Bound for Christmas by Yvette Hines Page A

Zoey walking out of his dad’s room carrying a bowl. Today she wore scrubs that were cream in color with big blue and yellow butterflies all over them. Apparel that was not meant to be sexy, but he could not help but admire the way it conformed to the delectable contours of her body.
    “I can say the same about you?”
    She laughed. “Scrubs aren’t sexy.”
    Setting his black carry-on bag by the door, he took a few steps across the living room, but kept the couch between them. Approaching her, he allowed his gaze to travel along her body. A body that had haunted his mind awake and sleep for the last few days. “Who says they’re not?” He met her eyes again.
    She smiled, shyly, glanced away then back at him. “Well, I think you still win with your tailored pilot’s uniform.”
    “We’ll agree to disagree.” He winked at her.
    Zoey continued her walk to the kitchen and he followed her.
    “How’s my father?” While he had been away, there weren’t any calls so he hoped that meant good news.
    Setting the bowl in the sink, she said, “No change.” She sighed. “If he would just try a little harder in therapy and let go of whatever anger he’s carrying inside then maybe he’d turn the corner on a positive note.”
    “I’m sure, but him doing that would be a miracle.” Lifting a hand he rubbed the back of his neck. Nodding toward the bowl, he asked. “Did he actually eat all of his food this time?”
    “Oh, yes. Only because it was his sherbet snack.”
    Arching an eyebrow he stared at her. “He told you about his love for rainbow sherbet?”
    “Yup and other things. He said your mother was an amazing cook, but she never mastered the art of making his favorite treat.”
    A small laugh rolled out of him as he recalled all his mother’s disastrous attempts at the cool dessert. He stared at this woman before him, calm, sweet and alluring. Who was she? How did she manage to come in and get his father not only to listen to her, but tell his secrets, too?
     “That’s true. He used to enjoy eating it right before bed.”
    “Well, his stomach is a little more irritable nowadays, so it is best for him to have a small scoop in the middle of the day.”
    “Enough about my father. How are you?” He wanted to kiss her. Pull her into his arms again and reacquaint himself with her lips. But, he needed to slow things down.
    “I’m well. No complaints.” She smiled. “However, you on the other hand look exhausted.”
    “A little. Long flight and I’m getting used to being back behind the wheel.” He dropped his hand.
    “Ah.” She leaned against the counter. “Well, if you want to get changed, I have some free time in about thirty minutes, I think I could be persuaded into giving you a shoulder rub.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Lily, will be here to give your father physical therapy and it usually takes about an hour and a half. I can’t leave the premises in case she needs help, but it is my time.”
    Hell there was no way he was going to pass up an opportunity to have her hands on him, his body was already warming with the thought.
    “Okay, I’m going to put my stuff up and take a shower, and see you downstairs then.”
    Her brown eyes held a spark as she moved away from the sink, passed him with a light brush to his shoulder and exited the kitchen.
    He waited a couple of beats, giving her time to get across the living room, otherwise he knew he would have been standing at the archway of the kitchen watching her plump round ass sway like a lion admires a deer--a succulent delicious treat.
    *           *           *
    “Are you ready to get started Mr. Douglas?” Lily was standing at the foot of the bed staring down at the patient.
    “No,” James growled at the physical therapist giving her and evil eyed look. He shifted his gaze to Zoey as he did every day. “Tell her to go away.”
    “Not going to happen, sir.” Zoey patted his shoulder. “I will be out back if you need me