Cindy Kirk - One Night with the Doctor

Ben’s brows rose. “I assume you’re on the pill.”

“Actually, I’m not,” Poppy admitted and saw surprise flash in his eyes. “My husband and I weren’t able to have children. No cause was ever determined but Bill had already fathered two children during his first marriage so it had to be me.”

Poppy waited for the look of sympathy. When it thankfully didn’t come, she continued. “Then I found out he’d been unfaithful—”

“He cheated on you?” The shock on Ben’s face was too real to be faked.

“Almost from day one.” Poppy’s laugh lacked any humor. “I was too stupid to see it.”

“You trusted him.” Ben’s expression softened. “He was the fool.”

A lump formed in Poppy’s throat, but she determinedly swallowed past it. “The point is, when I discovered his infidelity, I had every STD test known to man. I haven’t been with anyone since.”

When her gaze landed on Ben, he seemed to understand she needed a similar assurance. “I’m clean, too.”

Poppy nodded. Though Ben had a reputation for being arrogant, he also was known as a straight shooter. If he said he was clean, she could accept his word.

“Still, we’ll use condoms,” he said, as if anticipating her next request.

She looked over his shoulder, to all the couples laughing and talking with the ones they loved. Is this what my life has come to?

Before Poppy let herself become maudlin, she reminded herself she’d already tried the traditional route. Where had that gotten her?

“No reason to take chances,” he added when she didn’t respond.

“But we are taking a chance.” Poppy chewed on her lower lip. “Making lov—er having sex, is not the same as getting together with someone on the golf course. Heck, we could both be duds.”

Poppy thought back to all those romantic evenings she’d planned that had ended up falling flat. Her heart twisted. No, she couldn’t make any guarantees in that area.

Benedict shot her a wink. “I’m not worried.”

Well, that made one of them.

Poppy grabbed her bag. “We might as well get started.”

She’d show him that she could be as spontaneous and as good in bed as the next woman.

His smile widened at her businesslike tone. “Might as well.”

“We can meet at your house. I’ll need your address.” This way if things went south, she could simply walk out the door, instead of having to kick him out of her place.

His eyes met hers and her body began to tremble.

“When it’s done, we walk away and never speak of this night again.” Dear God, had those words actually come from her mouth?

Ben’s look never wavered. “If that’s how you want it.”

Poppy stared into his eyes and felt her heart flip-flop. Had she really just negotiated the terms of a one-night stand? Yeah, spontaneity was definitely her middle name. “I’m sure some would call the arrangement cold-blooded.”

“I’ve never set much stock by what others say,” Ben said in that easy, confident way of his. “And we both know what’s simmering between us right now is anything but cold.”

Whether it was the wine, the teasing glint in his eyes or simply the relief at having the details worked out, Poppy laughed and did what she’d wanted to do all evening.

Leaning forward, she skimmed a finger down his cheek then kissed him full on the mouth. A heat hot enough to melt Alaska speared through her.

“Not cold.” Her lips curved in a satisfied smile as she pulled back. “Not cold at all.”

Chapter Five

On this night for romance the only tunes flowing from the radio in Poppy’s bright red Ford Fiesta were love songs. As Luther wailed about the power of the most basic of emotions, Poppy watched Ben’s sleek black sedan reach the edge of Jackson and turn west.

After carefully looking both ways, she turned onto the highway behind him and thought not of love, but of sex. Hot, quick and steamy. A shiver of anticipation coursed up her spine as she followed his Mercedes down the dark ribbon of asphalt toward the quiet residential area just outside of Jackson.

Though she hadn’t seen his home, she was prepared to be impressed. Willowbrook boasted three-acre lots, an amazing view of Grand Teton and a plethora of native birds and animals.

When Ben turned into a driveway and motion lights flicked on, Poppy slowed her own vehicle and gaped. The surrounding wilderness provided a perfect backdrop for the two-story home with its dramatic stone entry.

A large expanse of winter white flowed like a blanket to the street. Perfectly landscaped trees and bushes pushed through pristine snow. As stunning as it was now, Poppy could only imagine how beautiful the yard would be in a few months when the trees were green and flowers and bushes in full bloom.

One of the garage doors slid smoothly up and Ben eased his car into the opening. Almost immediately, a second rose.

Poppy hesitated only an instant before pulling inside. She supposed it made sense to have her vehicle under wraps. No sense advertising to the neighbors he was “entertaining.” The door slid silently down as Poppy stepped from her car to the sound of staccato barks coming from inside the house.

Ben glanced over the top of her car, a question in his eyes. “I should have asked before now if you’re allergic to dogs.”

When she shook her head, relief crossed his face.

“Angela was leaving at five so he’s been alone for several hours.” As the barking continued, Ben glanced in the direction of the door. “Don’t let that racket worry you. Groucho loves people.”

Poppy heard fondness in his tone. She assumed Groucho was the dog. But the woman’s identity—and her relationship to Ben—remained a mystery. “Who’s Angela?”

“My housekeeper.” He waited while Poppy rounded the front of her car. “She cooks, cleans and takes care of Groucho.”

Does she also take care of you? Poppy wondered, then immediately reminded herself that information was none of her business. Still, she was curious.

“How long has she worked for you?” Her voice came out casual and offhand, just as she intended.

“Five years.” They crossed a spotless garage floor to the door leading inside the house, his hand resting lightly against her back. “Her days and hours vary, depending on my schedule. I appreciate the fact she’s flexible.”

He keyed in a few numbers to unlock a security system then pushed open a door, stepping aside to let Poppy enter.

“Groucho, sit,” Ben called from behind her, and the small silver-and-black schnauzer dropped midleap to sit at her feet.

The dog’s entire body wiggled as if filled with a bag of jumping beans. His beautiful dark eyes shifted from Benedict to Poppy. A whine hummed from the back of his throat.

Benedict squatted down and picked up the dog, giving him an affectionate hug, scrubbing his hand across the top of the furry head. “How’s my boy?”

Groucho responded by licking his neck, bringing a laugh to Benedict’s lips. “Yeah, I’m happy to see you, too.”

He turned the animal in his arms, tucking him securely against his body. “Poppy, this is Groucho. He’s only two, so he still has lots of puppy in him.”

Poppy tentatively stroked the dog’s fur and received her own appreciative lick on the hand. “He’s a handsome boy.”

“I think so.” Grabbing a leash from a rack, Benedict clipped it to the dog’s red collar and placed him on the floor. He shot Poppy an apologetic look. “I should take him outside for a few minutes.”

“I’ll come with you.” While she stood on the sidewalk alongside the garage, Ben let Groucho check out various trees and bushes. “It surprises me you have a dog.”

He looked mildly amused. “Why is that?”