Feet up, head rolled back, my eyelids fell. It had already been a long ass day, and it was only two in the afternoon on this fine Sunday.

I vaguely heard the door to the doctor's hospital staffroom push open. To tired to care, I tried to relax and think of anything but...Riley Jo Lockwood.

My eyes burst open as my legs were swatted from the chair they rested on. "Hey!" I was about to protest as Chris stared down at me.

"Long day, huh?"

"Tell me about it." I sat up slightly, rubbing the back of my neck as Chris flaked in the chair opposite. He'd been in surgery for the last four hours. "How was old man's Henson's artery grafting?"

"Good." He stood and patted his pockets. "You got any change? I'm craving some serious sugar."

"No, not change, only notes, sorry."

"Damn." He sat back down. "You heard about Sam breaking his leg?" asked Chris.

"Yeah. I was on call. Ending up having to perform TMR, angina becoming an issue, no biggie."

"Ain't that a bitch." He ran his hand through his hair.

"A-hu." Yawning, I was exhausted having been back and forth from the hospital.

"So, what happened... yesterday?" His lip curled in a smirk.

"Eh? I just told you."

"Not the surgery. Your date." he added a wink to his annoying smirk.

"It wasn't a date, Chris."

He scoffed. "Don't play dumb with me. You had a date with the Lockwood hottie"

"I told you—it wasn't a date!" I wish I'd never mentioned Riley Jo's best-friends barbecue.

Heat spread throughout my body, heart-rate increasing. Just the mention of her name had my pulse double tapping. And no matter how hard I tried not to think of her...there she was seeping into my thoughts, screwing with my feelings and chipping away at my weakening defences where she was concerned.

My gut twisted. It was wrong to be thinking about a girl nearly half my age. I was grieving the loss of my wife. My mind should be on anything but Riley in those faded frayed denim short-shorts. The way they rode up enough to let me glimpse her perfectly round ass cheeks. Not to mention the way her sexy hips swayed as she danced, oblivious to me watching her. I had to plant my feet firmly to the ground to stop myself from walking over, twisting her around and kissing the hell out of those full pouty lips, stained with pink lip-gloss.

"Hey, you listening?" Chris nudged my leg with his foot.

"What?"

"Let me guess, your mind is somewhere else or on someone else." He chuckled. "So... the date?"

"Are you slow this morning—hit your head? I don't know how many times I have to say it—it wasn't a date." He wouldn't let up till I threw him a bone. "Fine, I was there ten minutes before being called back here."

"Fuck, talk about being cock-blocked."

"I told you. We're just friends."

He sat up, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Why did it feel like a lecture was coming on? "Let me get this straight, and please feel free to jump in and correct me if I'm wrong."

My eyebrow raised as he continued.

"You had a night of hot no strings sex. Then you kiss her in her home after tending to her injury."

I interrupted. "Hey, don't make out she's a patient, its—"

He ignored me, interrupting me. "Then you agree to be friends." He shook his head, looking at me like I'd grown two. "You know what she meant when she said she wanted to be friends... right?" He emphasized friends in finger air quotes.

"I take it to mean what she said... friends."

"Jesus Adam! C'mon buddy. The girl is throwing you a bone—a fucking huge bone. She wants you!" He groaned, frustrated. "Look, she's obviously waiting for you to make a move, especially after your reaction on Saturday." He glared at me, waiting for a response, which I would not give one. "So, make a move, buddy."

"It's no more than friends, Chris—just friends."

"I'm calling bullshit!" he spat out.

My face flushed, the spark of irritation morphing into anger. "I'm in no shape for a relationship and there's the tiny detail of me being old enough to be her god-damn father." A shudder ran through me as I clenched my teeth, inhaling a breath through my nose. "Not to mention she has the devil for a mother, who could make my life hell." I threw my hands up. "Have you forgotten about that?" I looked over my shoulder to check no one was listening.

He held up a finger to silence me. "One. Cut that shit out. She's legal. So who the hell cares about a number?"

Her mother...

He continued. "Two. Who mentioned a relationship, you said she's only here for four weeks. And lastly Mercy Jane—" he shrugged. "Well, what she doesn't know won't hurt her... or you, my friend."

It was pointless trying to argue with him. Pushing myself up from the chair, I shook off my white coat and lay it across the back of my chair. "I'm going to head over to May's Diner to grab a coffee and something to eat. Seeing as I'm here for another four hours."

Chris slumped back in his chair. "You want to tag along, or can I bring you something back?"

"Nah, I'm good. Gonna sit here and chill, back in surgery at four." He pulled my chair toward him and planted his feet on them. "On no, wait, grab me one, no two of those apple and cinnamon muffins. They are something else. I'm telling you the old dear that owns the joint, I swear she puts something illegal in them—I'm hooked."

"Okay, shouldn't be long." He grunted something, but I was halfway out the door.

It was hot outside, but I walked the short distance, roughly five minutes on foot. My mind flicked to Tuesday when I'd met up with Riley for coffee before my next surgery. It surprised me how easy it was to talk to her. I thought the age difference might be obvious, and would curb my fascination... bordering obsession with her. But no. Turned out she was articulate and funny and so sweet she could give a damn dentist a toothache.

She let me talk about Emma, but it didn't stop me noticing and cataloguing every little detail of Riley Jo Lockwood.

From a distance her eyes might just pass as green, but closer there was flex of blue and grey and when sunlight had slashed across the pane of glass, lighting them up, they flashed emerald. I'd seen nothing like it. They were honestly quite beautiful. And her lips... full pink lips with the upper just a little plumper than the lower one.

She had beautiful skin, which she didn't hide under layers of makeup and a small pert nose and softly arched brows. Her hair was long, and it never failed to stir my hand in wanting to run my finger through the soft, large curls. It looked wild and as if she'd just got out of bed.

Bed.

Jesus Christ.

The vivid image of her plastered to my bed, hair flared across the pillow, cheeks flushed, body damp, full breasts with those sweet pink nipples begging for my lips.

Fuck!

The visual got my cock's attention, clearly not caring about her age or the idea of us being just friends. Adjusting my slacks. Perhaps it wasn't a great idea for us to be friends. I was starting to feel like a dirty old man lusting after a sweet and innocent girl.

It didn't help either, when every time she said doctor, my cock jumped. And I found it increasingly difficult not to reach out and touch her in some way. And on Tuesday when she reached across the table and held my hand, a hard lump formed in my throat, every hair stood on end as if shocked by electricity.

When led to endless thoughts from Tuesday night to Saturday morning hammering my brain trying to fathom and rationalise the pull this girl had on me.

Was I desperate for a woman's touch? Lonely maybe? Nah, I'd had offers from women and some not even subtle in their suggestions of it being just about sex.

So what was it about Riley Jo Lockwood that stirred something deeper.

My mind shifted to yesterday, looking so sexy and carefree and the way she trembled when I'd caught her. It was clear as day she was turned on. Hell, I was turned on.

Shit! I had to quit this. It wasn't normal. Emma was barely cold in the ground.

The shop door jingled to signal I'd arrived at my destination. Heading inside, it was already quite busy, full of staff from the hospital grabbing a coffee and a bite to eat during their breaks. making a beeline for the counter, my eyes drifted over today's specials.

Laughter caught my ear, reverberating, sweet and sassy. I didn't need to turn to know whose it was. On Tuesday, whenever she'd laughed, it had been a balm to my soul. Excitement had my stomach twisting and my lips already lifting into a smile as I turned to seek her out.

And it didn't take long to fix her in my sights... There she sat in a sat in a summer dress that emphasized the swell of her breasts. Her hair was piled high, her smooth neck that my mouth had happily explored was on full display.

She laughed again as my attention followed her eyes.

Shit.

Riley was with a man. My smile dropped faster than a speeding ticket, and my stomach tied itself in knots.

A man not so much older than her, but I couldn't be sure. But someone closer to her age—someone better than me.

I should have turned away, focused my attention on ordering my food. But I couldn't. I didn't like that she was sitting in the same booth with another man that we had shared on Tuesday.

Tension held my frame hostage as something darker and so unlike me sprouted roots. And It wasn't rocket science to figure out what this feeling was. It was jealousy pure and simple, and by Jesus, it burned.

Riley laughed again, as she lifted what looked like a strawberry smoothie, those full lips sucking the straw.

Jesus. Blinking. I couldn't believe I was envious of a straw.

Placing the glass down, she leant into the guy who was well built, and I guess you could say handsome. He whispered something in her ear. Cheeks flushing, her lips parted as she dented her full bottom lip with her teeth as she bit back laughter.

My hands clenched and unclenched by my side.

"Can I help you, Sir?" The server was trying to grab my attention. "Sir?" she asked again, but I couldn't take my eyes off Riley as my teeth clenched so tightly I expected to hear a crack.

What the hell was wrong with me?

I had no right to feel this way, but here I stood, trying to stop myself from marching over there and asking her to explain herself. Or, even worse, act like some sort of caveman and drag her from the booth and throw her over my shoulder.

"Sir!"

I turned my head. "Sorry. I need a minute." She smiled and switched her attention to the next customer.

My head shot back around and before I could rationalize another thought, my feet were moving toward them. Knowing I should stop and leave—right now.

But I didn't.

Her eyes met mine. Surprise lit them up.

Yeah, that's right, sweetheart. I caught you—

What the hell. Caught her doing what? She wasn't mine. She was free to do as she pleased—with whoever she pleased.

So why did that thought piss me off?

"Adam!" she said, her surprise morphing into a huge smile. The same smile that never failed to twist my stomach for different reasons. Not an ounce of guilt decorated her face.

Quit it, Asshole. She's doing nothing wrong!

"Hey, Riley" Thank Christ my voice sounded normal, I'd almost expected a growl. "Didn't think I'd see you here?"

"Best damn apple and cinnamon muffins in the south, and you never know who you might run into."

"So I hear. This little diner is full of surprises."

Riley's cheeks flushed as her eyes filled with heat. "How is your patient? Everything okay?"

I nodded, trying to look and act natural, which was so far from the truth. "Yeah, I didn't get home till late, and then straight back here this morning. Had a doctor call in sick, so it upped my workload."

"I wanted to fetch you some of Max's fine barbecue food, but I worried I might be interrupting."

"You should have... the distraction would have been nice." What was I saying?

"What, me or the food doctor?" Her eyes ran the length of me. "You need to remember what my nana says. All work and no play makes Adam a—" She stopped, catching herself and I didn't miss the flirty wink she gave me. And yes, petty as it might be. I felt a little smug, she was sitting here, with another man and openly flirting with me. I relaxed a little, albeit slightly.

"Sit with us. Do you have time?" She pointed to the space in their booth.

I didn't have time, although I really wanted to sit and make sure this guy saw how Riley was looking at me.

What?

I stopped myself, shaking the crazy thoughts away. "Sorry Riley, just swung by to grab something and then heading back."

My eyes flicked to the man sitting next to her. He looked like a cowboy, all rough and rugged and I pictured him working horses. No doubt he would be well-liked by almost every woman in a fifty-mile radius. He eyed me suspiciously.

"Oh, Adam, this is Logan Reilly and Logan, this is Adam." Her brows nudged. "Sorry, Dr Matthews." She blushed.

I held out my hand. "Adam is fine."

He reached for my hand, gripping it firmly as if to prove something, or maybe warning me? Or perhaps I was reading too much into it. "Good grip you got there, Logan." He dropped my hand.

"Gotta be able to handle myself up at the ranch. Don't have use for pretty boy hands." He threw in casually as Riley's gaze flicked between him and me.

"I was telling Logan how you came to my rescue on Sunday."

I shrugged. "I'm good to have around." I wanted to cringe as the words left my mouth.

Riley continued. "Logan here has rescued me and Maddy from our own stupidity many times over the years."

"I remember you doing just about anything to make sure me or Jackson had to get our hands dirty, rescuing you two." He winked. "I think you just liked having my hands on you, princess."

Riley gasped. "You keep on dreamin' Logan Reilly." She playfully jabbed him in his overly muscled bicep.

No normal person had biceps like that.

I stood taller; my jaw twitched watching their interaction. My jealousy reared its head, suffocating any rational thought. "Do you have a second Riley—outside?" I flicked my head.

She thought for a second. "Why, sure." Rising, she shuffled out of the booth, and I stepped back to allow her to pass.

"After you." I tried not to stare at her ass, instead looking down at her feet. "How's the foot?"

She glanced over her shoulder. "Good, although I think I may have danced a little too much yesterday. Cycling home was a little painful."

The protective instinct I'd felt on Sunday returned. "How are you getting home? You've not cycled here?" I wouldn't let her cycle home today; I would get Chris to cover me for an hour and take her home.

"No, Maddy, let me use her car today."

I followed her outside as she held the door for me. We walked along the glass fronted window, as I placed my hand on her lower back. I knew her friend was watching as we turned the corner into the alley, offering a little privacy. She turned to face me, smiling, her unyielding gaze my undoing.

And I don't know what possessed me, whether it was temporary insanity, jealously or just plain stupidity. I pushed her up against the wall and covered my mouth with hers. A wave of heat rushed right through me as my lips worshipped hers, exploring every inch of her hot mouth, stroking my tongue over hers as she whimpered. My blood boiled as my cock pressed into the seam of her thighs, clearly not caring that friends didn't... shouldn't do this.

I pulled back, our lips a whisper apart. And apparently my mouth ignored any instruction from my brain as the words flooded out. "I don't like seeing you with another man."

What the hell?

I should have stepped away, but my body wasn't listening to my brain either as I eased my hand around her waist, pulling us closer, fitting together almost like a show of ownership.

I may as well just piss on her. Jesus Christ, I was so fucked.

Standing motionless, unsure what I should say or do. Riley's lips brushed over mine. "Logan and I are just friends, Adam," she said, slightly breathless and a whole lot sexy.

"Isn't that what we are Riley—friends?" Jesus, I resembled a petulant child who didn't like to share their toys.

"I don't like Logan that way." She paused, her tongue peeking out to wet her lips. "Not the way I like you, doctor."

All my intentions to do the right thing vanished when she pressed her lips against mine and her tongue shyly caressed mine. Nothing like our first kiss, but just as full as heat and although my brain was shooting out warning's left, right and centre. I pressed her further against the wall, deepening our kiss, forcing her lips to widen.

Her sweet smell of peaches and unique flavour mixed with strawberry smoothie flooded my mouth as I gave hers all my attention and her small hands ran up my arms to snake around my neck as I my fingers dug into her curvy hips.

Her breasts pushed up against my chest and my need for her was suddenly insatiable and every request my brain made to pull back, stop—was flat out ignored.

My body wanted more, wanted more of this feeling that only she seemed to stir in me.

And those little moans and the way she held onto me said she felt the same.

Finally, we parted, and it was Riley who pulled back, her eyes a little hazy as that beautiful smile of hers pulled at her reddened lips.

I had to stop myself from dipping back in for more.

"Damn, my nana always said the quiet ones are the ones to watch out for."

I wasn't sure if that was a good thing as I readied my apology for me behaving no better than a neanderthal.

"And before you go apologising—don't." She placed her hand on my chest, and I would have sworn it left a scorch mark.

The glaze from her eyes cleared, replaced by burning desire. It almost took my breath away. "I have another proposal for you, doctor."

The way she looked at me, she could have asked for a kidney, and I would have reached for my scalpel to remove it myself. "And what are you proposing, Miss Lockwood?"

"How do you feel about friends with benefits?" Heat and mischief lit up her eyes.

My dick twitched, clearly liking the idea of benefits. "I guess it would depend on the benefits." I scraped my teeth across my lower lip.

Riley's fingers played with my shirt button. "Im thinking a demonstration is in order. What time does your shift end?"

"I'll be home by eight." Or at least I would if my patients didn't give me any more trouble.

"I'll be there." She rose to her tiptoes and licked across the seam of my lips. "Don't be late, doctor."