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Gerard took the shirt from her hand and tossed it on the bed. Cupping her chin, he angled her head back until she met his gaze.
“Look at me,” he whispered. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing’s wrong. Why would it be?” She stared at his Adam’s apple.
“Because you’re suddenly acting as though we’re strangers. Do you regret what happened last night?”
She looked up at him. “No, of course not. It’s just… I’m not sure how I’m supposed to act. This kind of thing… is new to me,” she ended in a whisper, tucking her chin into her neck once more.
Gerard buried his face in her hair and kissed her forehead, searching for the right words.
“You have no idea how happy I am to be here with you. I’m touched beyond words that you allowed me to make love to you and show you what’s in my soul. This is new for me, too. I’ve never felt about any woman the way I feel about you, Linda. This isn’t just a line. I’m serious.”
Surprise and pleasure beamed from her face, but a shadow of doubt clouded her beautiful eyes. She watched him intently, searching his face for something. His words might be hard to believe, but they were sincere. He hoped she could see that in the depths of his eyes.
Linda remained silent, not professing any of her feelings. He hoped they matched his, and she simply wasn’t ready to admit to them yet. Instead, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him with the same passion and tenderness she’d given him last night.
Gerard returned her kiss, trying to ignore the painful twinge her silence caused. He hadn’t expected to break down all of her barriers, but he still experienced a bitter taste of disappointment at her lack of words. Patience was his ally, as was the strength of his emotions.
All conscious thought left him as the kiss deepened, and he abandoned himself in her arms. Clothing littered the floor once more as he covered her body with hot kisses. Time ceased to exist.
Gerard reached the clinic hours later, in time to hear the phone ringing. He grabbed the receiver, still breathless from taking the stairs up to his office.
“Doctor Leon.”
“How are you,chérie? I tried your cellphone, but it’s turned off.”
“Sorry,Maman. My battery died last night and I haven’t had a chance to recharge it.”
He grinned wickedly. His other batteries had functioned at full power then, and again this morning.
“How are you?” he asked, slipping the lab coat over the shirt Linda had hastily pressed. “How’sMa tanteCecile?”
“Fine, we’re both fine, but we miss you terribly. That’s why I called. You’re coming to dinner tomorrow, and I won’t take no for an answer. You probably haven’t had a healthy meal since you’ve been here last.”
He chuckled. “Not true. So you’re informing me, not inviting me. I see. I suppose I could choke down another homemade meal. Besides, I’d planned to come over soon. I’ve something to tell you. Do you mind if I bring someone with me?” he added impulsively.
Chantalle Leon remained silent for a moment.
“A female someone?” Her voice was full of curiosity.
“Yes. A very female someone.”
“Enfin!” she exclaimed once she recovered from shock. This was unprecedented after all. “You’ve finally found one good enough to introduce to your old mother?”
He laughed softly. “Something like that—and you’re not old. You’ll like her. We’ll see you tomorrow night around eight, okay? Maybe you could make that strawberry pie—you know, your special recipe.”
“I’d already planned to. I can’t wait to see you and your lady.”
“Love you,Maman.Adieu!”
Gerard smiled. If Linda had been stunned when he’d confessed his feelings for her this morning, she might just pass out cold when he told her they would be having dinner with his mother.
Whistling, he reached for his tablet and stethoscope, before leaving the office to visit his young patients. The progress of his experimental treatment gave him hope and renewed energy. With Linda determined to help him develop and market his serum, his motivation was stronger than ever.
* * * *
After Gerard had left, Linda had returned to her workshop. She dedicated herself to each of her projects, but this particular sculpture meant more to her than many others had. This wasn’t just another pair of wooden hands. These were Gerard’s hands.
