.”

Cain smiled. “Cute.”

“Thank you,” she said with a sly smirk. She poured his tea, sliced a few lemons for garnish and then walked over to him presenting it to him like he was a king. “Thank you, Simone.”

“Drink. Tell me what you think? Keith hates tea. I’m the only person to drink it. He doesn’t like any of the things I like, he has these special tastes. But I like some of the things he does so it balances out.”

Cain drank to keep from responding. It didn’t sound like it balanced at all. It sounded like his prima-donna wife back home who also had special needs. “It’s delicious,” he said after draining the glass. He handed it to her. When she reached their fingers touched. A light brushing of the tips, but the current that shot through his hand was instant. He wanted more.

She turned from him and went back to the sink. “Can I ask you something?” she said with her back turned.

“Ask me anything,” he said.

“Why do you keep watching me?” She looked back at him. “I’m not talking about last night. I think we should both forget about last night. I just noticed, sometimes when we talk you have this look in your eye.”

“Does it bother you?”

“I dunno. I think it should,” she said dropping her gaze. “I know it should.”

“I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“That’s not answering my question. Why do you keep watching me?”

“Truth?”

She turned from the sink and nodded. “Yes. The truth.”

“I can’t stop watching you.”

A door closed. Cain looked back to the sound of someone dropping keys and movement through the house. “Simone!”

“Um, in here…” she said trying to fix herself as if she even needed to do so. She was perfect.

“I called you and you didn’t answer the damn….” He stopped. A look of shock crossed his face to find Cain standing in his kitchen. Keith eyes travelled over him with no shirt, covered in dirt and sweat. “Cain?”

“Hi. I was just leaving.”

“Cain, helped me in the garden,” Simone quickly said.

“Garden, what garden?”

“Your wife has talent. She needed help in the yard clearing out some weeds to get ready for a vegetable garden.” He looked back at Simone. “I’ll send you that list you asked for.”

“Thank you. For everything.”

“No problem.” He looked back to see Keith staring at him. “See you in the office tomorrow.”

“Right,” Keith said dryly.

Cain walked out leaving the tension behind. Part of him wanted to stay, felt the need for the rescue. But it wasn’t his place. He had already crossed too many lines.

~ Simone ~

“How was your day?” she asked turning away to return the pitcher back to the fridge. His stony silence was deafening, she continued about cleaning up the lemon and cutlery.

“Why was he here?”

“Who, Cain? He just told you.”

“I don’t want him in my house when I’m not home. Do you understand?” Keith asked in a stern tone. Simone sighed. She looked back. “Is that an order?”

“No, it’s a request. It’s inappropriate. Besides, he’s just coming over to get close to me.”

“Huh? Wait…get close to you?”

“Of course, they are all fishing to find out what I’m up too. Let’s not give them any ammunition. He’s playing nice with you, sweetheart, to pump you for information. I’m going upstairs to shower, come and join me. You look like you need one.” He said walking out.

Simone stood there in disbelief. He comes home to find a tall handsome man with sweaty pecks alone with his wife and he still thinks it’s about him?

“Simone?”

“No thanks! I need to start dinner.” She called back turning and shaking her head. “Un-fucking-believable.”

“Simone! Simone. Simone?”
“Huh?” she looked up, then turned. Had he been calling her?
The tap ran from the faucet swirling down the drain, it was the only sound she had heard. She turned it off. How long had it been running? “Yes?”

“Something wrong? Didn’t you hear me calling you?” he looked on with concern in his eyes. She rubbed her left brow to push back her fugue state. How does one tell her husband that she was daydreaming about a forbidden action in the night? How does one explain away her brazen behavior? Does she say: Hey honey, want eggs for breakfast…oh and by the way last night when I went to take a shower I flashed our neighbor. For a minute she studied Keith, trying to gauge his reaction. Would he be jealous or angry? Would he even care? She never looked at another man since the day she gave him her heart. Sure, she noticed attractive men like any other woman, but never did she act on it.

She was so embarrassed.

“You really need to get yourself together. You sat through breakfast like a zombie.” Keith said with an exasperated sigh. He went to the fridge and retrieved a bottle of water.

“Don’t start this morning, Keith. I’m not in the mood.”

“Where’s my tennis racket?” he opened the bottle of water, he gulped down a few swigs and then screwed the cap on tight. “You unpacked things in here and I can’t find shit, Simone! I’ve looked in all the closets. How many closets are in this place? Christ!”

The urge to lash out rose up like a black wave. She needed to channel that energy into something more worthy—fighting over a misplaced tennis racket didn’t make the cut. So she reined in her temper. His and hers together would make for a miserable Sunday. That’s not what she wanted. In fact she was quite tuned in to her needs, suddenly. She wanted him to make her feel like that peepshow with Cain Gatlin did—wanted. “I think I packed it in the basement, I’ll go look.” She offered tossing the dishrag to the sink. She walked around the kitchen island toward the stairs but he effectively cut her off. This time she caught a flicker of genuine concern in his eyes. He pinched her chin and lifted it to tilt her head back and study her face. “What’s wrong with you, babe? Did I do something?”

“I’m fine, Keith,” she stepped back jerking her chin away. “Do you want the tennis racket or not?” she snapped. His eyes narrowed on her. She blew out a breath wiping her hands on her sides. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. But you come in here and….what do you need the tennis racket for anyway?”

“The club, so get dressed. Andrew Hollingsworth wants us there for lunch and a game of tennis.”

She was truly taken aback. He agreed to their finding a church together. She saw one on the way in that was Methodist. Close enough. He said he would attend with her. Now this? Tennis? The Club again with those people? She couldn’t stomach it, especially after what happened last night.

“You have a problem with that?” he asked.

“Are you kidding me? Yes, I have a problem with that. I’m not going back there today. We spent all yesterday at that place.”

He smirked. “It’s a Country Club you are supposed to spend the weekend’s there. This is how it’s done.”

The condescension in his tone made her want to smack him. “No Keith, Sunday is the Lord’s day. If those hypocrites had a spiritual bone in their bodies they’d be in church! That’s how it’s done.”

“Don’t get self righteous on me Simone, you and I know better.”

“What does that mean? I have my faith.”

“When it suits you.”

“How dare…”

“Forget it, we will be attending church. Starting next week we will be attending services with the Hollingsworth. Our Lady Catherine is near the club, we passed it yesterday.”

“It’s Catholic!”

“What difference does that make?”

“I’m not going to a Catholic church, why would you want to play these games at church, Keith? That makes no sense.”

“IT’S NOT A GAME! IT’S OUR LIFE, DAMN IT! THE ONE I’M FIGHTING TO BUILD FOR US!” he shouted her down. Simone backed away. She didn’t hide the hurt in her eyes. He smacked his forehead. “What the hell are we fighting for? We had a good day yesterday, you had fun. I saw you grinning with that moron, Cain Gatlin.”

She dismissed the remark about Cain. She dismissed the way his nostrils flared and he glared at her. She focused on one thing. Him. Who he really was underneath. She had been fooled when they dated. Fooled into believing he was so principled and together that he had done her the favor by choosing her. Dennis called it before she married him. God rest his soul but he did. Dennis told her after they were engaged that Keith was the ‘special negro’. Translation: a snob. She didn’t want to believe it. She really thought Keith and she were kindred, now it scared her how wrong she was.

“You made these plans without consulting me, Keith.”

“What is it you have to do anyway? Laundry? I’m trying to get you out so you can build relationships, friendships and you’re fighting me? So typical Simone!”

“No. Correction, you are building relationships for you! What’s typical is your lack of respect for me. I don’t like those people and trust me Keith, they don’t like us either. You go. I’m staying home.”

His eyes stretched at her refusal, his mouth dropped open unsure of the right response. She never refused him anything. He got it on a silver platter whenever he asked. Well she didn’t give a shit. She needed some space. “Excuse me.”

“Hey.” He grabbed her arm. “What have I done? You’re angry with me again? For what now? The therapist said…”

“Oh to hell with that damn therapist.” She snatched away and marched out. She was nearly in tears by the time she made it to the stairs. Climbing she forced back the sob in her throat. He was making her crazy. A crazy, married woman that flashed her next-door neighbor in the middle of the night. She saw Cain watching her, she would have covered, she would have….but it was the way he watched her that stopped her. The way he looked at her from the shadows. Brief as it was, his blue eyes followed her into her dreams. Haunted her through breakfast, and made even another minute arguing with her husband intolerable.

“Simone! We’re going! Do you hear me!” he yelled from below.

She slammed the door and threw her back against it. “Like hell I will. Like hell.”

~ Kim ~

“Dr. Patel!”

Kim hurried down the hall. Patel looked up from the chart in his hand and smirked. She passed two nurses who tried to stop her but she kept her eyes trained on him. He rounded the corner. He knew her desperation—he led her by it. She called her baby-sitter on her day off to come in and watch the boys. She had no choice. The Vicodin wasn’t working. She needed more. She needed the Oxy.

“Dr…” she turned the corner and nearly collided with him. Kim stepped back. “Sorry, um…”

“Follow me.” He said softly.

She nodded and followed, twisting and re-twisting her wedding ring. Last night she suffered the tremors again. This time it was her legs, scared her so bad she lay in bed crying and praying. She had to have it. He had to help her. She couldn’t use the Vicodin.

“Close the door, Kim.”

She did.

“I know you’re busy.” She began.

“I’m never too busy for you.” He said with a sly smile. “You look, out of sorts?” He turned, his eyes level with hers.

He took a step toward her.

She took a step back and dropped her eyes. “I don’t feel well.”

“Really, what’s wrong?”

Kim swallowed. The inside of her throat was as desert dry and brittle. She struggled to formulate her words, to express her pain to him without giving him something over her. Because his message was clear the last time she came to him for help. Still, if he was the doctor to put her on the Oxycotin, what choice did she have?

“I’ve had these tremors. I mean muscle spasms. I’ve never had them before when….when I was on the medicine. But um….well I need something to tied me over. To get me through the next weeks before….” Her eyes lifted to his. “….before I quit.”

“I can help Kim. I told you, I’m here to help.” he closed the space between them then reached for her hand. She was pulled toward him. Kim tensed. She didn’t like the way her hand felt in his or the serpent-like look in his eyes.

“If you could just write another prescription for me. Please.”

“Sure, I can do that.” He said pulling her even closer. Kim was now in his personal space, too close for a doctor patient consultation. “But I’ll need something in return.”

“I don’t have anything.”

“Sure you do.” He brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed it. That was it. She snatched her hand back.

“Are you insane? Do you think I’d…that I would do…”

“I think you’d do anything to keep the pain away, to keep your job.”

“My job?”

“What would Murphy say about you taking sample packs of Vicodin out of the supply room?”
Kim stepped back—stung. Did she hear him right? Dr. Patel gave her an evil snicker. “I know what you did. You must have been in such a hurry. The way you left that sample box on the floor half opened—messy, surprised you’d be so careless.”

“You can’t prove I had anything to do with that!”

“No? A urine test could. When was the last time your nurses had a mandatory screening? I might suggest an investigation to flush out the culprit. You wouldn’t have anything to hide now would you?”

“You asshole.”

“That’s one way to see me. I rather see myself as an admirer. I’ve watched you for years; you never give anyone the time of the day. Even after your husband died you could spare two words for me, until I became your doctor, your savior…”

“My nightmare.”

He chuckled. “You need to start being nice to me. Really nice.” He walked back around the desk to his medical pad. She watched with abject horror as he leaned forward, picked up a pen, then began to scribble over a prescription on it. “Trust me, I understand. Why do you think I put you on the Oxy in the first place?” His eyes flipped up to hers. “A single mother, widow; it must be so hard with this job and those little ones of yours.” He ripped off the prescription slip and held it out to her.

“I won’t sleep with you. I don’t give a damn what you threaten me with…” her protest sounded as weak as she was staring at the offer of relief scribbled on that piece of paper. Her insides were torched. She was riddled with tremors from needing it so badly. She craved it so bad she was almost desperate enough to agree. “Why are you doing this to me? I’ve never done anything to you.”

“I want to help you, Kim.”

“That’s a lie! You put me on the Oxy to make me beholden to you.”

“Don’t play the victim.” He hissed. “You’re a nurse, you knew the risk and you abused that prescription. How exactly do you take the Oxy?” he smirked. “I hear it works best once snorted?”
She shook her head sadly.

“You’ve ignored me for years…now I have your attention.”

He set the prescription down on the desk then walked around it. Kim eyes never left the desk. She just stared at the prescription. He stopped at her side. “Don’t worry, I’m a patient man. I want you to come to me freely, you have a little time to think it over. That’s my peace offering. It’s up to you what happens next.”

She looked to the floor.

Satisfied he left her there.

Kim dropped in the chair next to her. She gripped the arms of the chair and squeezed her eyes so tightly shut she saw bands of color behind her closed lids. . She knew the day she took the first pill and snorted it, what she was doing. She was guilty. She knew he flirted with her each time she came to him with a lame excuse for a refill. She was guilty. She knew that her entire would was in jeopardy. Again, guilty. How she loathed herself for sinking this low—for becoming Diane. After everything she worked for, after all she had to protect she was a junkie. She was a damn junkie. A junkie. A junkie. A junkie….
Her eyes flipped open once more. Again, she locked in on the only offer of help. Tears dropped from her long lashes to the front of her scrubs. If she took more, then what? She’d need more and he’d….he’d demand more. She felt like vomiting at the thought of it. Closing her sadly she sobbed. Put her face in her hands and wept until it hurt just a little less. She’d never given anyone power over her, how could she be so stupid! He could report her and she would be fired, worse than that she would go to jail. She’d lose her nursing license, she’d lose her kids. What was she going to do?

Minutes ticked by. She finally lowered her hands, cheeks wet with regret. She sniffed; wiped under her eyes she rose then walked over taking the prescription—tucking it in her front pocket. She just needed it this time. The lawyers would settle her case soon and she’d quit. She just needed something to tied her over, she reasoned.

~ Mathew ~

The ER was a noisy crowded mix of orderlies, doctors, nurses, police officers, paramedics and the wounded. They kept coming. Women, men and children, battered, bleeding, dying. Dr. Mathew Donovan was enjoying his day off. A day of beer and chips in front of the tube on his boat, and then bam, an accident along the Hudson tunnel, resulting in a multi-car pile-up that the rescue teams were still trying to sift through. He got in and didn’t even put on his lab coat. He was in the thick of it. Not since his time in West Africa had he dealt with so much death.

“Where the fuck is he!!” he yelled at the nurse, the woman working to stop the bleeding, listening to the fetal monitor for any sign of distress.

“I paged him Dr. Donovan, twice…”

“What do we have?” Dr. Patel asked with a yawn, pushing his way inside the crowd.

Mathew head shot up. “A dying pregnant woman, or did you not see the others on your way down?”

“Funny,” Patel snickered. He checked her chart as the nurse began to shout off her injuries and current state. The gist: the woman was impaled in her upper chest and now in labor. They just removed the beam, but she and the baby were still at risk. “Car accident, they had to use the Jaws of Life to get her out from behind the wheel. The patient’s name is Andrea and I guess she’s seven or eight months.…”

“I have it!” Patel snorted. “Get her to the OR now. Dr. Donovan, unless you want to assist back away from her so I can save her baby’s life.”

Their eyes locked, Mathew stepped back putting his hands up. The other nurses glared knowing that the woman would have surely bled out if he hadn’t have jumped in. Evidence was all over his blood stained shirt. “She’s all yours.”

Patel smirked. Turned on his heel like a German soldier and followed the wounded woman who Mathew just resuscitated. The pissing match between the two men was a waste of Mathew’s time. He wasn’t looking for glory. “Fucker.” He grunted removing a glove then the other dropping them in the pale. When he looked up he saw her. She walked fast with her head down, if he hadn’t had her on his mind so heavily since yesterday he would have missed her.

“Dr. we need you in three. Patient with ruptured spleen, they’re taking him to surgery. Dr. Roberts suggested we bring you in.”

He nodded. “Let me get changed…tell them I’m on my way.”

“Yes sir.”

Curious, he wrapped his stethoscope around his neck and went after Kim. She wasn’t on call today. He had checked. Why was she at work? What a stupid question, for the same reason he was at work obviously.

“Kim?” he said when she rounded the nurses’ station. She looked up at him. Her eyes were puffy and glassy. Mathew felt a sense of panic at the pain he saw there. “Something wrong? The boys?”

“What do you need, Doctor?” she asked. She turned to see the board to see where everyone was. He stepped in closer to the counter. “I…well, I thought you were off. That you didn’t have to work today.”

“Have you looked around? Does this look like a day off for anyone?” She turned to the nurse next to her and took the file folders she was carrying. “Back on the floor, Dr. Roberts needs someone to assist.”

Amy frowned. “What about the backlog of those that weren’t admitted into emergency?” she referenced the line of those that needed to be checked in.

“I have it,” Kim said in a weary tone. She sat down behind the monitor refusing to give him an opening. Mathew stood there for a minute unsure of what to say next. “Maybe we can do lunch?” Immediately he regretted it. He needed to back out there, still she looked…she looked like she needed him.

“No.”

“Dr. Donovan, Dr. Patel is paging you. He needs you in the OR.” Another nurse said he hadn’t realized he was ignoring his pager. He looked at Kim again wondering what had put up the new wall between them then turned away. She never looked up again.

~ Cain ~

“Hey.” Maryanne eased up behind him rubbing her face against his bare back. She slipped her arms around his waist. “Mmm…what you doing?”

What a silly question. He stood at the sink gurgling, sloshing the rinse around in his mouth. Then he felt the delicate kisses she started to layer upon his back. Her soft hands ran up and down his chest. He moved away to spit in the toilet. He could hear her suck her teeth in frustration. “Cain?”

He flushed.

“Last night you went straight to sleep, this morning you wouldn’t wake and now…damn it, sweetheart how long is this going to go on? I told you I was sorry.”

Cain turned around and looked at her. She was dressed for a day at the Club—tennis with mother. Would the Peterson’s join? All the more reason for him not too. He couldn’t face Simone Peterson, after last night. He fucked up. Even though he didn’t mean too he fucked up. The things he envisioned since whenever he closed his eyes were adulterous. He could kick himself for even going there. He turned and faced her, his backside pressed into the vanity.

“I’ll call Joseph and invite him to Martha’s Vineyard. I’ll apologize for canceling our trip. I love you sweetheart, you know I do. Why else would I be begging just to be with you?”

She kissed him, then under his neck. Then lower. “When was the last time you had it in my mouth, you know you like it.” She went low. Cain opened his mouth to object, but she had his dick out of the front of his pajama pants in seconds. His eyes fluttered when she flattened her tongue and ran it up over his shaft. Then grew thick and hard when her mouth eased in to swallow him. He was caught then. He dropped his head back as she worked her jaws like a hover. His lids parted and his head turned toward the window. Simone stood there naked, staring at him, a look he couldn’t let go. Then he busted a nut for release.

Maryanne rose chuckling. “That was fast.”

He put his cock in his pajama pants and turned from her. He tried to push images of Simone from his head. He felt so damn guilty for it. What the fuck was happening to him? He heard Maryanne at the sink cleaning her face, rinsing. When he looked back she smiled sweetly. “See, you miss me. Don’t you.”

“Yeah,” he forced out. “Yeah…” he said suffering deep pangs of guilt, bringing her into his arms. She hugged him and smiled. He ran his hand up and down her back. She hugged him tight. “Plus, we’re supposed to be working on the baby.” She chuckled.

Just when he softened to her, wanted to make her his woman again, she opened her mouth and reminded him how much of a sneaky bitch she could be. Cain sighed in disappointment as she held to him—lying. He didn’t call her on it. Again, he just didn’t care too. But the fact that she tried to keep him in line with sex and sweet apologies did piss him off. Maryanne withdrew. She tossed her golden locks and gave him that bedroom look that at one time had him eating her pussy all day. “When was the last time you really fucked me? Huh?” She leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth, her hand slipping down to cup and grabs his dick. She squeezed, and he felt his ball tighten. His hand went to hers. “Go to the club. Play with Mother. I’m not in the mood for your games.”

“You were in the mood a minute ago; I could get it back up for you.”

“I’m serious.”

“Cain!” she pouted. He tried to move and she sidestepped him. “I have news.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Your mother. You haven’t told Joseph about her, have you?” she moved in close. “I felt bad for the crack I made the other day. I called up there to set up a visit. They said she’s doing better Cain. We can drive up next weekend if you want.”

“Why would you do that?”

She touched his face. “You’re my husband. I told you I love you, and I meant it. That place is the best in the country. Daddy has spared no expense, Cain. I want you to see that you made the best choice. You did the right thing. Oh baby, I know how much it upsets you.” She slipped her arms around his neck. Her lips brushed his and then her tongue slipped in. He held her and kissed her back. Part of him wished he was the man before he sold his soul to Andrew Hollingsworth; wished she was the carefree sweet girl from their school days. Part of him just wished them all away. She broke the kiss before he did. “You sure about that quickie?”

“Go to the club and…I’ll be here. We can talk tonight.” He said to get her off him. She stepped back searching his face to see if it were the truth. He thought she could see the betrayal in him the way she stayed. That she could conjure the images of Keith Peterson’s wife from his brain. But she smiled brightly. “Okay, I won’t be long. I promise!” She leaned in and pecked him on the lips, and then turned and hurried out. Cain dropped his head and sighed. He wiped his hand down his face.

“Damn.”

~ Simone ~

“You’re going to let me walk out of that door alone.”

She didn’t look up. Lifting her glass of tea she sipped then turned the page of her magazine. Her chair faced the large window in their bedroom giving a view of the yard. Her eyes went again to the overgrown patches of lawn and the thoughts of a garden returned. She always wanted a garden, it’s the only good memories she had with Diane. Her love of plants. Kim didn’t need those memories, but she did.

“Simone!”

“I’m not going, Keith. In fact, I think we need some time apart. So you go. I’m sure our therapist would agree.” She mumbled.

He hovered; she didn’t have to look up to see his anger. He had crossed the line and so had she. They were at an impasse, the point where she’d always caved. Not today. She was not going to bend.

“I’ll give you some space, but when I return home I want this attitude gone. This isn’t us. Not anymore. I won’t put up with it.” he huffed and marched out of the room. She sighed. Closed the magazine and blinked back tears. She waited until she heard the door below close to pick up the phone. Drawing her feet up on the chair she dialed.

“Hello?”

“Kim?”

“Hi Simone, its Lisa!”

“Oh, hi Lisa, how are you?”

“I’m good, how’s New England?”

“It’s okay. What is that in the background?”

Lisa laughed. “The twins, I bought them drums.”

“What!”

“Yeah, I couldn’t resist. I saw them in Wal-Mart- the kind that light up when you hit the middle and starts to play songs. Kim is going to kill me.”

“What is she doing?”

“Oh she’s not here. She called me this morning and told me she had to go in.”

“On a Sunday?”

“Yeah, she’s been pushing it really hard, Simone. She looks tired most times, and I found….”

“What did you find?”

“It’s nothing,” she could tell Lisa covered the phone as she told the boys to stop fighting over the same drum. She ordered Danny to return to his.

“Lisa?”

“Yeah, I’m here, sorry.”

“What did you find?”

“I found some tissues with blood. I think she has nose bleeds.”

Simone frowned. “You ask her about it?”

“No, I wouldn’t…she’s so wound tight I just didn’t. But you might want to check in on her and make sure she’s okay, ya know? She won’t tell me anything.”

“Thanks. I’ll do that. Tell my babies I love them.”

“Take care, Simone.”

Simone lowered the phone to the arm of the chair. Why would Kim have nose bleeds? Simone got up then dropped to her knees. She reached under the bed and drew out her laptop bag. Sitting back she unzipped and pulled out the silver MAC. Nose bleeds weren’t from stress. Were they? She waited for her wireless connection to connect and opened her Safari browser to Google: nose bleeds.

Medical conditions that may cause nosebleeds include: allergies, sinusitis, colds, and deviated spectrum. Rarely, frequent nosebleeds may indicate a serious condition, such as a bleeding disorder, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia or leukemia.

Simone frowned. She read the rest of the page. It highlighted everything from dry air to drug abuse. The one thing she didn’t have to worry about was drug abuse. Kim was the most responsible one in their loser family. Still, she would talk to her. If working too hard is causing this then she was definitely going home. She closed the lid to her laptop and dropped her head in her hands. She had a headache.

Falling over to the floor she lowered her hands and stared up at the ceiling. She studied the grooves along the beam that ran across from one end to the other. She wanted to be alone. She was glad she was. Closing her eyes she tuned into her inner voice, feelings, those forbidden thoughts she kept fighting through the night. She was conscious of her breathing; her skin was just as sensitive as it was when she stood in the bathroom. He was there, staring out at her. Watching. Her nipples tingled as they did in the cool night air as the memories flooded back clear and liquid. Simone smiled.

He was so tempting. Cain.

~ Mathew ~

“She’s a lucky lady.” Patel said walking out of the surgical room removing his mask. “Or I’m just that good.”

Mathew followed peeling off one latex glove then other. “We’ll see if she makes it through the night without any hemorrhaging. The baby will make it. You should go update the family.”

“Dr. Patel…” Kim stuck her head in. She blinked up at both men with her soft brown eyes. “Mr. Anderson is out here wanting to know about his wife.”

“I’ll be right out.” Patel smirked.

Kim looked to Mathew, he met her stare but her eyes dropped away and she closed the door. He shook his head disappointed. He had overplayed his hand. He sucked at dating or even making friends in this city. Things were a lot simpler down south. New York women weren’t the shrinking violets he plucked with a simple smile.

“A tease,” Patel said.

“Who?” Mathew asked removing his surgical cap.

“Nurse Hot Tits, that’s who. She’s a tease, it’s all an act.”
Mathew looked from the five foot six, middle aged doctor to the door that just closed. “Are you talking about Kim?”

Patel laughed. “Yeah, she keeps waving her ass at me. Even offered me a blow-job in my office earlier, would have gotten it too if you hadn’t paged me. Decided I’m going to go for it. Get a piece of it….” Patel felt the inside of his throat cave in. He gagged then gasped, his mouth puckering like a fish, then his tongue protruding as he struggled for air. In a flash he was thrown into the wall. So swift was the action he wasn’t sure it had happened. He blinked to consciousness and realized Dr. Donovan had his hands wrapped around his throat. The choking so tight the doctor’s face went from flushed pink to blue in seconds. He clawed at his attacker’s hands kicking his feet. Mathew towered over him a full six inches. “Le-le-let…me….go…” Patel choked out.

“You stay away from her.”

Patel nodded that he understood. The anesthesiologist walked in. The young woman gave a loud gasp to the scene. Mathew responded by tightening his hold. He was minutes from snapping his neck.

“Dr. Donovan!”

Then he released. Patel dropped to his knees coughing, hacking. Mathew knelt down to his level. “If I even think you are on her it’s me and you, you got that?”

“Yes, ye-ye-yes.” Dr. Patel nodded.

“No trouble here Jessica, Dr. Patel tripped.” Mathew said helping him to his feet. Patel snatched away fixing his lab coat. He picked up his glasses and walked out. Mathew bit down hard on his bottom lip for losing his cool. This wasn’t Carolina. He was supposed to make a new start in New York. Dropping back on the sink he shook his head. He blew it.