Page 76 of The Doctor's Irreplaceable Love

He took her hand and led her back into the den.“Want to watch a movie?”

She shook her head.“I’d rather go to bed—but I want to clean up the kitchen first.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead.“I want to argue and go straight upstairs, but it’ll be quicker to just get it done.”

She nodded happily.“See?You’re learning.Between the two of us, it won’t take long.”

It didn’t take long to clean up the kitchen; Trip made sure of that.The way he hurried everything along made Shelley laugh.By the time she closed the dishwasher door, he was finishing wiping down the counters.

He turned and threw the dish towel across the room, punching the air when it landed in the sink.

“Are you proud of yourself?”she asked.

He nodded happily.“Not for landing the shot—that’s neither here nor there,” he explained.

“I set myself a goal of getting you upstairs within the next fifteen minutes.”He checked his watch with a grin.“It’s only taken seven.”

She laughed as he grabbed her hand and led her toward the stairs.

“I’ve missed sleeping with you.”

She squeezed his hand.“I’ve missed sleeping with you, too.”

When they reached his bedroom, he turned to her with a more serious look on his face.“It’s only been two nights since you were here.I’m not trying to be clingy… I’ll get used to it.”

She reached up to touch his cheek; she had to be honest.“I don’t want to get used to it, Trip.”

He rested his forehead against hers and looked down into her eyes.“I’m just glad you’re not leaving town.I know you and Harper are getting a place together, but… about what she said… If the day comes when you want to move in here, I hope you know that I want you.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck.“I think that day’s coming.But there’s no rush, is there?”

“No, honey.No rush at all.”He put his hands on her hips and started backing her toward the bed.“Well… maybe there’ssomerush.”

She started unfastening the buttons of his shirt.“You’re right.There is.”She pushed his shirt off his shoulders.

“This may take a while,” he told her.“We have some making up for lost time to do.”

“You won’t hear me complaining.I’m not going anywhere.At least, I’m not going anywhere until about seven in the morning.I’ll have to go home to shower and change before I come into work.”

Trip claimed her mouth in a deep, lingering kiss before saying, “Maybe you should shower here with me.And just go home to get changed.”

“I could be persuaded to do that.”

He lifted his head, looking more serious.“Or are you more concerned about getting some time with Harper?”

Shelley laughed.“No, I’m not concerned in the least.As you’ve seen, she’s perfectly capable of taking care of herself.I’m not worried about her.”

“Good.And, you know… maybe when we finish tomorrow, we should take her down to the bakery to meet everyone.”

“Yes, let’s do that.And we should ask Jim to come along—if he’s free.He’s your last patient of the day.”

“Okay, and now that we have tomorrow organized, let’s forget about everyone else, and make the most of tonight.”

She lay back on the bed and held her arms up to him.“I’ve been waiting for you to stop talking so that we can start making the most of it.”

He chuckled as he lay down beside her and wrapped his arms around her.“I won’t say another word till morning—I’m done talking, now I’m ready for the loving.”

Her heart felt as though it melted in her chest.She knew what he meant—he was talking aboutmakinglove—but for a second there, she’d thought he meant he was ready to startlovingher.