Page 89 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

Shelley laughed with her.“That’s what I’m worried about—your idea of best behavior isn’t exactly … Maybe you should head up to town like you were saying and get us something for dessert.”

Harper gave her an indignant look.“Dessert?Forget dessert—I’ll havehiminstead!”

Shelley could only laugh and follow as Harper got out of the car.

“Hey, ladies.”Trip greeted them.“I didn’t expect you back so soon.I just have to run Cash back to the airport, but I won’t be long.Why don’t the two of you get yourselves a drink and …”

Shelley tried to choke back a laugh when Harper interrupted him.“That’s okay.I was just telling Shelley that I need to pop up to town to the grocery store.Why don’t the two ofyouget yourselves a drink and I’ll give Cash a ride.”

Trip shook his head with a smile, and Cash burst out laughing.“Sounds like a plan to me, darlin’.”He grasped Trip’s shoulder.“Thanks for this, bud.I’ll give you a shout in the week and let you know how it’s going.”He came to Shelley and leaned in to kiss her cheek.“It’s good to see you, Shelley.You’ve got yourself a good man here—be good to each other.Sorry this is just a flying visit; I’ll be back soon and maybe you guys will come down to the ranch for Sunday lunch with the family.”

“Thanks, Cash.We’d like that.”She turned to check in with Harper, who grinned at her.

“I’ll call you from the grocery store to see if there’s anything you need—unless tall, dark, and rugged here wants to fly me away with him.”

Shelley loved seeing both Trip and Cash throw their heads back and laugh.

Before he climbed into the passenger seat, Cash winked at them.“Don’t worry, I won’t abduct her—I’ll send her back safe to you.”

Trip seemed pleased by his words, but Shelley didn’t know if she should feel a little offended on Harper’s behalf.

As they stood on the back deck watching Harper’s car make its way back down the long driveway, Trip curled his arm around her waist and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“What do you think he meant by that?”she asked.

He frowned.“Oh!It wasn’t anything against Harper,” Trip reassured her quickly.“Cash doesn’t … hm, how to put it?He doesn’t get involved in relationships.If he’s with a woman, it’s not for long and it’s only …”

“For sex?”

“Yeah.I don’t mean to make him sound like a … I don’t know what.”

“No, you didn’t make him sound like anything.And you helped me understand.He wasn’t insulting her—saying that there’s no way he’d fly her away with him; he was reassuring you that he wouldn’t just use her for sex, right?”

Trip looked pained as he nodded.“Right, but that makes him sound …”

She laughed and touched his arm.“Don’t worry about it—I don’t think any less of him.I understand; some people—women as well, not just men—are only looking for short physical involvements.I don’t see anything wrong with that, especially not when they’re honest about it.”

“Yeah, I guess.”He turned to look into her eyes.“I’ve never been that way, though.”

She smiled.“Neither have I.”

“This—us—what we’re doing … it’s more than just short and physical for me.”

“Me too.Although, we probably have time for something short and physical before she gets back.”

He chuckled.“Tempting, but I’d rather save it for something that can last longer—like all night tonight, if you want to stay again?”

She nodded happily.Harper had no issue staying at the house by herself, and Shelley missed Trip when she wasn’t here with him.

“Yes, please.I don’t sleep as well anymore when you’re not there.”

His eyes seemed to shine as he smiled.“My bed’s not the same without you in it—but on the nights you can’t be here, you can take my PJs.”

She laughed.“You know what?I think I will, thanks.On the nights I can’t have you, I’ll take the next best thing.”

Trip raised an eyebrow.“My pajama pants?”

She grinned.“Your scent.Your warmth.And the ridiculous comfort of knowing there’s a man out there who wants me in his bed even when I’m not in it.”

---