HEALING BONDS

SIXTY

As Pendo arrived at the hospital, the anticipation of their lunch date sent a thrill through her. She’d taken extra care in choosing her outfit—a simple yet form-fitting dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. She wasn’t sure why she was feeling so nervous; it was just lunch, after all. But the thought of spending time alone with Femi had her heart racing.

When she knocked on his office door, it opened almost immediately, revealing Femi leaning against the doorframe with a grin that made her knees go weak.

“Pendo,” he greeted, his voice low and warm. His eyes roamed over her figure, lingering a bit longer than necessary. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

Pendo felt a hot flush creep up her neck, but she met his gaze with a playful smile. “You don’t look too bad yourself, Doctor,” she replied, letting her eyes travel over his broad shoulders and the way his shirt stretched just right over his chest.

Femi stepped back to let her in, his hand lightly grazing her lower back as she walked past him. The touch was brief, but it sent a jolt of electricity down her spine. “I’m glad you could make it,” he said, his voice a little deeper, a little more intense. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week .”

Pendo raised an eyebrow, trying to keep her composure despite the way her body reacted to his every word. “I can tell,” she teased, glancing at the small table set up by the window, complete with flowers and an array of dishes that looked far too extravagant for a simple lunch.

“Only the best for you,” Femi replied, his eyes locking onto hers with a smoldering intensity. He pulled out a chair for her, his hand brushing against hers as she sat down. “After all, it’s not every day I get to have a lunch date with my beautiful woman.”

Pendo laughed softly, trying to shake off the butterflies in her stomach. “I hope you don't say that to your patients ,” she quipped, but the way he was looking at her—like she was the only woman in the world—made it hard to maintain her teasing tone.

Femi leaned in as he took his seat across from her, his voice dropping to a husky murmur. “Trust me, Pendo, there’s only one person I’m interested in having lunch with. And it’s not my patients.”

Her breath caught at the way he was looking at her, his gaze dark and full of unspoken promises. She tried to focus on the food in front of her, but Femi’s presence was overwhelming, his every movement drawing her attention. When he picked up his fork, she couldn’t help but notice the way his fingers wrapped around it, the simple act somehow charged with a sensual energy.

“So,” he began, his voice casual, but his eyes still locked onto hers, “I’ve been thinking a lot about us lately. About what we could do to each others bodies given the chance .”

Pendo swallowed hard, trying to ignore his open desire . “Femi, I—” she started, but he cut her off with a knowing smile.

“Let’s not overthink it,” he said smoothly, leaning in just a little closer. “I’m not asking for anything you’re not ready to give. But I can’t deny that I’ve been imagining what it would be like to be with you. Really be with you butts naked and all.”

Pendo felt a shiver run down her spine at his words, her heart pounding in her chest. “Femi, were in an hosp —” she began again, but the look in his eyes silenced her. He wasn’t pushing, wasn’t demanding, but the intensity of his gaze made it clear that he was more than interested.

“You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it too,” Femi said, his voice barely above a whisper. “About what it would feel like if we stopped pretending and just… gave in.”

Pendo’s breath hitched, the heat in his gaze igniting something deep within her. She had thought about it—more times than she cared to admit. She’d wondered what it would be like to let her guard down, to allow herself to fall into whatever it was that simmered between them.

Before she could respond, Femi reached across the table, his fingers lightly brushing against hers. “I don’t want to rush you, Pendo. But I think you know as well as I do that there’s something here. Something worth exploring.”

Femi leaned in, his voice dropping even lower, taking on a more intimate tone. “Do you have any idea how hard it’s been to keep my hands to myself?” he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles.

Pendo’s breath caught, her pulse quickening at the implication behind his words. She could feel the tension building between them, thick and electric. “Femi,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, “do you think this is the right place ?”

He smiled, his eyes darkening with a mix of desire and affection. “ No, but I’m saying that I want you, Pendo. And I think you want me too that's why you want to avoid the subject ."

But before she could make a decision, Femi stood up, coming around to her side of the table. He leaned down, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, “I think about you all the time, Pendo. About what it would be like to feel you in my arms, to kiss you, to…” He trailed off, his voice full of promise and anticipation.

Pendo’s heart pounded in her chest, her body responding to his nearness in ways she couldn’t control. She turned her head slightly, her lips just inches from his, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

Femi’s hand came up to cup her cheek, his thumb grazing her skin as he looked deep into her eyes. “Tell me you feel it too,” he murmured, his voice raw and vulnerable in a way she hadn’t heard before. “Tell me I’m not the only one who wants this.”

Slowly, she leaned into his touch, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and exhilaration. “Let's not do this here ,” she admitted, her voice barely a whisper, but enough to send a spark of triumph through Femi’s gaze.

His hand tightened slightly on her cheek, his thumb brushing over her lower lip with a tenderness that made her shiver. “ Let’s stop pretending, Pendo,” he whispered, his voice rough with need. “Let’s stop fighting what’s between us.”

But just as the interaction was becoming more intimate, Femi’s phone buzzed on the table, breaking the spell. He glanced at the screen and his expression shifted from relaxed and seductive  to tense in an instant.

"I’m sorry, Pendo," he said, his voice tinged with regret as he glanced at the caller ID. "I’ve got to take this. It looks like an emergency."

Pendo nodded, though a hint of relief clouded her eyes it was getting hot for her. "Of course. Do what you need to do."

Femi gave her a quick, apologetic smile before answering the call. He spoke urgently but quietly, his professional demeanor taking over as he handled the situation. Pendo watched him with admiration. He had ignited something in her and it was brewing . It was clear how dedicated he was to his work, and she couldn’t help but feel some guilt about for viewing him as a sexual object in a professional setting.

After a brief but intense conversation, Femi ended the call and turned back to Pendo, his face softening as he saw her checking him out patiently.

"I’m really sorry about this," he said, his voice filled with genuine remorse. "I’ve got to head to the ER. But I promise we’ll finish this date. How about we continue at home tonight? I’ll make it up to you."

Pendo’s lips curved into a teasing smile. "Is that your way of saying you’re not letting me go just yet?"

Femi’s eyes sparkled with a mix of affection and mischief. "Exactly. Consider it a rain check for the rest of our lunch. I’ll make sure we have a proper finish to this date. And who knows? Maybe I’ll even cook you dinner."

"Sounds like a plan," Pendo said, her smile growing. "Just don’t keep me waiting too long."