Paradise Valley (Virgin River #7)(54)

“Oh,” Mel said. “Good idea. I guess a pediatrician knows what to look for.”

Two hours and two patients later, he was still acting as if something was wrong. So she went head-on, as she was known to do. “What’s eating at you? You’re all funky and weird, like you and Abby have a problem or something.” He ducked his head. “Oh, you and Abby have a problem. What’s the matter? Can I help? Is the pregnancy all right?”

“I don’t think you can help,” he said, turning away from her and heading for the kitchen.

She followed him. “You don’t really know, though, do you? Until you run it by me?”

“It’s kind of embarrassing,” he said, not facing her.

“For God’s sake, I look at cracks and talk about sex for a living. You can’t embarrass me.”

He turned around. “I was thinking it would be embarrassing for me.”

“Well, get over it. I’m your midwife.”

He took a deep breath. “Abby and I are getting along very well. It’s incredible. Better than I thought it could be. We’re so compatible. And last night I slept beside her, holding her and the babies….” He dropped his chin.

“Aw,” Mel said. “That’s sweet. I’m so happy, Cam.”

“And woke up with my hand up her shirt and with the biggest hard-on.”

Mel looked momentarily perplexed. “I’m sorry. Did I need to know that?”

“I can’t believe how much just being near her is getting to me. I can’t let her think that— I mean, I let her think it would be completely safe for me to just lie beside her and… Aw, Christ. I have no control at all. What a damn mess.”

“Cameron, take it easy. Most of that’s just nature. Huh? It happens all night long. I’m sure Abby knows that.”

“It’s not just happening when I’m asleep. I really have a problem here. I’ve wanted that woman since the first second I saw her, but she’s in no condition for me to want her like that. What kind of man wants to… I mean, I won’t touch her, I swear I won’t. But if she thinks she’s not safe from my instincts, then I’ll be sent back up to the loft. And I don’t want to go back up to the loft!” He took a breath, shook his head dismally. “I should probably go back up to the loft.”

Mel’s face cracked into a huge grin. “My goodness. The Madonna syndrome? You?”

“What?”

“The mother of your children can’t also be a sexual human being?”

“Not if she’s ripe as a tomato! She’s thirty weeks! With twins! It would be irresponsible to— You know we don’t want a lot of action down there.”

“Cameron, surely you have a better imagination than you’re letting on. I mean, there are a few alternative methods of sharing affection that don’t involve intercourse. But of course I agree—intercourse now is probably not the best idea, even though we’re not necessarily concerned about early labor. Yet.”

“We don’t have that kind of relationship. At least, not now. We agreed to share this space so I could be there for her. So we could have them together and rely on each other. Not so we could explore alternative methods of affection, by which I’m sure you mean manual or oral.” He ran a hand over his chest as if wiping it dry. “She probably shouldn’t play around with orgasms anyway. That’s all we need is a little early labor now.”

“Hey, this is something for you to talk to her about,” Mel said. “You afraid you’ll shock her? Didn’t you get her pregnant? Isn’t she aware you have a healthy libido?”

“I’m pretty sure she has no idea how healthy. Really, I wasn’t prepared to find her sexier than ever. She can’t even get up off the couch without a hand and I’m ready to spring into action and—” He stopped himself. “Jesus.”

Mel just chuckled. “Listen, while she’s feeling big as a cow, I doubt she’d be insulted to learn she actually turns you on. Know what I mean? It might lead to some meaningful communication, which it sounds like the two of you could use.” But she couldn’t help herself. She chuckled again and put a hand over her mouth.

“You don’t have to laugh at me,” he groused.

“Aw, I think you’re cute. Talk to her. You said you’re getting close. Tell her how you’ve been feeling, et cetera. And you can also explain why it’s not an excellent idea to have a wild romp in the hay just now. But you don’t have to be embarrassed by your feelings and frankly, I don’t think a little orgasm or two would hurt. You’re not tempting fate for at least a couple more weeks. Desiring her when she’s in this phase of motherhood—that’s sweet.” She shook her head. “Jack sure didn’t have this problem. He wasn’t embarrassed by his feelings. Frustrated by them, yes. Embarrassed? Pah.”

“Maybe Jack is the guy I should be talking to….”

Mel lost every trace of humor. “Okay, I have to draw the line there. You can’t do that. Jack might say too much—he’s been known to do that once or twice. And I can’t have you conjuring up pictures of me in—” She straightened her spine. “I’m your boss, I think. I am, yes I am. You’re the doctor, but it’s my clinic. I can’t have you picturing me in compromising positions, even if they might help your pathetic sex life, because I’m your boss.”