Breathless Read Online Free

Stella had a mind of her own and didn’t fret about speaking it. Cool! Blue had always been too quiet for her own good. The foster system could have that effect on a kid.
    “I must look a mess, could you pass me a mirror? And maybe a comb for my hair?”
    “You must be better,” he said, and went to the bureau top to retrieve a long-handled mirror and brush. He was tall and had a slender build. He’d taken off his jacket and old-fashioned suspenders held up his pants. His shirt was white as snow. The suspenders lifted his waistband so his pants cupped his tight ass. The doctor had a great build. He was trim and fit looking.
    When he settled on the bed again, he reached for the top of her head. She felt her hair being released from several pins and let him minister to her as he let masses of reddish hair fall to the pillow and down her chest. From mousy, lifeless brown to luscious red in one fell swoop. She could live with that.
    Her nipples peaked under the covers, and she felt heat suffuse her cheeks. She was happy to feel sexual again, but if Stella McCreedy didn’t want him, Blue didn’t feel right acting on her attraction. She needed to ignore the heat in her belly and the desire in her heart.
    His hands on her hair were gentle, the delicate tugs creating waves of relief along her scalp. Was a scalp erogenous? And then she felt it. Definitely erogenous. His fingers massaged her entire head, then combed through the unfamiliar, heavy strands of hair.
    She closed her eyes and let out an unwilling sigh at his touch. The man was gifted. First, in the mirror, when he was still a phantom, and now, in flesh and blood. Another sigh rose and escaped, and he stopped massaging and held his fingers still.
    She opened her eyes to find his face three inches from hers and still as a statue. If she tilted her head toward him, she could press her lips to his.
    And if she did? Would he kiss her back? Could she coax him to slip under the covers and lift her soft muslin nightie and finish her?
    “You’re very good with your hands,” she murmured. “I like that in a man.”
    His eyes flared hot. He was affected by her. Correction, by Stella. Blue would be wise to remember that.
    With her hair unpinned, and the air between them sharp with need, he held out a hand mirror. The last time she’d seen her reflection a whole lot of weird happened, so she was nervous at what she might see. She took the mirror and placed it glass side down on her lap.
    “Um, would you mind refreshing my memory on your name? I’d like to know it.”
    The door opened and a boy of about fourteen entered. He brought a tray to the bedside. “Here you go, Miz McCreedy. Ma sent it up.”
    “Thanks, Henry,” Blue said, recalling his name from earlier. So, her short-term memory was fully operational. She could move ahead from here if need be. A fresh start. She frowned. If Blue stayed, what would become of Stella?
    “Doctor Stephens, Ma wants to know if you’ll be down for a bowl or would you like me to bring you some too?”
    “The doctor will have some up here, with me, Henry. Is that all right?” She didn’t know where this confidence came from, but it seemed to work.
    Doctor Stephens stiffened. He nodded to Henry and let the boy leave. “What game are you playing now?” he said as soon as they were alone. “You’ve never wanted to spend any time with me, alone or otherwise.”
    “We don’t like each other?” That surprised her, because she could swear she saw more than a professional interest in his gaze.
    “I wouldn’t call it not liking each other. We got off on the wrong foot, and you’ve never been off your high horse long enough to give me a second chance.” He avoided her gaze.
    “High horse?”
    “Not only have you not forgiven me for my initial impression of your business here in Perdition, but you’ve got a proprietary attitude toward your patients that can do them harm.”
    “I have patients? What am I? A doctor too?” Startled