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LENGTH: Long Novella
SENSUALITY: Spicy

Cover art (c) Eliza Black
ISBN 1-58608-443-7
Download $3.99
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Rating: Contains graphic sexual content and language.

"Four and 1/2 Stars! Wow! HEART THROBS is hot hot hot! This is definitely one spicy romance you won’t want to miss." BJ Deese, eCataRomance Reviews

Heart Throbs

By

Janet Lane Walters

© copyright May 2004, Janet Lane Walters

Cover art by Eliza Black, © copyright May 2004

New Concepts Publishing

5202 Humphreys Rd.

Lake Park, GA 31636

www.newconceptspublishing.com

Chapter 1

Magda Malone jammed her hands in the pockets of her white lab coat and felt the fabric rip. Just what she needed to add a bit of anger to what she’d just been asked to do. Why wouldn’t he understand no meant absolutely not?

Her jaw clenched. The temptation to commit an act of violence hovered like a giant thunderhead. She stared out the window of her office on the fifth floor of Rivertown Memorial Hospital and shoved her fury into a corner of her mind.

Sucking in a deep breath, she turned to her colleague and friend. At the moment, she wasn’t sure friend was operative. "Would you repeat your question?"

"Could you come to dinner tonight?" the cardiologist asked.

That wasn’t the portion of the original question she wanted to hear. "I believe there was more."

"Like I said. Nothing formal. It’s not a party or anything."

"Come on. Say what you said before. I need to be sure I’m not going deaf."

"Lin and I want you to meet my new partner. He’s her cousin and a really great guy."

Magda glared. "Ben, I’m not letting you off the hook. What did you want me to do with this man?"

He studied his hands. "Was just a suggestion, not an order."

"And that was?"

"You can show him a good time." He joined her at the window.

She arched a brow. "A good time as in.…" Her voice trailed away. She thought she had grasped his suggestion, but she wanted to hear the words repeated. Then she would stomp. "Does your wife know you’re soliciting?"

"What?" His round face reddened. "That’s not what I ... well, maybe ... just ... couldn’t you make him happy to be in Rivertown? If you two don’t click, you could show him around the ... dating scene. You know what I mean. Lin and I want him to settle here."

Magda shook her head. "Spit it out, Doctor." Anger oozed from the dark corner and colored her voice. "Just how do I accomplish your purpose?"

He stared at the window. "Anything it takes."

"No deal." She clipped the words. Would he understand why she was so angry?

"Mag, come on. Wasn’t I there for you when you needed a shoulder. I need a partner who will stay, especially now."

Magda sighed. Ben and Linda had been there when she’d needed them, but he was asking for too much. "Why me?"

"Men like you. You like them and --"

"Don’t say it." She stalked to the desk and stared at the stack of folders needing her attention. "I don’t want to lose a good friend, but you’re treading on the brink."

"I didn’t mean you had to ... you know.…"

She rested her hands on the cool metal surface. "Let us set the record straight. I choose the men I want in my life. I don’t need anyone, not even a good friend, fixing me up with a man."

"I hear you." He sank on the chair across from the desk. "Lin said you’re bored with the local dating scene. Come to dinner. If you don’t like Eric, you can leave. If you do, who knows what will happen. Give me one good reason you’re being so stubborn."

Was the invitation his idea or his wife’s? Sure she’dtold her friend about the lack of interesting and eligible men in the area. Did it matter who had dreamed up this scheme? She wasn’t about to accept. Her friends had heard her views time and again. She wasn’t about to repeat them. "What do I always say?"

"You don’t play where you work."

"Sounds like you’ve heard me."

"But --"

"Been there. Done that. Got burned."

He rolled his eyes. "But you received a nice divorce settlement. Give my new partner a chance. What can you lose?"

My independence, she thought. "Goodbye, Ben." She pointed to the door. "There’s a large flock of available women out there who would be glad, even eager, to meet an available doctor. I can name a dozen who are closer to his age."

"So he’s a bit younger. What’s seven years?" He backed to the door.

"Almost half a generation. See you."

He opened the door. "Eric has a thing for older women."

"Good for him. Ask Mabel Gray to dinner."

"Older. Not ancient."

"Tell Linda I’ll call tomorrow. Let her know I feel an urge for a shopping spree."

He groaned. "For what?"

She shrugged. "My vacation. Your soon-to-be baby. I can think of a dozen reasons, but I don’t need an excuse to shop."

"Bye." He closed the door.

Got him, she thought. Her anger changed to amusement. Spare me from matchmaking friends. She reached for the top folder. Her mind wandered from the budget to the future.

Four weeks until vacation and she had plans. Sun, surf, moonlit nights at a singles’ resort where she could meet men who had no desire for a commitment. She wanted a fling or two that allowed her to escape with her heart intact.

Her whirlwind marriage and the divorce a month after he had finished his surgical residency had taught her a painful lesson. Never become involved in a relationship with a doctor. Since the day the decree had become final, she’d controlled her life and she chose the men who shared her bed.

Her pen skidded across the paper and left a red mark. Darn you, Ben. Why had he set her thoughts on days best forgotten? She heaved a sigh and returned to work.

* * * *

Eric Damon Blair III surveyed his new living space and grinned. Though the condo was mostly unfurnished, he was pleased with the place he’d bought last week. In the living room, he’d created a nest of pillows on the thick dark blue carpet. Perfect place for making love.

He strode into the bedroom where the most important pieces of furniture had been delivered. The king-sized bed was ready for the kind of action he enjoyed.

He turned to scan the living area. One nice feature of the unit was the bar between the kitchen and dining room. A couple of bar stools and he could eat there until he found a table and chairs.

Once he knew his way around town and found some willing helpers, he would buy furniture. He conjured images of the women he would find. A sleek blonde. A ravishing redhead. A sultry brunette. All he had to do was meet them, but that had never been a problem.

No strings. No commitments. He had no intention of following his parents’ examples. He’d lost count of the number of step-mamas and papas his parents had brought into his life. No marriage meant no divorce.

He flipped the cover of his cell phone and tapped his cousin’s number. Better give her the news of his purchase before she called the police and the area hospitals looking

for him. "Linda, what’s up?"

"Eric, where are you?"

"It’s Damon. Eric is my father and our grandfather."

She laughed. "Forgot the name change. You’re late. What happened? Traffic? An accident? Were you hurt?"

"None of the above."

"Then where are you? Expected you two hours ago."

"In town. Had a bit of luck." He settled against the headboard of the bed. "Found my own place."

"But you were staying with us while you looked for a house. I have plans."

He rolled his eyes. He was sure she had a dozen schemes to match him with some marriage-seeking friend. He had no intention of camping in his cousin’s guest room. Watching a nesting mom-to-be and a proud daddy-in-waiting wasn’t a scene he wished to face. "Sorry. Ran into the brother of a patient who wanted to sell his condo. Had the money from the trust. Place is great. Once I’m settled, I’ll throw a party."

"You are coming to dinner tonight, aren’t you?"

"Depends."

"There’s this woman I want you to meet. Ben and I invited her over. You’ll like her. She’s --"

"Forget your schemes." Damon groaned. Just like he’d figured. "What is it with you happily-marrieds? Can’t stand to see anyone free? I don’t need help to find women. That’s plural. Don’t want a permanent attachment."

She laughed. "Neither does my friend. That’s why I thought you two were a perfect match."

"Thanks for thinking of me. I’ll pass and find my own. Talk to you later. I’m off to unpack the car."

"When will we see you?"

"If something doesn’t come up, I’ll drop by tomorrow or Sunday. Unless ... you get the idea."

"What could come up? You’re new in town."

He chuckled. "You’d be surprised. Sometimes being the new kid can have amazing results. Gives the ladies a new body to explore."

"You’re impossible."

"But lovable. Ciao."

Damon rose from the bed and headed to the door. Now to unpack the sound system. Then shower, shave, change and hit the local watering holes. Fridays were always good social nights at the bars. Surely he’d find more interesting company than an unattached female who needed friends to find her a date. Even if she didn’t admit to being part of the husband-hunting set, he’d seldom met a woman who didn’t turn huntress when she learned he was a doctor.

* * * *

Magda shoved the last folder in the drawer and made a series of phone calls to check for problems pending on the units she supervised. All was calm. She flipped the calendar to Monday, slung her bag over her shoulder and left the hospital. As she strode to her car, she uncoiled the chignon at her nape and combed her fingers through the strands. Freedom, she thought.

On the way home, she stopped at the supermarket, picked up her birth control, bought strawberries and sour cream and rented a movie. She intended to spend the evening with a kick-action flick and dreams of her coming vacation.

The warm breeze carried a hint of rising humidity. She opened the convertible top and let the wind blow her hair. Her laughter rose above the classic rock throbbing from the speakers.

Years ago, she’d been dumb, but her divorce attorney had been shrewd. The car and the luxury condo were courtesy of her ex. Still, the settlement she’d received hadn’t made her believe she was a woman for the long haul. Did it matter? Short term was a challenging adventure.

As she drove into the complex, the guard leaned from the booth. "Ms. Malone, new tenant alert."

"Where?"

"The other apartment in your building."

"Thanks." Magda waved. He’d said tenant as in single. Male or female? Dare she hope for attractive, interesting and available.

She pulled into the garage beneath her unit and noted the empty boxes at the curb. After grabbing her package, she headed for the foyer. Maybe she would drop by and welcome the newcomer.

When she saw the man on the steps leading to the apartment level, she sucked in a breath. Neighbor or mover? Married or single? A rush of excitement rose. Wouldn’t take much to learn his status.

Denim cutoffs provided a view of tanned muscular legs. Her gaze traveled to appraise flat abs, broad shoulders and a well-developed chest. A slow smile changed his features from merely handsome to rugged and fascinating. The streak of white in his jet hair looked like a lightning bolt had seared a path.

Brilliant blue eyes captured her gaze. Steam flowed through her veins. No attached man sent those kind of signals unless he was out for a fling. In that case, she’d pass. Only the unattached need apply. She didn’t do married or engaged. She saw no wedding band, but these days, the absence meant nothing. Still her plans for a quiet evening began to change. She started up the steps. He followed.

"Hello, neighbor."

His deep voice acted like a jolt from the cardiac conversion paddles and sent her imagination into overdrive. How would his sensuous lips taste? And those strong hands and long fingers. How would they feel on her flesh? "Welcome to Rivertown." She paused at her door, turned and smiled.

He reached for her hand. "Damon."

"Magda." She liked the laugh lines around his eyes. Must be about my age. Perfect.

His thumb stroked the back of her hand. More than perfect, she thought. Life had taken a turn in the right direction. Her nipples contracted. She glanced down. The bulge beneath his fly seemed to swell. Attraction -- mutual -- instant. "So nice to meet my new neighbors."

"Neighbor," he said. "I live alone."

"Same here." Her tongue played along her lower lip. Interest darkened his eyes. This man was as hot as molten lava and she was ready to burn. "Have you met any of the other neighbors?"

"Just arrived this morning. You’re the first."

"Do you have any plans for this evening?"

He stepped closer. She held her ground. "If I did, they’re toast. Any suggestions?"

She met his gaze. "How about dinner? My place at seven and ... afterwards, we’ll see what develops." She inhaled the scent of the man. Masculine. A hint of spice. A potent drug laced with aromas to stir her hormones.

"I’d like that. I’ll bring the wine. Do you like champagne?"

"What’s not to like?" She smiled. "Hope you have a healthy appetite."

He touched her lips with a finger. "That’s one thing I have in good supply."

She flicked her tongue against his skin. He tasted like a sin she planned to commit. "See you then." She opened the door of her unit, then turned and blew a kiss. "’Til seven."

"Oh, yeah."

He growled the words. She nearly asked him in for a sample and instant gratification. Except, anticipation made the juices flow.

She leaned against the cool metal surface of the door. Her thoughts raced. She could make more than a single meal of the man. Could she parlay dinner to extend for the entire weekend?

* * * *

Damon fisted his hands and stared at Magda’s door. He took one step, then a second and raised his hand to knock on the door. He drew back. He wanted her now. If she hadn’t slipped away, he would have taken her against the wall. He liked the way she moved. He liked the way she smelled. Her response had danced along his nerves like an electric charge.

He sucked in a breath. Her subtle scent lingered, teased and increased his desire to taste her skin. He’d waged a battle to keep from grabbing and taking. Right now, he felt like he’d just completed a marathon. He could wait. He could control the raging need.

As he entered his unit, he thought about her lush breasts, could almost feel the weight of them filling his hands. He wanted to capture a taut nipple with his mouth and lick salt from her skin.

When her tongue had flicked his finger, he’d almost lost his mind. That bothered him. He’d always set the boundaries of an affair. He couldn’t let lust become an obsession. Never happened before. Couldn’t now.

Good thing he’d begged off dinner with Lin, Ben and the woman they’d wanted him to meet. Would have been boring and possibly a trap with jagged teeth to snag him. He strode through the living room. How could he find a way to extend dinner and what followed into a weekend with his sexy neighbor?

A quick check of the medicine cabinet showed he needed some essential supplies. Call him cautious, but he always wore condoms. He’d seen the results of carelessness. Not for him. He hoped Magda felt the same. He grabbed his car keys from the dresser.

His cell phone chimed. "Yeah," he said.

"Ben here. There’ll be just three of us at dinner. Do you mind?"

Guess he hasn’t talked to Lin, Damon thought. "So what happened to this woman Lin thinks is just perfect for me?"

"She said no."

"Really." At any other time, this would have bothered him. Women usually jumped to meet him. "Did you mention I’m a doctor?"

"She knows and that’s one of her problems. She doesn’t do doctors. Not to mention you’re too young and she doesn’t play where she works."

Damon laughed. "Her loss. Doesn’t matter. I can’t come. Something more interesting came up."

"As in female?"

"What else?"

Ben chuckled. "How long have you been in town?"

"Six, seven hours."

"Amazing."

"Just lucky."

"Are you at the house?"

"Found my own place and an interesting woman."

"Is it wise to move in with someone you don’t know?"

"I’m not. Bought a condo last week. Met her, maybe fifteen minutes ago."

"What’s she like?"

Damon sensed curiosity in Ben’s voice. "Tall, long legs, great body."

"Name."

Damon laughed. "No way, buddy. I won’t give you a chance to warn her about your cousin-in-law’s rules of life."

"Imagine she’s beautiful."

Damon frowned. Was she? He wasn’t sure. He called her image into his thoughts. Her features weren’t classic. Her full lips cried to be tasted. Her hair was brown. So were her bedroom eyes. Beautiful, no. Still, something about her had hit him with hurricane force. "Let’s just say she’s intriguing."

"Where’s this condo you bought?" Ben asked. "I could drop by so we can discuss the practice."

Damon laughed. "No way. What could have changed since the last time we talked? You know what they say about curiosity."

"Caught me. Give me a buzz tomorrow. Want to go over the on call schedule."

"If I surface."

Ben chuckled. "You’re incorrigible. If not tomorrow, come Sunday for brunch and bring this woman."

"Don’t count on it."

"What about now?"

"Can’t. Need to run to the store. In case we don’t talk before, see you Monday evening at the hospital."

"Be there at eight."

"Will do." Damon disconnected and strode from the apartment. He glanced at Magda’s door. One hour and counting.

* * * *

His mouth covered hers. He cupped her breasts. His thumbs caressed her nipples. She slid her hands beneath his shirt.

The clock chimed six times. Magda gasped. How long had she been lost in an erotic fantasy with her new neighbor in the lead role?

She pushed away from the door. In an hour, he would be ringing the bell. Dinner at seven followed by an evening of pure pleasure. How could she have lost herself in a world created by a steaming imagination when there was so much to do?

She dashed to the kitchen. There wasn’t time to prepare a gourmet meal laden with suggestive touches. The last time she’d found a man intriguing enough to invite for a meal had been six months ago.

She defrosted two steaks, made her special marinade, zapped several potatoes to partially cooked. After cutting them in wedges, she seasoned the pieces. Thank heavens for packaged salads and bottled dressing.

She hurried to the bedroom, stripped and changed the linens. She spread the thick featherbed over the sheets. Like making love on a cloud, she thought. Her body tingled with anticipation and a new fantasy crept into her thoughts.

Cool it.

Before entering another sex-laden fantasy, she gathered the clothes she’d dropped on the floor as she’d dressed for work and dumped them in the hamper. Then on to the bathroom to tidy the area around the sink. She shoved the plastic birth control container in the medicine cabinet. Why was it still out? Had she taken her daily dose?

A frown wrinkled her forehead. Taking the pill was part of her morning routine, but so was storing the box. Her thoughts flashed back. Open cabinet. Remove container. Take pill. A phone call from the hospital had interrupted her routine. Tension ebbed. Back to work.

After hanging new towels on the racks, she took a deep breath. Calm down. There’s time. The man had churned more emotions more than she cared to admit. Memories of his hot body and his come-hither eyes flashed into her thoughts. Her body responded. She shook her head. No time for fantasies when the real man would soon arrive. Could she curb her eagerness to feel his naked flesh and body dance with him?

As she scurried around the living room, she couldn’t stop thinking about his muscular body. She felt a major attraction to Damon. Damon who? Neither of them had offered a last name. Oh well, she would learn in time.

She sucked in a breath. Had been a long time since she’d been so eager for a man. Try seven years and her ex. What a mistake she’d made then. She’d allowed him to set the pace. She’d fallen for his line. Med student needs helpmate. More like Sugar Mama. She’d paid the rent, bought the food, handled all the bills. Then she’d been dumped like clothing gone out of fashion.

Not this time. She knew all the traps. How would Damon react when she controlled the evening? His reaction would be a factor she used to decide if they went beyond tonight.

* * * *

Damon stood at the counter in the package store and paid for the champagne. He tucked the box of his favorite condoms in the bag the clerk handed him.

The muscle-bound guy grinned. "Looks like you’re planning a big evening."

"Oh yeah." Damon strode away. Just thinking about Magda brought heat. Been some time since he’d found a woman who electrified his senses.

When he stepped outside, warm moist air flowed over his skin. The sultry day headed towards a sultry evening with one sultry woman. Just the right ingredients for the kind of time he enjoyed. He smiled and savored a memory of the invitation he’d seen in her bedroom eyes.

A vase of deep red roses in the window of a florist shop caught his attention. The flowers spoke of passion. He nodded. Not a dozen, only one. A subtle touch to signal desire, never love.

As he drove to the condo, classic rock blared from the car speakers. He parked in the garage and took the stairs two at a time. Shower, shave, dress. He put the champagne to chill and headed to the bathroom for a cold shower to cool his appetite for the lady next-door.

The evening promised to be a sizzler. Just what did Magda have in mind besides dinner? Should he go with her agenda or put his own plans to play? Images of what he’d like to do to do to her lush body stirred an erection and an ache to thrust into her depths. He flipped the shower to frigid and let the water dampen his rising ardor.

At five to seven, he tucked a supply of condoms in his trouser pockets. If the evening extended through the weekend, he could always slip over and re-supply. He took the champagne from the refrigerator and lifted the rose from the counter. He was armed and he hoped as dangerous as his neighbor desired.

As he strode to the door, his cell phone chimed. He ignored the persistent sound. The only people he knew in Rivertown were his cousin, his partner and the woman next-door. She had his number, but not the one for his phone. Anyone else could leave a voice mail. He would catch them later. Much later, he hoped.