Page 42 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

She reached up and pressed a kiss to his cheek."Thanks, Trip.You're a good man."

~ ~ ~

It was still early when Shelley woke up on Saturday morning.Trip had left the curtains open, and she could see that the sky was only just beginning to lighten.She tilted her head back to look up at him.

His face was relaxed in sleep.She was surprised at herself—her head was resting on his chest, her arm wrapped around his stomach.It wasn't like her.Then again, after their antics last night, she'd been exhausted.Her limbs had felt limp as noodles after he made love to her.She wouldn't be surprised if she hadn't moved all night.

She was naked, too.Though, even if she'd had the energy to get up and put on pajamas, she wouldn't have.She loved the feel of his naked body against hers.

She traced her fingers over his chest.He must do an awful lot of working out to stay in such good shape, especially considering the amount of food he managed to put away.She chuckled when she remembered he'd eaten two servings of Maisie's coffee cake after dinner last night.

As she lay there, she had to ask herself the same question that both Trip and Harper had asked: Did she really have any good reason to leave?

She didn't.She didn't even have a plan for where she would go.She’d just grown so used to the life she'd been living, where she only stayed in one place for a few months at most.

She looked up again at his handsome face.She'd be crazy to leave.Or would she?Would it be crazy to stay in one place for a man?She honestly didn't know.She might be afraid to tie herself down into a situation that could end up draining the life out of her.But she also had to face the fact that she was just as afraid of walking away from a man who could become a very important part of her life.

She smiled when Trip ran his hand over her hair.

"Morning, honey," he said, his voice gravelly and still sleepy."Are you doing okay?"

"Morning.I am.I'm good.Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't."Tingles raced over her skin as he ran his hand down her arm."I was dreaming.That's what woke me up."

"What were you dreaming about?"

He chuckled and rolled them so that she was on her back, and he was looking down into her eyes.

"Aren't you going to tell me?"she asked.

He winked."No, I'd rather show you."

She ran her hands over his shoulders, loving the way he shivered at her touch."I like the sound of that.Go ahead and show me, and we can make it a very good morning."

Chapter Nine

When Trip pulled into the parking lot of the Riverside on Wednesday evening, Shelley turned to him with a smile."Thanks so much for bringing me."

He nodded."Of course.It's my pleasure."He glanced through the windshield and nodded toward where Ace's truck had just pulled in."You know I enjoy getting to hang out with the guys while you ladies are out together."

Shelley nodded."I do, but it feels different this time."

He reached across and took her hand."I'd like to think that's because it is different this time.Isn't it?"

She squeezed his hand."Yeah, it is."

Trip was happy with the situation.It wasn't the first time that he'd given her a ride to wherever the girls were having their night out and hung out with the guys while they waited to pick them up again afterward.But in the past, he and Shelley had only been friends.Now...Now, they were more than friends.He didn't know how else to describe it.

"What's on your mind?"he asked when he noticed the way she tucked her hair behind her ear.He'd come to recognize that as one of her tells.It didn't necessarily mean that she was uncomfortable, but she had something on her mind.

She squeezed his hand again."How much are you comfortable with me telling them?"

He shrugged."Whatever you like."

"You don't have a problem?"

"No, it's all good.I'm sure they'll interrogate me afterward, so the more you tell them the better, as far as I'm concerned.And besides, they're your friends, you should be able to talk to them about whatever you want."