Inamorata (6 page)

Mick yawned then looked at the blanket. Her mouth watered, and her heart raced when she saw the wet shirt tossed over the blanket, then the shorts. Her mouth went bone-dry as the bra and panties were next. Her legs instinctively clenched at the sight. Oh, God, why me? she asked.

The innocent striptease was killing her. She saw the doctor’s long arms rise above the sagging blanket as she slipped into the T-shirt.

Off in the distance, the thunder rumbled through the sky. “M-Might get a good thunderstorm,” Mick’s voice squeaked out.

“I hope not. I am terrified of storms. It is silly, but I am,” Isabella said with a laugh.

Mick heard the cot creak as the doctor got into bed. “I’m totally different. I can sleep through anything.”  Mick blew out the lantern. “Good night, Dr. Rivera,” Mick said softly into the darkness.

“
Buenas noches
, Señorita Brennan.” Came the tender reply.

Mick stared at the ceiling, with her hands beh
ind her head then chuckled openly.

“What is funny?” Isabella asked.

“I was just thinking of a movie. Did you ever see ‘It Happened One Night’?”

“No. American movie?”

“God yes, made in the ’30’s. Clark Gable…”

“I know him,” the doctor replied. She was lying on her side looking at the blanketed wall. She smiled and held Mick’s pillow. A faint scent of soap and perhaps perfume, wafted up to her nose. She cuddled it closer for some reason.

“… And Claudette Colbert. She was a rich socialite and he was a reporter. She ran away from the guy she was supposed to marry. Gable was gonna bring her back and get the story. They got stuck at a small motel and had to share a room. Gable was a gentleman and put up a wall like this one... Great movie,” she sighed dreamily.

“And did he bring her back and get the story?” Isabella asked quietly, completely intrigued.

“Nope. He fell in love and gave it all up for the girl,” Mick informed her with a yawn.

“That is a nice story. To fall in love like that and give up everything for the one you love.”

Mick was still staring at the ceiling. Amanda Higgins’s face flashed before her. She could have done that; should have done that. But she was too young, too immature. Now…

“Would you do that for the one you loved, Mick?” the doctor asked quietly. She thought of earlier, how it felt to have Mick’s hands on her arms, steadying her. They felt soft and strong at the same time. She thought for sure Mick was going to kiss her. Would she want that?

“I screwed up once. If I ever fell in love again… Yes, in a heartbeat, Dr. Rivera.”

“
Inamorata
,” Isabella whispered.

“Is that a medical condition?”

“No. It is Italian. It means a woman who is loved. Like a sweetheart, or lover.”

“Hmm,” Mick said. “Hey. I thought you were Panamanian?”

“I am. My mother was of Italian descent. I can speak Italian as well as Spanish.”

“I’m impressed.”

“So you should be,” Isabella said, cuddling the pillow.

“So, it’s like the song by Dean Martin.”

“No. That would be sacrilegious. It is the song by Jerry Vale. He was my mother’s favorite.” She grinned when she heard Mick laugh.

“So…”

Isabella raised an eyebrow and waited. “So…?”

“So, if I understand this word. If I loved you…”

Isabella suddenly found it difficult to swallow. “
Sí
?”

“Then you would be my
inamorata
. Right? I mean, just for the sake of understanding.”

“Yes. I would.” Isabella put the pillow over her head, trying to ignore her racing heart. “For the sake of understanding.”

“Okay. Just checking. Good night, Doctor Rivera.”

There was silence for a moment. Isabella grinned. “We are back to Doctor and Señorita?”

“Hell, no.”

Isabella let out a genuine laugh. “Good. Can I tell you something?” she asked softly. She looked at the blanket between them and waited.

“Of course you can,” Mick replied just as softly.

“I enjoy the way you say my name.” Isabella could almost see the blue eyes smiling.

“That’s good to know. Because I enjoy saying it.”

“Mick…”

“I enjoy that too.”

Isabella smiled. “Thank you for building the clinic, and for the view in my office.”

“You’re welcome. Hey, didn’t we do this before?”

“It appears to be a habit between us?”

“It does. Good night, Isabella.”

Isabella closed her eyes. “Good night, Mick.”

*******

Somewhere in the night, Mick tried to roll over and was stunned to see Isabella lying next to her on the sleeping bag. Oh, Sweet Jesus, she thought. The doctor was lying on her side, cuddled close to Mick.

The thunder boomed and in her sleep, Isabella jumped and moved closer to Mick, who nearly swallowed her tongue. What in the world is Isabella…she then remembered her fear of thunderstorms.

In between the flashes of lightning, Mick caught a glimpse of her pretty face, now in a tight frown as her hand clutched Mick’s shirt. Another crack of thunder, which scared even Mick, Isabella woke and screamed softly.

Instinctively, Mick wrapped her arm around her and pulled her close. “Sshh, Isabella. It’s only a storm,” she whispered and Isabella sighed in her sleep and quite naturally slipped her left arm around Mick’s waist.

Oh, this feels too right, Mick thought. What was the word? Anaconda? No, that’s a snake. She smiled then.
Inamorata,
that was it. Mick would have drifted off to an erotic dream but she remembered Sean, and how he and Maria saw her kissing a man, passionately, Sean added.

“Nuts,” she mumbled, but still held on to Isabella.

Chapter 10

Isabella woke first, completely disoriented. She tried to stretch and realized she was trapped. Her eyes flew open and she found she was staring at a firm breast, partially hidden by a tank top.

Madre de Dios
! She cried inwardly. I am such a fool.

She looked up to see Mick in a deep sleep, her mouth slightly open. Isabella bit at her bottom lip as she tried to ease away. She rolled her eyes in embarrassment as she noticed her left leg was thrown over Mick’s thighs. Fighting the comfortable feeling, she desperately tried to extricate herself. Mick lay on her back; her left arm wrapped around Isabella, holding her in a close, protective embrace.

How did this happen? Isabella’s mind frantically tried to remember. Then she thought of the thunderstorm and felt ridiculous. A grown woman afraid of a thunderstorm, she shook her head. Mick made a small noise in her sleep and Isabella prayed that she would not wake up. She also tried not to stare at Mick’s breasts that sensually rose with every deep breath Mick took. 

Isabella had an idea. Trying to avoid the overwhelming pull to caress the heaving breast, she reached up and gently tickled Mick’s right ear. Mick twitched her head and snorted quietly. Isabella chuckled at the sight and repeated. As hoped, Mick swatted at the annoying mosquito, mumbled in her sleep and rolled over on her right side.

Isabella jumped quickly as she tried to scoot off the bag, but realized her T-shirt was stuck on the zipper of the sleeping bag. In an effort to be quick and quiet, she woke the sleeping bear.

Mick snorted and jumped up. “What?” she mumbled, looking around the tent.

Isabella tried not to, but seeing Mick’s frantic look along with the hair of a cockatiel, she let out a barking laugh.

Mick swung around and saw her. “What’s wrong? What are you doing down here? Why, why are you laughing?” She sat back on her heels, and placed a hand over her heart. “Am I dreaming or having a heart attack?”

Isabella laughed so hard she snorted. Mick joined her. “I have no idea why I’m laughing.”

“I am sorry. I…” Isabella stopped and dried her tears on her shirt. “I must have been scared by the storm last night, and came down here with you. I am sorry.”

Mick stopped laughing. “I know.”

Isabella stopped as well. “You know what?”

“I know you were scared last night. The thunder woke me, and I found you lying next to me.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you wake me?” Isabella asked tersely.

“Hey. Don’t get mad at me. And why should I wake you when you were scared?” Mick grinned. “You might want to thank me.”

Isabella felt the heat rise in her neck. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Mick looked at her watch. Only five in the morning and still raining. “I guess we won’t get much work done today either.”

Isabella nervously scratched at her neck. “Probably not.” She sat back on her heels as well, facing Mick.

“Wonder what we should do.”

“I do not know. I suppose going back to my home is out of the question.”

“In this downpour? Sorry. I’m still waterlogged from last night,” Mick said, inching closer.

Isabella thought she might be the one having the heart attack. The tent felt close, and stifling. As Mick inched closed, she leaned back. “What are you doing?”

Mick stopped and sighed. “If you have to ask, I’m doing it wrong.”

Isabella hid her grin. “Let us talk.”

Mick’s jaw dropped. “O-Okay.” She sat Indian-style on the sleeping bag, and chuckled as Isabella did the same. “Should I start?”

Isabella nodded.

“Are you a lesbian?”

Isabella looked shocked. “I…”

Mick waited. “Is that I am, or I am not?”

“I am. Aren’t you?” She knew she sounded incredulous; she was not expecting that question.

“Yes, I am. I just wanted to make sure before things…” Mick stopped. “Evolve, hopefully. So, can I ask you a question?”

“Yes.” Isabella relaxed and stretched her legs out in front of her.

“When Sean went to the hospital, he…” Mick looked hesitant. Isabella waited. “He saw you kissing a man.”

Isabella groaned and covered her face with her hands.

“I hoped it might be a relative, but Sean said it was a steamy kiss. And I don’t know how it is in Panama, but in the states we don’t kiss relatives like that.”

“Steamy on his part, not mine. Did Sean tell you I walked away from him?”

“Yes, he did. He did. So, um, I know it’s none of my business…”

“His name is Alejandro Reyes. I have known him for some time. He is persistent, but he knows all about me.”

“And do you care for him?” Mick cocked her head, looking Isabella right in the eye.

“Yes. We are old friends. He asked me to marry him on several occasions. As I said, he is persistent. But…” She leaned forward. “I do not care for him the way…”

Mick smiled. “You’d better finish that sentence.”

Isabella smiled in kind. “The way I am beginning to feel for a
loco
American.”

“And it better not be Sean.”

Isabella laughed then. “No, Mick. It is not your brother. It’s you.” Isabella didn’t think Mick could grin any wider. “This pleases you?”

“Hell yeah,” Mick said emphatically. “Can I ask you one more question?”

“Certainly.”

“Can I kiss you?”

Hearing Mick’s soft plea tugged at Isabella’s heart; yes, she would have that heart attack at any moment. “I thought all you Americans were bold and did not ask perm—” She let out a small screech when Mick quickly leaned forward and kissed her. Every nerve in her body was on fire; she threw her arms around Mick’s neck and returned her kiss.

Mick pulled back and smiled. “That was wonderful.”

“
Sí. Maravilloso
,” Isabella whispered. She leaned in and kissed Mick again, reveling in her soft lips.

Again, Mick pulled back. “Can we lie down or something?” she asked in a coarse voice.

Isabella gently pushed Mick onto the sleeping bag. “Is this better?”

“Yes.” Mick pulled Isabella down on top of her. “But this is mucho better.”

Isabella laughed, running her fingers through her hair. “I knew I would enjoy kissing you.” Her fingers traveled to her cheek, then gently traced her jaw. “Can I tell you something?”

“At this point? Why not. As long as you keep touching me like that.”

“The first night in the bar—” She gently placed her fingertips across Mick’s lips to quiet her. “I saw you sitting there, and hoped you would come over to me. I-I was just not expecting your proposition and I got angry. I am so sorry I hit you. It was right here I believe.” She bent down and kissed Mick’s cheek.

“You had every right to hit me, Isabella. What I did was offensive.”

“
Sí
, but very erotic,” Isabella whispered against her ear. “And I think I would like you to—”

“Mick! C’mon. The rain stopped, and we got an order of lumber coming,” Sean called from outside the tent.

Isabella jumped, Mick groaned. “Fine! Okay. Gimme a minute.”

“Well, hurry up. Maria’s making coffee.”

“Well…shit,” Mick said with a laugh.

Isabella stood and offered her hand, which Mick accepted. Isabella easily pulled her up. “My, for a doctor you’re very strong. Sorry for the interruption.”

“Not as sorry as I am,” Isabella said. “But I do need to get back to the city, and my car.”

They stood inches apart, so Isabella leaned in and kissed Mick once again. “We will finish this, no?”

“We well finish this, definitely, yes,” Mick said. She groaned when Isabella gently nibbled at her neck. “And soon.”

*******

Isabella sat in her office at the hospital in Panama City. It had been three days without going to the construction site. Being busy with patients kept her mind off Mick, and their morning in her tent. If she continued to think of her, she would get nothing done. However, her body tingled when she remembered their kisses, and if Sean had not interrupted them…Isabella actually shivered at the thought of what could have been. 

Being busy at the hospital also kept her mind off the idea of someone deliberately slashing her tires; that was disturbing to say the least. 

She missed being at the construction site; missed seeing little Ezekiel, Juan, and Maria. She smiled thinking of Sean Brennan. He was handsome and as good-natured as his sister. Now, her smile unconsciously grew wider as she put her head back and rocked in her chair. Mick’s smiling face crowded her vision once again.

A gentle knock at her door shook her from her thoughts of Mick.

“No patients, Doctor?”

Isabella let out a dejected sigh; she had hoped it was Mick. “Not at the moment. Come in, Alejandro,” she said kindly.

He walked over to her, and bent down to kiss her. Isabella flinched and held up her hand. “Alejandro…please.”

She noticed his body tense for a moment before he relaxed; he sat on the corner of her desk. “You seemed far away in thought, Isabella. Where were you?”

You do not want to know, Isabella thought seriously. “I was thinking about my clinic,” she said. It was partly true. She saw the frown flash across Alejandro’s face then it was gone. “I have not been at the site for a few days. I am concerned at the progress.”

“Isabella.” He stared. When he said her name, it always sounded like a scold. She remembered Mick; her name rolling off the soft lips sounded almost reverent. Oh my God, Isabella! she thought and shook her head.

“What were you saying? I am sorry,” she said and looked up at Alejandro.

“I was saying that perhaps you are taking on too much here. You work all day and some nights then you go to Los Rios, and I am afraid this is too much,” he said in manly fashion.

“It is my passion, Alejandro. We have talked of this,” she gently reminded him.

He scowled deeply and avoided her eyes. Isabella knew him well; when he does not look her in the eye there is lying. She watched him now thinking how long she had known him but knew little of what his business was. He said he was in the import-export business but his time was his own. She had no idea what company he worked for or if he owned his own company. It was interesting that now, when she flexed her independent wings, that Isabella detected his resentment and wondered why.

“We have talked of this. I have told you that this is not what I want,” he said seriously.

“Alejandro, this is my life. We are not married. We are not in love. I have told you many, many times. You have no right to want,” she said indignantly. Then she softened, “Alejandro, you and I are not…” she stopped and took a deep, calming breath. Another knock at the door was yet another interruption.

Maria walked in smiling and looking very happy. “I am so sorry. I did not know you had company, Isabella. I will come back,” she said, looking from her to Alejandro.

“No, please Maria, come in. Alejandro and I were merely talking,” she said.  Alejandro’s eyes grew dark but he nodded a greeting to Maria. Isabella bristled at how dismissive he was. “How is everything at the site?” she asked eagerly as Maria sat and let out a contented sigh.

“My feet are killing me!” Both women laughed, and Alejandro walked over to the window and looked out. “Things are going well. This is why I am here. Michaela sent me.” She laughed and Isabella dropped her pen on the floor.

Alejandro raised an eyebrow and stooped to pick it up; he set it on the desk and said nothing.

“She wants you to come for the weekend. They are raising the frame of the clinic and she wants you to see the progress. I tell you she is tireless, that one. Working in any daylight she can get. The men are grumbling, she does more work than they do.” She laughed and Isabella laughed along.

“And how is little Zeke?” she asked.

Maria rolled her eyes and waved her hand. “That little one misses you so. He asks about you all the time. As does Mick,” she added honestly. “Ezekiel is a self-appointed caretaker of Mick. The other day she hit her hand with a hammer…”

“Is she all right?” Isabella sat forward in her chair. By now, both women were chattering away, completely ignoring Alejandro.

“She is fine. I would not know if she wasn’t. She is so stubborn, that Irishwoman. Mick and Sean will be the death of Juan. Their antics will surely drive him
loco
. Now, you must come on Saturday morning. Mick told me I should not come back if you say no.”

“Of course I will come,” she said, laughing along.

Alejandro narrowed his eyes slightly. “I would love to see this as well. Why don’t we take my car? Afterward we can go to San Miguel. I have wanted to take you there. You need a holiday,
carino
,” he said in a low, seductive voice. He turned to Maria. “I would be welcome?”

“Of course, you are most welcome,” Maria said politely and stood. “I must go back. It is a long drive. Mick is planning a big fiesta for Saturday, which if I know Mick, means I am cooking like a madwoman. She has invited all the workers and their families. She is calling it a good old-fashioned ‘barn-raising.’ I do not know what that means, but I never know what that woman means. Well, we will see you both on Saturday.”