More Than Love

An Excerpt From: More Than Love

Copyright © LYNN LAFLEUR, 2006

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Before Mike could respond, Sandy touched both her temples. “God, my head hurts.”

“I’m not surprised, considering how tight you are.” He increased the pressure of his kneading, letting his thumbs press into the base of her skull. She groaned. “This will work a lot better if you’re lying down.” Taking her elbow, he turned her toward him. “C’mon. Get back in bed and I’ll give you a massage.”

She offered no resistance, which told Mike she was really hurting. He instructed her to lie on her stomach and after she did, he sat beside her. It took several minutes of deep massage on her shoulders and upper back before he could feel her muscles relaxing. He heard her sigh softly and moved his hands to her lower back, just above her buttocks.

“No getting fresh, doc,” she said in a sleepy voice.

Mike chuckled, glad to hear her teasing. “I never get fresh with my patients.”

“Not even once?”

“Nope.”

“Ever been tempted?”

“Nope.”

“I find that hard to believe.” He heard her release a heavy sigh and her next words sounded slurred. “There is something seriously wrong with your ex-wife.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Any woman who would give up a man with such wonderful hands has to be crazy. You must be an incredible lover.”

Mike’s hands stilled. While he and Sandy teased about sex, he wasn’t sure what to say to that remark. She was half asleep and probably didn’t realize what she’d said. He knew when people were tired, their defenses were down and often said what they would never say when they were wide awake.

Continuing the massage, Mike moved his hands to her sides and down her hips, almost to her thighs. Her hips and buttocks were rounded and full…perfect to fill a man’s hands.

He didn’t feel any panties.

Slowly, Mike moved his hands up her back to between her shoulder blades. No bra strap either. That’s when he realized she was nude beneath her thin nightgown.

He jerked his hands away from her as if her skin had suddenly turned hot. He sat there, practically feeling her up and getting aroused, while she slept soundly.

Jesus, Carlson, when did you turn into a pervert?

Quickly covering her with the blanket and bedspread, Mike rose and turned to leave the room. Halfway to the door, he stopped and looked back at Sandy. He approached the bed again and dropped to his knees so he could look at her face. The darkness kept him from seeing her features, but he clearly saw her in his mind. He remembered how her eyes had flashed in frustration at him this morning, how they’d twinkled with laughter, and how they’d filled with tears when she told him about her lost child.

Mike picked up a tendril of hair that lay on her shoulder and rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger. Her hair was silky, just like her skin. He released the tendril and ran his thumb over her cheek. Something tugged at his heart, some emotion he had never felt for a woman, not even Leslie. He wanted to protect Sandy. No matter what it took, he would make sure no man ever hurt her again.