Page 6 of Doctor’s Orders

At some point, if things work out in Saddle Creek, I’ll get my own place, but for now I’m renting this pool house from my new boss, the beloved local pediatrician. Once his current nurse offered me the job, she wanted me to start right away. When I expressed concerns about finding a place for the kids and me to live, she secured this rental. Though it’s technically a guest house, separated from my new boss’s house by a driveway and a pool, it’s bigger than my old place in Houston..

“And I love that I get to settle all of our stuff in while the kids are at their grandparent’s house.”

Annabelle made a face. “I know that his parents have been lovely, for the most part. I just wish Billy would disappear from y’all’s lives. He used all his best traits making those two kids with you. He’s got nothing good left.”

“True damn story. Bennett doesn’t even know what his dad looks like. Granted he’s two and probably doesn’t recognize a lot.”

“I disagree. Bennett is very observant.”

“You’re just biased because you love him so much.”

“Bygones,” Annabelle says with a wave of her hand.

“Okay, back to my story. I was feeling lonely and sad when I left their house, so I stopped at the bar by the marina. It’s a swanky place, but I figured I’d be safe enough to have a single glass of chardonnay.”

“I suspect the fine people of Crescent Bend employ enough security that Taylor Swift could stop there and have a glass of wine safely.”

She probably wasn’t wrong about that. The elite lakeside neighborhood was a who’s who of Texas wealth. New money, old money, that didn’t matter so much as that five-digit zip code. Of course, many of the people who owned homes there didn’t live there full time and only vacationed there. Like Texas’s very own Martha’s Vineyard.

“Okay, so you stopped at the fancy bar,” Annabelle prods.

“Yes. I ordered my wine then sat at the bar surveying my surroundings and that’s when I saw him.”

“Oh my God, I have second-hand anticipation right now.”

“You’re a dork,” I say with a grin. “Anyways, I hadn’t been expecting him. Hands down, the hottest man I’d ever seen. He’d noticed me immediately, too. The heat of his gaze was enough to melt off my clothes.”

“That is so hot. So what did he look like?”

“Older. Probably in his forties, with grey threading through his hair and beard.” I touch my face now, very aware of the redness. “He was big. Tall and broad and thick all over. His forearms alone were like this big around.” I make a circle with my hands, showing her my estimate.

Annabelle fans herself. “He sounds hot. A hot silver fox. Okay, so how did y’all hook up?”

“I’m getting there. Impatient much?”

“Actually, yes, all the time. It’s why Greyson’s marathon foreplay sessions drive me crazy.”

“Are you actually complaining about how many orgasms your husband gives you?”

Blush creeps into her face. “No. But he does make me very impatient.”

“Hot silver fox kept staring. I mean, I’m not even gonna lie that by the time I talked to him, I already needed to change my panties.”

“That’s what I’m talking about!” She pumps her fist in the air.

I laugh. God, I loved my sister. She was the very best human I knew, other than my kids. “I must have been channeling your impatience, because I finally got up from my barstool and walked over to his table. I asked him if he was just going to eye-fuck me all night or invite me back to his place.”

Annabelle’s eyes widen. “You did not!”

“I totally did. I’m still not sure where all that bravado came from. I’m guessing the way he was watching me spoke enough about his desire that it bolstered my confidence.”

“Please tell me you got at least two orgasms.”

“Five, actually. So yeah, I still can’t believe I picked him up, but I don’t regret it. Even a tiny bit. It was, hands-down, the best sex I’ve ever had. I’m pretty sure it was the best sex had by anyone, anywhere. Ever.”

“I might have to disagree with you there,” Annabelle says.

“Give me this! My only experience had been Billy, and he’s a fumbler at best. A good kisser, but that was the end of his lovemaking skills. I’m just gonna point out that whoever says younger men make better lovers because of their stamina,” I shake my head.