After rushing into the house, her friends just looked at her. Liana started to get up, but Skye shook her head. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. She wanted only to shower and sleep, so she took half a sleeping pill to help her out. She didn’t want to dream. But, she did anyway, and the past and present intertwined.
They held a staff meeting after everyone’s last patient. Her boss, Dr. Williams, wanted updates with any problems they were having. Skye informed him of one of her patients who was suffering from PTSD; she believed he needed more help than she could provide. “Here is his file.”
After handing the file over to Dr. Williams, he reviewed the reports she’d written. “Okay. Let’s sign the paperwork to get him in the hospital for a seventy-two hour hold. He needs more help than outpatient care. I agree with your findings.”
Skye locked eyes with her boss, “I have the forms here to sign.” The meeting broke up after that pronouncement.
It was late, and she needed to get home. The door to her office opened and Trevor stood at the door. Getting up, she went to him, wrapped her arms around him, and then kissed him. “What are you doing here?”
“Why are you still here?” he asked her. Then a noise came from the outside office. Trevor lost it when the door opened to reveal the building’s security guard standing at the entrance.
“Trev?” That’s when he reached into his boot and pulled out a knife. “What the hell!” He lunged; she turned and the knife… Skye woke up gasping for air, whispering, “That’s not what happened. Trevor didn’t attack me.” She sat up, pulling the pillow to her face, and cried.
All her emotions mingled together: Hurt, pain, and fear from being attacked by one of her military patients suffering from PTSD. Her parents had been surprised at her career choice because they’d always said she had a soft heart. Skye believed it benefited her, but it ended up hurting her instead.
Levi had made an appointment with her and begged her for help. Apparently, his friend was being treated and he’d recommended her. Skye found out later that his friend was told that Dr. Williams didn’t have any openings; that’s how he’d become one of her patients.
Then there are her instant feelings for Trevor. Passion so strong that it was surprising. She’d never felt an uncontrollable passion and lust for anyone. But, what shocked her the most was the feeling of safety and trust. She hadn’t been able to be totally let down her guard to any man except her father.
“I am going to get over this and move on.” She was working with her therapist. Though it did bug her because she was a therapist, dammit, and helped her patients deal with their issues every day.
She wasn’t sure how long she sat up in bed until a knock on her door had her raising her head. It’s probably Liana. “Come in.”
“Hi. Did you lose something?” Liana asked her as she held up her sandals. “Trevor came by to give them back. Seems you left them next door.” She came all the way into the room and shut the door behind her.
“We took a walk along the beach after dinner.” Skye sat on the bed, her legs crisscrossed. “You would love the pub. The food is fantastic.” Oh, please let me not talk about Trevor.
She knew by the look on Liana’s face that the change of topic wouldn’t work, but what came out threw her for a loop. “When I walked by earlier, I could hear you crying. What’s going on?”
Skye opened and closed her mouth. She rambled when she was nervous, and Liana knew it.
“Girlfriend, we have always talked about shit. So, don’t you start clamming up now on me. I will call your parents and find out. You know damn well I’ll do it too. They love me.” Liana sat on the bed across from her now. “Start talking.”
She needed to talk to someone other than her therapist, and no way in hell would she talk to her parents or brother. Plus, she wanted to get Liana’s advice regarding Trevor.
Skye stared at her friend as tears ran down her face. Liana reached over to hug her. “You’re breaking my heart. Please, talk to me.”
Skye pulled back. “First, do you remember the patient I told you about? I called him L.” At that, Liana nodded her head. “About four months before this trip, he attacked me in my office. Before you ask, I don’t know why. I don’t know what triggered it.”
Liana opened and closed her month, and it reminded Skye of a fish out of water. But, she knew not to tell her that. “You didn’t call me or text me. Damn it, you should have contacted me; I would have come.”
“I know, but I wasn’t in a good place. Both physically and emotionally. My family drove me crazy. The security guard shot him, and the military have him in custody. I had to have surgery to fix the damage done. I have a scar on my back.” With that, she turned on the bed to show her, knowing the nurse side of her friend would want to see the damage for herself.
“From the looks and area, the knife went deep. It had to have hurt like a bitch,” Liana commented. Skye heard the concern in her voice. “Okay, now Trevor.”
Damn, she’d hoped that part could be dodged. Skye told her about meeting at the pier, taking her to the pub for dinner, and the walk along the beach. “I had a good time and enjoyed his company.”
“And?” Liana asked.
“Every time I see those dog tags, I wait for the bottom to drop. And then what I wanted to happen…” Shit, I hadn’t told her that part yet.
Liana raised one eye brow and gave her that nurse glare that told her patients ‘keep on going’. “Okay. We walked to the pier after dinner.” Before Liana said anything, Skye continued. “Yes, we went to the top level of the pier. It was perfect, romantic. The stars and sound of the waves.” Skye in turn raised both her brows and widened her eyes as if to say ‘get it’.
She opened her month in the silent O. “So, you two…?” she asked at the same time her finger waved back and forth.
“NO! We didn’t have sex. Well, we… He didn’t…” Skye could feel her face heating up from embarrassment. She glanced up and couldn’t believe what came out. “We didn’t fuck. Okay?” At that she clamped her hand over her mouth.
Liana started laughing hysterically. “Yep, you said it.” Laughing so hard, Liana fell to her side.
“It’s not funny.” Skye tried to complain sternly, but failed. Smiling, she said, “You seriously need to stop cackling. You sound like a hyena.” She was laughing harder herself.
“So, how far did you go?” Liana asked after getting her laughter under control.
Knowing she could tell her everything without judgment, she told her friend every little detail between the two of them. The kissing and nipping along her skin. How his chest felt under her hands. How his hands glided over her and had her so aroused.
She took a deep breath. “He’s didn’t get upset when I said we needed to go slow. We saw a falling star and just enjoyed the night. But…”
“Skye, you can’t compare every military solider to one bad egg. You are listening to the wrong organ. What does your heart say? If he’s turning you inside out, then maybe you should take that chance.” She looked at her watch. “Take a drive, go for a walk and clear your head, or go shopping, but really think. You may want to talk to him. Be honest and tell him how you feel.”
Getting up, Liana gave her a hug. “I’ll see you later and we’ll talk.”
“See ya. I’m going to shower. You’re right; I need to talk to Trevor.” Skye headed to the shower after Liana closed the door.
She took her advice and went shopping. She picked up something for her parents, brother, and Amber. Checking out, she realized she’d bought a hat for Trevor. After going back to the house, she ate lunch with some of her friends and they laughed and joked around.
Glancing out the window she saw Trevor and excused herself. Getting the hat, she jogged over behind him. “Want to go for that walk now?”
“Sure,” Trevor said with a smile. “Did you get your sandals? I brought them over early this morning.”
“Yes, thank you,” Skye said as she bent over to pick up an oyster shell. “Oh, I got you something this morning. Hope you like it.” She handed him the gift.
“Thanks. I haven’t had time to go out and get anything.” Trevor put the ball cap on after adjusting the back and taking off the tag. “Well?”
“Looks good.” Skye smiled back.
Trevor leaned in giving her a sweet kiss. “Let’s go walk and find shells.”
Taking her hand, they walked up and down the beach, every so often picking up shells. Skye even pushed Trevor into the water. He got her back by picking her up over his shoulder and racing into the ocean. She has never laughed so hard and had so much fun.
That night, they sat around talking and playing cards. Everyone came and went. They moved to the beach and sat on a towel to watch the sun set. Skye rested her back against Trevor’s arms with her head on his shoulder. She felt him kiss her forehead gently and almost sighed out loud. The sun set and they had to move back once due to the incoming tide.
Skye moved and now sat between Trevor’s legs. He wrapped his muscled arms around her, keeping her warm. Her eyes closed on their own at the sound of the waves rolling in and out. It relaxed every cell of her body, soothed the soul, and quieted the mind.
“I had fun today. Will I get to see you tomorrow?” Trevor spoke against her hair.
“I’d like that.” Getting tired, Skye moved to look at Trevor. “I’m going to head inside. I’m getting tired.”
Helping her up to her feet, Trevor walked her to the steps that lead to the back door. Trevor pulled her closer into his arms. “Good night, Skye. Pleasant dreams. And I hope you dream of me.”
Before she could say anything, he leaned forward and, in one smooth movement, covered her mouth with his. His kiss ignited her blood and fired up the passion within her. She moved one of her hands to the nape of his neck, pulling him closer to deepen the kiss.
Breaking the kiss was the hardest thing to do. But even though it was dark, they were outside. Trevor must’ve realized the same thing. Pulling back, he moved his hand to sides of her neck and pressed a lingering kiss on her forehead. Looking up at him, she could see the passion in his eyes.
Trevor looked at her. “I could kiss you all night. But, if I don’t stop now, it will be hard not to take this further. And I want to.”
Skye reluctantly nodded her head. “So, I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night, Trevor.” Moving up the steps, she glanced over her to see Trevor still standing there. “Night.” With that, she opened the door and walked in. Then is hit her: they lived in two different states; he was active military, and she couldn’t do long-distance relationships. She knew she was going to have to end this; it was for the best.
Going to her room, Skye started thinking where it was going. She would be going back home, and Trevor would be going his way. Did she really want to start things only to have to end it in a couple of days? Was that fair to them both? She didn’t want to get her heart more invested only to have it broken. But, it felt right and she even felt safe with him. Oh, what am I going to do?