Fated Love by Radclyffe Read Free Book Online Page A

her sweet fragrance, a lush earthy scent. Never in her memory could she recall being so affected by the mere presence of a woman.
    Honor leaned her hip against the counter. "I want to thank you for how good you were with her earlier."
    "You're welcome, but thanks are not necessary. I'm glad it wasn't too bad for her."
    "It's her first big sports injury." Honor grinned ruefully. "Since she's quite the up-and-coming jock, I'm sure there will be more."
    "Well, hopefully you won't require my services too often."
    "No," Honor replied softly, thinking how gentle Quinn had been. "Hopefully not."
    Quinn was surprised when Honor reached out and lightly touched her shoulder, but before she could respond, Honor turned and walked away. Quinn was left staring after her, her skin tingling beneath the cotton of her scrub shirt. Forcefully, she reminded herself that the gesture had been innocent and that the events of the day had made it very clear that Honor was not available for casual flirtations.
Not only married, but married with children. Get a grip.
    And casual flirtations were the only thing that interested Quinn currently. Her life was much too unsettled to contemplate anything else, even had she desired it. Which she didn't.
    She put her mind to the task of completing the paperwork on her remaining patients, and forty-five minutes later, she stepped out through the emergency room doors into a vicious summer storm. The sky was gray-black with rolling thunderclouds, lightning slashed sporadically, striking fiery fingers into the very treetops nearby, and a fierce wind whipped icy bullets of rain into her face. Quinn dug her denim jacket out of her backpack, shrugged it on, and pulled the collar high around her neck in an unsuccessful attempt to keep the rain from running down her back while she unlocked her bicycle.
    "You can't ride in this storm!" Honor called from nearby.
    Turning her head, Quinn blinked at the rivulets of water streaming into her eyes. She had to shout to be heard above the wind and rain. "It's not far! I'll be fine."
    "That's insane!" Honor grabbed Quinn's arm and tugged. "Come on—we'll put your bike in my car, and I'll drive you home."
    Quinn saw no point in arguing while they both got drenched to the skin. She merely grabbed her bike and followed as Honor ran to the parking lot opposite the emergency room entrance. Before they had even reached the Subaru station wagon, Honor had keyed the remote to unlock the doors. After Quinn hefted the bike into the back, they both piled into the front seats in a breathless rush.
    "God, that's brutal," Honor gasped. Soaked to the skin and freezing, she started the car and prayed that the heater would warm up quickly. She glanced at Quinn, who was running her hands through her sopping hair. "Has it occurred to you that riding a bicycle in this is inviting lightning to strike?"'
    "One in a million chance." Quinn grinned.
    "Well, I'd prefer not to have to defibrillate you, all the same." To Honor's surprise, Quinn actually paled. It was the first time Honor had ever seen Quinn appear even slightly off balance, and-— even more than that—there was a fleeting shadow of pain in her expression. Without thinking, she rested her hand on Quinn's thigh, feeling the muscles beneath her fingers tighten in response. "You okay?"
    Quinn glanced down, unable to understand what Honor's hand was doing on her leg. The graceful fingers curling gently over the arch of her midthigh looked completely natural there. She had to resist the urge to put her own fingers over Honor's. The touch was electric, and her stomach clenched with the swift rush of arousal. She sat very still as she struggled to answer.
    "Yes." Quinn's voice was low and husky. "Fine."
    Beneath her fingertips, Honor was aware of Quinn trembling faintly. She was also aware of the fact that she liked the way the lean, tight thigh felt. As casually as she could, she withdrew her hand.
    "We're both soaked. We'd better get