Finding Dr. Right (Contemporary Medical Romance) by Lisa B. Kamps Page B

her mouth.
    “Do you have any idea what you do to me?”
    She shook her head, staring up at him with those wide eyes and parted lips, and Nathan lost all patience, all restraint. He reached up with one hand and slipped it behind her neck, pulling her closer as he lowered his face to hers and claimed her lips with one swift move. She stiffened under his touch and her hands pushed at his chest, once, before she leaned against him.
    Nathan sensed her surrender, felt her lips open at his invitation and he wrapped his other arm around her. As he pulled her more tightly against him, his tongue swept the sweet fire of her mouth. He groaned against the desire flaring inside him and silently cursed the heavy gear that prevented him from completely feeling the curves of her soft body against his.
    Catherine leaned into him, caught up in the tide that swept over her. His grip on her neck was strong yet gentle, the sweep of his thumb under her ear almost as exciting as the warmth of his mouth on hers. She fisted her hand into the damp cloth of his practice jersey, falling more deeply into the kiss, all sense of reason gone. A hushed rumble surrounded her, growing louder, and she wondered briefly what was causing the noise. A loud yell penetrated her foggy senses and she jumped, breaking the contact with Nathan and looking around guiltily.
    Heat flooded her face as she realized the rumble was the hoots and catcalls coming from the group of fans witnessing their steamy embrace. The loud yell had been bellowed by an older man built like a tree trunk. A ragged scar that slashed across his face glowed red as he stared at the two of them. Catherine pushed against Nathan, suddenly mortified.
    “Conners! Are you joining us?” The reedy voice quivered with impatience and humor, and Catherine hung her head in embarrassment. She had just let herself be kissed, thoroughly kissed, in public. In front of strangers!
    No, she amended, she hadn’t
let
him — she had been a willing participant. Too willing.
    “In a minute!” Catherine winced at the frustration in Nathan’s voice, still refusing to look at him until he forced her chin up with one long finger. “Do you have to leave? I mean, will you stay here until we’re done? It won’t be long.”
    “I should go.”
    “Catherine, just please stay here. I won’t be long.”
    “I…” She looked into his eyes and felt her resolve melt under the heat of his liquid gaze. “All right.”
    “Good.” He leaned down and kissed her again, hard and quick, before walking away. Catherine watched as he left, amazed at the power and grace in his moves, and wondered what she had just gotten herself into.

Chapter Six
    H ow hopeless could one person be? The thought went through Catherine’s mind as she checked her watch again. She was still sitting in the deserted rink, waiting for Nathan to come out.
    The memory of his kiss was sharp. A flash of heat warmed her as she recalled the taste of him, the comforting feel of being wrapped in his arms. She shifted in the seat, trying to let her impatience crowd out the memory.
    She had swallowed some of her abundant pride and come to the practice to apologize for the way she had acted the other day. There had been no reason for her to treat Nathan that way, not when all he did was help Matty. Catherine had struck out at him in fear, and she owed him an apology. Her coming here had absolutely nothing to do with the unwelcome attraction she felt for Nathan. Just like it had nothing to do with the way Matty had suddenly come to life since his involvement in the sports camp. It had been the result of a polite streak, that was all.
    She pushed her hair out of her face and sighed. Who was she kidding? Nathan Conners brought out a part of her she was afraid to acknowledge — a vulnerable desire to be wanted, to be taken care of. Her sensible side screamed out repeated warnings, telling her to not even think along those lines. The idea that she
wanted
someone to